Alexandria Animal Academy

About the Course

The 7-week virtual course offers three different learning tracks. You can choose one, multiple, or all of the educational tracks. We use a positive reinforcement approach only. If you’re not sure where you fit, send us an email at behavior@alexandriaanimals.org.

Click Here to Watch the Zoom Info Session

Find the Slides from the Zoom Info Session Here

Online Classes Work!

These virtual training sessions include group instruction AND individual feedback and training plans. The unique training plans are created based on one-on-one conversations and video of your dog’s behavior you will be asked to submit. These courses are designed to help YOU and YOUR DOG work better together — both putting in the work to make positive change! Plus, working with your dog in the comfort of their own home and environment — and modifying the behaviors in the places they naturally occur — reduces stress on both you and your dog. Bonus: You not only get the feedback of a professional, certified dog trainer, but have access to a group of likeminded dog parents!

Three Learning Tracks:

Confidence Building: This track is for shy, fearful, and/or nervous dogs who might act in aggressive ways (growling, snapping, barking) when faced with new people, places, or things. If your pup cowers or hides (or panics) when visitors are over or in public, or snaps “out of nowhere,” the Confidence Building track might be the right fit for you. In this track, we will work on helping you learn to read your dog’s subtle body language cues so that you can intervene early when they feel uncomfortable and help them build trust in you so they can gain confidence to handle life’s scary situations. As with the other courses, the last three weeks of the course are devoted to helping you implement a training plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs! This is also a great course for dogs who are new to you and your home!
Chill Out: This track is for dogs who are always on the go or who lack manners and impulse control. If your dog has a hard time calming down at the end of the day, gets over excited about everything, or you just need a break from their energy level, “Chill Out” might be the right fit for you! In this track, we work on uncovering the root cause of your dog’s hyperactive behavior and build skills to lower their overall excitement and stress levels. We’ll also set you up with tools to build predictability into your dog’s life, as well as training games to help your dog regain focus when they start to spin out of control. As with the other courses, the last three weeks of the course are devoted to helping you implement a training plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.
Leash Reactivity: This track is for pups who have big feelings on walks. If your dog snarls and snaps when they see a stranger or dog, or pulls your arm off to get closer to them, “Leash Reactivity” might be the right fit for you. In this track, we will unpack the reasons why your dog reacts the way they do in the first place and give you the skills you need to help them feel safe and lower arousal levels to decrease their reactions. We’ll also arm you with strategies and training games to shape better choices when your dog sees something exciting or scary on a walk. As with the other courses, the last three weeks of the course are devoted to helping you implement a training plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

The course includes 7-weeks of virtual coaching (both live and recorded) and personalized, individual instruction from a certified professional dog trainer, a starter pack with basic materials to be successful, lifelong access to the course materials, and opportunities to build community with other dog parents facing the same issues.

In addition, you will have the option of up to three free follow-up Zoom sessions with your instructor for up to six months after you complete your coursework.

Class Cost

One Track – $200
Two Tracks – $300
All Three Tracks – $350

If you would like to audit the course (access course content and attend live Zoom sessions, but not receive feedback or a personalized training plan), the fee is $100 for one course, $150 for two course, or $175 for three courses. (You can choose to fully enroll in one track and audit a second or third track.) You can enroll multiple dogs in the same track.

In addition, we have a limited number of needs-based scholarships available for Alexandria residents or adopters of AWLA Shelter Scholar dogs. Please contact us at behavior@AlexandriaAnimals.org if you would like information on the scholarship option.

There will be no refunds once the cohort begins.

Registration

Enrollment is now open for ALL 2025 sessions!

Register for the September 7 - October 12 Session

Register for the December 7 - January 11, 2026 Session

Testimonials from Course Participants

**Please note the course instructor has changed and some testimonials reference previous instructor.

I am an absolute fan of AWLA’s training, it’s been fantastic! An extra special shout out for Alli, who is unbelievably helpful and goes "the extra mile". My super leash aggressive dog Captain has worked with at least four trainers and I still feared seeing another dog on a leash! We have moved from a prong collar to a harness when he walks with me! He now looks at me when he doesn't react to another leashed dog as if to say, "look mom, I did good, can I have a treat now?!". I'm literally gob smacked by my ease and lack of fear of him becoming "crazy dog on a leash".

