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Our Training Services

Barks and Rec. is proud to offer dog training and behavior modification services to every dog, regardless of age or breed. We host a wide range of dog training services at our facility in Traverse City, Michigan, including group classes, private and in-home training, workshops, puppy socialization, and more.

Our dog trainers are highly educated in teaching obedience, manners, life skills, enrichment, and dog sports, as well as working through problem behaviors like reactivity, aggression, fear, and separation anxiety. We can also evaluate your dog for a trick title, the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, or therapy dog certification.

Explore a full list of our services on the page below, or click the button to book a service today!

Please Note: If you have a dog with behavioral concerns such as aggression or anxiety, group classes are NOT appropriate. Please call 231-590-7497 or email info@barkranger.net to schedule a private dog training session instead!

Group Classes and Private Training Services

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Orientation

Our orientation is designed for pet owners who are new to training with Barks and Rec.* You can watch our orientation video online today (Click Here)!

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*Orientation is required for all Pup Scouts participants, and highly recommended for Pup Explorers.

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Smart Scouts

This training package is for pet parents who want the best start for their new puppy! Smart Scouts includes:

  • Orientation

  • Pup Explorers (four-week class)

  • Pup Scouts (six-week class)

  • 3 Private Training Sessions

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Happy Camper

The Happy Camper package is the best way to bundle group puppy classes and save. Happy Camper includes:

  • Orientation

  • Pup Explorers (four-week class)

  • Pup Scouts  (six-week class)

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Pup Explorers

Pup Explorers is our four-week socialization group class for puppies under 20 weeks of age. This class covers focus, confidence-building activities, and offers help with common puppy problems like biting, jumping, potty training, and crate training. Safe, supervised puppy playtime is included!

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Pup Scouts

Pup Scouts is our six-week manners and life skills group class for dogs of all ages (it doesn't matter if your dog is 3 months old or 13 years old; we believe training is for every dog, every age)!

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This class covers basic manners, prevention of behavior problems, and clicker training foundations.

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Indoor Playground

Our cushioned, temperature-controlled training room is now open for rentals!

  • Book 30 min or hour-long sessions 

  • All bookings are private for only you and your dog(s)

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*Must provide proof of Rabies and DHPP for your dogs(s) and sign a liability waiver.

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Junior Ranger

In Junior Ranger, you will learn how to teach your dog to listen and have great manners – even with distractions present!

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This intermediate life skills class also doubles as our Therapy Dog 1 class, and is open to all graduates of Pup Scouts (or equivalent, with instructor permission). 

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Intro To Dog Sports 

This four-week class lets you explore the fun world of dog sport training by trying:​

  • Agility

  • Nosework

  • Rally Obedience

  • Trick Training

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Bark Ranger

Our Bark Ranger class focuses on advancing your dog's obedience in real-world situations. Bark Ranger is recommended for pet dogs wanting to further their manners and focus, CGC prep dogs, future therapy dogs, or even Rally O students who want more practice around distractions.​

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Agility

Agility is a fun, fast-paced sport that's perfect for active dogs! You and your dog will learn to work together as a team to navigate courses containing jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and more. 

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We offer agility classes for beginners through advanced students.​ These classes are appropriate for both pet parents and competition prospects. 

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Nosework 

This fun sport teaches your dog to use their best sense: their smell! Our nosework classes cover the basics of scent detection and introduce your dog to the target odor of Birch.​

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These classes are appropriate for both pet parents and competition prospects. 

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Rally Obedience

In Rally Obedience, you and your dog will navigate a course while performing specific obedience behaviors. Rally is the most fun way to practice your dog's obedience skills and your ability to work together as a team!

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This class is appropriate for both pet parents and competition prospects. 

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Therapy Dog 

Therapy dogs bring comfort and joy to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and more. Because these dogs will be working in public spaces and interacting with a variety of people, therapy dogs must be friendly, social, and have top-notch manners and obedience skills. 

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We can help prepare your dog for a therapy dog "career" and conduct your certification as a therapy dog team!

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Growly Dog

Our Growly Dog class is open to current private training clients who have worked with us to address their dogs' behavior challenges. â€‹This ensures a safe, controlled environment for helping your reactive dog practice their "chill" skills in the presence of others! 

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Contact us to be added to our Growly Dog class wait list.

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Cooperative Care

Does your dog hate going to the vet? Is it hard to administer your dog's medicines? Does basic grooming, like brushing and nail trims, always turn into a battle?

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We can help! Through Cooperative Care training, your dog will learn how to become an active and willing participant in routine handling procedures. 

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Four-Week Focus

Our four-week focus classes are the perfect way to focus on specific training skills you want to improve. They're also a great option for busy pet parents!

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Previous Focus topics have included Better Recall, Better Greetings, and Better Leash Skills. 

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Private Training

Need extra help with a specific training topic? Have a behavior concern like reactivity, aggression, or separation anxiety? Prefer to work one-on-one with a trainer? 

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With options to purchase a private training package or pay as you go, private training is a flexible way to meet your dog training goals!

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In-Home Training

If traveling to our training facility is too difficult for you or your dog, our trainers can come to you! 

 

There is no travel charge if you are located within 10 miles of our training facility. Contact us today to get a quote.

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Training Workshops

Our past training workshops have included Movement Puzzles, Chutes 'n Hoops, Trick Training, Preparing for the Holidays, Introducing Winter Boots, Relaxation, Nail Trims, and more. 

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Keep an eye on our website for future workshop topics and dates!

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AKC Title Evaluation

Earning a title through the American Kennel Club can be a fun way to commemorate your training achievements with your dog.​ Our trainers can help evaluate your dog for an AKC trick title or Canine Good Citizen test.

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You don't have to be a current student to set up an evaluation. Contact us to get started!

Not Sure Which Service to Choose?

We can help! Get in touch with us today with more information about your dog and your training goals, and we'll be happy to make a recommendation. 

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