Mutts With Manners

Mutts With Manners offers a comprehensive range of training programs. Basic Obedience, for dogs 12 weeks and older, covers fundamental commands like sit, down, come, stay, off, leave it, and leash walking, along with a fun trick, grooming, feeding, and health care tips. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class is a 6-week program designed to get puppies off to a good start, focusing on communication, socialization, housetraining, and practical skills, leading to the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction.

Intermediate Obedience builds on basic skills, preparing dogs for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test and Pet Partners evaluation by practicing behaviors in distracting environments and addressing interactions with strangers, grooming, and separation tolerance. For advanced training, the AKC Community Canine and Urban Canine Good Citizen Classes (CGCA & CGCU) extend basic behaviors to urban settings and distracting environments for dogs that already hold a CGC title. Specialized classes include Leash Walking 101 and 201, focusing on loose leash walking skills in various scenarios. Reactive Rover is designed for dogs with social issues, aiming to build confidence and teach owners to manage stressful behaviors. AKC Rally + Agility combines navigation courses with agility equipment to enhance physical and mental skills. Doggie Door Dashers teaches dogs not to bolt through doorways or gates, while Bombshell Recall focuses on perfecting a reliable recall. Mutt & Mingle sessions provide an hour of socialization for dogs and networking for owners. Open Enrollment for Basic Obedience offers flexibility for owners to target specific behaviors within existing basic obedience classes. Private Lessons address specific behavior issues or provide one-on-one training, available at their facilities or in the client’s home. Board & Train programs allow dogs to learn new behaviors while boarding. Telephone Consultations offer remote guidance for behavior correction. Additionally, Laura teaches PetSaver™ Training, an 8-hour class covering Canine and Feline CPR, First Aid, and pet care.

Pricing Summary

Private Lessons are $105 at their facilities (Bone Voyage Pet Resort, Galveston Vet Clinic) or $125 for in-home visits within Galveston County, with a 1-hour minimum. Board & Train services are $105 per hour. Group classes include Basic Obedience (4 weeks, $175), Intermediate Obedience (4 weeks, $175), AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class (6 weeks, $200), AKC Community Canine and Urban Canine Good Citizen Classes (6 weeks, $200), Leash Walking 101 (4 weeks, $150), Leash Walking 201 (4 weeks, $150), Reactive Rover (4 weeks, $175), Doggie Door Dashers (4 weeks, $150), and Bombshell Recall (4 weeks, $150). AKC Rally + Agility sessions are $50 each. Mutt & Mingle classes are $10 for one class or $50 for six weeks, with multi-dog discounts available. Open Enrollment for Basic Obedience is $50 per session. PetSaver™ Training (Pet CPR & First Aid) is an 8-hour class for $125. Telephone Consultations are available, with an initial 60-minute session for $75, and follow-up sessions at $45 (30 min), $60 (45 min), or $75 (60 min), including a detailed email plan and two text messages for support. All classes require a non-refundable $30 deposit, with the balance due on the first day of class or upon completion of a private lesson. Payments can be made by cash, check, or card.

Policies

A non-refundable deposit of $30 is required for all services. Clients can reschedule appointments without penalty if they contact the business at least one hour before the scheduled time. Rescheduling with less than one hour’s notice will require an additional $30 non-refundable deposit.

Refunds on services are only processed for written requests (text, email, or mail). Only the balance paid, excluding the non-refundable deposit, is eligible for a refund. A 75% refund on the balance is issued for requests made from one hour prior to the start of the appointment or class up to six days following. A 50% refund on the balance is issued for requests made from day 7 to day 30. No refunds are provided after 30 days from the original appointment or class.

Classes may be cancelled if not filled, and clients are advised to refresh their browser to confirm availability before online purchases. For purchases made within two days of a class starting, clients should call to confirm with a trainer. Puppies attending classes at BoneVoyage Pet Resort must have their third set of vaccinations, including bordatella. Class rules prohibit sick dogs, require dogs to be on leash at all times unless instructed otherwise, mandate cleanup after dogs, and require clients to bring treats/toys and waste bags. Choke chains, prong collars, or any other aversive tools are not permitted in classes. For classes with more than one dog, an additional handler is required for each dog.

Mutts With Manners is a dog training business dedicated to helping pet owners build positive relationships with their dogs based on mutual trust and respect. They utilize science-based positive reinforcement techniques to teach owners how to train their dogs and troubleshoot behavior problems.

The business offers a variety of services including private lessons, group classes, and board and train programs. They also provide specialized classes such as AKC Rally + Agility, Reactive Rover, and various leash walking courses. Additionally, they offer unique programs like Doggie Door Dashers, Bombshell Recall, and AKC Scent Work.

Mutts With Manners is committed to community involvement, volunteering weekly at the Galveston Island Humane Society to train shelter dogs and staff, aiming to increase adoptability. They also offer shelter basics classes to assist new pet parents with the transition of adopting a pet. For those interested in becoming dog trainers, they provide internships and mentoring through Animal Behavior College and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. One of their trainers, Laura, is a Pet Tech Instructor, offering classes in pet CPR, first aid, and pet care at Coastal Canine CPR, and is also a “Stop the 77” presenter.

Accomplishments

The trainers at Mutts With Manners possess diverse and extensive experience. Laura Kay Hafferty is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer from Animal Behavior College (2013), a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Instructor, a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, and a Pet Tech Instructor. She is also a “Stop the 77” presenter and a pawTree petPro specializing in pet nutrition and supplements. Laura and her dog Darla are a registered Pet Partner’s team.

Trelle Dandridge has over 15 years of experience training various animals, including wild donkeys, horses, stray dogs, sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. She is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and mentors aspiring trainers through Animal Behavior College and CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Trelle also writes a monthly article in The Islander magazine and will have a new column in Vista Views.

Heather Samper has been actively training exotic animals since 2000, including birds, reptiles, and mammals, and has been training search dogs since 2004. She is the training coordinator for Greater Houston Search Dogs, a professional member and past president of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance, and a full member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Heather also has a registered therapy dog with Pet Partners. All trainers are registered therapy dog handlers through Pet Partners.

How to Get Started!

To begin training, clients are encouraged to call one of the trainers to schedule an appointment or class. A questionnaire is required from every client to personalize the training experience. Hand-outs are provided for group classes to inform clients about expectations. Clients must sign a liability waiver specific to the training facility they will attend; these forms can be downloaded in advance or received in person. If purchasing a class online within two days of its start, clients should call to confirm with a trainer. For open enrollment sessions, clients must speak with a trainer personally before attending for safety and preparation. Specific payment details for Board and Train services should be discussed directly with the trainers.