About Busy Dog

A sports-and-manners school built around active dogs

Busy Dog, LLC is a Madison-area dog training business whose home page opens with the question "Are you ready for an adventure with your best friend?" and frames the whole offer around movement: "At Busy Dog, we embrace our dogs' need to move, play, and explore. We also recognize the importance of having a well mannered companion, both in our homes and on adventures." The stated method is "up-to-date, motivational, rewards-based training," and the mission line is to "help humans and dogs build lifelong partnerships by embracing fun, cooperation, and excellent training skills."

Classes the site lists

The home page names four class families. Puppy Skills classes are "designed to teach the essentials for a well mannered, well adjusted family pet," and the site is explicit that "Puppy training goes beyond teaching a sit; we include exposure and socialization, fun and games, and cooperative and practical skills." Good Dog classes are open to "dogs of any age" and cover "walking nicely on leash, appropriate greetings, re-calls, attention work and more." All three AKC Canine Good Citizen levels are offered – "CGC, CGCU and CGCA." Brewery Manners is a four-week class "hosted by local breweries and beer gardens," led by a certified Drink With Your Dog class instructor.

Agility and parkour

Agility and parkour are the specialty the site returns to most often, described as "giving dogs' the physical exercise they need while building confidence and developing your partnership." A long post on the training page explains dog parkour as "urban agility" built on six base behaviors – "4 feet on, 2 feet on, under, through, in, and balance" – and says Busy Dog offers "both online and in person dog parkour classes" plus a weekly group practice in a new Madison-area location. The post credits Mackenzie Holmes of Busy Dog Training as "a certified instructor and evaluator" who "can award you your training and novice level titles" through the International Dog Parkour Association.

Who teaches, and access

The home page says "Anne and Mackenzie have more than 20 years of collective experience as Madison-area dog trainers," experienced in "pet dog training, agility, dog parkour, and multi-dog and species households." Busy Dog also runs a scholarship program, on the stated belief "that money should not be a limiting factor in education," and a free once-monthly Fit Dog Club outing with limited space. Virtual and hybrid classes appear alongside in-person ones in the site's own menu. The mailing address given is a PO box in Madison, so ask where classes meet.