POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING
CLEAR SIGNALS. HAPPY DOGS.
Marilyn Marks has 30+ years of experience teaching owners to communicate with their dogs with clarity and kindness. Group classes and private lessons are available.
NEW CLASS
PUPPY SOCIALIZATION
Pups under 18 weeks are in a developmental socialization stage. Your pup gets professionally supervised play with other puppies in the same stage — plus online access to training resources on housebreaking, mouthing, chewing, and more. Trainers are on hand to answer your questions throughout the session.
What You Need To Know
- 4-week pass — $100 (plus CT sales tax)
- Pups 12–16 weeks at start of pass
- Age-appropriate vaccinations (per your vet)
- Negative fecal required (we can help)
- Up to 4 drop-in classes, Sundays 12 PM
- Online registration required
GROUP CLASSES
THREE STEPS. ONE GREAT DOG.
Start with the fundamentals, add real-world commands, then earn the Canine Good Citizen title. Work through it at your own pace — Marilyn will tell you when you're ready for the next step.
01
FOUNDATIONS
$200 for 5 sessions
For dogs 16 weeks and older. Learn the tools and concepts to communicate clearly and shape behavior — from jumping and stealing household items to door-bolting and window barking. You'll leave thinking like a trainer.
02
BEYOND BASICS
$160 for 4 sessions
For dogs who've completed Foundations. Turn new skills into real-world commands — come, loose-leash walking, stay — plus stress-free handling for vet visits and grooming. Repeatable as often as you need.
03
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
A 10-skill test for owners advancing past Beyond Basics — good manners for dogs, responsible ownership for humans. Covers greetings, polite sitting, crowd etiquette, recall, and more. Email Marilyn to sign up.
WHY TRAIN WITH US
Training Built Around Real Life
Good training should make everyday life with your dog easier. At The Good Dog Spot, our training programs focus on clear communication, positive reinforcement, and skills your dog can use at home, in public, around other dogs, and with the people they live with every day.
Whether you are starting with a puppy, working through basic manners, or looking for help with specific behavior challenges, our goal is to help you understand your dog and build a stronger relationship together.
Common Training Goals We Can Help With
Every dog learns differently, and every family has different goals. Training may focus on basic manners, confidence building, calmness, communication, and helping your dog respond more consistently in everyday situations. We can help with skills such as:
- Leash walking
- Sit, stay, come
- Jumping
- Door manners
- Puppy basics
- Socialization
- Calm greetings
- Recall
- Household manners
- Building confidence
- Improving owner and dog communication
MEET YOUR TRAINER
Meet Marilyn, Your Trainer
Marilyn Marks has 30+ years of experience teaching owners to communicate with their dogs with clarity and kindness.
She was one of the nation's first Certified Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT, 2001) and helped develop that program. She also has a background as a certified middle school teacher, and she loves creating curriculum for dogs and owners alike.
Positive reinforcement training built on trust, clarity, and real-life results.
GETTING STARTED
What To Expect When Your Pup Starts Training
Getting started is simple. First, we'll help you choose the training option that best fits your dog's age, experience, and needs.
From there, you'll receive guidance on what to bring.
We'll show you what to practice.
And we'll help you keep building progress between sessions.
Our goal is to make training feel approachable for both you and your dog. You don't need to have everything figured out before you reach out. We're here to help you take the next step.
PRIVATE TRAINING
WE'LL COME TO YOU.
When a class schedule doesn't fit — or you need help with something a class can't handle — Marilyn comes to you. Private, in-home training tailored to your dog, in the environment that matters most.
Initial consultation: $175
1-hour follow-up session: $100
Package of three 1-hour sessions: $270
Questions? Reach Marilyn at training@thegooddogspot.com
TRAINING FAQs
TRAINING QUESTIONS, ANSWERED.
How our classes work and which one your dog should start with.
What training methods do you use?
We use positive-reinforcement methods that help owners communicate with their dogs clearly and kindly. Our goal is to build practical skills while strengthening the relationship between you and your dog.
What types of dog training do you offer?
We offer puppy socialization, group training classes, Canine Good Citizen preparation, and private in-home training.
Which group class should my dog start with?
Most dogs begin with Foundations, where owners learn the tools and concepts needed to improve everyday behavior. Dogs can then advance to Beyond Basics and Canine Good Citizen preparation.
Do you offer puppy socialization classes?
Yes. Our puppy socialization program is designed for puppies between 12 and 16 weeks old at the beginning of the four-week pass. Puppies need age-appropriate vaccinations and a negative fecal test.
Can you help with specific behavior concerns?
Private in-home training can be tailored to your dog and the challenges you are experiencing. This is a helpful option when a group class does not address your needs or fit your schedule.
When should I start training my puppy?
Puppies can begin learning early. Puppy socialization is especially valuable before 18 weeks, because this is an important developmental stage for safe exposure, confidence building, and early learning. You can start your puppy's learning any time after they arrive in your home, and we are here to help with housebreaking, mouthing, stealing items, and many other early puppyhood behaviors. Please note that puppies cannot come to the training center or daycare building until they have had their rabies shot, at around 14 weeks.
Does my dog need to complete an evaluation prior to training?
Yes and no. We screen incoming training request forms to see whether you have chosen the best option for you and your dog. We will call you to discuss any concerns and to identify which option, private or group training class, is the right place to start. Above all, we need to keep class a safe environment where learning can take place. So we often like to chat with you to decide, but a formal assessment is not a requirement.
How do I know if a class or private instruction is the best option for me and my dog?
Many people prefer classes because they cost less and let you train your dog in a distracting environment, but that level of distraction can be too much for some dogs to start in. Training is a bit like lifting weights: you cannot start in the middle or at the high end, you have to build up from the easy basics. For the class environment to work, we need two things. First, your dog cannot be aggressive, or potentially aggressive, toward other class members, both dogs and people. Second, your dog needs to take the treats offered in class and respond to them. If you think your dog might be too worried, sensitive, aggressive, or excited to think and learn in a small group of five dogs, let us know. Private lessons are also a great first choice when your schedule conflicts with our class times.