About ACE Training Programs

At A Canine Experience Inc., our primary focus is the well-being of each dog and we are dedicated to designing a program best suited to your goals and your dog’s needs. We offer a variety of flexible programs developed to achieve the highest possible success considering all factors. Not every program is a good fit for all dogs. Our evaluation process is designed to develop a path to successfully modify behaviors to reach the owners goals, while being realistic and transparent about expectations. For this reason, a Behavioral Evaluation and prior approval from a trainer is needed to participate in any training program.

Your training program will focus on the goals set out in the Behavioral Evaluation. A solid foundation of basic obedience, proper manners, appropriate mental stimulation, physical conditioning, and a clear manner of communication are beneficial in all cases.

A day in training will include a variety of exercises, clear and consistent rules and boundaries, structured play, mentally challenging games, habituation to various stimulus, field trips to new environments, physical exercise, learning to properly interact with dogs and people, self-control exercises, developing positive behavior patterns, conditioning exercises, thinking games, obstacles etc.

Below are examples of exercises used to develop communication between you and your dog. This is not a complete list and not all dogs will learn all of these skills.

Foundational Skills will assist you in living together more cohesively and developing a basic level of communication. Exercises will include some of the following: sit, wait at doors, loose leash walking, down, stand, short down stay, short sit stay, come on short lead, leave it, place (go to a bed), to remain on a bed, off, engagement exercises, box game, eye contact, proper toy play, calming handling exercises, self-control with low distraction, appropriate dog interactions, sit to greet, entering/exiting car, CGC, Novice Tricks Dog.

Intermediate Skills will continue to develop self-control, engagement and body awareness. Exercises will include some of the following: heel, auto sit, fast downs, stand stay, obstacle awareness, exercise equipment awareness, moving away to place, duration work, long stays, coming from distance, cone game, retrieving a toy or object, give or drop toy, CGCA, Intermediate Tricks Dog, front & hind end awareness, tricks, handling for grooming, self-control in moderately stimulating environment, appropriate interactions with people and dogs, leave it with various animals and moving objects.

Advanced Skills work towards building reliability, confidence, and distance. Exercises will include some of the following: off leash heeling, distance work, down from distance, directional send outs, extended durations, out of sight stays, comfortable with exercise equipment, comfortable on obstacles, coming from distraction, coming off lead, retrieving various objects, hold and give objects, object recognition, CGCU, Advanced Tricks Dog, individual paw awareness, complex tricks, handling for medical exam, handling for stretches, handling for body work, self-control in highly stimulating environment, appropriate interactions with people and dogs.

Specialty Skills focus on becoming a cohesive, functionally working team in disciplines such as search work, agility, canine conditioning, remote collar, medical alerting, service dog tasks, public access skills/test, Performer Tricks Dog, therapy dog, Parkour etc.

Behavioral Evaluations


All training programs begin with an evaluation to assess your dog’s needs, familiarize ourselves with your training objectives and develop a strategy to achieve realistic goals. Evaluations take about an hour, include a copy of our book, “Lead or Be Led 2.0" and training strategies to get you started.

Complete and return the Evaluation Questionnaire 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. We will send you a link for the questionnaire to be filled out.

The deposit for the evaluation is due at the time of scheduling. The deposit is fully refundable if the appointment is cancelled seven days prior to the appointment time. The deposit can be transferred to a new appointment if rescheduled a minimum of 24-hours prior to appointment, or the day of in the case of an emergency.

One hundred percent of the evaluation deposit will be forfeited for missing your appointment without prior communication.

Please call or text us at 360-488-0639 to reschedule your appointment, cancel your appointment or if you are running late.


Boarding & Training Programs

4-Week Intensive- Appropriate for dogs with difficult behavior problems including aggression and extreme insecurity/fear. Minimum requirement for remote collar training. Includes 3 private lessons.

3-Week Fundamentals- Most common program for dogs with minor behavior issues and needing a solid foundation of basic skills. Includes two private lessons.

Mon-Fri B&T- A flexible option for those who want their dog’s home on the weekends, don’t have the flexibility to drop off and pick up during the week, or want to break up the cost of training. Includes a weekly 30-minute private lesson.

