Please carefully consider your schedule, commitment to training, and your dog before registering for class.
REFUNDS:
By enrolling in a class, you are reserving a spot in our group classes. There are often waiting lists for our group classes.
If your dog is unable to attend due to an injury or illness during your course, you will receive a 50% discount towards a future class. If we cancel a class that you have registered for, you will receive a full refund. Once the class has begun, we regret that we are unable to refund your $30 class enrollment fee. If your dog is exhibiting issues that are beyond a group class, we can use your enrollment fee towards a private lesson.
MAKE-UPS:
We have many options for making up a missed class. Just ask your instructor, as it is important that we relay the class information to you and your pup.
TRANSFERS:
If you would like to transfer to another class, please let us know FIVE days before the class begins so that we may contact our waiting list to fill your spot.
Our classes are intensely informative with a dash of flair to create an upbeat, positive environment. Our approach to training is very different than that of a typical dog trainer. Our classes are anything but dull or militant – hence our unique “date night with your dog” approach to training classes!
Training your dog should be primarily about building a relationship, not creating a dictatorship. It is much easier to teach your dog what to do rather than trying to continuously stop unwanted behaviors. Our training philosophy follows around science guided behavior principles and aligns with the most accepted best practices endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists, and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. By reinforcing behaviors that you WANT, those behaviors become strongest in your dog’s repertoire. We are committed to bringing you the most progressive methods in our field, and to staying current with the literature that supports this. With over 25+ years of experience in their back pockets, our trainers have heard every training issue that you can throw at them. EmBARK has been voted the #1 training facility in the midwest for 17 consecutive years, and also in the top ten in the United States by SniffSpot. Owner and founder, Heather Mishefske is also on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, our profession’s largest trade organization and makes sure we stay on top of current information in canine behavior. Whether you have an 8 wk old Chihuahua or an 11 year old Newfoundland, we have the perfect class for you! We are transparent in any equipment we recommend and what methods we will be using in class. And we LOVE to talk about this, so please ask us!
We offer 16 DIFFERENT classes – the biggest selection in the Midwest! In addition, our patented A LA CARTE classes are only 4 weeks long to help busy dog moms and dads hone in on single skills without a huge time commitment.
Discounts:
- There is a 10% discount on your first class for newly adopted dogs from Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, and Menomonie Humane Associations. Group training classes can be a great way to bond with your newly adopted family member. You will pay full price for your class up front, and if you attend all classes, you will receive a refund upon completion of the class.
- There is a 25% discount for 4-H kids who are attending class with their dogs! Use code 4HKID at checkout.
- We have discounts for multi dog families – 50% off the second, third, or fourth dog in the same family. Dogs must be in the same class at the same time. Contact the office at 1-715-864-3263 or email Joy at joy@embarkdog.com for a coupon code if you are eligible for this discount.
- Handlers who have already taken a class may audit (without the dog) that same class for a 75% discount.
Notices:
- Winter cancellation policy: Classes will be canceled during inclement weather two hours before class begins. Please check our Facebook page, or the banner across the homepage for cancellations.
- All classes are one hour in length each week unless otherwise noted.
- Please review our Terms & Conditions for information on refunds, makeups, and transfers.
- Because we are committed to evidence guided dog training, we are picky about what the research says about learning, The use of electric collars is not permitted in our facility. Electricity is not a part of our learning environment, as dictated our LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) commitment to humane training for ALL of our learners, both human and canine.
Training Classes Available:
Puppy Einstein
$150.00 | 1 hour each week for 7 weeks
Get your pups off to the right start! Puppies aged 8-16 weeks and their families are welcome to join this energetic class packed full of useful tips in raising little Fido. Teaching social stability, confidence building, beginning come when called, potty training, calm downs at your side, and puppy manners are all part of this class. This class is designed for hitting the three big developmental periods in a puppy’s life that come to an end when they become 5-6 months of age. This class is taught by the most experienced puppy instructor in the area, with over 20 years of teaching puppies. This a family friendly class, so bring the whole crew! Crucial lessons are learned within the first months – don’t miss the opportunity!
Why should puppy class and vaccinations go together?
Upcoming Class Dates
Real Life Rover
$170.00 | 1 hour each week for 8 weeks
Most dog schools call this class Beginner Obedience. Ho hum that is so dull! This should be the next class in progression after Puppy Einstein. A class geared towards everyday living, a class with skills that you use each day. Self control, go to your bed, proper greeting behavior, come when called, waiting to go out the door, stay put, loose leash walking, and some tricks are intertwined in this class. A great continuing education for your adolescent pup, or the middle aged dog who needs some remedial learning. If your dog is not comfortable in a group setting around other dogs that are 15 feet from, this class may not be a good fit. Dogs uncomfortable in a group setting (they exhibit barking and lunging behaviors) will benefit from one on one lessons to start their learning journey. See the Behavior Consultations page for more information if you don’t think your dog is a good fit for this class.
