OUR CLASSES FILL FAST, so please reserve your spot early! Please note there are two session dates listed below.

We have expanded our training program at Hooked On Dogs and are thrilled to have Bernice Clifford, CPDT and her team offering classes in our store!

Bernice Clifford, CPDT is the Behavior and Training Coordinator for Animal Farm Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. She also runs her own private Behavior and Training practice. Clifford believes every dog is an individual. With that in mind, programs are designed for all dogs based on their individual needs.
Although always dabbling in training and foster care for shelter dogs Clifford started her career full-time working with Veterinary Behaviorist Amy Marder in Boston in 2001. She moved to New York to take a full-time job with Animal Farm Foundation in 2005.

Dogs trained at Animal Farm Foundation go on to be assistance dogs for people with disabilities, certified therapy dogs, law dogs, obedience and sports competitors, and well behaved family pets. Clifford and her team provide a life time of follow up training and support to all of their dogs and their people.

Andrea Kilkenny has been training dogs, using positive reinforcement methods, for over ten years. She works for Animal Farm Foundation, where she trains dogs and helps prepare them for adoption. She has worked at several animal shelters, holding positions such as Volunteer Program Coordinator, Animal Care Technician, and Animal Control Officer. Andrea taught classes while living in the Midwest, including obedience, canine good citizen preparation, beginner agility, and flyball. She has also been active providing humane education in schools and neighborhood centers where she has lived. Andrea has trained her own dogs in agility, flyball, obedience, and more recently, began dabbling in disc dog and tracking. She competes with her Staffy, Rumble, who has several titles in flyball and agility, as well as his CGC. They are also a registered Pet Partners team with the Delta Society. Andrea shares her home with two dogs, Rumble and Mojo, and three adopted cats: Luciano, Mush, and Viggo.

P.J. Leo got his first canine friend when he was only four years old and has been hooked on dogs himself ever since! For the last 8 years, P.J. has been involved in various aspects of dog training using only positive reinforcement methods. From hands-on daily training and preparing dogs for adoption at Animal Farm Foundation, to classroom and individual instruction of pet dogs and their human companions, P.J. enthusiastically combines his love for humans' best friends with his passion to teach. For several years P.J. was a registered pet partner of the Delta Society with his beloved Ginger and a founding member of a volunteer visiting pet group. However, with Ginger's passing and the arrival of a son, P.J. switched gears and began to focus more on training, while at the same time maintaining a small farm with his family here in Dutchess County. Currently 5 dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages...2 horses...a donkey and a mule...chickens...and a plethora of felines, keep P.J.'s family from getting bored and ever sleeping late.

Puppy Kindergarten- Age 8 weeks- 16 weeks at first class

August 28- October 2 (SATURDAYS), 10 a.m.

This is a fun class for you and your new puppy. You will learn the best ways to deal with puppy behaviors while your puppy learns sit, down, stay, come, leave-it and how to walk on a leash. Please note week one is an orientation for people only.

Puppy II- 6 months or younger

September 12- October 17 (SUNDAYS), 3 p.m.

A fun continuation of Puppy Kindergarten. You and your dog will further the skills you started in the first class while continuing to socialize with other pups. Puppies must have completed puppy kindergarten and must be 6 months or younger on the first week of class. Please note week one is an orientation for people only.

Good Manners- Age 4 months and up

August 28- October 2 (SATURDAYS), 11 a.m.

Does your dog jump all over people? Walk you instead of the other way around? If so this is the class for you. Your dog will learn basic manners like sit, stay, down, come, leave-it, drop-it, how to greet people and dogs in an appropriate manner and more. Please note week one is orientation for people only. 

Canine Good Citizen Preparation- Age 12 months and up

September 12- October 17 (SUNDAYS), 1 p.m.

This class prepares you and your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which is administered during the last week of class.  Dogs must have completed Good Manners or Puppy Kindergarten to attend this class. 

Please call or come by Hooked On Dogs to register or for more information. Class size is limited. Cost for any class is $125 per class per dog.