About Homer Dog Trainers

Positive reinforcement classes in Homer

Homer Dog Trainers is a volunteer-taught training program on Heath Street in Homer, sponsored by the local non-profit Homer Animal Friends. It grew out of a few local trainers and enthusiasts who wanted to share their knowledge, at a time when few opportunities for dog owners existed in the Homer area. Its guiding idea is that "trained dogs are happy dogs, and trained dogs make happy owners." All instructors use positive reinforcement instead of correction, with methods based in behavioral science and backed by research.

Classes and prices

Puppy Kindergarten, for puppies 8-16 weeks, is offered by appointment at $65 for three weekly classes and covers sit, down, come, wait, focus and an intro to the leash. Basic Manners, Agility and Nose Work classes are scheduled once enough students sign up. Rally Novice is $130 for 6 weeks. K9 Nose Work runs from Intro ($108 for 4 weeks) through Elements, Intro to Odor and continuing classes, plus a Puppy K9 Nose Work class for 4-6 month olds. Agility runs from Foundations through Novice and run-throughs, at $130 for 6 weeks for the main levels.

Track record

The program reports more than 200 puppies through Puppy Kindergarten, over 300 dogs and owners through its basic classes, and over 300 dogs in Nose Work since that sport was added in the fall of 2012.