Owner Orientation –
Setting You (and Your Dog) Up for Success
The first week of class is Owner Orientation – a people-only session designed to give you the best possible start in your training journey. While your dog will stay home for this first class, you’ll be learning crucial concepts, training techniques, and real-world strategies without the distractions of barking, pulling, or split attention. This is your chance to fully focus, ask questions, and gain clarity on what to expect throughout the course.
Why do we start this way? Because great dog training starts with great owner training. When you feel confident and prepared, your dog can learn faster, progress more smoothly, and build a stronger relationship with you. This session is all about setting a solid foundation — not just for obedience, but for communication, consistency, and lifelong success.
Trust us, your dog will thank you for it.
Course-Specific Tools & Equipment – Included in Your Tuition
We’re committed to helping you succeed both in class and at home — which is why each of our group classes now includes professionally selected tools and equipment specific to that course. These are yours to keep, and are the same high-quality items used by our Professional Trainer, chosen to match the training methods and goals of your class.
From long lines to enrichment items, high-quality treats, or obedience tools, each course offers different resources tailored to the curriculum. As you and your dog progress through multiple classes, you’ll build a full toolkit of effective, professional training gear — no wasted money, no guessing what to buy, and no off-brand, ineffective alternatives.
We understand prices have increased — but you're not just paying for class time. You're investing in a comprehensive learning experience and taking home lasting tools that will keep your training consistent, effective, and fun well beyond the final week.
Upcoming
Cochranton Group Courses
LOCATION:
3699 PA-173 | Cochranton, PA 16314
(with Outdoor Outings in downtown Cochranton, and possibly in Meadville, too!)
COCHRANTON COURSE TUITION:
$125
TUITION INCLUDES:
Full 8-session course + $50+ worth of professional equipment.
Puppy Pioneers
(Tuesdays @ 6:30pm)
Begins July 15th, 2025
AGES:
8 Weeks to 1 Year Old MAX
Course Overview:
Your pup’s adventure starts here! Puppy Pioneers is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive puppy course combining foundational obedience, enrichment-based learning, safe socialization, real-world prep, and fun weekly themes to engage both pups and owners. This class supports confident, thoughtful, and well-mannered young dogs while preparing them for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy testing and beyond.
What’s Included:
Confidence Building: Exposure to surfaces, sounds, movement, novelty, and mild challenges through "puppy camp" obstacle courses and sensory games
Core Manners & Obedience: Sit, down, come, stay, leash walking, greeting politely, crate & household boundaries, name response, and polite play
Pup Scout Challenges: Each week features a new badge-style challenge with silly mini-rewards
Brain Games: Intro to puzzles, shaping games, and scent-based activities to stretch puppy minds
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Prep: All core components covered, with testing offered at the end of the course
Owner Education: Bite-size lessons on chewing, jumping, socialization, crate training, fear periods, and how to support a balanced pup at home
Socialization (Done Right): Controlled meet & greets, neutral exposures, and guided puppy-to-puppy interaction when appropriate
Weekly Themes: Various themes to keep things exciting and memorable
Total K9 Challenge:
Fitness, Focus & Fun
(Tuesdays @ 7:30pm)
Begins July 15th, 2025
AGES:
6 Months of age and older
Course Overview:
Whether you're aiming for a future in dog sports or just want to build a confident, fit, and mentally fulfilled companion, Total K9 Challenge is a high-energy, enrichment-packed course that combines physical fitness, sensory exploration, trick training, and sport-style games into one unforgettable weekly experience.
Each session includes a structured warm-up, a focus-building drill, a “Main Challenge Event,” and a fun cooldown with enrichment or bonding activities, all with a variety of fun weekly "themes". No prior sport experience needed — this is a judgment-free zone designed to build enthusiasm, teamwork, and foundation skills through play!
What Could Be Included in the Course:
Fitness Workouts: Strength, body awareness, balance, and endurance
Enrichment Stations: Scent work, puzzles, shaping games, brain teasers
Mock Sport Events: Mini versions of agility, rally, dock/fetch, disc, trick dog, and more
Impulse Control Games: Stay, wait, go-on-release, and distraction control
Trick Challenges: Fun, progressive tricks for confidence and focus
Group Challenges: “Dogstacle” relays, carnival games, and themed contests
Handler Coaching: Learn safe spotting, engagement boosting, and motivation methods
Who It’s For:
Dogs with basic obedience who need physical or mental outlets
Families who want to try sport-like activities before committing to a specialty
Dogs needing confidence boosts, handler connection, or energy outlets
Those interested in AKC Trick Dog or FIT Dog title pathways (optional testing for both at the end of the 8 weeks)
Calm & Confident Canine:
Trust, Focus & Relationship Reset
(Thursdays @ 6:30pm)
Begins August 14th, 2025
AGES:
Adolescents, rescues, and adult dogs of all breeds and backgrounds
Course Overview:
Whether you're dealing with anxiety, overstimulation, leash reactivity, or a dog who just doesn’t seem in tune with you anymore — this course is here to help rebuild connection, communication, and calm.
