Laughing Dogs Academy Vashon

Laughing Dogs Academy offers ongoing weekly group classes on Sundays at 10 AM, with four core sessions plus a bonus class to accommodate absences. Classes are divided by age and social needs: puppies under six months and small dogs up to 18 months have dedicated playtime. In-home private work covers a Puppy Primer for puppies eight weeks to three months old, one-hour private lessons, and 90-minute behavioral evaluations for safety concerns such as bite risk, separation anxiety, escaping, destructive behavior, and excessive barking. Private park lessons build leash skills, hand signals, and focus around real-world distractions like other dogs, bikes, and children. Masters-level classes focused on off-leash work are offered for advanced students. A specialty Buddy Dog Program trains autism assistance service dogs, pairing children aged 7 to 18 with their parents over a 30-week individualized course of two sessions per week. Training includes verbal cues, hand signals, and games to teach obedience, recall, impulse control, and socialization. All training emphasizes voice and movement over gear dependency, with treats used strategically and phased out as skills solidify.

Pricing Summary

Group classes are $225 for a four-class session, and every session includes a bonus fifth class so a missed week is not lost. Puppy Time small group classes are $225 for four classes, and the Adult Dog class for dogs 10 months and older is $225. Private services are priced individually: a 90-minute in-home Puppy Primer for puppies eight weeks to three months old is $225, a one-hour in-home private lesson is $175, a 45-minute private park lesson is $175, and a 90-minute in-home behavioral evaluation is $275. Joining mid-session is welcome at a prorated cost after a private lesson. Payment is due at the end of the first class and is accepted by cash, check, or Venmo.

Policies

Students may join group classes mid-session at a prorated cost. Bonus classes are included in the package to ensure no investment is lost due to missed sessions. Clients are encouraged to text for scheduling adjustments or questions about attendance.

Laughing Dogs Academy is a dog training business based on Vashon Island, Washington, founded by Cayce Wallace, a trainer with over 30 years of experience. They offer group classes, private lessons, and behavior evaluations using force-free, pain-free, and fear-free methods rooted in positive reinforcement and science-based techniques. Their focus is on building a strong, trusting relationship between dog and owner through clear communication, play-based learning, and real-life socialization. Classes are held outdoors in summer at Frog Holler Park and indoors during rainy seasons, accommodating puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs of all temperaments—including shy, reactive, or anxious dogs. They emphasize teaching dogs to earn freedom through reliable recall and impulse control, and they avoid tools like prong, choke, or shock collars. In addition to training, they offer dog walking, pet sitting, and puppy preschool. Their team includes Cayce Wallace, Shealyn (specializing in shy dogs), and Ben (bookkeeper who supports financial accessibility). They are LGBTQIA+ friendly and prioritize compassionate, individualized training that respects each dog’s unique needs.

They provide bonus classes to accommodate missed sessions, use treats strategically during learning phases, and transition to secondary reinforcements like play, praise, and off-leash freedom. Their curriculum includes hand signals, homework guides, and training videos to reinforce learning at home. They encourage owners to be their dog’s “greatest prize” and promote a philosophy that dogs don’t need to love everyone—they just need to not bite anyone.

The business supports dogs with behavioral challenges such as reactivity, fearfulness, leash pulling, and recall issues, helping them become calm, confident companions who can safely accompany their owners anywhere.

They also offer masters-level off-leash training for advanced students and maintain a blog and video library to support ongoing learning.

Accomplishments

Cayce Wallace has been training dogs since 1992, with over 30 years of experience. She is recognized for her compassionate, science-based approach and has successfully trained dogs with extreme anxiety, reactivity, and feral backgrounds into calm, responsive companions. The academy is known for its innovative use of play and real-life socialization to build trust and communication.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are encouraged to text (530-574-6646) to set up a chat about their dog’s needs. A private lesson may be required before joining group classes, and mid-session enrollment is welcome. Free initial consultations are available to discuss goals and determine the best training path.