Puppy and Adult Group Classes Grand Rapids, MI | CPDT-KA | Emmy's Way
Alex Dunn leading a group dog training class with a border collie and orange cones in Grand Rapids, MI
Emmy's Way  ·  In Partnership with Wild & Free & East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec

Puppy & Adult Dog
Group Classes in Grand Rapids, MI

Force-free group training for puppies and dogs of all ages.

Alex Dunn sitting with two dogs outside a training facility in Grand Rapids, MI

Group classes are one of my favorite ways to help puppies and dogs build skills, confidence, and good manners while having fun around other dogs and people.

Through my partnership with Wild & Free, we offer a variety of group classes throughout the year in partnership with East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec, with options for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs alike.

Are Group Classes Right for Your Dog?

Group classes are best suited for dogs who are comfortable in the presence of other dogs and people. If your dog feels relaxed and curious (rather than overwhelmed or reactive) around other dogs in a controlled setting, group classes are a fantastic way to build skills while practicing around real-world distractions.

If your dog struggles with reactivity or isn't quite ready for a group setting yet, that's okay too! Private in-home sessions are a great starting point, and clients may move into group classes once their dog has built up some foundational skills and confidence.

Curriculum

What We Cover in Class

Across our puppy and dog group classes, we work on a wide range of foundational behaviors and skills, including:

  • Leash Walking
  • Come When Called
  • Handler Engagement & Focus
  • Place / Settle
  • Barking
  • Jumping
  • Biting & Mouthing
  • Handling
  • Tricks

Every class blends structured skill-building with various games, socialization, and confidence-building — because learning should be fun for both ends of the leash!

Class Offerings

Group Class Offerings

All classes are offered through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec in partnership with Wild & Free. Visit the registration catalog for current dates, pricing, and availability.

Basic Obedience 1 — All Ages

Our Beginner Dog Training Class is all about helping you and your dog thrive together. Through positive, reward-based training, we'll focus on everyday essentials such as sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, and come when called. You'll also learn simple games to manage jumping and strengthen your connection. A great start for any age or breed!

Basic Obedience 2 — All Ages

Take your training to the next level! Designed for dogs who have completed a beginner obedience course, this class builds on foundational skills and focuses on increasing reliability in real-world situations — longer stays, improved leash manners, polite greetings, stronger focus, and preparation for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.

Prerequisite: Basic Obedience 1 or equivalent

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep

Our CGC Prep Class is designed to help you and your dog build the skills needed to successfully pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. You'll practice all ten CGC test items — including polite greetings, loose leash walking, sit/down/stay, coming when called, supervised separation, and remaining calm around other dogs.

Prerequisite: Solid foundation in basic obedience

Beyond Obedience: Specialty Classes

Our group class lineup through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec also includes options for specific interests and life stages. Whatever stage your dog is in, there's likely a class that fits!

  • Scentwork — a fun, confidence-building enrichment activity for dogs of any age
  • Intro to Sports — an introduction to dog sports for dogs looking for an outlet
  • Tricks — a fun, low-pressure way to build engagement and bond with your dog
Benefits

Why Train in a Group Setting?

Group classes offer benefits that go beyond what you can practice at home:

  • Real-World Distractions Practicing skills around other dogs and people helps behaviors generalize beyond your living room.
  • Socialization Especially important during puppyhood — structured exposure to other dogs and people in a safe environment builds lasting confidence.
  • Community Many clients enjoy connecting with other local dog owners going through the same stages.
  • Affordability Group classes are often a more budget-friendly way to access ongoing, expert training support.
Two happy Pomeranian dogs sitting in the grass during a group training class in Grand Rapids, MI
Confident, happy dogs — whatever breed, age, or starting point.
How to Register

View Current Classes &
Register Today

Group classes are offered through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec in partnership with Wild & Free. Browse current class dates, pricing, and availability through their online catalog.

Registration managed through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec Browse & Register for Classes

Frequently Asked Questions

Most puppies can start group classes around 10 weeks of age, as long as they're up to date on age-appropriate vaccinations (check with your veterinarian). If your puppy seems curious and comfortable around new dogs and people — even if a little unsure at first — group class is usually a great fit.
Group classes work best for dogs who are generally comfortable in the presence of other dogs and people. If your dog shows signs of reactivity or seems overwhelmed in group settings, I'd recommend starting with private in-home sessions or our Reactive Group Classes.
Classes are run through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec in partnership with Wild & Free. Visit the registration catalog linked above for current locations, dates, and details.
All registration, pricing, and scheduling information is managed through East Grand Rapids Parks & Rec. You can view current offerings and register directly through their online catalog.
Definitely! Many clients combine private in-home sessions with group classes — private sessions to work on specific behaviors one-on-one, and group classes to practice those skills around real-world distractions and build socialization.
Yes! All of our classes are open to both puppy and adult dogs.