Upcoming Class Dates
Fit Dog
$90.00 | 1 hour for 4 weeks
Is your dog fit? This Level 1 class is designed as a foundation to bring fun and fitness to your dog. Dogs will learn new fitness skills….and have fun doing it! This is a 4-week course with an opportunity to earn a Fit Dog certificate at the completion of the course.
Requirements:
- Dog must have completed a RLR class here at emBARK
- Dog must be comfortable in a class setting
- This course is NOT designed for dogs recovering from injuries or in pain
- Special considerations will be given for puppies under 18 months (will be allowed as long as repetitive movements are restricted)
Upcoming Class Dates
Loose Leash Walk
$90.00 | 4 weeks for 1 hour
Is walking your dog a pain? Pulling? Panting? Zig zagging? And your back is paying the price? This class will help you get a handle on loose leash walking skills and allow your walks to be calm and collected.
Upcoming Class Dates
Come When Called
$90.00 | 1 hour for 4 weeks
It is 6am, you are wearing your fluorescent green bathrobe to let your dog out for his morning duties. You tip your coffee cup up to take a sip…look up…and he is GONE. You wander the neighborhood in your early morning attire yelling and trying NOT to wake the neighbors. DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Take our 4 week Come When Called class as a refresher or as an intro to this crucial life lesson. We will work through distracting environments and teach you how to go through the steps of teaching your dog to “COME”!!
Upcoming Class Dates
Stay With Me
$90.00 | 1 hour for 4 weeks
The BEST class you will ever take. Teach your dog to stay close to you on or off leash. This is a crucial life lesson that you will use daily. Voted the best class in town by many students! Taught in a way that will be fun and ridiculously useful. Come to a dog training class that keeps you on your toes and moving along in a great atmosphere. Who says old dogs cannot learn new tricks? This one you will pull out of your pocket for years to come.
Upcoming Class Dates
Cooperative Care
$90.00 | 4 Weeks for 1 hour
Cooperative care means that your dog is collaborating in their own care. This means that ear care, nail trims, body handling and other husbandry tasks are something that we will train your dog to not only tolerate, but to be an active and willing participant in. This four week class taught by Heather will give you the tools and skills to begin to build behaviors to be amiable around tasks that may be done to them. Dogs attending this class must be comfortable in a group setting, and know how to lay down / settle on a mat / hang out in their crate during the instructional part of this class.
Upcoming Class Dates
Sensational Seniors
$90.00 | 4 weeks for 1 hour
Join us for this unique class for older dogs and their owners. Senior dog class is tailored to dogs 8 years of age and up. The goal of this fun four week class is to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. The class will consist of a combination of exercise, mental stimulation, functional tricks and positive reinforcement that will not only get rid of seasonal boredom, but also help your dog build muscle, coordination, and balance.
Upcoming Class Dates
X-treme Real Life Rover
$170.00 | 1 hour for 8 weeks
Once again, we are up to something different! If you have taken Real Life Rover, you are ready for the journey to continue…everyone can own a dog that can sit, stay, and shake. X-treme Real Life Rover takes your dog to another level of training. Learn skills that are applicable when out hiking at Lowe’s Creek Park, or hanging out at the concerts at Phoenix Park. Create a dog that you are proud to own and WANT to take places – isn’t that what sharing your life with a dog is all about? We will learn a down at a distance, waiting at the curb, emergency sits, off leash come when called, crate games, and extreme stay work.
Upcoming Class Dates
Agility Stability
$90.00 | 4 weeks for 1 hour
Channel your dog’s energy into some productive playtime. We will use a bit of agility equipment, a bit of platform work, tricks and confidence courses to create a night out for your dog. Pre-req for this class is completion of another course here at emBARK.
Upcoming Class Dates
Therapy Dog Prep Workshop
$145.00 | 6 hours for 1 day
Therapy dogs are calm, well-mannered dogs who volunteer with their handlers in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, reading programs, dog education events, and many other areas. This class covers basic elements of therapy dog work such as manners, calmness in unusual situations, and visiting etiquette. Dogs and handlers will learn behaviors associated with a good therapy dogs, obedience and handling skills need for visits, visiting protocol, and techniques for effective interaction between visiting teams and patients. Dogs will be introduced to medical devices including walkers, wheelchairs, canes & crutches. This class is not designed nor required to certify dogs but rather to give both handler and dog the tools to become effective therapy teams and to be better prepared for tests conducted by various programs.
Prerequisites Skills – Dogs must:
- Be unfailingly friendly with other dogs and people.
- Consistently desire interaction with people
- Understand basic obedience commands on a leash such as : Maintaining a reliable sit and down stay on leash with other dogs, coming when called on a 20 foot line, walking on a loose leash, have a dog license, be clean, well groomed, and be up to dates on vaccinations.
Upcoming Class Dates
Barks and Rec Class
$90.00 | 1 hour for 4 weeks
Engage those minds and work those brains! Sometimes, your dog just needs a night out where they don’t have to perform any SKILLS, they just get to play games!
