Fetching the good stuff.
Essential
PD360 AssessmentYour dog's personalized starting point Dog BoardingOvernight stays with trained care Snake AvoidanceRattlesnake safety training GroomingLow-stress bath, brush-out & nailsFoundational
Foundation Camp14-night basics + manners DaySchoolDaily training + structured enrichment Private Lessons1-on-1 coaching for you + your dog Group ClassesWeekly skills in a social settingPet Parenting Class · 8 Cumulative Grade Levels
Transforming everyday pets into the world's smartest dogs. 8 progressive grade levels, 115+ behaviors tracked in PD360 (and growing), open enrollment so you can start any week.
Group classes at Partners Dogs are weekly small-group obedience training sessions at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek facilities. We teach a cumulative 8-grade-level curriculum, from Pre-School puppy socialization through Dogtorate-level off-leash reliability, covering 115+ behaviors tracked in our PD360 system.
Sessions are taught by master trainers in groups of 6 dogs or fewer, with open enrollment so you can start any week. Drop-in classes are $65 per session ($115 same-day at the door), and every grade level's full syllabus is readable online with skills, week-by-week plans, and PD360 scoring for all 8 levels.
Live class schedule for our Shea/101 location. Subscribe to the calendar to get every session on your phone.
View ScheduleLive class schedule for our Cave Creek campus on the original Lone Tree Ranch.
View ScheduleNeed help picking the right grade level? Book a quick call with our enrollment team.
Book a Call$199 full 4-hour assessment day: a senior trainer evaluates your dog and recommends the right grade level. Discounts often available for families ready to enroll.
Book PD360Class Format
Every class runs the same 45-minute shape. Each block does a specific job in moving your dog's skills from new to reliable, so progress compounds week over week.
Focused reps at rotating stations
Small groups cycle through four stations, and this is where new stages are earned. The concentrated repetition at each station is what moves a skill from first attempt toward reliable.
Whole-class work around distraction
The full class works one behavior together, which proofs skills against the pull of other dogs and handlers. Holding a behavior in that environment is what makes it hold at home.
Rep volume on one behavior
Parents pick one behavior and drill successful completions before time runs out. The volume of clean reps builds the muscle memory that turns a known skill into an automatic one.
Trainer feedback and the take-home focus
Your trainer demonstrates a focus command, corrects what needs correcting, and sets the one thing to practice that week. That feedback loop keeps every dog moving in the same direction.
The structure is modular, so you can miss a class without losing progress. Behaviors repeat within a Grade Level, and you can repeat a Grade Level as many times as needed.
115+ behaviors tracked in PD360 (and growing) across all 8 grade levels. Graduate through Pre-School to Dogtorate alongside your dog.
Copious reps in every session so you leave feeling fulfilled and confident to continue your dog's progress at home.
Progress in each Grade Level carries through to other Partners programs: Foundation Camp, DaySchool, Behavior Camp, and beyond.
Numerous options per class plus an extended public schedule, so participating works even when life gets busy.
A behavior in Teaching at one level is Reinforcing at the next, then Proofing, then Maintenance, so nothing is learned once and forgotten.
Behavior Progress Plan
Watch the curriculum climb. Each grade stacks new behaviors on top and pushes everything underneath a stage deeper, so your dog knows more and knows it at mastery depth. How the points behind each column are counted is right below.
Every level adds new behaviors on top and pushes everything underneath a stage deeper.
Counts reflect each level's stage mix, including skills refreshed back into Teaching.
New here: Confidence, Etiquette, Socialize.
New here: Play Guidance, Hand Off, Desensitize.
New here: Objects Desensitization, Grooming, Car Socialization.
New here: Child Desensitization, Sounds Desensitization, Medical Socialization.
New here: Retrieve Objects, Bow, Open/Close Door.
New here: Wipe The Floor, Put Away Toys, Turn Off Lights.
115 behaviors carried at mastery depth. Dogtorate graduates are some of the smartest dogs in the world, and they live like it.
Start the climbPD360 Progress
Every skill your dog knows sits at a stage, and each stage is worth points. As behaviors move up, the score climbs toward each grade's graduation target, the same score across every Partners program.
The behavior is not yet in your dog's vocabulary. Every skill starts here, and the first Teaching rep moves it onto the map.
Ready to move on when The first Teaching session begins.
Teaching is shaping, luring, integrating, conditioning, and desensitization. The goal behavior is built piece by piece in a low-distraction setting.
