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
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.
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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!
Growly Dog
Our Growly Dog class is open to current private training clients who have worked with us to address their dogs' behavior challenges. ​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.
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.
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!
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!



















