Family Dog Classes
Our family dog classes are designed to help you build a strong, joyful partnership with your dog in a supportive, low-pressure environment. With small class sizes (no more than six dogs), we’re able to tailor lessons to the dogs and people in front of us, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and successful.
We focus on practical skills, clear communication, and positive reinforcement—helping your dog learn to love learning while strengthening the bond between you. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your connection, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Sessions are 6 weeks long, 45 minutes per class.
$165
Little Learners
Little Learners is the perfect first step for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old. In this fun and supportive class, we focus on socialization and exposure to help your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered companion. You’ll learn how to curb common puppy challenges like biting and potty training while teaching your pup essential skills like attention, leash and harness comfort, settling on a mat, and even a few tricks to make training a blast. Start your puppy off on the right paw and build a strong foundation for a lifetime together! Start smart. Grow confident.
Begins Sunday, 8/2 at 10:00 a.m. at T & T Pet Care Solutions (Madison, North)
Dream Teen
Adolescence can be a tricky time for dogs—and their humans! Dream Teen is a class created specifically for puppies and adolescent dogs ages 5 months to 2 years, focusing on the skills that matter most during this developmental stage. We work on impulse control around food and environmental distractions, attention and focus, polite greetings, and recalls (and more!)
Your dog will also enjoy enrichment games and activities designed to strengthen the bond between you and your adolescent pup.
Good Dog Basics
Good Dog Basics is the perfect starting point for dogs over six months who are ready to build real-life manners in a supportive, low-pressure environment. In this class, we focus on the foundational skills that help dogs become thoughtful, responsive companions: impulse control around food and distractions, attention and focus, reliable stays and recalls, and the building blocks of loose leash walking.
Our goal is to help you understand how your dog learns, strengthen communication between you, and make training a joyful, confidence-building experience.
Good Dog Outdoors – Flipped Classroom
Bring your training into the real world! Good Dog Outdoors is a flipped classroom designed to help you and your dog build practical, everyday skills in the places you actually spend time together. Each week you’ll receive a new online lesson packed with training tips, videos, and homework that you can complete at your own pace. All participants also receive access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share videos, celebrate progress, and connect with other teams throughout the course.
Want extra guidance? Join us for our weekly outdoor meetups! Each meetup takes place at a different dog-friendly location around Madison, where we’ll practice the week’s skills together with coaching from a Busy Dog instructor. We’ll work on loose leash walking, stays around everyday distractions, leave-its with real-life temptations, settling on a mat while you enjoy a snack or beverage, and more—all while building confidence in a variety of environments.
Whether you choose the online curriculum or add the in-person meetups, you’ll gain the tools to make training part of your everyday adventures.
Pricing
Online Curriculum Only – $100
Six weeks of emailed lessons, training videos, at-home practice, and access to our instructor-led private Facebook group.
Online Curriculum + Weekly Outdoor Meetups – $165
Everything included in the online curriculum, plus six instructor-led meetups at dog-friendly locations around Madison.
Prerequisite: Dogs should have completed Good Dog 2 (Intermediate) or an equivalent rewards-based training course.
We can’t promise there will be bunnies… but there’s a pretty good chance.
Begins 9/27 at 10:00 a.m.
Nosework Classes
Our nosework program introduces dogs to the exciting world of scent detection, a confidence-building sport where dogs learn to use their nose to solve puzzles, search new environments, and work independently. Nosework is accessible to dogs of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds, and is especially wonderful for dogs who enjoy using their brains, need a low-impact activity, or thrive with one-on-one problem solving.
Dogs start by learning to search for food and build value for the game itself before progressing to target odors used in AKC and NACSW scent work. Each class expands your dog’s search skills with thoughtful setups, gradually increasing challenge.
Sessions are 6 weeks long, 45 minutes per class.
$165
Michael Summers
Designer
Leah Little
Engineer
Intro to Nosework, Flipped Classroom
Discover the incredible world of canine scent work! Our flipped Intro to Nosework class teaches you how to build your dog’s natural searching instincts through fun, rewarding games that you can practice at home. Each week you’ll receive a new online lesson with videos, training tips, and step-by-step exercises to complete at your own pace. All participants also receive access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share videos, celebrate progress, and connect with other teams throughout the course.
Want to put your new skills into practice? Join us for our weekly instructor-led search night! Together we’ll work through progressively more challenging searches, giving your dog opportunities to build confidence, problem-solve, and have fun using their nose. Whether you’re looking for a new enrichment activity, a low-impact dog sport, or simply another way to strengthen your partnership, Nosework is a fantastic choice for dogs of all ages, breeds, and abilities.
Whether you choose the online curriculum or add the in-person meetups, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to continue your nosework journey long after the class ends.
Pricing
Online Curriculum Only – $100
Six weeks of emailed lessons, training videos, at-home practice, and access to our instructor-led private Facebook group.