Bounce on into our Barks and Recreation class. Four weeks of boredom busting games, puzzles and tricks to get you and your dog out of the house to do STUFF with them. Interactive puzzles, engaging games, and mini skills will enlist their minds to solve problems and exercise their scenting abilities. We all know that our dogs need physical AND mental stimulation, but it is often hard to come up with these on your own. Let us help! This class is just plain FUN. Pre-Req for this class is to have taken a previous emBARK class, or be enrolled here as a daycare dog.
Upcoming Class Dates
Reactive Rover Class
$240.00 | 1 hour for 5 weeks
This is a focused class for dogs who struggle to go on walks due to their reaction towards other dogs or humans. This intense course is for serious handlers who are committed to changing their dog’s reactions to triggers around them. If your dog barks/lunges and loses their mind around other dogs or people while on a leash, this class was designed to help you. We understand how frustrating, scary, humiliating, and misunderstood these scenarios are. We are going to dive deep into behavior modification and practice in real-life scenarios. Pre-reqs for this class are having worked with Heather in a behavior consultation, having taken a class with one of our instructors, or having a pre-screened 15-minute phone consultation.
This class is limited to 6 people. Each person must bring a secondary handler with them. The first class is done via Zoom (90 minutes), and the remaining 4 classes (one hour) are in person at emBARK. There are no refunds and no make-up classes available for this class. Be sure you are committed prior to signing up. You will also need to purchase a properly fitted body harness for this class.
As with all of our classes at emBARK, this class aligns with behavior change protocols of the veterinary behavior models accepted by all major veterinary medical organizations for behavior. This means that we will not be using any kind of aversive collars (prong/e-collars/choke chains), as research tells us that this simply suppresses behavior in the learner rather than changing internal emotions around the triggers that set your dog off. Using these types of training collars is not recommended in the veterinary behavior literature to change these behaviors. We will be using positive reinforcement procedures of classic and operant conditioning, desensitization, differential reinforcers, and redirection cues.
This class will be taught by Heather (CBCC-KA), a Certified Canine Behavior Consultant with over 25 years of experience helping dogs overcome behavior hurdles. She will bring to you the most current and progressive research in treating dog leash reactivity.
Please email Joy if you are interested in this specialized group class.
Upcoming Class Dates
Bottles and Bones
$95 per hour
This specialized one on one offering is intended for families expecting a new baby that have dog(s). A lot of changes are in the future for the parents, grandparents, family and friends, but also for the family dog. How can we prepare our dogs for the new baby? How can we make this new transition a positive one for all involved?
This private training is taught by Dawn Olson, one of emBARK’s certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and also a licensed Family Paws Educator. In this training, you will use basic cues to use that will allow your dog to be involved in daily life with your baby in a safe way to reduce stress for your new family.
Dawn will use Family Paws curriculum along with dog training skills to create uniquely tailored routines to use when baby comes home, management that needs to be in place for the safety of all, balancing baby/dog needs, what caretakers need to know, and more. Family Paws is a highly respected program aimed at helping families handle this homecoming phase of bringing baby home to your canine family member.
This is also a great class for expectant grandparents and their dogs.
Private sessions can also be shared with other expectant friends and/or family.
Email Dawn directly at dawn@embarkdog.com to schedule a time to meet.
Upcoming Class Dates
Private Lessons / Behavior Consultations
$150 - $95 per hour depending upon instructor
Is there an issue that you would like to work on that is not covered in a class, or a goal that you are working towards with your dog? Private lessons and behavior consulting are available in any increments of time. Email Joy, joy@embarkdog.com, to schedule a lesson with one of the instructors to work on skill work. Or take a look at our Behavior Consultation page for a behavior consultation available with Heather who is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CDPT-KA) and also one of only 12 Certified Canine Behavior Consultants (CBCC-KA) in the state. Behavior work also follows the gold standards aligning with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) , the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and the The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB).
Common issues to work on include:
- Housebreaking / potty training
- Aggression towards humans
- Intra-household dog aggression
- Separation anxiety / isolation stress
- General anxiety
- Fearfulness
- Leash reactivity
- Manners
- Behavior issues
- Phobias
- Loose leash walking
- Coming when called
- Jumping on people
- Relationship building
- Clicker training
- Resource guarding
- How to play tug
- Crate training
- Cooperative Care and husbandry tasks
Upcoming Class Dates
One Hit Wonders
$30 | 1 hour for 1 week
Want to do something with your pup, but life is pulling you into too many directions? Come and join us for a low commitment, fun date night with your dog. These one night, one hour classes are a great way to spending some quality time together and learn new and useful skills. These unique one night classes offer something for all ages and abilities of dogs and handlers. Look for these in the rotation of One Hit Wonders : Happy Hour Hounds (outdoor patio manners), Booty Building (rear end strengthening), Creative Crate Solutions, Cooperative Muzzle Training, Space Invaders (how to navigate unwanted approaches from off leash dogs), Nail Scratch Board Clinic, Tricks Night, Pattern Games, Trainer Hacks, Small Breed Night Out, Puppy Parkour, Food Stuffables Buffet (Kong/Toppl stuffing), Leave It Games, and others in the making. Email joy@embarkdog.com to get on a list for any One Hit Wonder’s that are not currently on the schedule.
