At Courteous K9, we believe training should strengthen the relationship between dogs and their owners. Our approach is centered on rewarding behaviors we want to see repeated while teaching dogs appropriate alternatives to unwanted behaviors. Rather than relying on punishment, we focus on clear communication, consistency, and positive reinforcement. This approach helps dogs learn with confidence while building trust between dog and owner.

Lead trainer Elaine Craig specializes in clicker training, a positive reinforcement method that uses a distinct marker signal, or "click," to identify or mark the exact behavior being rewarded. This clear communication helps dogs learn quickly and understand what is being asked of them. Learn more about our training philsophy and meet the trainer!

We offer private lessons in your home, where we focus on the behaviors and skills that matter most to you while developing a training plan tailored to your dog's individual learning style. To discuss your dog’s unique training needs or to schedule private lessons, please contact us!

In addition to private lessons, we also offer the following group classes.

  • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy

    For puppies 8 weeks to 4 months

    7 classes | $179

    AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an excellent first in-person class for puppies. The main purpose of this class is to help you develop a positive relationship with your puppy and begin to learn how to care for and train them.

    In this class, we’ll teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. You will have the opportunity to socialize with other puppies properly. We’ll answer all your puppy-raising questions covering housetraining, chewing, biting, and jumping. We will begin teaching practical skills such as polite greetings, impulse control, sit, down, loose-leash walking, and recall (coming when called).

    To receive formal certification from AKC, you are required to attend class for at least six weeks and pass the S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Once you have passed the test, you will receive an application to send to AKC for the certificate of title. Click here to get the Test Items and Pledge for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.

    Please note the first class is handler orientation.

  • Manners 1

    For dogs 4 months and older

    7 weeks | $179

    In the Manners I class, we teach the fundamentals of positive reinforcement and communication with your dog. We teach owners how to effectively use verbal markers or a clicker, hand signals, verbal cues, and treat delivery to clearly communicate with their dogs. 

    During this training program, dogs and owners will begin to learn essential skills including: 

    • Attention and eye contact

    • Polite greetings

    • Sit

    • Down

    • Loose-leash walking

    • Settling on a mat

    • Crate training

    • Recall (coming when called)

    • Stay and wait

    Please note the first class is handler orientation.

  • Manners 2

    For dogs and owners who have successfully completed Manners 1 (required)

    6 weeks | $159

    In this class, we continue teaching basic obedience skills with more focus on loose-leash walking and recall, adding distractions to basic exercises (sit, down, stay), polite greetings, and settling on a mat.

  • Manners 3

    For dogs and owners who have successfully completed Manners 2 (required)

    6 weeks | $159

    In this class, we continue building on previously learned skills by increasing distractions, duration, and reliability in behaviors such as sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, recall, and settling on a mat. 

    All of the classes at Courteous K9 will help you build a bond with your dog, train your dog to have manners at home and help your dog become an active member of your family. These skills will also help you prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test!

  • AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep & Testing

    For dogs and owners who have completed Manners 3

    4 classes | $99

    Like the American Kennel Club, we believe that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners. All it takes is some consistent training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise (and cookies!) along the way.

    There is no better way to show that your dog has the manners and temperament to behave well in public than by passing the 10-skill Canine Good Citizen test.

    Preparing for and passing this test, continues to deepen the bond you share with your dog, sets a nice foundation of polite manners for you and your dog to build upon, and builds a foundation for therapy dog work.

    In this 4-session class, we will prepare for the Canine Good Citizen test in the 3 first classes. Courteous K9 will evaluate each team during the 4th class. There is no additional fee for testing.

  • Dog About Town

    For owners and dogs who have successfully completed Manners 3

    6 weeks | $159

    Our Dog About Town sessions are designed to help you and your dog build focus, confidence, and calm behavior and practice good manners in real-world public settings such as parks, open-air markets, a brewery, and even the beach! Each week, we’ll meet at a different location to practice your skills around everyday distractions and help your dog learn to focus on you and learn to become a part of your everyday life!

Contact Us to Book!

Rescue & Foster Dog Discount

Courteous K9 is proud to support rescue organizations, foster families, and newly adopted dogs. We offer a $25 discount on a dog's first beginner-level class, including AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Manners 1, for dogs that have been adopted from or are currently being fostered through a rescue organization.

Welcoming a new dog into your home is an exciting transition, but it can also come with challenges. Training can help your dog adjust to their new environment, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to become a successful member of the family. It also provides an opportunity for you and your dog to strengthen your relationship through positive reinforcement and clear communication.

Because every dog adjusts at their own pace, we may recommend allowing newly adopted dogs time to settle into their new home before enrolling in a group class. We are happy to discuss your dog's individual needs and help determine the best time to begin training.

To receive the discount, please provide a copy of your adoption or foster agreement prior to registration.

Health & Safety

To help keep all dogs healthy and safe, proof of current vaccinations is required before attending group classes.

Dogs four months of age and older must be vaccinated against rabies as required by North Carolina law. Puppies under four months of age must have received at least two distemper vaccinations, one parvovirus booster, and one Bordetella vaccination before attending class.

You will be required to submit vaccination records prior to your first class.

For the safety of all participants, dogs displaying aggressive behavior toward people or other dogs may be removed from class and referred for private training.

Cancellation Policy

Class fees are non-refundable after the first class session. Any dog that becomes aggressive or disruptive towards other dogs or people will be dismissed.