Online Curriculum + Weekly Search Meetups – $165
Everything included in the online curriculum, plus six instructor-led search meetups featuring progressively more challenging search environments.
No prior nosework experience is necessary—just bring your dog’s nose and a love of treats!
First lesson will be emailed on September 15, with our first search taking place Thursday, September 24 at 6:45 p.m. at T & T Pet Care Services (Madison, North)
Intro to Odors
Intro to Odor
Ready to take your nosework skills to the next level? In Intro to Odor, you’ll teach your dog to search for the three target odors used by the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW): birch, anise, and clove. Building on the foundation developed in Intro to Nosework, this flipped classroom will guide you through introducing odor, creating clear scent associations, and beginning simple odor searches.
Each week you’ll receive a new online lesson with videos, training tips, and step-by-step exercises to complete at your own pace. All participants also receive access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share videos, celebrate progress, and connect with other teams throughout the course.
Want hands-on coaching? Join us for our weekly instructor-led search meetups! Together we’ll practice progressively more challenging odor searches while learning how scent moves through different environments and how to better read your dog’s body language as they work.
Whether you choose the online curriculum or add the in-person meetups, you’ll receive the training and support needed to confidently begin your odor detection journey.
Pricing
Online Curriculum Only – $100
Six weeks of emailed lessons, training videos, at-home practice, access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, and an odor kit containing birch, anise, clove, and the supplies you’ll need to complete the course. Kits will be available for pickup before the course begins.
Online Curriculum + Weekly Search Meetups – $165
Everything included in the online curriculum, plus six instructor-led odor search meetups. Your odor kit will be distributed at the first meetup on September 17.
Prerequisite: Dogs should have completed an Intro to Nosework course through Busy Dog or another positive reinforcement training program.
Don’t worry if you’ve never trained odor before—we’ll walk you through each step, from introducing scent to confidently running your first odor searches.
First lesson will be emailed on September 27nd, with our first search taking place Monday, September 28th at 7:00 p.m.
Drop- In Nosework Meetups
Nosework Practice Meetups
Keep your nosework skills sharp with our instructor-led drop-in practice meetups! Designed for teams who have completed Intro to Odor (or an equivalent course) and can confidently search for birch, anise, or clove, these flexible sessions let you attend whenever your schedule allows—register only for the meetups you’d like to join.
Each meetup includes at least three searches, is limited to just seven dogs, and offers plenty of opportunities to build your handling skills while giving your dog a chance to do what they love. During the summer, searches are held indoors, with occasional outdoor searches added as the weather cools in the fall.
Prerequisite: Dogs should have completed Intro to Odor through Busy Dog or another positive reinforcement nosework program and be confidently able to search for least one of the targeted odors: birch, anise, and clove.
Cost: $25 per meetup
Monday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m. at T & T Pet Care (Madison, North)
Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at T & T Pet Care (Madison, North)
Monday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m. at T & T Pet Care (Madison, North)
More Sports & Enrichment
At Busy Dog, we believe that happy, well-rounded dogs need exercise for both their brains and their bodies. Our sports and enrichment classes are designed to tap into your dog’s natural strengths—sniffing, climbing, problem solving, moving with purpose—and channel them into fun, confidence-building activities you can enjoy together.
Classes are six weeks long, 45 minutes per class.
Intro to Parkour, Flipped Classroom
Discover new ways to explore the world with your dog! Intro to Parkour is a flipped classroom designed to teach you and your dog the foundations of canine parkour while building confidence, body awareness, and teamwork. Each week you’ll receive a new online lesson with videos, training tips, and step-by-step exercises to complete at your own pace. All participants also receive access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share videos, celebrate progress, and connect with other teams throughout the course.
Want to put your new skills into practice? Join us for our weekly instructor-led parkour walks! We’ll meet at a different dog-friendly location around Madison to practice the week’s skills on natural and urban obstacles. Together we’ll work on foundational parkour behaviors like two paws on, four paws on, around, under, backing up, and more while learning to safely evaluate obstacles and see new training opportunities everywhere you go.
Whether you choose the online curriculum or add the in-person walks, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to turn everyday adventures into enriching experiences for you and your dog.
Pricing
Online Curriculum Only – $100
Six weeks of emailed lessons, training videos, at-home practice, and access to our instructor-led private Facebook group.
Online Curriculum + Weekly Parkour Walks – $165
Everything included in the online curriculum, plus six instructor-led parkour walks at dog-friendly locations around Madison.
Course Schedule
- First online lesson: September 3
- First parkour walk: September 12 at 10:00 a.m.
Instructor: This class is taught by a Certified Instructor and Evaluator through the International Dog Parkour Association (IDPKA).
No previous parkour experience is necessary—just bring a sense of adventure and a pocket full of treats!