Ready to move on when You see recognition, and often anticipation, of the goal behavior.
Reinforcement starts continuous and moves to variable. All four quadrants can be used in this phase as long as the dog continues to recognize the goal.
Ready to move on when Your dog shows full comprehension of the goal.
Proofing continues with duration, distraction, distance, direction, and difficulty. It takes the longest because it is an ever evolving process: it solidifies the behavior, finding strengths and uncovering weaknesses.
Ready to move on when The behavior holds up in new places, around new distractions, at new distances.
Maintaining continues indefinitely. Skills stay sharp because they keep getting used: in class, at DaySchool and DayCamp, during boarding, and at home.
No finish line. Skills stay sharp because they keep getting used, so hard-won gains never slip back.
Every skill your dog knows sits at one of five stages, and each stage is worth points. A grade level's score is the sum of those stage scores across every skill met so far. As behaviors move up a stage the score climbs, and when it reaches the graduation target the move up is obvious.
The same score follows your dog across Group Classes, DaySchool and DayCamp, private lessons, and boarding, keeping parent, dog, and trainer in sync.
Tap any grade to open its full syllabus and progression.
14 new behaviors · 14 cumulative
Pre-School is the first step in our 8-level curriculum. Dogs learn manners, socialization, and proper play while building confidence and desensitizing to sights and sounds that can trigger reactivity. These crucial skills develop the fundamental aspects of a well-rounded dog and prepare them for everything to come.
Pre-School runs as two tracks, Puppy (5-12 months) and Adult (12+ months), so your dog learns alongside peers at a similar life stage. Most dogs graduating from our board-and-train Camps enter at Kindergarten, but outwardly reactive dogs start in Pre-School (Adult) for focused support before moving up.
Educate your dog in a positive, engaging, and enduring manner to distinguish between right and wrong behaviors.
Learning and socializing contribute to a dog's mental stimulation and overall well-being, setting a foundation for a happy and healthy adult dog.
Early learning experiences help dogs build confidence, reduce anxiety, and prevent behavioral issues as they grow older.
15 new behaviors · 29 cumulative
In Kindergarten, dogs learn to be mindful of thresholds, stay focused through turns, hold steady in place, and understand the concept of being free. The curriculum builds on Pre-School with lessons on manners, socialization, and proper play while continuing to boost confidence and exposure to various sights and sounds.
This is where most dogs land after graduating from a Partners board-and-train Camp. The foundations built here (heel, place, stay) anchor every higher-level behavior your dog will learn.
The class focuses on training dogs to meet specific behavioral thresholds, including mastering turns and staying in place. These foundational behaviors are crucial for development.
Exposing dogs to different sights and sounds helps reduce reactivity, build confidence, and develop socialization skills and manners for interacting with others.
Lessons focus on teaching dogs proper play techniques and manners to engage appropriately and respectfully. Structured activities reinforce positive behavior during social ...
15 new behaviors · 44 cumulative
In Elementary, dogs reinforce skills from Kindergarten while learning advanced commands and behaviors crucial for daily interactions. This stage focuses on refining obedience, improving impulse control, and enhancing social manners.
The signature commands of this level, Reset, Done, Leave It, and Off, are the ones your dog will use every single day at home, on walks, and in public spaces.
Dogs learn and practice new commands such as "Reset," "Done," "Leave It," and "Off," which are essential for managing behavior in various situations.
Training emphasizes self-control, teaching dogs to resist temptations and respond calmly to commands like "Leave It" and "Off," which are vital for safe and respectful ...
The curriculum includes lessons on appropriate play and greetings, ensuring dogs know how to engage with other dogs and people in a polite and controlled manner.
15 new behaviors · 59 cumulative
In Middle-School, dogs advance their training with specialized commands and skills that enhance their ability to navigate more complex environments. This level focuses on precise obedience, grooming tolerance, and desensitization techniques.
This is also where structured off-leash work and longer-line exercises begin. Your dog earns more freedom by demonstrating consistent obedience.
Dogs are introduced to commands like "Out" and "Flip to Heel," which are designed to improve positioning and responsiveness during walks and other activities.
Training includes sessions on grooming, helping dogs become comfortable with being handled and groomed, which is essential for their overall health and well-being.
The curriculum incorporates object desensitization exercises, teaching dogs to remain calm and unreactive when exposed to various objects and stimuli, reducing anxiety and ...
