Animal Welfare League of Alexandria announces new ‘Alexandria Animal Academy’

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) announced today a low-cost canine training program called Alexandria Animal Academy.

The new program is set to start on Jan. 21 and will feature an eight-week virtual course coaching both parents and pets in various fields, from confidence building to leash reactivity.

“The course includes 8-weeks of virtual coaching (both live and recorded) and tailored 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,” AWLA said in a release.

Introducing Alexandria Animal Academy dog behavior and training community courses! The canine courses have been crafted to teach pets and people to live better together. Sign up to attend our Zoom info session and Q&A on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. https://t.co/NTFHt8ytP8 pic.twitter.com/kfLoIV6vkK

— AWLA Alexandria (@AlexAnimals) November 2, 2023

The program is being led by Alli Holte, the behavior and training coordinator for AWLA who works one-on-one with dogs at the shelter who need behavioral work.

After the course, there are three free follow-up sessions for up to six months after the coursework is completed.

The courses can cover:

• Confidence Building: “This track is for pups who show signs of shyness, fearfulness, and stress, and who might act in aggressive ways (growling, snapping, barking) when faced with novel people, places, or things.”
• Chill Out: “This track is for pups with big feelings! If your dog loses their mind when the mail carrier comes, has a hard time calming down at the end of the day, or nearly tears your arm off every time they see a squirrel, ‘Chill Out’ might be the right fit for you.”
• Leash Reactivity: “This track is for pups who have big feelings when they see scary things during leash walks. If your dog snarls and snaps when they see a stranger, pulls you into traffic to get closer to another dog, or pancakes when a city bus rumbles by, ‘Leash Reactivity’ might be the right fit for you.

Enrollment for an 8-week course is $200, or $300 for two tracks, or $350 for all three tracks. The course content is also available for $100 for those that don’t want to attend the live Zoom sessions or receive feedback/personalized training plans.

AWLA said a limited number of needs-based scholarships are also available.

“Please contact us at [email protected],” AWLA said, “or register for the live Zoom session on Wednesday, November 15 at 6 p.m. if you would like information on the scholarship option.”

Registration for the program is set to run from Dec. 1-Dec. 31.

Photo via AWLA/Facebook