My other pup, Madison, is a fearful mess and now we walk and actually sniff, like a real dog. It's still slow going getting her out of the house but she isn't being dragged and is doing well on the leash. I know there's still more work but we are lightyears ahead of any other time, and yes, she's had at least four tries at training also. Of course, us two legged parents are learning the skills to make this all happen. AWLA, thanks for teaching these classes and I hope you do more!
Caryn K - Grateful Pet Parent

I highly recommend the AWLA's Alexandria Animal Academy Leash Reactivity Training. If you are struggling with an over-anxious and reactive pup when you see other dogs on your walks, this class is for you.

During the course of eight on-line training lessons, Alli provides valuable information and practical strategies that are easy to understand and implement. Information is presented in a logical order, beginning with understanding and observing my dog’s body language to discovering favorite treats. After that, we moved into training games and a more personalized learning plan.

At about week three, Daisy’s and my walks became more enjoyable and relaxed. It was then that I was able to apply the strategies and newly learned information from the course. Because of the training and a properly fitting harness, I am becoming more confident in recognizing Daisy’s cues. In addition, learning and practicing more effective leash handling techniques, I can move Daisy quickly and easily from difficult situations when necessary.
Andrea D.

Alli has been fantastic and the class has been great! Even though training to change behavior is a long process, I'm already seeing some improvement in my dog and now have the skills I need to continue to help him. Really grateful to Alli and the team AWLA for their feedback and personal attention during this class!
Meghan B. - Teddy's Mom

Wow, Beth! You clearly took so much time reviewing my videos and even more time sharing your thoughts. Thank you!

I am learning a lot from the leash reactivity class and your notes make so much sense because of it. I have replayed the video, as you suggested, and see exactly what you are describing. Basil has been doing this for years and we felt so helpless. It’s starting to make sense and I really appreciate you helping us in this journey.

Looking forward to class this week and learning even more.
Sandra

I just wanted to share that I saw some HUGE progress today with Max.

We walked outside, he saw a dog before I did, did his usual "I'm going to bark and lunge," BUT he hit the end of his leash, barked once, stopped and turned around and looked at me.

We then just looked at the dog for a bit and ate treats. I'm a very proud dog mom, so thank you.
Laura and Max

Meet Your Instructor

Our behavior and training coordinator, Beth Tumlin (CPDT-KA – Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed), will be your instructor for this course. Beth is a positive reinforcement and force-free trainer, certified through Animal Behavior Institute. She has worked with dogs and in the animal sheltering field since 2017. She works one-on-one with the dogs at the AWLA who need behavior intervention in order to thrive in an adoptive home, and provides ongoing behavioral support post-adoption.

Beth’s goal for every animal she works with is to improve their quality of life, as well as their family’s. Beth is committed to continuous education and applying rigorous, data-driven theory to her training.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know you have a busy schedule, so this is up to you! On average, we would expect you to devote about 2 – 3 hours per week to this course. On a weekly basis, this would include a 1-hour live Zoom session on Sunday with your instructor (recorded if you can’t attend), a recorded lecture that you can view at your leisure, and recommended homework assignments. The live sessions will be held Sundays at 11 – 11:45 a.m. (Confidence Building), noon – 12:45 p.m. (Chill Out), and 1 – 1:45 p.m. (Leash Reactivity).

In the first half of the course, you will receive feedback from your instructor on written and filmed homework assignments. Your instructor will aim to provide you with feedback within 24 hours of submission. For the second half of the course, you will be working with your instructor to develop and implement a training plan that is specifically tailored to your dog’s needs. At that point, you and your instructor will determine the appropriate frequency for check-ins. Throughout the course, you will have access to live Zoom sessions with your instructor and everyone else in your cohort. This is a great time to ask questions, provide feedback, and share experiences with your fellow classmates.

No problem. You are welcome to participate at any level that feels comfortable for you. That said, we strongly encourage you to submit video assignments for feedback. In addition to being a certified professional dog trainer, your instructor volunteers her time with the Shelter Playgroup Alliance as a virtual and in-person coach. She has experience providing kind, constructive, and actionable feedback to learners of all skill levels.

Throughout this course, you will deepen your relationship with your dog, learning how to understand and respond to their needs, and set them up for success. You can expect to learn how to:

Read and respond appropriately to your dog’s subtle body language and behavior cues,
Effectively reinforce your dog and meet their behavioral needs by thinking creatively,
Communicate clearly with your dog through positive reinforcement training games, and
Come up with a game plan that improves quality of life for the entire family.