Oh Behave

Training Policies & FAQs

Our Policies

For training classes and behavior consultations, please email ohbehave@marinhumane.org at least 48 hours before your first session to reschedule, get a credit for a future session, or request a refund. Credits are good for 6 months. All refunds will be processed minus a 10% transaction fee. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice and no-shows are non-transferable and non-refundable. We’re not able to offer make-up classes.

For special events and seminars, cancellations must be made at least 14 days in advance to ohbehave@marinhumane.org. Late cancellations may be refunded if we can fill your spot.

If we ever have to cancel a class due to low enrollment, you’ll receive a full refund with no transaction fee.

Yes! Just let us know at least 48 hours before your first class or scheduled consultation by emailing ohbehave@marinhumane.org or calling 415-506-6280. We can transfer you to another class or consultation right away or we can issue you a credit for a future service (good for 6 months).

We don’t offer make-ups, but your instructor will send a recap after each session so you can practice at home. You’re also welcome to send someone in your place to take notes.

Yes! Check out our Pet Safety Net program for help with training and other pet care costs.

Absolutely — dogs adopted from Marin Humane get $50 off an introductory class series within 6 months of adoption. Learn more and find a class here.

New adopters also get a free virtual behavior consultation within 6 months — register here.

We offer discounts for Marin Humane and Hopalong adoptions only.

Our Services

Classes and private training focus on good manners — think leash walking, recall, and not jumping on guests. Group classes have the added bonus of teaching your dog to focus around other dogs and people. Private training is great for busy schedules or dogs who get easily distracted.

Behavior consultations are better suited for specific problem behaviors. A consultant will dig into the “why” behind the behavior and help you with a modification plan. We also offer continuing behavior modification training to help you work through the plan with a coach.

In-home sessions depend on consultant availability, and travel fees apply based on your location in Marin County. That said, most issues can be effectively addressed right here at our Novato campus! If you think your situation requires an in-home visit, get started by telling us more.

Our Training Methods

We use positive reinforcement — building a fun, trusting relationship between you and your dog. We’ll help you figure out what motivates your pup (treats, toys, attention, permission to do fun stuff) and make training enjoyable for everyone.

No. We don’t use any tools that could cause pain or discomfort. Please don’t bring your dog to class in an e-collar, prong collar, choke chain, or slip lead. Flat collars, martingale collars, and harnesses work great!

Food is usually the easiest starting point since most dogs take treats readily and it allows for quick repetitions. In beginner classes we also introduce toy play — if your dog is ball-obsessed, that can be a great motivator too! Whatever you use, it just needs to be something your dog genuinely wants to work for.

Our Dog Training Classes

Our Beginning Puppy classes are for pups 10–16 weeks old at the first class. Companion Dog 1 is open to dogs 4 months and up — seniors included! It’s never too late to learn.

Puppies need at least two distemper/parvo vaccinations. Dogs 4 months and older need to be current on distemper/parvo and rabies. Don’t forget — Marin County requires a dog license once your pup is vaccinated for rabies!

Yes! You can add yourself to the waitlist for a particular class date if the class is full. If there are no classes available of the type you want, you can add yourself to the waitlist and will be notified the next time a class opens for registration. These waitlist links will be visible on the class booking page.

Nope — everyone’s welcome!

Yes, absolutely!

No, we don’t require it. If your dog is in heat, she’s still welcome — just let your instructor know in advance so we can seat her away from intact males, and please bring a heat diaper.

Please keep your dog home until they’re cleared of the infection. You’re more than welcome to attend class yourself in the meantime and practice the exercises at home with your pup.

We encourage all adults and teens in the household to join — consistency is key! Younger children are welcome as long as they can sit quietly. Please note that no child should walk a dog between your car and the training space.

They’ll need to be in separate classes — littermates tend to focus on each other rather than their handlers, which makes training tricky!

Yes! We offer special classes for dogs who will be up to 30 lbs as adults: Small Dog 1 and Small Dogs Wanna Have Fun teach the same skills as Companion Dog 1 and 2, respectively. We also offer Shy & Sensitive Small Dogs for those who need a safe transition to group classes.

Your confirmation email after registration will have the full list, but plan to bring: a mat or flat bed, water bowl, treat bag, and plenty of high-value treats. A long-lasting chew (bully stick, stuffed Kong) is also a great idea. Dogs should come on a 6-foot leash with their everyday collar or harness.

Beginner classes typically have 8–10 spots. Some specialty classes are smaller.

You can still graduate if you miss one class out of a six-class series. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.

Yes! Sign up for a Placement Test to see if you qualify for a higher-level class.

Dogs need to have graduated from Companion Dog 3 and be approved by their instructor for the Agility Foundation Skills 1 waitlist. Reach out to our Agility Program Supervisor for more info.

Marin Humane’s Your Dog to Share program trains dog-handler volunteer ambassador teams to support members of the community during organized visits to hospitals, schools, libraries, and more. Teams must pass an interview process and take a class before participating. Learn more about our animal-assisted programs. We don’t offer certification for therapy dogs outside of our volunteer program. We also don’t offer service dog training for specialized assistance tasks.

Yes, we offer the AKC Canine Good Citizen test as well as other AKC tests. Learn more here.

Behavior Modification

Not every dog enjoys the company of other dogs — and that’s OK! Some dogs have a few canine friends but prefer humans overall. If you’d like to better understand your dog’s social tendencies, a Behavior Consultation is a great place to start.

Yes! Our Reactive Dog program is designed exactly for this.

We’d suggest starting with a free exploratory phone call with our Separation Anxiety specialist to figure out the best next steps.

We cover these common behaviors in our beginning and intermediate Companion Dog group classes, and even offer dedicated Jumpers and Loose-Leash Walking classes. We also offer private training if you prefer to work one-on-one. If you’re unsure, feel free to reach out and we’ll point you in the right direction!

Check out our Housetraining Young & Old handout for guidance. For one-on-one help, a Behavior Consultation with one of our trainers is a great option.

Other Questions

We’d love to have you! Sign up for our next volunteer orientation to learn about available opportunities. We also offer professional career positions — check our employment opportunities page for current openings.

We don’t make formal referrals, but email us at ohbehave@marinhumane.org and we can share a list of staff and volunteers who offer pet care services.

Dog parks can be a fun option for some dogs, but they’re not ideal for shy, undersocialized, or reactive dogs. Since you can’t control other dogs’ behavior, there’s always some risk involved — so it’s worth thinking about whether it’s the right fit for your pup.

Our dog parks are reserved for Marin Humane use only.