I adopted my dog from another shelter; can I receive the discounted price?
Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to offer discounts to dogs adopted from shelters or rescue organizations other than the SF/SPCA or SF/ACC.

I just adopted a dog. Which class should I take?
If your dog is under 16 weeks of age, you should enroll in Puppy Manners. If the dog is older than that, Basic Training is the most appropriate. Even if you have taken a class with another dog here or somewhere else, you should start with Basic Training.

My dog is 6 months old, and hasn't taken any classes. Can I take Puppy Intermediate?
No. Puppy Intermediate is a continuation of Puppy Manners. Students must have taken a Puppy Class with Sirius, Perfect Paws or at another of our approved training facilities to take this class. We recommend you enroll in Adolescent Manners or Basic Training.

I need help with my dog's housebreaking, barking and chewing. Which class should I take?
Our Puppy Manners, Adolescent Manners, Small Dog Basic, and Basic Training classes cover these topics. If you need immediate help with these issues, it's best to call our Advice Line at (415) 554-3075.

How do I get my adoption training deposit back if I take a class elsewhere?
Once you have completed the training class, mail or fax a copy of the certificate of completion from one of our approved training facilities to Maddie's Adoption Center and we will issue a refund of your training deposit.

I need to get into a class ASAP and your classes are full. What should I do?
Please see our list of other approved training facilities and try to take a class with them.

What is the difference between Basic Training and Civilized Canine?
Basic covers sit, down, stay, loose leash walking, recalls and other basic training issues. Civilized Canine covers everything that is covered in Basic, with the addition of training with a clicker, and is designed to help you think like a trainer. Civilized Canine involves problem solving in real-life contexts: for example, what to do on a walk, in a park, at an outdoor cafe, or in the vet's office. Civilized Canine takes the basics and applies them to real world situations.

When will I hear if I am enrolled in a class?
If registering for a class at the time adoption, the adoption counselor will confirm your registration. Due to the high number of classes we offer, we receive several registrations a day, so it typically takes about 3-4 days to receive confirmation if you mail, email or fax your registration to the Behavior & Training Department.

What do I do of the class I want is full?
Our classes do fill up quickly, so if you are able to make a few classes, please list your first, second and third choices on the Registration Form. We will e-mail you to confirm the class for which you are registered.

What if I can't make the first class / orientation?
Orientation is mandatory for every student! Please register for a class for which you will be able to attend the Orientation. Since we usually have a waiting list for our classes, students who do not attend Orientation will lose their space and forfeit their class fee.

I would like to take Growly Dog; can I just sign up?
No. We must receive a questionnaire so the trainer can determine if the class will be helpful for your dog. Growly Dog is designed for dogs that exhibit reactivity or aggression toward other dogs while on-leash. Off-leash aggression issues are not covered. The class is not appropriate for dogs that have any issues with strangers/people.

Can other members of my family attend classes with me?
Yes, we encourage anyone who lives with the dog to attend class, as it helps with consistency of training.

How many dogs are in each class?
For most of our classes, we limit the number of dogs to ten. Exceptions are Puppy Manners, which allow twelve, and Growly Dog, which is limited to six. However, the ultimate decision is left to the trainer's discretion.

Where are the classes held?
At our facility in the Mission/Potrero Hill neighborhood. The address of the classroom is 243 Alabama St, between 15th and 16th Sts, around the corner from our main entrance. We are one block from 16th and Harrison.