Does your canine need a coach?
We offer six-week training courses to help prepare your pooch for a paw-some lifetime at your side. Classes are open to the public.
Canine Training
Our Classes
We have a course for every dog of every age!
Canine Manners
Have you ever wondered why your dog pulls on a leash, jumps up to greet people, and won’t do as you ask? This course will teach you how to communicate with your dog effectively. You will learn the skills necessary to teach your dog basic manners using reward-based training methods. We will build reliable behaviors such as sit, down, stay, wait, come, leave it, tug, and much more!
The class is limited to 8 dogs, 16 weeks old or over when the course begins.
Puppy Kindergarten
Your goal as a puppy parent is to give your pup the best possible start in life. Puppies learn more between 5 and 16 weeks of age than they will in their entire lifetime! Laying a positive foundation during this time is critical for puppies to grow into behaviorally healthy dogs. This course focuses on proper socialization, bite inhibition, house training, manners, and more!
The class is limited to 12 puppies who are 8 to 16 weeks old when the course begins.
Beyond Basic Manners
Does your dog have selective hearing? Do you have to repeat yourself when your dog is near distractions? We will expand upon basic training to help you get reliability anywhere, anytime, and at any distance. Your dog will learn how to stop forward movement when running towards a distraction, sitting at a distance, and more!
The Prerequisites for Beyond Basic Manners are:
- Graduated from the AHS Canine Manners Course OR Successful completion of equivalent training
- Dogs MUST be proficient in the following behaviors:
- Down Stay with distance and distractions
- Wait from 6 ft away with duration
- Wait followed by come
- Leave it with at least 3 different triggers
- Able to work effectively near other dogs and handlers without interfering with other participants
Upcoming Classes
FAQs
What vaccines are required for class?
All puppies must have started their puppy vaccine series (distemper and parvo) at least one week before the first class. Puppies are not required to be fully vaccinated to attend.
All adult dogs must be current on the following vaccines: distemper, parvo, Bordetella, and rabies to participate in courses.
What do I need to bring to class?
- A 6-foot clip leash (no Flexi or other retractable leashes)
- A treat pouch
- A LARGE supply of “high-value” treats to be used for training. Some great options are cheese, hotdogs, chicken breast, lean luncheon meats, and freeze-dried chicken or liver.
- A long, soft, plush or tug toy
Can my dog come to class when they are in heat or have just been spayed/neutered?
Adult classes are non-strenuous and the dogs do not interact with each other. If you walk your dog for potty breaks, your dog can attend class. Females in season must wear a sanitary pad and diaper. Please consult your vet with any specific restrictions they may have.
The class I am interested in is full, is there a waitlist?
Yes! If the class that you are interested in is full, please add yourself to the Waitlist using this form. Adding yourself to this list does not guarantee you a spot in the class. You will be notified should a spot open up. It is recommended that you sign up for another class.
I need to cancel my registration; how do I get a refund?
Refunds or class transfers can be processed up to 7 days before the first class. Please email tmiller@ashevillehumane.org with any refund/transfer requests.
Can my dog come to class if they are difficult to control around other dogs?
The classroom setting is not the right place for dogs who are exhibiting aggressive behaviors on lead towards people and/or dogs. Friendly, high energy dogs are welcome. If you have concerns about how your dog is reacting on a leash to other dogs or people, reach out to psilvani@ashevillehumane.org before signing up.
Where are your training classes located?
Our training facility is at 800 Fairview Rd, Suite C-1 Asheville NC 28803. The entrance is located on the backside of the building. All participants will receive a map in the confirmation email.
Our trainers
Pia Silvani, CPDT-KA, CCBC
Marz Barberio, CPDT-KA
Marz has lived in Raleigh, North Carolina for a majority of her life. After going to college at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC she decided she loved the mountains too much to leave and moved to Asheville! While working towards her degree in Communications Electronic Media/Broadcasting and Photography she found her passion in dog training and has pursued a full-time career training ever since.
She has been training dogs for over five years now and worked with thousands of dogs in the shelter environment and private dog training. Her goal is to help dog’s and their owners live a happy, balanced life together and teach people how to properly communicate with their dog to form a strong relationship with them.
Marz currently has one rescued border collie that she competes in agility with and when they are not doing agility you will find them exploring all of the hiking trails! Her dream is to open up her own agility facility one day to teach her community all about the sport to help build people’s relationship with their dogs in a fun, positive way.
Miranda Cook, CPDT-KA
Noah Young
Noah began his career in private dog training, specializing in behavioral modification for cases involving aggression, reactivity, and fear/anxiety. Through hands-on experience with off-leash socialization, one-on-one sessions, and group classes, he developed a deep understanding of canine behavior and communication. After four years in the field, alongside contract work in animal welfare, he transitioned fully into the animal welfare sector to expand his impact on the lives of dogs and their future families.
As the owner of a behaviorally complex dog himself, Noah is passionate about helping families build strong, balanced relationships with their challenging dogs. He believes in meeting each dog where they are, prioritizing both safety and emotional well-being while preserving the bond between dog and owner. With his own dog, he has learned to balance behavioral management with acceptance, expanding her world in safe, comfortable ways. In his free time, Noah enjoys dog-friendly hikes, training new skills, and exploring dog sports to build his dog’s confidence.
