Intro to Obedience Course

In this 6 week course, you will work alongside your pup to learn the foundations of basic obedience. You will also be exposed to working in a group setting, and gain the confidence and skills to handle your pup with lots of distractions. This is the perfect class for those that want to build up engagement and focus, create household manners, and start working towards a better relationship between you and your dog. We will help you effectively communicate with your pup through obedience, food, and play; and you will learn how to establish clear expectations and boundaries. This course uses balanced training methods, so depending on you and your dog’s needs, we may incorporate tools such as slip leads, chains, and prong collars.

This course will teach the following:

  • Heel
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Place
  • Come
  • Wait (at doorways)
  • Cost: $199

Novice Trick Class

Join our Novice Trick Dog Class and watch your pup become a star! You’ll go home with 14 new tricks and a stronger connection between you and your dog. This class offers step-by-step guidance for both beginners and experienced dogs.

  • 6 weeks of classes
  • Saturday, March 29 – May 3
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • ACS Community Outreach Center (in Mall St. Matthews adjacent to Women’s Dillards)
  • $150

Group Follow-Up

Show off the skills you and your dog learned in class! As a perk for graduating from any ACS Obedience Course, you and your pup are invited to join our Group Follow Ups. Push what you and your dog learned further by practicing in higher distraction and real world situations. This follow up session is meant to provide additional support, answer questions, and help you overcome any challenges you may be facing.

  • Saturday, April 12th
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • ACS Campus – Training & Enrichment Yard (12207 Westport Rd)
  • Free to those who have gone through the ACS Intro to Obedience Class

Intermediate Obedience Course

Build on and improve your handling skills through this Intermediate Obedience Course where we focus on increasing your dog’s ability to perform commands with more distance, duration, and distraction. You will learn new positioning techniques, refine your dog’s footwork, and strengthen your bond with your dog. This course is open to any ACS Intro graduates or those who can prove their dog has a strong basic obedience foundation.

  • 6 weeks
  • Thursday, May 8 – June 12
  • 6:30-7:30pm
  • ACS Campus – Training & Enrichment Yard (12207 Westport Rd)
  • $240

Canine Good Citizen Review and Test

At ACS we believe there are no bad dogs, so we are hosting a Canine Good Citizen Review and Evaluation. The purpose of this program is to ensure your dog can be a respected member of the community because it has been trained to be well behaved in the home, public places, and in the presence of other dogs. You and your dog will be tested on 10 different skills to prove your dog is a Canine Good Citizen. Anyone who has completed a basic obedience course should be able to easily pass the CGC Evaluation. AKC certificate available upon request.

  • 2 sessions
  • Review: Saturday June 14, 10-11am
  • Test: Saturday June 21, 10-11am
  • ACS Community Outreach Center (in Mall St. Matthews adjacent to Women’s Dillards)
  • $65

Intro to Scent Detection

In this fun and engaging course, your dog will learn how to use their incredible sense of smell to search and identify hidden scents. Whether you’re looking for a new challenge or a way to channel your dog’s natural instincts, this class will help build confidence and sharpen their sense of smell.

  • 6 weeks
  • Saturday, July 12 – August 16
  • 10-11am
  • ACS Community Outreach Center (in Mall St. Matthews adjacent to Women’s Dillards)
  • $200

Meet Our Trainer!

Animal Care Society is thrilled to introduce the newest member of our team, Meredith, our new Training & Behavioral Specialist! With over three years of professional dog training experience, Meredith brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to our organization.

Previously, Meredith served as the Head Trainer & Manager at a well known local training company. Her deep understanding of Operant and Classical Conditioning, along with her practical application of the Four Quadrants in training, makes her a perfect fit for our team. Meredith’s impressive educational background includes courses with top-notch trainers like Robert Cobral, Michael Ellis, and Nino Drowaert.

Meredith’s training approach is as diverse as it is effective, incorporating scent work, performance drills, tricks, and games to build confidence, increase drive and engagement, and so much more. Her philosophy centers around using a balanced mix of tools and prioritizing the training of families and handlers to foster healthy relationships and behaviors between dogs and humans.