At the Louisiana SPCA, it’s part of our mission to foster the human-animal bond, especially in our training classes. Our classes are designed to teach you how to motivate your dog and humanely decrease unwanted behaviors, all while having fun.
Our classes do not use force, fear, or pain and all training is based on the science of how animals learn. We will teach you how to effectively increase the behaviors that you do like with positive reinforcement and decrease those that you do not like by reward removal. Food is the most powerful motivator for dogs, so that is the primary reward used in classes. Once behaviors are learned, we will teach you to maintain them through the use of life rewards.
Meet Our Trainer
Shira Landman, ABCDT, Certified Dog Trainer
We are very excited to partner with Shira Landman of Trained Paws LLC, who offers dog training and behavior modification using positive reinforcement and balanced training methods. Shira’s training classes teach you how to provide better communication and leadership to your furry friends because it’s all about great companionship!
How to Book
To book one of our training classes below, please select the book button and fill out the appropriate information about your pet, select your training class and submit payment. Once you finish, you will be prompted to schedule your class using our online appointment system. Please note you will only book your first appointment in your training series. All subsequent sessions will be booked after your first session.
If you have any questions about booking, please email us at training@laspca.org.
Private Training Classes
Training Consultation
Are you and your furry friend new to training and not sure if it is right for you? This 60-90 minute private consultation may be the perfect place to start! During this one-on-one consultation, our trainer will spend time identifying your training goals, getting to know you and your dog, and outlining a potential program to meet your unique goals. After the consultation, you can chose to sign up for a package with our trainer, or you can utilize the knowledge that you gained to train your dog on your own.
Basic Obedience
Basic obedience is all about the basics and is perfect for dogs of all ages. Whether you have a puppy and are looking for your first training lesson, or an older dog who has still not quite mastered “Sit”, this training will help you to communicate with and motivate your dog to learn. Utilizing only reward-based methods, this training focuses on foundational behaviors including sit, stay, down, focus, come and beginner leash walking. Both you and your dog will leave with a better understanding of one another, and will have had a lot of fun in the process!
Please book your first session only. Subsequent sessions will be booked after the conclusion of your first session.
Reactive Rover
Our Reactive Rover training focuses on identifying and overcoming fear and reactivity responses in dogs of all ages and breeds. These responses can include barking, lunging, pulling on the leash and general signs of anxiety in your dog. These individualized training sessions can address a variety of issues ranging from leash and barrier reactivity to separation anxiety and very specific fear responses. The training will focus on reward-based methods for addressing these behavioral responses and ultimately reducing stress for both you and your furry family member.
Please book your first session only. Subsequent sessions will be booked after the conclusion of your first session.
Additional Session (returning clients only)
Have you already completed a 3-session package with us but are now looking for an extra session to perfect some of those new skills? Our trainer offers single additional sessions at a great price to help both owner and dog keep their new found skills in tip top shape! Please note that this option is only available for clients who have already completed a private training package with us previously.
Group Classes
Due to COVID-19, all group classes are currently on hold. Please consider our private training classes!
Basic Manners
Basic Manners is a group class that covers all the foundation behaviors that support a harmonious relationship between you and your dog, including sit, down, stay, come, leave-it and focus. You will learn how to communicate with your dog via reward-based methods that are fun for all learners — dog and human alike! To participate in this class, your dog must be friendly to other dogs and non-reactive.
All classes are currently on hold due to Covid-19. Check back later for updates!
Puppy Pre-School
Get your puppy started on impulse control, address and prevent behavior problems, and provide important time-sensitive experiences that will set your puppy up to be well-socialized for life! Enrollment includes free access to all puppy socials held between your first and last class.
Puppies must be 17 weeks or younger at the start of their first class and have received their first 2 rounds of DHPP vaccinations administered by a licensed veterinarian. Puppies adopted from a shelter must be in the home for 2 weeks before they can attend a class.
All classes are currently on hold due to Covid-19. Check back later for updates!
Reactive Rover
Does your dog bark and lunge at other dogs while on-leash? Frustrated? Embarrassed? Feel like giving up? Learn how to manage your dog’s behavior and help him associate other dogs with good things! This class is a controlled environment and owners willing to invest the serious time and energy to effectively change their dogs’ behavior. We will give you the tools you need to decrease stress for both you and your dog. The training methods used in this class are 100% force-free and dog-friendly, and students are expected to make time for daily practice between classes.
Please note that dogs with human-directed fear or aggression are not appropriate for this class. Contact us for private training!
All classes are currently on hold due to Covid-19. Check back later for updates!
Cancellation Policy
It is the responsibility of each student to be on time and present for each class. Make-up classes are not available for missed classes. We can only give a full refund or change your registration date if you notify us at least 5 calendar days prior to your first session. A 50% refund is available 2 days prior to your session. No refunds or date changes will be available after that time. Please contact us for details at training@laspca.org.
The Louisiana SPCA helped more than 2,000 animals find their forever home in 2019.
Many thanks and tail wags to our partners!
Interested in working together? Become a corporate sponsor by contacting us today!