12 new behaviors · 71 cumulative
In High-School, dogs reinforce and proof basic commands and manners while expanding into more complex behaviors that enhance their ability to engage in interactive and cooperative tasks. This level focuses on building advanced tricks, emotional bonding, and practical retrieval skills.
The desensitization work at this level, covering children, sounds, and medical handling (taking vitals), is what makes Partners-trained dogs comfortable in the real world.
Dogs are taught fun and engaging tricks like "High Five," "Hug," and "Bye," which not only entertain but also strengthen the bond between the dog and handler.
Through commands like "Hug," dogs learn to engage in close, affectionate interactions that promote trust and deepen the emotional connection with their handlers.
Training includes the "Retrieve" command and pacing exercises, helping dogs perform useful tasks and maintain controlled movement, which is important for both work and play.
13 new behaviors · 84 cumulative
In College, dogs focus on reinforcing and proofing previously learned behaviors while adding complex and functional behaviors that demonstrate high levels of obedience, problem-solving, and physical control. This level focuses on tasks that are both practical and impressive, showcasing your dog's advanced training and versatility.
Dogs learn practical skills like "Open/Close Door" and "Send Out," enabling them to perform tasks that assist in daily activities and enhance their usefulness in various settings.
Commands like "Middle" refine the dog's ability to position themselves correctly in relation to their handler, important for both safety and advanced obedience work.
Dogs master more intricate tricks like "Bow" and "Sit Pretty," which require balance, strength, and coordination, showcasing physical control and advanced training.
15 new behaviors · 99 cumulative
Dogs establishing themselves as masters of body and mind reach new heights in this grade level. Navigate the difficulties of strengthening each known behavior around increasingly difficult environments. Bridge together intricate routines with a combination of precision, creativity, and advanced communication.
This level emphasizes complex tricks, cooperative tasks, and performance-oriented skills, the routines you see at dog sport demonstrations and on social media.
Dogs are trained in advanced behaviors like "Figure 8" and "Orbit," which involve intricate movements and demonstrate a high level of coordination and responsiveness.
Commands like "Put Toys Away" teach dogs to perform specific tasks independently, reinforcing their ability to understand and complete multi-step instructions.
Through skills like "Wave," "Kiss," and "Freestyle Bridging," dogs engage in expressive behaviors that highlight their personality and the strong bond with their handler, making ...
16 new behaviors · 115 cumulative
Dogs achieve the highest level of training in Dogtorate, showcasing their exceptional abilities through dynamic and challenging performances. This level focuses on agility, precision, and complex tricks that demonstrate advanced skills and athleticism.
Graduates at this level are the dogs you see headlining demonstrations, performing at events, and serving as ambassadors for everything Partners-trained dogs can become.
Dogs master high-energy activities like "Frisbee" and "Leg Weaves," highlighting their agility, speed, and ability to follow intricate sequences in a fast-paced environment.
Commands such as "Cross Paws" require precise movements, showcasing the dog's advanced coordination and focus in executing detailed and controlled actions.
Through tricks like "Leg Jump," dogs demonstrate their physical prowess and ability to perform challenging stunts, underscoring their strength, training, and trust in their ...
Sport-focused options for dogs who've graduated the curriculum or want a different kind of challenge.
Refine leash handling, commands, and partnership through the dynamic dog sport of Rally.
Guide your dog through jumps, weaves, tunnels, and more, fun, fitness, and partnership.
Frequently asked
Have a different question? Ask us.
Group classes at Partners Dogs are weekly small-group training sessions at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek campuses. Dogs progress through 8 cumulative grade levels, from Pre-School to Dogtorate, covering 115 behaviors tracked in the PD360 system.
The curriculum is cumulative: behaviors taught at Elementary are reinforced in Middle-School and proofed in High-School, with each behavior moving through at least four stages of learning. Sessions are taught by master trainers in groups of 6 dogs or fewer, and open enrollment runs year-round, so you can start any week without waiting for a new session. Drop-in classes are $65 per session with no long-term contracts. Rally and Agility specialty classes are also available.
Drop-in group classes are $65 per session, with no contracts and no long-term commitments. Same-day enrollment at the door is $115, so booking ahead saves you $50. Multi-class packages are available for families who want a regular weekly slot. Each class runs 45 minutes, held once per week, with open enrollment year-round.
