The Canine Classroom

Training is delivered through private, one-on-one sessions at their facility, with appointments scheduled to fit the owner’s availability. Each session includes hands-on instruction, personalized feedback, and clear techniques tailored to the dog’s behavior and the owner’s lifestyle. Clients receive simple, daily homework (typically 5–10 minutes twice daily) to reinforce skills between sessions. Progress is tracked over time, with sessions occurring weekly or every other week depending on the dog’s needs. The program emphasizes owner education, consistency, and positive reinforcement to build long-term behavioral change. For reactivity or aggression, they incorporate controlled exposure to other dogs during supervised pack walks.

Pricing Summary

Pricing details are not publicly listed. Clients are encouraged to schedule a free evaluation to receive a customized quote based on their dog’s needs and training goals.

The Canine Classroom is a family-run dog training business based in Portland, Oregon, founded in 1993 by Steve Fuller and now operated with his son Wesley. They offer personalized, one-on-one private training sessions designed to address a wide range of behavioral issues including leash pulling, barking, jumping, biting, reactivity, separation anxiety, potty training, and resource guarding. Their approach focuses on building a strong bond between dog and owner through positive, respectful methods that emphasize clear communication, consistency, and understanding of dog psychology. Training is conducted at their facility and tailored to each dog’s breed, age, temperament, and the owner’s lifestyle. They do not use boarding or group classes, instead prioritizing individualized attention to ensure dogs with fear, aggression, or hyperactivity can learn without distraction. They also offer pack walks for reactivity training under supervision, helping dogs become calm around other dogs without direct interaction. Their methods are grounded in psychological conditioning principles and emphasize owner involvement as key to lasting results.

Steve has over 45 years of experience training dogs, beginning in 1978, and Wesley has been training full-time since 2007. They specialize in working with challenging cases, including strong-willed breeds like Cane Corsos and German Shepherds, as well as puppies and senior dogs. Their training program includes weekly sessions with simple, actionable homework between visits, allowing owners to build confidence and reinforce skills at home. They also provide temperament testing and behavior assessments during the free initial evaluation.

The business is known for its no-gimmicks, no-harsh-methods philosophy, and has helped thousands of dogs and families in the Portland area achieve calm, obedient, and joyful companionship. They do not offer boarding, grooming, or day care services, focusing exclusively on private training and behavior modification.

Accomplishments

Steve Fuller has over 45 years of professional dog training experience, having trained thousands of dogs since 1978. The Canine Classroom has been serving families in Portland since 1993 and is recognized as one of the most sought-after training businesses in the region. Their methods have evolved over decades based on direct experience with dogs, prioritizing owner involvement and eliminating stressful boarding programs.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients begin by scheduling a free evaluation and temperament test by phone. During this session, they meet with Steve or Wesley, discuss their dog’s specific behavior challenges, and receive a personalized assessment and training plan. No commitment is required at this stage.