| Days/Times | Grade/Ages | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday 8/23/26-Sunday 9/27/26 Drop in classes now available! |
Adult & Dog | $180/dog for five week session | $30/drop in |
| Location | ||
| TTCC | REGISTER ONLINE NOW! | |
With Smith River Pet Care
Join us for a 5-week group obedience class designed to build confidence, improve behavior, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Classes are held at the Tapply-Thompson Community Center and meet once per week on Sunday afternoons.
Sunday, August 23 – Sunday, September 27
No class on Sunday, September 6 in observance of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Designed for puppies during their critical learning period, this class focuses on positive socialization, confidence-building, and foundational obedience skills. Puppies will learn basic cues while developing good manners and appropriate interactions with people and other dogs.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Perfect for adolescent and adult dogs beginning their training journey. This class emphasizes building attention and engagement, teaching foundational obedience skills, and strengthening communication between you and your dog through positive reinforcement.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
For dogs who have successfully completed a Level 1 obedience class. This class builds on foundational skills by increasing reliability, introducing more advanced behaviors, and practicing in real-world situations with added distractions.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join us for flexible, topic-based training classes designed to help you and your dog build real-life skills—without committing to a multi-week program. Each class focuses on a different training topic, giving you the opportunity to strengthen specific skills while working alongside a professional trainer in a fun, supportive environment.
Topics may include loose leash walking, reliable recall, impulse control, tricks, confidence building, cooperative care, nose work, puppy socialization, and more. Attend the classes that interest you most and continue building your dog’s skills one class at a time.
Sunday, August 23 – Loose Leash Walking
Learn techniques to help your dog walk politely on a leash without pulling, making walks more enjoyable for both of you.
Sunday, August 30 – Reliable Recall
Build a dependable recall so your dog learns to come when called, even with distractions.
Please bring: A long leash that is at least 15 feet in length.
Sunday, September 13 – The Art of Settling
Teach your dog how to relax and remain calm around distractions such as other dogs and people.
Please bring: A dog bed, blanket, or mat for your dog to settle on.
Sunday, September 20 – Tricks Class
Have fun teaching your dog entertaining tricks such as shake, roll over, play dead, and more while strengthening your bond through positive training.
Sunday, September 27 – Confidence Club
Help shy or nervous dogs build confidence as they explore new environments, objects, and experiences in a safe and encouraging setting.
Group training classes are a fun, supportive way to set your dog up for lifelong success. In a small-group setting, you’ll work alongside your dog to build a strong training foundation together using positive reinforcement techniques.
This class is not currently being offered. Please check back for future sessions.
Smith River Pet Care group classes provide a supportive, small-group environment designed to build a strong training foundation between dog and owner. All training is positive reinforcement–based and focuses on trust, clear communication, and strengthening the bond between handler and dog.
Classes emphasize:
For safety and to maintain a positive learning environment, all participating dogs must be dog-friendly to attend group classes.
$180 per dog/5-week session
$30 per dog/each drop in session
Spots are limited. Early registration is encouraged.
Register online: ttccrec.org
Meet the TrainerKristen Belanger, Owner – Smith River Pet Care
Kristen Belanger has worked professionally in animal welfare since 2015, serving in roles ranging from Animal Caregiver to Director of Animal Care and Practice Manager. She has overseen animal intake and outcomes, medical and behavioral programs, foster care systems, and daily operations for facilities caring for 50–70 animals at a time.
Kristen also helped open and manage a general practice veterinary hospital within a shelter setting, gaining hands-on experience supporting complex medical and behavioral cases.
In 2026, she opened Smith River Pet Care, a locally based pet sitting, dog walking, and dog training service serving the Newfound Lake area. Her professional focus centers on animal care, welfare, and behavior, with a strong passion for helping people better understand and communicate with their pets.
She holds certifications in Animal CPR, Fear Free Shelter practices, Shelter Animal Medical Management, Clinic Management, and Shelter Animal Behavioral Management. Her background blends medical, behavioral, and husbandry expertise, allowing her to confidently work with a wide variety of animals—from small exotics to companion animals and livestock.
Phone: (603) 455-1274
Email: smithriverpetcare@gmail.com