Pricing is per dog. If you have multiple dogs, contact us about household pricing. View current pricing and package options on the pricing page.
Classes run with six dogs or fewer per session, taught by master trainers. That size keeps the coaching personal: during the 20-minute interval block your trainer works with you one-on-one, while the rest of the class provides the social, real-world distraction that makes new skills stick.
If your dog needs more focused attention before joining a group, start with a PD360 assessment or private lessons.
Partners Dogs teaches a modular 8-grade-level curriculum covering 115 behaviors in the PD360 system, and the catalog keeps growing as our trainers add new skills:
Rally and Agility run as specialty classes alongside the curriculum, and graduates can add AKC Canine Good Citizen prep and testing. A behavior taught at one level is reinforced at the next and proofed above that, so the same skill keeps deepening as your dog climbs. Open enrollment lets you join any week and progress at your own pace.
Kindergarten is where everyday manners take root. Your dog learns to wait at thresholds instead of bolting through doors, heel through turns, come to a front position on recall, and hold a stay or place until released with the free command. Manners work covers appropriate play, calm handoffs between handlers, and desensitization to new sights and sounds, so confidence grows where reactivity used to.
Every skill is tracked individually in PD360 and moves through Teaching, Reinforcing, Proofing, and Maintenance until it holds up around real-world distraction, not just in class.
See also:
High-School turns a well-trained dog into a genuinely useful partner. Dogs refine pivots, turns, and pacing so they match your speed instead of pulling ahead, master retrieve for practical tasks, and add the bye command. New tricks like speak, high five, and hug keep sessions fun while deepening cooperation.
Manners work targets real life: calm behavior around children, and medical socialization where your dog learns to relax while vitals are taken, a skill that makes vet visits dramatically easier.
See also:
No prior training is required, just a PD360 assessment so we can confirm the right starting grade. Many dogs graduate into Kindergarten from Pre-School, while adult dogs with some home training often place straight into it. Placement is based on demonstrated skill, temperament, and training history, never on age alone.
Classes run on a 12-week rotating cycle with open enrollment, so there is no session to wait for. Join any week, drop in for $65 per 45-minute class, and repeat any week your dog needs before testing up to Elementary.
See also:
Dogs enter High-School already carrying off-leash commands and heel from Middle School, and this level is where that reliability gets proofed. Known skills keep cycling through Reinforcing, Proofing, and Maintenance around controlled noise, movement, and other dogs, so obedience holds up in the situations that used to unravel it.
Not sure your dog is ready? The PD360 assessment settles it. Every dog is placed by demonstrated skill, not time enrolled, so your dog starts exactly where the score says they should.
Group classes build manners, real-world skills, and social confidence. They are not behavior modification. Dogs who are mildly uncomfortable or distractible around other dogs often do well starting in Pre-School on the Adult track, where confidence and desensitization come first.
If your dog lunges, has a bite history, or panics around dogs or people, individualized work comes first: Behavior Camp for reactivity, anxiety, and resource guarding, Transform Camp for severe aggression, or the Leash Reactivity Intensive for on-leash reactivity. A $199 PD360 assessment gives you an honest read on where to start. Or take our 2-minute quiz.
Board-and-train and group classes solve different problems at different intensities.
Board-and-train pricing reflects 14 to 28 nights of dedicated trainer time, lodging, daily handling, private follow-up lessons, and the weeks of group classes that come after camp.
Not sure which fits? Take the program quiz or schedule a call.
Dogs join standard group classes from 20 weeks (about 5 months) old, once vaccinations have had time to take effect. Pre-School runs two tracks so your dog learns alongside peers at a similar life stage: Puppy (5 to 12 months) and Adult (12 months and up). Puppies younger than 5 months start in our Puppy Program and graduate into Pre-School.
There are no breed restrictions. We welcome dogs of every shape, size, and breed. All dogs begin with a PD360 assessment so we can place them in the right grade level based on skill, temperament, and training history.
Group classes run year-round with open enrollment, so you can start any week, no waiting for a new session to begin. Each class is 45 minutes, held once per week. Our modular class structure means you can join any time and progress through the grade levels at your own pace, with no set start or end date.
Class schedules vary by location and level. Check the current schedule at our Scottsdale or Cave Creek facility, or call 480-595-6700 to find the next class that fits your schedule.
Drop-in classes are $65 per session ($115 same-day at the door) with no contracts. Open enrollment means you can start this week.
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