"Happy Dogs Is What We Do!™"

Force Free, Relationship Based Training!

Our training is 100% force free, as we believe that allowing dogs to make their own choices and come to their own conclusions is the best way to make a long-lasting impact on the learning process – over a hundred years of scientific research backs us up on this!

Book a Call!

Training Videos

Recent Client Training Testimonials

"Started Dog training today and it went smoothly. Small group, medium sized room. Bri explained a lot of great information about the program and what we all will get from it. Looking forward to the weeks to come. Bri's background and experience definitely shows her education and training skills." ~Natalie Ramer

"Natalie, thank you so much for your review! I’m excited to work with you all and Bailey. I’m looking forward to watching him open up in each session. I’m glad I didn’t overload everyone with information! It can be so easy to do. Thank you again for your review!" ~Bri🐾

divider orange

A Walk in the Park (AWITP) has provided a great opportunity for our dog, Cooper, as well as the two of us. We were looking online for dog training facilities and came upon AWITP. We both liked their philosophy of training dogs. We made an appointment to tour the facility and discuss training options. After our tour we signed Cooper up for class.

A few things Cooper has learned are impulse control, to think and make good choices and walk on a leash without pulling constantly. When he approaches doors he now stops, sits, and waits for verbal cues before crossing the threshold. This gives us peace of mind knowing that he will not run outside through an open door without a “Let’s go”. This approach also works at street corners while on a walk.

A few of the things that stand out in Cooper’s training sessions are the incredible amounts of patience displayed by the staff, the verbal praise, yummy rewards, and play time with favorite toys as a means of reward. Cooper also loves discovering the yummy treats in the puzzles he solves. He is challenged to learn new things and always rewarded on his success. We appreciate that he is not disciplined or scolded when he is not successful. He is given ampletime to think and many opportunities to succeed. The staff keeps the learning process upbeat, not stressful.

AWATP has helped build a better bond between Cooper and us. We understand each other better. He understands what is expected of him, but he has choices to make. Thanks to class, patience, a variety of routines, and practice, he usually makes the right choice.

We are thankful to AWITP for providing opportunities to enrich the life of Cooper. Bill & Charlotte Steinman

The Pack Pass™
Your Dog’s All Access Pass to Proud Moments, Joyful Walks, and 
Everyday Freedom - and Having the Best Behaved Dog in Town!

The Pack Pass is a fun, social class pass that helps you enjoy life with your dog. Come for the training, stay for the connection.

Enjoy the life you imagined when you brought your dog home.

IMG 2504This monthly group class pass is designed to give you and your dog the consistency, community, and coaching you need for lasting training results and a deep connection with your dog.

  • Enjoy walks that feel relaxing, not embarrassing.
  • Train your dog so you can proudly go to patios, parks, and family gatherings together.
  • Learn practical, real-life skills (like leash manners, “leave it,” and relaxing on cue)
  • Connect with other dog parents who want the same thing you do — a happy, well-behaved dog that’s a joy to live with.
  • Look forward to class because it’s fun for both you and your dog.

How It Works

  • One pass - ongoing access to the trainer, community, and new training accomplishments with your dog.

  • Seasonal themes. Each quarter, we tackle a big priority, like leash manners, focus, greetings, or relaxation.

  • Semi-Private Format - Each Pack Pass class is limited to just 4 dogs — small enough for personalized coaching and creating real connections. You’ll get the individual attention you’d expect in a private lesson, with the added benefit of practicing around real distractions and connecting with other dog parents.

  • Pack Pass Video Vault - Access to a private video library where you can rewatch demos and refresh your skills anytime. Training at your own pace outside class becomes simple and stress-free.

  • Extra Resources & Handouts - Access to resources to address common challenges, including breed characteristics descriptions, innovative and easy energy outlets instead of fetch, and bite-sized training tips you’ll find brilliant!

  • Social. Classes feel like joining a game or group activity — fun, lighthearted, and something you’ll enjoy participating in.

  • Real-life results. You’ll see changes after the first class, not months down the road.

IMG 3223You’re not training alone — you’re part of a Pack.

Think of this as your dog’s place to learn manners, gain confidence, and master real-world skills — only more fun, more personal, and more impactful.

Fun for your dog. Freedom for your life.

With The Pack Pass, you’re not signing up for lectures or endless obedience drills. You’re joining a small, supportive group where you’ll get personalized coaching, fun weekly classes, and resources that fit into your everyday life. You’ll leave each session not only with new skills, but also with the confidence and clarity to use them at home.

