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 including sit, down, stay, wait and come
- Dogs MUST be able to work effectively near other dogs and handlers without interfering with other participants
If you have any questions about your dog’s eligibility for the course, please get in touch with our trainers at psilvani@ashevillehumane.org
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 aaustin@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
Pia Silvani is an internationally-recognized dog trainer and lecturer with over 30 years of experience. As VP of Training and Behavior at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ, she developed numerous courses focused on positive, reward-based techniques. In 2013, Pia began working for the ASPCA, eventually becoming the Director of Behavioral Rehabilitation. She led programs to educate shelter professionals in effective behavior rehabilitation techniques and specialized in socialization, enrichment, and shelter protocols. This cutting-edge program is featured in the award-winning Netflix documentary, “Second Chance Dogs.” Pia now has a consulting business in Asheville, offering in-home behavioral consultations, and is the Director of Behavior and Training at Asheville Humane. Pia is one of Bark’s 100 picks of the best and brightest people that changed the world of dogs. Her goal has always been to combine her love of dogs with respect and affection for people. She enriches the lives of both through humane relationship work and training.
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.
Cat Lipsky, CPDT-KA
Cat recently moved to Asheville with her pack (including husband, daughter, two dogs and a cat) from Southern Oregon. She got her Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Beverage Management but realized her passion for dog training when she adopted her first German Shepherd, Beowulf. His drive to work and learn, led Cat to the world of dog training and she has been working with her own dogs for over a decade now.
Cat has worked with a wide variety of dogs in private training, group classes, and the shelter environment. She wants to help people read and understand their dogs better through their body language. Her goal is to one day have her own dog farm where she can rehabilitate behaviorally unhealthy dogs and offer them an environment they can feel safe and thrive in. When Cat is not helping others train, she is training her Belgian Malinois in advance obedience, helping her geriatric husky live out her best life, dancing with her kid, or growing plants and making food with her husband.
