Our Goal
It is our goal to provide training programs resulting in happy, confident dogs, as well as guardians who know how to work with their dog. We believe in building relationships with our dogs through skill building, compassion and education. Further, we believe it is important to provide training classes in a positive environment to enable dogs to feel safe. Dogs experiencing behavior concerns may be referred to a behavior specialist.
2025 Courses
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Price: $125
For puppies 8 weeks to 5 months. This class will get puppies off on the right paw. They will learn to focus on their owners, the benefits of mat behaviors, loose leash walking, impulse control, sit, down, stay, and so much more.
- Mondays – Trainer: Kelli Jo Yogerst
6:00pm – 7:00pm
February 3, 2025 – March 3, 2025
- Wednesdays (1st Session) – Trainer: Kelli Jo Yogerst
7:00pm – 8:00pm
January 8, 2025 – February 5, 2025
- Wednesdays (2nd Session) – Trainer: Kelli Jo Yogerst
7:00pm – 8:00pm
March 5, 2025 – April 2, 2025
- Mondays (1st Session) – Trainer: Chris Thalhammer
6:00pm – 7:00pm
January 13, 2025 – February 17, 2025
- Mondays (2nd Session) – Trainer: Chris Thalhammer
6:00pm – 7:00pm
March 10, 2025 – April 14, 2025
- Tuesdays (1st Session) – Trainer: Maureen Duenkel
4:00pm – 5:00pm
January 14, 2025 – February 18, 2025
- Tuesdays (2nd Session) – Trainer: Maureen Duenkel
4:00pm – 5:00pm
March 4, 2025 – April 8, 2025
- Thursdays – Trainer: Lori Jo Kaczmarek
6:00pm – 7:00pm
January 9, 2025 – February 6, 2025
Price: $150
For puppies or dogs who have completed a Lifeskills 1 or Lifeskills 2/Basics class and are able to demonstrate: walking politely on leash, have a reliable recall, handler has reasonable control of dog, and can hold a “stay” for 15-30 seconds. Working on focus and distractions through engaging activities, transitioning to minimal leash handling, and continue building a more positive, respectful working relationship as a team. Course builds a foundation for Canine Good Citizen testing and eventual participation in canine performance activities.
- Mondays – Trainer: Chris Thalhammer
7:15pm – 8:15pm
January 13, 2025 – February 17, 2025
Price: $150
For puppies and dogs 6 months and older. Dogs will learn to navigate and process all kinds of environments through scent motivated activities. Using scent odors in different surroundings builds an excellent relationship between owner and dog. This course also builds confidence, reduces stress, focuses the mind, and burns so much energy! Crates will be utilized when dogs are not active in class. (Flat buckle or martingale collars only, regular 6ft leash.)
- Tuesdays– Trainer: Michelle Gross, CNWT
6:30pm – 7:30pm
January 7, 2025 – February 11, 2025
Price: $50
For puppies and dogs 6 months and older. 2-hour workshop introducing the fundamentals of K9 Nosework®. Crates are utilized when dogs are not active in class.
- Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Trainer: Michelle Gross, CNWT
1:00pm – 3:00pm
Price: $100
These sessions are open to any teams who have taken an Introduction to K9 Nosework® class or workshop. The searches will be individualized to search for primary rewards to further expose the team to odor pictures before introducing odor.
- Tuesdays – Trainer: Michelle Gross, CNWT
6:30pm – 7:30pm
March 4, 2025 – March 25, 2025
Don’t see a class, date or time that fits your schedule or needs? Consider private lessons! Take part in one-on-one sessions with our trainer, Kelli Jo Yogerst, and build a lesson plan tailored specifically for your dog!
$80 for 60 minutes
$50 for 30 minutes
To set up private lessons, email Faith or call the shelter at (262) 677-4388.
Meet Our Dog Trainers
Chris
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Kelli Jo
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Michelle, CNWI
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Lori Jo
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Maureen
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Our Dog Training Philosophy
Positive Reinforcers and Motivators
The use of positive reinforcers and motivators are not only acceptable but strongly encouraged in WCHS training classes. Positive motivators encourage a dog to perform a desired behavior. Also, positive reinforcers strengthen the behavior by offering a meaningful reward that a dog will modify his behavior to obtain.
The motivator must be appealing enough to make a dog work for it. These motivators help build a relationship of trust, affection and positive association. Even if used incorrectly, positive reinforcers and motivators create very little risk of a lasting negative impact on the dog, the relationship or the learning process.
Examples:
- Voice – verbal praise
- Physical Affection
- Food/treats
- Markers such as whistles, clickers or verbal (i.e. “Yes!”)
- Life Rewards (i.e. Sit at the door = opportunity to go outside)
- Play (i.e. Sit = ball will be thrown)
Equipment & Class Size
The best training tools enhance the ability to communicate with a dog while building a bond of trust and affection.
- WCHS does not support the use of choke collars, shock collars or prong collars.
- Body Harnesses are encouraged to reduce stress on a dog’s neck and spine.
- Continuing Education: WCHS believes that it is important to keep up with current dog training trends and new techniques used in the training field.
Classes will be limited to no more than 6 dogs per instructor.
Our Guidelines
The techniques used in the WCHS training program will follow the Least Invasive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) principle.
- Are dedicated to the use of science based training methods, utilizing the least aversive techniques possible.
- Are committed to using positive reinforcement as a teaching tool and negative punishment as complementary management
- Adhere to the Humane Hierarchy, as outlined by Dr. Susan Friedman. Read more
- Adhere to The Five Freedoms of The Farm Animal Welfare Council. Read more
- Do not use or condone ideologies, methods or gear that impart physical or psychological punishment or pain on animals.
- Pursue and impart knowledge, maintain competence in animal behavior through continuing education, active training and applied experience.
Aversive training methods are based on making a dog feel something unpleasant or painful because they have done something “wrong.” Aversives can be anything that a dog finds displeasing. Aversives inhibit learning and inhibits the formation of trust between the dog and owner. What is aversive to a dog is highly individualized and can have a lasting effect beyond the change of behavior. These side effects can manifest as avoidance, fear, or aggression, and can teach a dog to be fearful or anxious about people or situations.