Acoma Training Center

Acoma offers foundation classes for puppies (Puppy, Puppy Fun 1 & 2) and dogs six months and older (Novice), with advanced classes in Agility, Rally, Freestyle, and Show. Specialty programs include Special Needs training (requires Novice completion), AKC CGC Test Prep, Obedience with Distractions, and Scent Work. Agility classes include Beginning, Special (focused drills), and Advanced levels. All classes are ongoing and allow dogs to continue indefinitely. Private lessons are available for behavior issues, pet therapy prep, and accelerated training. Snake and poison proofing are included in puppy and novice classes and offered for free for life to graduates.

Pricing Summary

Classes require payment in full to reserve a spot. Payments accepted via phone or mail with Discover, Visa, or Mastercard. No refunds within 14 days of class start. Classes are non-transferable to another dog, person, or private lessons.

Policies

No refunds are given 14 days prior to the class start date. Classes are non-transferable to another dog, person, or private lessons. All dogs must be current on vaccinations. Aggressive dogs must wear a Baskerville muzzle before exiting the car in the parking lot. Handlers must be 15 years or older. Children may attend with parents but must remain seated quietly in the audience section.

Acoma Training Center, established in 1944 and family-owned for two generations, provides dog training classes in Albuquerque, NM, designed to help dogs become valued family members. They offer group classes ranging from puppy fun and novice obedience to advanced agility, rally, show training, and specialty programs like therapy dog prep, freestyle, and scent work. Private lessons are available for personalized attention. Acoma emphasizes safety with included snake and poison proofing in puppy and novice classes, and lifelong free snake proofing for graduates. They welcome all breeds, sizes, and temperaments—including problem dogs, senior dogs, and dogs with special needs—and require all dogs to be up-to-date on vaccinations. Their facility features two 100’x100’ outdoor rings (one for agility, one for obedience/conformation) and indoor spaces for rally and scent work.

Trainers include Patricia Spradley, the owner with decades of experience, and other long-term staff like Judy Schmille (agility specialist), Mary Aynn Shoemate (obedience and therapy dog evaluator), and Clint Wolf (AKC CGC evaluator with over 100 competition titles). The center promotes strong human-dog bonds and aims to prepare dogs for life in any environment, from family homes to competitive sports.

Acoma requires all aggressive dogs to wear a Baskerville muzzle before entering the parking lot and enforces a strict no-refund policy 14 days before class start. Classes are non-transferable and handlers must be 15 or older. Children may attend with parents but must remain seated quietly.

Accomplishments

Patricia Spradley, owner, has dedicated her life to dog training since 1944. Judy Schmille has over 50 years with Acoma and competes in agility. Mary Aynn Shoemate has 20+ years directing classes and is a therapy dog evaluator. Clint Wolf has over 100 obedience and agility titles, including 8 Agility Trial Champion titles, and is an AKC CGC Evaluator. Rene and Mike Urback trained the first Pomeranian in the U.S. and first in New Mexico to earn an AKC Rally Championship and UKC United Rally Obedience Champion title. Their dog Bree is in the American Pomeranian Club Hall of Fame.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must contact the office by phone to obtain the current schedule and register for classes. Payment in full is required to reserve a spot. Private lessons are available upon request. All dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and aggressive dogs must wear a Baskerville muzzle before entering the facility.