Refresher Training- Available for dogs who have previously completed a training package at ACE and haven’t developed a new behavioral issue. Request must be made at time of booking and is subject to availability.

Service Dog Lodging with Education (Lw/E)- a component of the DAD/SD Progression Training Program where the dog stays in the home of the trainer working on household skills, tasking and Public Access training. Two private lessons are included with 3-weeks of Lodging with Education. One lesson is included per each additional week of training.


Day Training Programs


Available Monday – Friday Drop Off 9am-10am Pick Up 4pm-6pm

Day Training Start-Up Packs

5-day/week- Includes 20 days of training, plus two private lessons. Packages are to be used within 35 days of the first training day.

3-day/week- Includes twelve days of training plus two private lessons. Packages are to be used within 30 days of the first training day.

Day Training Continuing Education Subscriptions- are available upon completion of one of the Start-Up Pack. Options include 1, 2, 3, and 5 day/week subscriptions and includes 1 private lesson or 1-month access to group classes.

Day Training Pay per Day- Is available upon completion of the start-up pack for those who would like to continue the program with maximum flexibility.

Overnight Stays- can be added to any Day Training Program- The most flexible option when the hours just aren’t working, we need to adjust to the needs of the dog, build up to a longer stay or you would like your pup home for the weekend.


Private Lessons


Private Lessons- with you, your family, your dog(s) and one of our ACE certified trainers.

Lessons are held at the ACE facility, local off-site locations, via ZOOM and sometimes in-your-home.

Subscribe to 1, 2, 4 or 8 lessons per month or pay as you go.


Group Classes


Agility- Group classes, workshops and private lessons are available to build obstacle awareness, develop dog/handler communication and run exercise drills to improve fluidity.

ATM4K9’s- Adaptable Training Methods for K9’s Dog Trainers Course- ATM4K9s Foundations for Trainers course is a certification course for aspiring dog trainers.

Classes are two evenings per month plus, weekly Shadow Days.

The course includes a copy of the book “Lead or Be Led 2.0” written by Trina R. Eddy, access to A Canine Experience video collection, a Biothane long line and standard lead. Find more information here: https://acanine.com/dog-trainers-course

K9 Fit Dog Program- Keep your dog in tip top shape and help prevent injury by joining the K9 Fit Dog Program. Teach your dog fun skills while benefiting them both mentally and physically.


Pawsitive Foundations Group Classes Max Limit 10

ACE offers a unique group class membership, beginning with private training to build a basic foundation and focus on you and your dog’s individual needs. Once you’re prepared for a group class setting, you will be invited to participate in Group Trainings. The group classes are held three times per week and focus on fun, practical exercises, and games to improve you and your dog’s skills, help cope with distractions, improve focus and make training enjoyable.

All group class participants must complete a Behavioral Evaluation and minimum of two Private Lessons, ACE Start Up Day Training or ACE Boarding and Training Programs prior to attending group classes.

Private Lessons are flexible and will be scheduled individually. Appointments are available days and evenings, Mondays-Saturdays beginning on first availability.

Members can begin classes immediately upon approval by their trainer, no waiting for the next series of classes to come around. No need to worry about making up a missed class, there are plenty of opportunities to come practice. You are welcome to come to all the available classes during your membership.

**You and your trainer will decide together when your team is ready for a group setting. Attendance to group classes or outings are not allowed prior to approval.

Full Access Membership- month 1 Includes two Private Lessons, months 2 and beyond include full access to classes held on Monday and Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Saturdays at 10:00am.

Pick-a-Day Membership- month 1 includes 2 Private Lessons, months 2 and beyond include access to one class per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays.

Reactive Dog Classes- Available to dogs who have completed a board and train, day train, or private lesson package and both owner and trainer agree the dog is ready to practice in a controlled, small group setting.


Pack Walks


Pack Walks are hosted at various locations one – two times per week. Open for all to attend. See the Calendar for days, times and locations.

