In this free 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)
Have questions or need help getting signed up? Call us at 214-297-3000.
Your Instructors
Great Dog Day School and Pet Manners Trainer
Joy Hampton
Joy joined WAGD as a pet trainer in 2026. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Before graduating with her master’s she realized that animal training would be a better career/personality fit than counseling.
She has always been an avid animal lover and became a vegetarian at 12-years of age. Even in high school and college when she didn’t know her life would lead her to a career with animals, she volunteered at Roger’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, worked a summer job at a veterinary clinic and another summer job in college with the education department at the Abilene Zoo. She attended her first animal training convention with the American Zoological Association in 2010. From there she trained to be a dog trainer at PetSmart, where she continued for about 16 years.
Joy loves helping dogs be the best family members that they can be, and helping families understand and care for their dogs.
Matt Henry
Matt first joined the What a Great Dog! Team in March of 2022. He completed the Karen Pryor Academy Dog Trainer Foundations course in the fall of 2022, and finished the WAGD Trainer Education Program in 2023. He teaches Pet Manners classes and does WOW In-home Training Sessions.
As a child, Matt dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Although he didn’t follow that path, his love of animals has always been strong. While an undergraduate student, he worked part-time jobs at a veterinary clinic and at local pet stores, and over the years he has provided a loving home to a variety of rescued cats and dogs.
Matt was raised in upstate New York, but he has called Texas home since 1997. He holds a master’s degree in English and a doctorate in Humanities and is currently a faculty member at Dallas College, where he teaches courses in composition and literature. His experience as an instructor has prepared him well for teaching at WAGD and helping clients learn how to build stronger relationships with their beloved dogs. Clients tell us that they love his approachable style and clear instructions during class.
Matt has served as a foster for the Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas, and he adopted his current dog, Bella, from GRRNT in April of 2022.
Stephanie Schwanke
Stephanie joined What a Great Dog! in August of 2020. She is a Pet Manners trainer and the Coordinator for both our GDDS (Day School) and WOW (In-home) programs. 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 Great Dog!, Stephanie managed a pet boarding, daycare and grooming facility in McKinney for 12 years. She has shown her dogs in conformation and obedience for over 30 years. Stephanie and her dog, Brooke, took manners and CGC classes from Maureen in her barn in Prosper 20 years ago. She was taught and loved the positive reinforcement training that Maureen coached her and all of us on since she has started.
Since Stephanie has been active in working with dogs, she has had Siberian Huskies, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and German Shepherds. Currently she and her husband share their home with Stella, a 8-year-old German Shepherd rescue that they adopted just weeks before the Covid lockdown. She is her “work in progress”.
Stephanie hopes with her experience to provide our WAGD families with helpful advice and guidance to assist them in having lifelong GREAT DOG family members.
Pet Manners, Tricks and Nose Work Trainer
Victoria Johnson
Victoria is a Senior Trainer at What a Great Dog, teaching a variety of classes including all Manners class levels, Puppy Preschools, Trick Dog, Nosework, and Canine Good Citizen. She also helps dogs and their owners, in private one-on-one lessons, work through behavior struggles and gain new skills. She taught previously taught Barn Hunt and has a deep understanding of that sport. Her passion for dog training lies in helping owners develop a deeper understanding of their dogs, strengthen their bonds, and build lasting relationships. She loves helping families work through behavioral challenges while discovering the joy of training together through games, tricks, and positive reinforcement.
Victoria is a registered AKC evaluator for CGC and Trick Dog programs. In addition to WAGD’s trainer education program, she has completed extensive continuing education programs, including Karen Pryor Academy education, Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer and Geek programs, specialized Behavet canine courses, and Do More With Your Dog tricks certification. Victoria is currently enrolled in The Canine Behaviour College through Behavet where she will earn credentials to be a certified Canine Behaviorist.
Victoria discovered WAGD in 2017, where she worked her rescue Chi/Terrier, Audrey, through Manners, Agility, and Tricks classes and attained several tricks titles and is currently learning and competing in Rally. Victoria also has two other dogs. River is another Chi/Terrier rescue who has competed and titled in Barn Hunt, earned Trick Dog titles, and is currently learning Rally and Nosework. Suzume, a Papillon, is just starting her training journey to become a Trick Dog, Rally enthusiast, Freestyle pup, and more.