Book your complimentary Zoom call with Trainer Bri to discuss joining this program.

Book a Call

divider orange

loading...
Puppy Preschool: Enrichment and Training for Your Pup

Puppy Preschool: Enrichment and Training for Your Pup

Join us every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 11 AM for Puppy Preschool, our enrichment and training-based daycare program designed specifically for the unique developmental stages of puppies. For just $45 per session, we provide a nurturing and educational environment to help your puppy grow into a confident and well-behaved dog.

Puppies go through several critical stages where their behavior needs special consideration. When they first arrive at their new homes, they are often in their first fear impact period, where frightening experiences can leave lasting impressions. As they grow, they enter the seniority period, marked by teething and an increase in chewing behavior. This natural urge must be carefully directed to appropriate objects without punishment, as puppies remain highly vulnerable.

During the flight period, puppies become more adventurous and less responsive to commands like recall. Again, don’t get upset when they don’t come when called, understand what stage of development they are in. Use praise and  rewards when they do come! Towards the end of their puppyhood, they experience a second fear impact period, where previously familiar things can suddenly become scary.

Our Puppy Preschool program focuses on these developmental stages to ensure your pup feels comfortable and secure in their environment. We provide a variety of objects and settings for them to explore, building their confidence. Training games and cognitive enrichment activities teach focus and problem-solving skills, while exercises promoting calmness help puppies learn to self-regulate. We introduce basic cues, such as responding to their name and coming when called, laying the foundation for future training.

An insider tip: avoid teaching young puppies to sit, as their muscles and skeleton are still developing. Forcing a puppy into a sit can cause discomfort and long-term damage, potentially leading to arthritis. Instead, we wait until they are ready to learn the 'sit' cue properly. Some breeds, like sighthounds, are naturally uncomfortable sitting, so we respect their physical limitations.

Join us at Puppy Preschool and give your puppy the best start in life with our comprehensive, positive reinforcement-based approach. For more information or to enroll, please contact us at 419-475-4101 or training@awitp.net.

IMG 9402

Building a strong relationship with your dog is crucial for successful dog training. Without a strong bond and trust between you and your furry friend, it can be difficult to effectively communicate and teach them new skills.

By spending quality time with your dog, playing games, and engaging in activities together, you can establish a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.

This foundation will help ensure that your dog is more receptive to your commands and is eager to please you.

Whether you're teaching basic obedience or advanced tricks, a positive and trusting relationship with your dog is the key to success.

Current Clients Sign Up

Positive, Force Free Training

 

IMG 9401All of our services here at A Walk in the Park are tightly integrated. This is because we truly believe in the benefits of acknowledging and developing the “whole dog”. At the root of this concept, is a better way to train. We use positive methods that help dogs establish, and in some cases re-establish, positive associations with the world around them.

Our training is 100% force free, as we believe that allowing dogs to make their own choices and come to their own conclusions is the best way to make a long-lasting impact on the learning process – over a hundred years of scientific research backs us up on this! We offer an array of training programs that target your various needs. Our mission is “to help dogs navigate a world they have to share with humans and other dogs”. By integrating training concepts into our daycare and overnight programs, the dogs not only get the opportunity to play and exercise, they learn valuable lessons about how to properly socialize and communicate with both humans and other dogs. Building optimism and confidence are key concepts in our approach to dog training.

Why Punishment Doesn’t Work

 IMG 9400Using punishment like shock collars during training can have negative consequences for your dog and the relationship you have with your dog.

There can be physical and emotional harm. Shock collars work by delivering an electric shock to the dog’s neck, which can cause physical harm, pain and distress. The use of shock collars can lead to physical injury such as burns, skin irritations, and even tissue damage.

The use of shock collars can lead to fear and anxiety in dogs. The shock can be traumatic and may cause the dog to associate the training session, or even you, the trainer, with pain and discomfort.

Some dogs may become aggressive when exposed to a shock collar, either due to fear or frustration. This can create a dangerous situation for both for you and your dog.

Punishment-based training methods might teach the dog to avoid certain behaviors out of fear of punishment rather than an understanding of the desired behavior. This can lead to confusion, frustration, and a lack of motivation to learn.

Using punishment-based training methods can damage the relationship between you and your dog, as the dog may come to associate you with punishment, rather than positive reinforcement and trust.

And none of this is necessary, as there are better training methods available, that will not harm your dog.

Our Facebook Dog Training Photos

Click on an "Album Cover" image to see more images in that group!

 

divider orange

Our Services