Join the notifications list for announcements and reminders here:

https://acanineexperience.com/event-notification-sign-up

Pack walks are subject to weather conditions and will be cancelled for heavy rain, strong wind, stormy weather, extreme heat or cold, snow and ice or any dangerous conditions.

Please be sure to register for the walks so that we are expecting you and can notify you of any changes.


PAWs & PERKs Royalty Club


First Friday of the Month at 4:00pm by Invitation

Once a reliable level of foundational obedience has been demonstrated by passing ACE’s P&P test, we will invite you to join ACE’s PAWs & PERKs Royalty Club. Test components will be practiced in group classes and testing days will be offered. This can also be practiced and tested during private lessons.

ACE hosted; dog friendly outings are designed to create positive experiences while practicing your skills in public.

Events may include urban trail walks, dog friendly hikes, brewery nights, exploring a beach, Biscuits and Tea with Your Dog, British Tea and Canine Etiquette, BBQ in a park or dinner on a balcony.

We welcome your ideas for outings.


ACE P&P Test Components:

1) Greet 3 people with neutral dog- can advocate for dog

2) Sit while owner greets a person with a dog

3) Down on command

4) Down under a table

5) Loose leash walking with turns and stops

6) Loose leash walking past another person with a dog

7) Loose leash walking next to another person with a dog

8) Leave It with dropped food

9) Sit or Down with a stroller, bike, scooter, wheelchair etc passing

10) Reaction to distracting sound, something dropping, knocking, etc.


Puppy Pathways


Get help from our experienced trainers researching breeders, selecting a puppy, temperament testing for puppies and adult dogs, evaluating puppies and adult dogs for service work, implementing early development and socialization, understanding health tests and pedigrees, getting the best start on training, imprinting scent and coaching from start to retirement.


On-line Courses- Coming Soon


ACE Guide to Dog Training Course and Community

SAR K9 Fitness and Community


Specialty Training and Events

To stay up to date on upcoming events and classes, submit this form to receive event notifications https://acanineexperience.com/event-notification-sign-up, and join the A Canine Experience Events and Chat group on Facebook. We also post to A Canine Experience Facebook page and on the events calendar of our website www.acanine.com/training-calendar.

Other Specialty Training- We can help with a variety of projects including service dog tasks, public access, medical alerting, confirmation handling, rally obedience, competitive obedience, detection work, and more. Ask about your special needs.

Remote Collar Training- We can add remote collar conditioning to Boarding and Training or Day Training programs. For more details about this option, speak with a trainer.

Service Dog Progression Training Program- Adapt our programs to co-train service dog tasks. We can help train medical alerts, allergen detection, light mobility, psychiatric and PTSD disruption and response, and several other tasks.

Workshops and Seminars- We offer a variety of seminars and workshops. Common themes include Search Games, Agility, Building a Working Relationship, Successful Dog Fostering, Medical Alert Co-Training, Urban Agility, Fitness, Conditioning with FitPAW equipment, GRC Dogsports, Remote Collar Training, Dog Trainers Course and Shadowing, and more. Please ask if you have a particular interest.


AKC Family Dog Program


We encourage our members to work towards passing CGC, CGCA and CGCU tests and obtaining AKC Tricks Dog titles to focus on your commitment to responsible dog ownership.

We offer private lessons to prepare for the tests and frequently practice in group classes. We have three AKC Evaluators available for testing. There is an AKC fee to receive a certificate and add the title to their registration.

Dogs will need to be AKC registered, have a PAL or Canine Partners number, which is easily obtained through AKC for any purebred or mixed breed.

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)- A ten step test promoting responsible pet ownership and basic good manners for dogs. Open to all dogs old enough to have completed necessary vaccinations.

AKC Community Canine (CGCA)- A ten step test to evaluate the dogs skills in a natural setting. Must have a CGC title on record.

Urban CGC (CGCU)- A ten step public access test to demonstrate well-mannered, well-trained skills in an urban setting. Must have a CGC title on record.

AKC Tricks Titles- Fun way to show off your dog’s talents and add titles to their resume. We offer testing for Novice Trick Dog (TKN), Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI), Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) and Performer Trick Dog (TKP) titles.

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