Sidekick

Group classes are six weeks long, 45 minutes each, with levels for puppies (8–4 months), teens (5–18 months), and adults. Programs include Puppy Foundations, Teen Manners, Beyond Basics, Control Unleashed (off-leash), CGC Prep, Agility 101, and Sports Sampler. Day training offers 3-hour sessions with training, enrichment, and socialization. Online Reactive Rover is a self-paced 9-lesson course with email feedback. Private lessons address individual behavior issues. Therapy Dog Training requires prior CGC certification.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $185–$225 for six 45-minute sessions. Day training fees are available via schedule link. Private lessons and online Reactive Rover course are $125. Rates and policies are detailed in a downloadable PDF.

Policies

Class enrollment is through the Gingr portal. Cancellation and rescheduling policies are detailed in a downloadable Rates and Policies PDF, but specific terms are not listed on the website.

Sidekick is a dog training business based in Port Orchard, WA, serving residents of Gig Harbor, Olalla, Port Orchard, and surrounding areas. Led by Amanda, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) with over 20 years of professional experience, Sidekick offers force-free, positive reinforcement training methods to build strong human-dog relationships. Services include six-week group classes for all life stages—from Puppy Foundations to Teen Manners and Beyond Basics—as well as specialized programs like Agility 101, Sports Sampler, and Therapy Dog Training. Day training is available for puppies, teens, and adults, including small-breed-only sessions, combining play, enrichment, and structured training with daily progress reports for owners. Online reactive dog training is offered as a self-paced course with personalized feedback. Amanda also provides private lessons for behavior challenges not addressed in group settings. Her background includes working at Seattle Humane Society and Homeward Pet, and she is actively involved in the local dog training community as a co-founder of Kitsap Peninsula Positive Trainers and member of Puget Sound Positive Trainers.

Sidekick emphasizes science-based, reward-driven techniques and offers a wide range of enrichment activities including parkour, barn hunt, and nose work. The business is known for its supportive, community-focused approach and has been recognized as the #1 trainer in Washington State in 2022 by Sniffspot. Amanda regularly contributes to media outlets and mentors new trainers, ensuring her methods remain current and effective.

Accomplishments

Amanda is a CPDT-KA certified trainer with over 20 years of professional experience. She was voted #1 trainer in Washington State and #7 in the U.S. by Sniffspot in 2022, and #3 in WA in 2023. She previously served as Senior Trainer at Seattle Humane Society and Dog Program Manager at Homeward Pet, where she set an adoption record. She has been featured on King 5 TV, The Bark Blog, City Dog, and Dog Fancy magazines. She was an online instructor for FDSA’s Pet Professionals Program and co-founded Kitsap Peninsula Positive Trainers.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients can enroll in group classes or day training via the Gingr portal. For private lessons or the online Reactive Rover course, contact Amanda via email or the contact form. No free initial consultation is offered.