Calm & Confident Canine is a structured, uplifting course that blends emotional recovery, confidence work, obedience games, pattern training, and handler skill development with various weekly themes to keep you engaged and encouraged. It’s the ultimate “reset” for dogs (and humans!) needing to strengthen their bond, improve coping skills, and work through the world with more resilience.
What We Will Work On:
Confidence Builders: Gentle exposure to novelty, body awareness games, and success-based challenges
Engagement & Relationship: Eye contact, offered attention, handler games, “fun focus” drills
Emotional Regulation: Settle games, pattern training, relaxation stations, mat work
Impulse Control: Leave it, calm greetings, threshold control, polite disengagement
Reactivity Support: Space setting, reactivity interruption protocols, neutral exposure to triggers
Handler Mechanics: Leash skills, timing, marker use, body language, calm reinforcement
Real-Life Applications: Simulated park outings, greeting strangers, coping in busy areas
Cooperative Care Skills: Touch desensitization, handling for grooming/vet prep, muzzle training (optional)
Who This Course is For:
Owners who feel disconnected or discouraged
Dogs who are overstimulated, insecure, reactive, or easily overwhelmed
Teams working toward therapy dog work, reactivity reduction, or emotional bonding
Rescue or adolescent dogs struggling to adapt
How to Dog:
Beginner Life Skills with a Twist of Fun
(Thursdays @ 7:30pm)
Begins August 14th, 2025
AGES:
Adolescents, rescues, and adult dogs of all breeds and backgrounds
Course Overview:
Forget boring drills — this isn’t your typical obedience class. How to Dog brings everyday manners to life with real-world practice, obstacle course fun, and game-based learning that helps your dog not only learn but love to listen. Whether your dog is brand new to training or just needs to brush up on the basics, this class will help you build an unbreakable bond while teaching real-life skills that matter.
From polite greetings and leash walking to settling at home or ignoring distractions in public, this class is full of fun twists and various themed weeks designed to keep both dogs and handlers engaged and successful.
What You'll Learn:
Reliable Recalls: Come when called — even around distractions
Polite Greetings: Sit-for-petting and calm welcome behavior
Leash Manners: Loose leash walking, focus on walks, engagement on the move
Impulse Control: Leave it, wait, threshold boundaries, food manners
Settle & Stay: Go-to-place, duration stays, public relaxation
House Manners: Not bolting out doors, not counter surfing, polite behavior around guests
Public Behavior: Practicing obedience on walks, ignoring distractions, handling real-world situations
Tricks & Games: Trick-based engagement challenges, themed weeks, and obstacle stations
Who This Class is For:
Puppies 8+ months or adult dogs needing better manners
First-time dog owners or those needing a “fresh start”
Families who want real-life training with a playful twist
Dogs with no major behavior issues, who struggle with listening or overexcitement
Upcoming
ERIE Group Courses
LOCATION:
Lucky Dog Stay & Play
9170 Lake Pleasant Rd. | Erie, PA 16509
ERIE COURSE TUITION:
$185
TUITION INCLUDES:
Full 7-session course + $50+ worth of professional equipment.
Puppy Pioneers
(Wednesdays @ 6:30pm)
Begins August 27th, 2025
AGES:
8 Weeks to 1 Year Old MAX
Course Overview:
Your pup’s adventure starts here! Puppy Pioneers is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive puppy course combining foundational obedience, enrichment-based learning, safe socialization, real-world prep, and fun weekly themes to engage both pups and owners. This class supports confident, thoughtful, and well-mannered young dogs while preparing them for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy testing and beyond.
What’s Included:
Confidence Building: Exposure to surfaces, sounds, movement, novelty, and mild challenges through "puppy camp" obstacle courses and sensory games
Core Manners & Obedience: Sit, down, come, stay, leash walking, greeting politely, crate & household boundaries, name response, and polite play
Pup Scout Challenges: Each week features a new badge-style challenge with silly mini-rewards
Brain Games: Intro to puzzles, shaping games, and scent-based activities to stretch puppy minds
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Prep: All core components covered, with testing offered at the end of the course
Owner Education: Bite-size lessons on chewing, jumping, socialization, crate training, fear periods, and how to support a balanced pup at home
Socialization (Done Right): Controlled meet & greets, neutral exposures, and guided puppy-to-puppy interaction when appropriate
Weekly Themes: Various themes to keep things exciting and memorable
How to Dog:
Beginner Life Skills
(Wednesdays @ 7:30pm) Begins August 27th, 2025
AGES:
Adolescents, rescues, and adult dogs of all breeds and backgrounds
Course Overview:
Forget boring drills — this isn’t your typical obedience class. How to Dog brings everyday manners to life with real-world practice, obstacle course fun, and game-based learning that helps your dog not only learn but love to listen. Whether your dog is brand new to training or just needs to brush up on the basics, this class will help you build an unbreakable bond while teaching real-life skills that matter. From polite greetings and leash walking to settling at home or ignoring distractions in public, this class is full of fun twists and various themed weeks designed to keep both dogs and handlers engaged and successful.
