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In this 30-minute group session, we’ll conduct a brief evaluation which will help determine the best starting point for your dog.   We’ll also give you a few tips to get you started with your training and ready to have a great first class!  Watch the video below to see what happens in a Class Readiness Evaluation. 

Answer these two questions to decide if your dog is ready to be evaluated for entry into a group class:

  • Will your dog be relatively calm (not barking, growling or hiding) in a large room with 4 – 6 strange dogs and people?
  • Will you be able to get your dog’s attention with strange dogs and people nearby?

If you answered “yes” to both, go right ahead and book your Class Readiness Evaluation.   If your answer is “no” to one or both of these questions, we’d like to get you started off with a Private lesson, either in our facility or virtually.  In private lesson(s), we’ll give you the tools and strategies you’ll need to progress to group classes. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to get you set up for a private lesson. 

Puppies under 16 weeks should attend Puppy Preschool sessions, instead of a Class Readiness Evaluation. At the end of each Puppy Preschool session, there will be an opportunity for pups to be evaluated for their readiness for Manners 1 class.

  • You are able to answer “yes” to both questions listed above
  • Dogs must be current on vaccination
  • Please complete the Dog Profile form asap. After signing up, your confirmation email will include a link to it. 
  • Your Class Readiness Evaluation must be completed at least one week prior to your class start date, but no more than 1 month prior to class start date
  • Note: Pups 16 weeks and younger may evaluate at the end of any Puppy Preschool session
  • Review the Be Ready For Your Group Readiness Evaluation page prior to signing up.
  • Free (no charge for the evaluation)

Your Instructors

  • Pet Manners Trainer

    Fable Gay IAABC-ADT FDM
    Fable Gay joined the What a Great Dog! team in 2017. They are an Accredited Dog Trainer through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Certified Family Dog Mediator through Kim Brophey’s Applied Ethology LEGS Course, and an AKC CGC Evaluator. They studied under Michael Shikashio CDBC and completed his Aggression in Dogs Master Course in 2022. They teach […]
  • Senior Pet Manners Trainer

    Jean May CPDT-KA
    Jean is a Senior Trainer who joined What a Great Dog! in April of 2017. She is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) who teaches Pet Manners classes and privates lessons at both locations. Jean has always had a passion for dogs and the desire to work with them. She has a degree in Emergency Management and retired from the […]
  • Senior Pet Manners Trainer

    Kristi Bass CPDT-KA
    Kristi joined the What a Great Dog! team in 2016. She is a Senior Trainer, teaching Pet Manners in both group classes and private lessons at our Frisco location. While working with dog playgroups in the daycare setting, she became fascinated by canine behavior. After 8 years in banking, she decided it was time to change careers.  She completed the Karen […]
  • Pet Manners Trainer

    Laura Arasmith Wilson CPDT-KA
    Laura Arasmith Wilson is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She joined the What a Great Dog! team in 2018. She teaches Pet Manners in both group classes and private lessons at our Frisco location. She also teaches our Enrichment Seminar: Beyond Squeaky Toys! In 2013, Laura graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin at […]
  • Michael Roderick ABCDT
    Roderick is a WAGD Pet Manners trainer, teaching group classes, private lessons and Great Puppy Day School.  He joined WAGD and completed our Trainer Education Program in 2022. He graduated from the Animal Behavior College Dog Training Program, while working as a dog walker. Roderick has a deep passion for helping people build a better relationship with their dogs. He was […]
  • Stephanie Schwanke
    Stephanie joined What a Great Dog! in August of 2020.  She is a shift manager and Pet Manners trainer in our Frisco location.  If you have visited our retail store you may know her as “Aunt Stephanie”.  All the pups know she’s always ready to give some extra love and treats, for good behavior of course.   Before joining What a […]
  • Victoria Johnson
    Victoria is a trainer for Manners classes, Puppy Preschool, Barn Hunt and private lessons at our Richardson location.  After joining the WAGD team in 2020, she completed WAGD’s Trainer Education Program and the Karen Pryor Academy Foundations course.  Absolute Dogs’ Pro Dog Trainer and Pro Dog Trainer Geek programs were completed in 2021 and she is enrolled in their ongoing […]