Good Dog Center

The Good Dog Center offers a wide variety of reward-based training classes. Puppy Kindergarten is for dogs 2-5 months old, teaching basic cues and manners, and introducing puppy-sized agility obstacles. Basic Obedience is for dogs over 5 months, covering fundamental cues, leash manners, and confidence-building with small agility obstacles and tricks. Manners Too! is a 6-week course building on basic skills and preparing for therapy dog work, with a UKC SPOT certification test offered.

Specialized classes include Reliable Off Leash (6 weeks, mostly outdoors), Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog (7 weeks, preparing for AKC CGC and therapy dog testing), Community Canine CGC Advanced (4 weeks for CGC certified dogs), Beginning/Advanced Rally (4-week short courses for competition preparation), Versatility Fun Short Course (4 weeks introducing Rally, Agility, Nose Work, Tricks/Obedience), Competition Obedience (Novice, Open, Utility levels), Agility Foundations (Intro to Agility), Nose Work/Scent Work (6-week courses at Beginner, Beginner 2, Advanced levels), and AKC Tricks Class (6 weeks). They also offer Service Dog Training, covering puppy selection, basic skills, public access, and specific skill training (Hearing Alert, Diabetic Assistance, Seizure Alert, PTSD, Stability, Emotional Support, School Facility training). Training can be done through classes, private lessons, or the Train & Board program.

Pricing Summary

The cost for Basic Obedience and Puppy Kindergarten classes is $160.00 for 7-week sessions. Manners Too and Canine Good Citizen classes are $145 for 7-week sessions. Agility and Carting classes are $135 for 6 weeks. Competition Obedience classes are $115.00 for 6 weeks. All short courses are 4-week sessions and cost $95.00.

Private training lessons are $85/hour, or $70/hour for those already enrolled in competition-level training classes. Home visits cost $150/visit. Day Training is $100/day. The “Train & Board” program costs $700/week, with e-collar training at $1200/week or $500 for a 3-night weekend stay. Prepayment is required within one week of sign-up to hold a spot in class, and class fees are nonrefundable. A $700 deposit is required for Train & Board at drop-off, with the remaining balance due upon pick-up.

Policies

Prepayment is REQUIRED within one week of sign up to hold your spot in class. Class fees are nonrefundable. If the business has to cancel a class due to bad weather, they will add another week onto the end to ensure the paid number of training classes are received. For the Train & Board program, a $700 deposit is required at drop-off, and the remaining balance is due upon pick-up unless other arrangements have been made. Aggressive dogs are not accepted into the Train & Board program, as aggression problems are best addressed with one-on-one behavior consultations.

The Good Dog Center is a dog training and grooming business located in Decorah, northeast Iowa, with over 20 years of experience. They aim to help owners and their dogs develop a strong, lifelong bond, recognizing that every dog and situation is unique. Their knowledgeable trainers collectively possess over 150 years of dog training and behavioral experience, and they continuously attend seminars and workshops to enhance their expertise.

They offer a wide range of services including group training classes, private lessons, in-home training, day training, and a “Train & Board” program. Beyond training, the Good Dog Center also provides comprehensive pet grooming services and sells retail supplies, including veterinarian-approved Farmina Dog Food. They emphasize reward-based training methods to foster effective communication and a respectful relationship between dogs and their owners.

Accomplishments

The Good Dog Center has been offering dog training classes in Decorah since May 2000. Their knowledgeable trainers have a combined 150 years of dog training and behavioral experience. They continuously attend annual behavior and training seminars and workshops to further their knowledge and stay up-to-date on the latest and most successful training methods.

The business highlights numerous student accomplishments, including dogs earning titles in Obedience (BN, CD, GN, PCDX, CDX, UOCH), Rally (RN, RI, RA, RE, RM), Conformation (CH, NatCH, HnrCH, BACH, JRCH), Tricks (TKN, TKI), Scent Work (SWN, SIN, SEN, SBN, SCN, SIA, SEA, SBA, SWA, SIE, SBE, SIM, SEM), Agility (ACT1, ACT2, ACTJ1, ACTJ2, NA, NJP, OA, OAJ, AX), Fast Cat (BCAT, CA, DCAT), and Dock Diving (DJ, DN, DNA, HDN, DSX2) in 2021 and previous years.

How to Get Started!

To get started, all appointments for grooming, training classes, or class registration must be made by calling or texting the Good Dog Center at 563-382-5762. Messenger or email should not be used for these purposes. Prepayment is required within one week of sign-up to hold a spot in class. For Day Training and Train & Board programs, a registration form and veterinary records (proof of Rabies, Distemper/Parvo, Bordatella, negative fecal sample, and proof of flea preventative) must be emailed to gooddogcenterblt@gmail.com before the dog can be dropped off.