Los Angeles, CA — Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) Animal Behavior & Training Department announces training classes enrolling now at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne. Classes begin on September 13, 2025 at 12924 Yukon Ave., 90250. Register at spcaLA.com/training.
Classes offered include Puppy Kindergarten, Reactive Rover Level One, and Intro to Fun Nose Work. Puppy Kindergarten teaches foundation obedience and covers topics such as appropriate play, puppy enrichment, and preventing unwanted behaviors such as jumping and mouthing. Puppy Kindergarten is for puppies ages 3 to 6 months. Register at spcaLA.com/training.
Reactive Rover Level One is for dogs who may bark, growl or lunge at other dogs, people, or things. The class teaches skills and concepts to manage a dog’s unwanted reactions, and provides appropriate enrichment alternatives and replacement behaviors. This class is for dogs of all ages. Register at spcaLA.com/training.
Intro to Fun Nose Work or scent detection taps into a dog’s natural hunting behavior, and will give them a mentally and physically enriching activity to improve their confidence and focus around distractions. Students learn how to observe, handle and train their dog during your individual searches. Exercises are customized for each individual dog and no prior experience is necessary. This intro class is for dogs 6-months and older. Register at spcaLA.com/training.
In 2000, spcaLA began offering basic obedience classes for the public. Today, spcaLA offers obedience, Fun Nose Work, agility, and a variety of specialty classes at spcaLA PD Pitchford Companion Animal Village in Long Beach, spcaLA Pet Adoption Center in Los Angeles, and spcaLA Patricia Gorham Training Center in Burbank. Group classes are limited to between 4 and 8 dogs, and focus on positive reinforcement training techniques. Training classes strengthen the human/animal bond and set dogs up for a lifetime of success.
Training at spcaLA benefits shelter pets. Proceeds from training classes help fund enrichment activities for shelter animals.