Gold Star Dog School

Gold Star Dog School offers a wide range of training programs. For **Pet Obedience**, they provide Puppy Kindergarten (under 5 months, 6 weeks, basic commands, socialization), Puppy Social Hour (11 weeks-5 months, 1 hour, play, calming, rotating topics), Beginning Obedience (over 5 months, 6 weeks, on-leash manners, sit, down, come), Intermediate Obedience (prerequisite Beginning Obedience, 6 weeks, off-leash control, distance, distractions, duration), Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog (prerequisite Intermediate, 6 weeks, prepares for CGC test and AKC Trick Dog titles), S.T.A.R Puppy (up to 1 year, 7 weeks, AKC curriculum, field trip), and Happy Hound Husbandry (6 classes, comfort with care like nail trims, medications, restraint).

For **Competition & Rally**, they offer Rally Obedience (4 classes, tasks on signs), CD Class (4 classes, novice obedience exercises), Competition Obedience (4 classes, working CD and open/utility exercises), Pre-Sport Puppy (4 classes, 6 weeks first session, foundation for dog sports), Skills & Drill for Competition & Rally (4 classes, structured foundation drills), and Start Me Up! (6 classes, building focus, cooperation, and enthusiasm).

**K9 Scentwork Classes** include Beginning Scentwork (no prior experience, builds confidence), Intermediate Level Scentwork (prerequisite Beginning, work with three odors, various search settings), and Advanced Level Scentwork (prerequisite Intermediate, complex searches, multiple hides). They also offer **Agility Training** with Pre-Agility classes focusing on foundation skills for dogs over 8 months. **Conformation Handling** is available as a drop-in practice. **Therapy Dog Prep** builds on obedience skills for handlers interested in pet therapy, preparing for evaluations.

Other training options include **Private Lessons** for personalized training, **In-Home Training** for customized schedules and content in the dog’s environment, and **Behavior Consultations** for addressing behavioral issues, available in-person or virtually. **Board & Train** and **Day Camp** (daycare with training) are listed but currently unavailable.

Pricing Summary

Group classes typically range from $140 for 4 classes to $300 for 6 classes, with Puppy Kindergarten, Beginning Obedience, Intermediate Obedience, Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog classes priced at $210 for 6 classes. S.T.A.R Puppy is $240 for 7 classes, and Happy Hound Husbandry is $225 for 6 classes. Puppy Social Hour is $25 per class.

Private lessons are $125 for the first 60-minute lesson and $100 for follow-up lessons. Behavior consultations are also $125 per hour for the first consult and $100 for follow-ups. Day Camp is $50 per day, but is currently not accepting new clients. Board & Train is also currently unavailable.

Policies

For classes, Gold Star Dog School has specific prerequisites; for example, Beginning Obedience is required for Intermediate, and Intermediate is required for Canine Good Citizen & Trick Dog and Therapy Dog Prep. Scentwork classes also have prerequisites based on prior experience.

Puppies attending Puppy Social Hour must have kennel cough and two distemper/parvo vaccines and a negative fecal screening, while Puppy Kindergarten requires the first puppy shot. Dogs with reactivity, lack of control, or aggression that would be disruptive in a group class may need private lessons or an individual evaluation before enrolling. Board & Train and Day Camp services are currently unavailable.

Gold Star Dog School is a multi-faceted canine training and daycare facility owned and operated by Terri Kaluza. They serve dogs and their owners in south King and north Pierce Counties, priding themselves on offering high-quality instructors, training, services, and products.

They provide outstanding instruction for companion dog obedience training, as well as for performance sports such as competition obedience, rally, and K-9 nose work. Gold Star Dog School offers training and activities for all ages and levels, including basic obedience, agility, K9 scentwork, conformation handling, and therapy dog preparation.

They also offer other training options like behavior consultations, private lessons, in-home training, and day camp (though currently not accepting new clients for day camp or board & train). The school aims to provide specific guidance tailored to each dog and person, whether for puppies, family pets, competition dogs, or dogs with behavioral problems.

Accomplishments

Gold Star Dog School is owned and operated by Terri Kaluza. Their instructors are experienced in working with dogs of all levels and breeds. Cecily Joque, a facilitator for Conformation Handling, has 20 years of experience in conformation showing and training with multiple breeds.

How to Get Started!

To get started with Gold Star Dog School, clients can view current class schedules and register for training directly on their website. For Nose Work classes, clients should contact Laurie via email for availability and registration. For Board & Train, In-Home Training, Day Camp, Behavior Consultations, and Private Lessons, clients are advised to email goldstardogschool@gmail.com to make an appointment or get more information. Behavior consultations may require filling out a Pre-Training Questionnaire.