What Dogs Want Academy

Each dog begins with a facility evaluation to determine placement in small, curated groups based on personality, size, and needs. Classes are offered Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with full-day (9AM–2PM) and half-day (9AM–12PM) options. Activities rotate daily and include scent work, puzzles, digging, swimming, body awareness, and social play. Behavior and enrichment consultations are available virtually or in-person, with personalized plans based on the L.E.G.S.® model. All programs emphasize lifelong skills and home adaptation.

Pricing Summary

Full-day enrichment classes: $85/day; half-day classes: $65/day. Initial behavior or enrichment consultation: $125 (60–90 minutes). Follow-up sessions available with no long-term contracts.

Policies

No long-term contracts required. Sessions are by reservation only. Cancellation and rescheduling policies are not specified in the content.

What Dogs Want Academy is a unique canine enrichment and learning center in central Phoenix, designed to meet dogs’ physical, mental, and emotional needs through purposeful, science-based activities. The facility offers group enrichment classes (full-day and half-day options) that include problem-solving puzzles, scent work, digging, swimming, body awareness exercises, and social play—all tailored to each dog’s personality and needs. Staffed by Certified and Licensed Family Dog Mediators, the team uses the L.E.G.S.® framework (Learning history, Environment, Genetics, Self) to understand and address behavior challenges like reactivity, fear, aggression, and separation anxiety. They provide both in-person and virtual behavior and enrichment consultations for dog owners seeking to improve their dog’s well-being at home. The center is not a traditional obedience school but a holistic space where dogs learn life skills, build confidence, and express natural instincts in safe, enriching ways. All activities are designed to be adapted for home use, empowering owners to continue the progress. The facility is intentionally designed from a dog’s perspective, featuring sniff stations, water features, edible gardens, and sensory-rich environments. Space is limited and by reservation only.

Accomplishments

Founder Stefanie Strackbein is a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, certified in Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Class and Amy Cook’s Play Way for Reactive Dogs. She co-authored “Shelter Enrichment Hacks” and spearheaded canine DNA testing initiatives for shelters. Staff include Certified Family Dog Mediators with backgrounds in veterinary medicine, shelter work, and wildlife rehabilitation.

How to Get Started!

Dog owners begin by requesting a meet-and-greet or consultation via online forms. Dogs undergo a facility evaluation to assess personality, needs, and suitability for group placement. Enrichment and behavior consultations are scheduled separately based on individual goals.