The Right Steps

The Right Steps offers group classes including “Surviving Puppyhood” (for puppies 8-16 weeks), “Surviving Adolescence” (for dogs 4 months and older), and “Adult Dog Back to Basics Classes” (for dogs 4 months and older). These are 6-week programs, starting with a human-only lecture in Week 1, followed by 5 weeks of hands-on training with dogs. Class sizes are kept small, typically 2-6 puppies/dogs maximum.

They also provide “Advanced Classes” for graduates of their basic training programs, structured in levels (Level 1 & 2 at the facility, Level 3 as field trips) to proof basic training and focus around distractions. K9 Nose Work classes are available for all levels, from Introduction to Odor, and are open to both new and existing clients, including reactive dogs with specific safety protocols. Additionally, private training, day training, and phone consultations are offered. All training utilizes positive reinforcement, starting with hand signals before adding verbal cues, and emphasizes real-world application of learned behaviors.

Pricing Summary

Current fees are available on their Class Schedule page. Clients must agree to all terms, conditions, and policies, including those for payment and refunds, before signing up and making payment. No refunds or make-ups are available for K9 Nose Work classes due to poor planning of flexibility.

Policies

Clients are required to read and agree to all terms, conditions, and agreements outlined on The Right Steps’ Forms page before signing up for classes or making payments. These documents cover various policies including cancellation, payment, refunds, training and facility rules, veterinarian vaccination and exam requirements, COVID-19 and health safety policies, and liability release. For K9 Nose Work classes, no refunds or make-ups are available for poor planning of schedule flexibility.

The Right Steps is a small, wife/husband-owned dog training business located in Florence, Montana, operating from a private indoor heated and insulated training facility. They offer small private group classes and one-on-one private training. The lead trainer, Cindy C. Smith, CNWI, has over 40 years of experience training animals and has owned The Right Steps since January 2004.

They specialize in positive reinforcement and force-free training methods, emphasizing science-based, humane approaches over pain, force, dominance, or fear. Their philosophy aims to create confident, socialized, and well-behaved dogs, fostering lasting quality bonds between pets and their human families. They believe in setting animals up for success and ensuring training is both educational and fun.

The business is referred to by veterinarians, pet professionals, therapy groups, rescue groups, shelters, breeders, and clients. They focus on helping animals remain happily in their homes by prioritizing health, proper nutrition, daily exercise, mental stimulation, safe management, socialization, and training. They also offer guest speaking engagements and support local animal communities through various initiatives.

Accomplishments

Cindy C. Smith, CNWI, is the lead trainer with over 40 years of experience training animals and has owned The Right Steps since January 2004. She is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) with the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW), and was noted as the first CNWI in her former Northern California area at the time of her certification. Cindy is a Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and a Full Dog Training Member of The Pet Professional Guild (PPG).

Her personal dogs have achieved multiple K9 Nose Work titles with NACSW (including NW1, NW2, NW3, L1, L2), AKC Agility titles, and Canine Good Citizen titles. One of her dogs was also a Registered Pet Partners Pet Therapy Dog. Cindy has been a guest speaker at local colleges for Veterinarian Technicians since 2012, providing lectures on dog/cat behavior, body language, safe handling, and positive reinforcement. She was honored to contribute a K9 Nose Work article published in the “English Shepherds at Work” book in 2016. Her past experience includes serving as a sole Board & Train Trainer and assisting with the Petco Dog Training Program.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients are highly encouraged to make an appointment to observe a class in action before signing up and making payment to ensure it’s a good fit. They can also contact the business by phone or email with any questions in advance. It is mandatory to read all required forms, including Terms, Conditions, Agreements, Cancellation, Payment, Refund, and Other Policies, Training & Facility Rules, Veterinarian Vaccinations, Exam, & Fecal Requirements, COVID-19 & Health Safety Policies/Rules, Liability Release, Group Class Contract, Private Training Contract, Puppy/Dog Intake Form, and K9 Nose Work Rules, before signing up and making payment.