Puppy Classes & More
Think of St. Pete Dog Works as a partner for life! We have created a dog training class structure that creates good habits that last a lifetime through manners, socialization, and fun!
Puppy Foundations (for puppies 6 weeks - 16 weeks old)
📍Open Enrollment | 4 Weeks | 1-Hour Weekly Sessions
Start your puppy’s training journey during their most important learning stage!
In this open enrollment class designed for puppies 16 weeks and younger, we focus on setting a strong foundation for a confident, well-adjusted future. You’ll learn how to navigate the "puppy stage" with positive reinforcement and science-based strategies that build a strong bond with your pup through trust, clear communication, and fun games.
We’ll cover age-appropriate manners, solutions for common puppy challenges, socialization essentials, and practical enrichment ideas to meet your puppy’s mental and physical needs. From curbing puppy biting to building great leash habits, you’ll leave each week with tools you can use right away.
🎯 Perfect for: First-time puppy owners or experienced dog lovers with new pups looking to set their dog up for a lifetime of good manners and confidence.
🐾 Skills & Topics Covered:
✔️ Positive socialization strategies during this critical learning period ✔️ Puppy biting & chewing solutions ✔️ Crate comfort and nap time routines ✔️ Confidence-building games ✔️ Marker word & reward timing for clear communication ✔️ Name recognition, sit, down ✔️ Intro to leash skills, recall games, and mat work ✔️ Polite greetings ✔️ Cooperative care skills for vet/groomer visits
Join anytime—spots are limited to ensure individual attention!
📅 See Schedule & Enroll Today
Puppy Life Skills (for puppies 4–6 months old)
📍6 Weeks | 1-Hour Weekly Sessions
From bouncy puppy to polite young dog—build focus, patience, and real-life manners!
Your growing pup is ready for bigger challenges! Our Puppy Life Skills class helps you strengthen the foundation from Puppy Foundations (or start fresh if this is your first class) while teaching your dog how to focus, listen, and control their impulses—especially around distractions.
Through engaging games, leash walking practice, and confidence-building activities, you’ll give your puppy the life skills they need to navigate the world with good manners and calm confidence.
🎯 Perfect for: Puppies 4–6 months, whether you’re a graduate of Puppy Foundations or just beginning training.
🐾 Skills & Topics Covered:
✔️ Reliable recall and leash walking foundations ✔️ “Place” cue for settling calmly anywhere ✔️ Wait and stay for better self-control ✔️ Polite greetings with people and other dogs ✔️ Drop it & take it for safe play and toy manners ✔️ It’s Your Choice game for impulse control ✔️ Confidence with handling (paws, collar grabs, brushing) ✔️ Fun training games like “Spin,” “Find it,” and “Red Light, Green Light”
Build the dog you can take anywhere—start here!
📅 See Schedule & Enroll Today
Adolescent Dog Manners (for dogs 6-18 months old)
📍6 Weeks | 1-Hour Weekly Sessions
Tame the teenage phase with training that sticks!
When your sweet puppy hits adolescence, it can feel like they’ve forgotten everything you’ve taught them. Our Adolescent Dog Manners class is designed to help you navigate this challenging stage by reinforcing core manners, improving focus, and teaching self-control—even when the world is exciting.
Using fun, positive reinforcement techniques, you and your dog will practice recall, leash manners, impulse control, and polite greetings while working in real-world scenarios. You’ll also learn how to meet your adolescent dog’s mental and physical needs to set them up for success.
🎯 Perfect for: Dogs 6–18 months old who are new to training, need a training refresher or next-level challenge.
🐾 Skills & Topics Covered:
✔️ Focus games to cut through distractions ✔️ Loose leash walking in public spaces ✔️ Reliable recall—including emergency recall ✔️ “Leave it” for everyday life situations ✔️ Place, stay, and wait with distractions and distance ✔️ Polite greetings with people and other dogs ✔️ Emotional regulation & impulse control games ✔️ Confidence-building with new sights, sounds, and obstacles
Turn your distracted teen dog into a calm, confident companion you can enjoy anywhere.
📅 See Schedule & Enroll Today
Beyond Basics - Young Adult Advanced Manners (10+ Months)
📍6 Weeks | 1-Hour Weekly Sessions
Polish your dog’s skills and prepare for the Canine Good Citizen test!
This advanced class is perfect for dogs ready to take their manners to the next level. You’ll strengthen reliability in the real world, sharpen leash work, and build confidence in handling distractions. Whether you plan to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test or simply want a well-mannered dog in any setting, this course will get you there.
🎯 Perfect for: Dogs 10+ months with basic obedience skills who are ready for real-world challenges or CGC certification.
🐾 Skills & Topics Covered:
✔️ CGC test prep: all 10 test items practiced weekly ✔️ Heel work with precision and focus ✔️ Advanced stay, wait, and place with distractions ✔️ Reliable recall in real-life settings ✔️ Polite leash walking through crowds and around dogs ✔️ Leave it for high-value distractions ✔️ Calm greetings with people and dogs ✔️ Supervised separation confidence
By graduation, your dog will be polished, confident, and ready to ace the CGC test—or just be the most well-mannered pup on the block.
📅 See Schedule & Enroll Today
General Class Information
• Our class size is limited to 4 dogs to create a calm, stress-free training environment with lots of personal attention.
• Group classes are for dogs who are comfortable moving around in close proximity to unfamiliar dogs and people. If you’re unsure your dog is appropriate for class, Email Us prior to registration to discuss the best training option.
• Proof of vaccination (or titers) is required. All dogs must have at least 2 DHPP booster shots and Rabies vaccine if 24 weeks or older, free of parasites, free of infectious disease, and in overall good health. We follow the AVSAB recommendations on early, safe-socialization requirements.
• Our classes include access to handouts, how to videos, and after class coaching to help you achieve your training goals!
• Classes are held in our dog training studio located in St. PetersBARK at 3001 Central Ave in the Grand Central District. Portions of class or speciality classes may be held outdoors in our beautiful city where you live, walk, and play everyday. We couldn’t imagine a more perfect classroom. Our favorite locations include: Seminole Park (Kenwood Neighborhood), Crescent Lake Park, Vinoy Park, and the St. Pete Pier.
• Cancellation Policy: Class registration cancellations are only accepted with at least 24 hour notice; due to high demand and our goal to limit class size to provide a semi-private learning environment there are no makeup classes.