What You'll Learn:
Reliable Recalls: Come when called — even around distractions
Polite Greetings: Sit-for-petting and calm welcome behavior
Leash Manners: Loose leash walking, focus on walks, engagement on the move
Impulse Control: Leave it, wait, threshold boundaries, food manners
Settle & Stay: Go-to-place, duration stays, public relaxation
House Manners: Not bolting out doors, not counter surfing, polite behavior around guests
Public Behavior: Practicing obedience on walks, ignoring distractions, handling real-world situations
Tricks & Games: Trick-based engagement challenges, themed weeks, and obstacle stations
Who This Class is For:
Puppies 8+ months or adult dogs needing better manners
First-time dog owners or those needing a “fresh start”
Families who want real-life training with a playful twist
Dogs with no major behavior issues, who struggle with listening or overexcitement
Real World Rovers:
Recall, Relax, & Adventure
(Fridays @ 6:30pm)
Begins August 15th, 2025
AGES:
6 Months old and older
Course Overview:
Let your dog earn the title of Real World Rover in this action-packed, skill-building course designed for dogs who are ready to level up their real-life training. From reliable recalls to calm café-style settles, this course blends obedience, adventure, and confidence work in a fun, outdoor-focused format.
Each week focuses on practical obedience in realistic environments — whether it’s exploring wooded trails, relaxing beside a picnic, building water confidence, or mastering distraction-proof recalls. Perfect for families who want their dog to behave reliably in the real world while having a blast together.
What You Could Learn:
Rocket Recall: Come when called, even off play or distractions
Trail Manners: Polite leash walking & check-ins on the move
Adventure Skills: Engagement, focus, and safe exploration on hikes
Water Confidence: Build trust & fun with shallow water games
Settle Anywhere: Stay calm in parks, picnics, or high-distraction areas
Off-Leash Foundations: Learn how to earn off-leash freedom through trust
Distraction Control: Focus around wildlife, dogs, toys, & movement
Who This Course is For:
Dogs 6 months of age and older that are ready to train in outdoor or adventure-based settings
Friendly pups who have some basic training and want to level up
Owners who enjoy nature, hiking, or active time with their dogs
Dogs who struggle with calmness or responsiveness in real-world situations
Calm & Confident Canine:
Trust, Focus & Relationship
(Fridays @ 7:30pm)
Begins August 15th, 2025
AGES:
Adolescents, rescues, and adult dogs of all breeds and backgrounds
Course Overview:
Whether you're dealing with anxiety, overstimulation, leash reactivity, or a dog who just doesn’t seem in tune with you anymore — this course is here to help rebuild connection, communication, and calm. Calm & Confident Canine is a structured, uplifting course that blends emotional recovery, confidence work, obedience games, pattern training, and handler skill development with various weekly themes to keep you engaged and encouraged. It’s the ultimate “reset” for dogs (and humans!) needing to strengthen their bond, improve coping skills, and work through the world with more resilience.
What We Will Work On:
Confidence Builders: Gentle exposure to novelty, body awareness games, and success-based challenges
Engagement & Relationship: Eye contact, offered attention, handler games, “fun focus” drills
Emotional Regulation: Settle games, pattern training, relaxation stations, mat work
Impulse Control: Leave it, calm greetings, threshold control, polite disengagement
Reactivity Support: Space setting, reactivity interruption protocols, neutral exposure to triggers
Handler Mechanics: Leash skills, timing, marker use, body language, calm reinforcement
Real-Life Applications: Simulated park outings, greeting strangers, coping in busy areas
Cooperative Care Skills: Touch desensitization, handling for grooming/vet prep, muzzle training (optional)
Who This Course is For:
Owners who feel disconnected or discouraged
Dogs who are overstimulated, insecure, reactive, or easily overwhelmed
Teams working toward therapy dog work, reactivity reduction, or emotional bonding
Rescue or adolescent dogs struggling to adapt
Where are classes held?
Dog Training Services in Crawford & Erie County
Down Home Dog Resort & Training proudly offers professional dog training services in Crawford County (Meadville & Cochranton) and Erie County (Erie).
Whether you’re looking for obedience training, manners, enrichment-based learning, or specialized training for dog sports, we have programs tailored to fit your needs.
For our Erie County training classes, we partner with Lucky Dog Stay & Play (learn more about them, by clicking here), a premier dog care facility offering a safe and engaging environment for various dog needs. This allows us to provide top-quality training in a convenient location for Erie-based clients.
If you’re ready to strengthen your bond with your dog through effective and fun training, contact us today to learn more about our upcoming classes and private training options!