Intermediate Parkour, Flipped Classroom
Ready to take your parkour skills to the next level? Intermediate Parkour is a flipped classroom designed for teams who have completed Intro to Parkour and are ready to build on their foundation with new challenges. Each week you’ll receive a new online lesson with videos, training tips, and step-by-step exercises to complete at your own pace. All participants also receive access to our instructor-led private Facebook group, where you can ask questions, share videos, celebrate progress, and connect with other teams throughout the course.
Want hands-on coaching? Join us for our weekly instructor-led parkour walks! We’ll meet at different dog-friendly locations around Madison to practice new skills, safely explore more challenging obstacles, and continue building your dog’s confidence and body awareness. Together we’ll work on intermediate-level IDPKA behaviors like tic-tacs, gap jumps, backing up onto a variety of surfaces, pivots, and more while adding new challenges and complexity to the novice behaviors you already know.
Whether you’re working toward an IDPKA title, looking for a fun new way to enrich your dog’s life, or simply want to continue exploring with your dog, Intermediate Parkour will help you grow your teamwork and take your adventures further.
Pricing
Online Curriculum Only – $100
Six weeks of emailed lessons, training videos, at-home practice, and access to our instructor-led private Facebook group.
Online Curriculum + Weekly Parkour Walks – $165
Everything included in the online curriculum, plus six instructor-led parkour walks at dog-friendly locations around Madison.
Prerequisite: Dogs should have completed Intro to Parkour through Busy Dog or an equivalent introductory parkour course with another IDPKA instructor.
Instructor: This class is taught by a Certified Instructor and Evaluator through the International Dog Parkour Association (IDPKA).
Parkour is for every dog—whether you’re working toward titles, building confidence, or just looking for a fun way to explore the world together.
AKC Canine Good Citizen Classes
Our AKC Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) classes are all about building solid, real-life skills while enjoying the training process together. We offer all three levels—CGC, CGCU (Urban), and CGCA (Advanced)—with each class including six weeks of preparation and the option to take the AKC test with one of our certified instructors. Training is always rewards-based and force-free, with an emphasis on consent, communication, and working as a team. These classes are practical, supportive, and genuinely fun—and even if earning a title isn’t your goal, they’re a great way to strengthen everyday skills and confidence.
Classes are six weeks long with a 7th week test, 45 minutes per class.
Canine Good Citizen
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is the first step in the AKC’s CGC program and prepares teams to earn the official CGC title through the American Kennel Club. This class focuses on refining real-life skills your dog already knows, including polite greetings, loose leash walking, calm separation, grooming and handling, stays, recalls, and more.
This class is best suited for dogs who already have a solid foundation in these behaviors, are friendly with people, and are neutral or friendly around other dogs. The emphasis is on polishing skills, building reliability, and working confidently as a team.
CGCU
AKC Community Canine (CGCU) is the next step in the CGC program and focuses on taking your dog’s skills out into the real world. In this class, we’ll build on your dog’s existing foundation while practicing in a variety of public settings around Madison—working on polite behavior in busier environments, navigating distractions, and staying connected as a team.
This class is designed for dogs who already have solid CGC-level skills and are ready to practice and refine them in new, more challenging locations. The goal is to build confidence, reliability, and calm behavior in everyday community spaces, with the option to take the CGCU test at the end with one of our AKC-certified instructors.
CGCA
AKC Community Canine
Take your training skills beyond the classroom! This six-week class builds on the foundation skills from the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and helps teams prepare for the real-world challenges included in the AKC Community Canine (CGCA) evaluation.
Through a mix of indoor instruction, outdoor practice, and field trips to new environments, we’ll work on skills like navigating public spaces, polite greetings, settling around distractions, and being a confident, well-mannered community member. Each week will give you and your dog new opportunities to practice together in increasingly realistic settings.
This class includes six weeks of instruction, with an optional seventh week where teams will have the opportunity to complete the AKC CGCA evaluation and earn their title.
Prerequisite: Dogs should have completed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class/test or have equivalent skills.
Whether you’re working toward your CGCA title or simply want to build more confidence in everyday adventures, this class will help you and your dog succeed out in the world.
Begins Thursday, October 15th at 7:45 p.m. at T & T Pet Care Services (Madison, North)
Gift Certificate – $25
$25 Gift Certificate. Good for any of our in-person or online classes, workshops, or webinars.
Gift Certificate – $50
- $50 Gift Certificate. Good for any of our in-person or online classes, workshops, or webinars.
Gift Certificate – $100
- $100 Gift Certificate. Good for any of our in-person or online classes, workshops, or webinars.
Gift Certificate – $165
- $165 Gift Certificate. Good for any of our in-person or online classes, workshops, or webinars.
Online classes
Need more flexibility in your schedule, or want to work from home? For our online offerings, please visit our Online Classes page for class descriptions and registration.
More classes are on the way!
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Articles and Resources
Looking for some quick tips, fun games, or just a good read? Make sure to stop by our free Articles and Resources page to see what else we can offer! Classes are six weeks long, 45 minutes per class.