Cedarwoods Canine School

Cedarwoods Canine School offers an 8-week Basic Obedience class designed to teach essential skills such as leash walking, recall, sit, down, and stay. Lessons are held once a week, with a professional trainer demonstrating each skill and then working with the dog and owner. This program is available as private lessons in the client’s home or an agreed-upon location, as well as group classes and Friends & Family classes for small groups.

For dogs that have completed the Basic Obedience class, a 12-week Advanced Obedience (Off-Leash) course is available. This program focuses on enhanced focus, impulse control, and reliable off-leash performance, even with distractions. Additionally, Cedarwoods hosts weekly Pack Walks at Cordata Park in Bellingham, open to both students and non-students, providing an opportunity to practice skills in a controlled, distracting environment and address issues like lunging.

Pricing Summary

Basic Obedience 8-Week Class pricing varies by format: Private Lessons are $800 for one dog and $1200 for two dogs. Group Classes are $300 for one dog and $500 for two dogs. Friends & Family classes, held in a client’s home, offer reduced per-dog tuition: $600/dog for two dogs, $500/dog for three dogs, and $400/dog for four dogs.

Special pricing is available for Mount Baker Schools Basic Obedience at $200 for one dog and $380 for two dogs. The Advanced Obedience 12-Week Class is currently priced at $400 for one dog (originally $500) and $700 for two dogs (originally $900). Pack Walks are $5 per session, and a 15-minute phone consultation is free. Required training equipment, such as leashes and collars, is sold separately, with prices ranging from $5.95 to $15.75.

Policies

Every effort will be made to provide clients with a make-up class if a session is missed. If necessary, an alternate session of classes will be made available.

Cedarwoods Canine School is a family-owned and operated dog training business that has been serving Western Washington for 28 years. Their mission is to foster goodwill between pet owners and the local community by assisting in creating excellent K-9 companions. The school was founded by Ron and Carol McGrady, who established a unique basic obedience training methodology.

This methodology utilizes a dog’s natural desire to please its owner, aiming to create well-trained and cherished pets while strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners. Today, the business is led by their son, Sam McGrady, who serves as owner and lead trainer. Cedarwoods Canine School offers basic and advanced obedience classes, as well as community pack walks.

Accomplishments

Cedarwoods Canine School has been a family-owned and operated business for 28 years. The current owner and lead trainer, Sam McGrady, began his career working with dogs in 1988, assisting a canine trainer in Skagit and Island Counties. After a 1.5-year mentorship, Sam and his father, Ron, started training dogs and owners in Whatcom County.

The Cedarwoods Canine School was officially formed in 1993, and together, Sam and Ron trained thousands of dogs over the years. Sam became the Lead Trainer in 2013 and has continued to train dogs and their owners for over 30 years. The school also recognizes student achievements through its “200 Club,” which commemorates dogs and owners who achieve a perfect score in an obedience class.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with the trainer, Sam McGrady. While pre-enrollment is not strictly necessary, it is recommended.