ABWC Fairfax
About Our Practice
About Our Practice
UKRAINIAN DISASTER RELIEF : SUPPORT ANIMALS and VETERINARIANS HERE
Group Classes & Workshops
Reactivity Class Level I : Training Both Ends of the Leash

$500
6 Weekly Sessions
60 minutes
In-person
Does your dog bark, lunge, snarl, or growl at other dogs while out on walks? What starts as a relaxing walk to get some exercise and fresh air turns into a disaster? This class was made for you!
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Understand why your dog exhibits reactivity
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Learn to modify your behavior to best help your dog
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Teach your dog simple skills and techniques to manage reactivity
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Learn how to stay calm in the presence of triggers
This 6-week course will be completed in-person at our Fairfax Campus. We only accept 4 canine candidates per course to ensure proper safety and management of all participants. The first week will be an orientation class for humans only - no dogs allowed. The remaining 5 weeks will be in-person with dogs present to begin working through their individual reactivity in a group setting.
Enrollment limited to active patients/clients of ABWC.
Please call or email to enroll
Instructors:
Reactivity Class Level II : Stepping Up & Stepping Out

$400
5 Weekly Sessions
60 minutes
In-person
This 5 week course is designed to practice real life walking scenarios in a safe, controlled training environment. This course takes place outside and works to build upon reactivity foundations that were covered in Level 1. In this course, you and your dog will practice more exposure to other dogs and work to decrease distance of exposure. The goal of this course is to advance learning in a more practical setting, and teach your dog how to rely on avoidance and disengage from other dogs while on leash.
**This class DOES NOT cover direct, on-leash interaction with other dogs. Leash greetings will not be practiced, nor will they be a goal of this course. **
Prerequisite: Reactive Dog Class - Level 1
Please call or email to enroll
Instructors:
Muzzle Madness!

$95
4 Weekly Sessions
45 minutes
ZOOM
Teach your dog to want to wear a muzzle.
The number one reason families visit our practice is because of aggression. If you've met with us, you already know that aggression is a fear-based behavior. Your pet isn't giving you a hard time, she's having a hard time. Responsible pet owners know that muzzle training can be an integral part of their pet's behavioral rehabilitation. Muzzles prevent "accidents," advertise the need for personal space, and help to provide peace of mind.
In this four week course, learn to train your dog the right way - not just to tolerate wearing a muzzle, but how to truly love when it comes out of the drawer. Although this course is designed with our current clients in mind, it's open to anyone who wants to better learn and employ best muzzle training practices.
Instructor: Kayla Frazier, CPDT-KA
Dog Body Language Workshop

$25
90 minutes
Interactive ZOOM
Saturdays
The first step in any great relationship is communication. This 90 minute interactive workshop explores how our dogs communicate with each other, and with us.
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Become an empowered and effective canine communicator
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Build strong bonds and lasting relationships with all the dogs in your life
This workshop is recommended for anyone who has a dog, or interacts with a dog, including (and especially) children.
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Dogs & Storks Workshop for expecting families

$95
90 minutes
Interactive ZOOM
Saturdays
We understand the importance of properly preparing your pup and home to welcome baby. This workshop will teach you just that. With the expert guidance of our Family Paws® Certified trainer, together we can help to alleviate your pup's stress and anxiety during this transitional time.
Learn about some of the common pitfalls, what you should be doing now, and how to ensure everyone stays safe and happy in the years to come. Your entire extended family is encouraged to attend from the comfort of your own homes. This workshop is offered on Saturdays, and registration is open to non-patient families.
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Dogs & Toddlers Workshop for families with children ages 3 months and up

$95
90 minutes
Interactive ZOOM
Saturdays
Interactions between dogs and children can be a source of anxiety and frustration for many families. We understand the importance of properly managing your environment and setting everyone up for success. With the expert guidance of our Family Paws® Certified trainer, together we can help to alleviate stress and promote safety.
Learn about dog/baby dynamics, gain support and build confidence. Our goal is to ensure everyone stays safe and happy in the years to come. This workshop is offered on Saturdays, and registration is open to non-patient families.
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Foundations Essential Skills for Dogs & Humans

$130
4 Weekly Sessions
In-Person
Thursdays
& Fridays
Training a dog is like learning a sport – your timing, movement and technique is vital. This small group mini-class focuses on the essential skills you and your dog will need to be successful in any group class.
Foundation skills include effective treat delivery and human mechanics, motivation, calming and confidence exercises. Your dog will learn to relax when you sit, foot target, beginning "leave it", offered attention around distractions, leash skills and more!
Instructor: Jennifer Pennington CDBC, CPDT-KA
Puppy Classes & Workshops
Puppy Socialization Class for puppies 8-14 weeks old

$294
6 weekly sessions
60 minutes
Wednesdays
This course is an absolute must for all puppies and their people. Capitalize on this critical stage of puppy’s learning and development. Guided by our certified trainers, learn to prepare for all of life’s experiences, and grow together as a happy, confident team.
We proudly believe that ours is the most comprehensive socialization class around! We are eager to support you and your new puppy through all of the challenges a new puppy can bring.
Topics:
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paw handling & nail trims
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vet visits, grooming & bathing
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desensitization to "scary" stuff (like vacuum cleaners)
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stranger-danger, resource guarding and more!
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includes puppy play time!
6 puppy limit. Rolling admissions. 2 trainers per class. Loads of individual coaching and attention.
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Puppy Life Skills Class for puppies 4-6 months old

$295
6 Weekly Sessions
60 minutes
Wednesdays
Once your puppy has graduated from our Puppy Socialization Class, join us for Puppy Life Skills Class! This class is lots of fun, and designed to apply Socialization Class skills, advancing learners to next level responsiveness, communication and confidence. Here's some of what we’ll cover:
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Your puppy will learn to realize that you are the most fun and exciting thing in his world!
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You will learn problem-solving strategies to help your pup when things get tough.
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We will incorporate games that teach your pup some basic skills, such as attention, polite walking, sit and wait, “come!", trade, and more.
If your puppy is 4-6 months old, time is of the essence!
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
New Puppy Workshop

$75
90 minutes
In-person
If you are considering the addition of a puppy to your family, this workshop is designed for you. Give your puppy the best possible start in her new home.
Topics:
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surviving those first nights home with a crying puppy
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crate training
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house training
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curbing nuisance behaviors such as nipping and chewing
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feeding
Live training demonstrations show you how to get started on the path to well-mannered companionship in your home. This class is for humans only. No puppies in this class, please.
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT
Positive Puppy Program à la carte classes for puppies 12 weeks - 10 months old

$65
per session
60 minutes
Wednesdays
& Saturdays
The Positive Puppy Program will introduce you to basic clicker training, and teach a firm foundation for future training and practical application in everyday life.
To join the Positive Puppy Program, register below to complete class orientation. Upon completion, you will be granted open access to our scheduling portal. You will be required to provide your pet’s vaccination history and a clean bill of health from your veterinarian before attending classes with your puppy. Topics are scheduled on a rotating basis.
Classes are limited to 4 puppies and their people. Orientation class is for humans only, so please leave your puppy at home.
Topics:
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Recall (come quickly when called!)
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Leave it! (or ‘Don’t touch!)
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Hand targeting or ‘Touch’
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Leash walking
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Relax on a mat
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‘Wait’ patiently (for food, toys, doors, etc.)
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Polite greetings
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Sit & down
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‘Trade’
Instructor: Christine Michaud, CTC, CPDT-KA, PMCT