Dog Training
AKC Dog Training in Mesa and Chandler
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen courses, plus Play and Train added to a daycare or boarding day.
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
At Happy Pets Palace, we use positive reinforcement, reward-based training to help your dog learn and thrive. We focus on rewarding the behaviors we like, while gently redirecting and teaching alternative actions to manage less desirable behaviors.
We know every dog and owner are unique, which is why we offer multiple training options to fit your needs. Whether you want to actively participate in your dog’s training or prefer a drop-off option to give your dog a head start, we have a program for you!
Dog Training in Mesa and Chandler, Arizona
We run three training options, and they are meant to be read as a sequence rather than as a menu of equals.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is the foundation, six weeks for puppies under a year, taught with you in the room. AKC Canine Good Citizen is the progression, another six weeks ending in a recognised title. Play & Train is the drop-off option, one-on-one skill reinforcement folded into a daycare or boarding day your dog is already booked for.
All three use positive reinforcement. We reward the behaviour we want and redirect the rest rather than correcting it. The AKC courses run in partnership with an independent AKC-certified trainer, at both Mesa and Chandler.
Which one you start with depends on whether you want to be trained alongside your dog or want the work done while your dog is here anyway. If you are looking for dog training in Mesa AZ, puppy training in Chandler AZ, or AKC training near you, the section below breaks down the difference, and enrollment starts with the intake form for your location.
AKC Training Programs
We proudly host AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Training and AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) programs in partnership with an independent AKC-certified trainer. These programs are ideal for puppies and adult dogs who benefit from structured guidance, positive reinforcement, and personalized instruction — all within a dog friendly, supportive setting.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Training
Foundation — for puppies under 1 year who are just starting their training journey and benefit from early structure, socialization, and positive learning experiences.
This six-week consecutive course is designed for puppies and their parents to build strong training habits from the very beginning. Each class includes 1 hour of instruction with live demonstrations, guided practice, and time for questions.
This program:
- Builds confident, well-mannered puppies from day one
- Strengthens the bond between puppy and parent
- Lays the foundation for future success in Canine Good Citizen training
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Training
Progression — Ideal next step after S.T.A.R. Puppy
This six-week consecutive course is designed to help dogs develop reliable, real-world manners while preparing to earn their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. Each class includes live demonstration, guided practice, feedback, and ongoing support.
This program helps your dog:
- Become polite, calm, and reliable in public and real-world settings
- Earn AKC-recognized proof of good behavior, helpful for housing and travel
- Develop lifelong manners, confidence, and emotional balance
Note: The AKC Canine Good Citizen award may also be earned through a direct evaluation for $25 with an AKC-approved Evaluator through the American Kennel Club. While direct testing is available, participation in the six-week course is strongly recommended for success.
Play & Train (Drop-Off)
Convenience Upgrade – perfect for busy schedules!
Our Play & Train program combines structured training support with your dog’s regular daycare or boarding day— so training fits right into their routine, without adding extra appointments for families.
Dogs receive 1-on-1 AKC skill reinforcement, focusing on individualized practice of foundational manners and behaviors that align with AKC training standards. Skills are reinforced in a calm, familiar environment to help improve consistency, confidence, and real-world reliability.
This program is designed to support and strengthen existing training, helping good behaviors carry over from our facility to home and everyday life.
Play & Train helps your dog:
- Reinforce foundational and AKC-aligned skills through one-on-one practice
- Build calm, polished manners that translate beyond daycare or boarding
- Learn with consistency and structure, without pressure or stress
*Available as a daycare or boarding add-on*
Which Training Program Is Right for Your Dog?
Three questions sort it: how old is your dog, what have they already been taught, and how much of your own time can you give.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy suits puppies under one year with no formal training behind them. Six consecutive weeks, one hour a week, and you attend with your puppy. Expect to practise between classes, because the class teaches you the exercise and the week is where it sticks. This is the AKC STAR Puppy course in Arizona that most first-time owners start with.
AKC Canine Good Citizen suits dogs who already have the basics, usually straight after S.T.A.R. Puppy, though adult dogs trained elsewhere fit too. Also six consecutive weeks, one hour a week with you in the room, ending in an AKC-recognised title that is genuinely useful for rental housing and travel. The evaluation can be taken on its own for $25 with an AKC-approved evaluator, but the canine good citizen class in Mesa is strongly recommended if you want to pass it.
Play & Train suits owners who cannot commit to a weekly class, and dogs who know the skills but lose them under pressure. One-on-one AKC skill reinforcement inside a daycare or boarding day, so it adds nothing to your week. It is designed to strengthen existing training rather than start from nothing, so it works best after or alongside a course, not instead of one.
Short version: under a year and starting out, S.T.A.R. Puppy. Basics in place and you want the title, Canine Good Citizen. No room in the week, Play & Train. For obedience training in Chandler or Mesa, the intake form below is the same for all three.
How to Get Started / Enrollment
Please select your location to complete our training intake form.
We’ll follow up with next steps and upcoming class dates.
What Happens in a Six-Week Course
Both AKC courses run the same shape. Six consecutive weeks, one hour a week, with you and your dog attending together. Each class includes a live demonstration, guided practice with the trainer watching and adjusting, and time for questions about what is happening at home.
The arc across the six weeks moves from single skills in a calm setting toward the same skills held under distraction, which is the part that actually matters. A dog who sits in an empty room has not learned to sit. A dog who sits while another dog walks past has.
The work between classes is yours. Plan on short daily practice, a few minutes at a time rather than one long session, using that week’s exercise. Puppies in particular have a short attention span, so little and often beats long and thorough.
The final week is the evaluation. For AKC Canine Good Citizen that is the CGC test, and passing earns the AKC-recognised title. The CGC evaluation in Arizona can also be taken separately for $25 with an AKC-approved evaluator, though we recommend the six week dog training course first.
To enroll in dog obedience classes in Mesa or Chandler, complete the training intake form for your location above and we will follow up with upcoming class dates.
Dog Training FAQs
Classes are held once per week and run for six consecutive weeks, with each class lasting approximately one hour.
Ready to Book?
Select your nearest location to reserve your spot.