Parks and Recreation Department announces free and $5 dog training classes with A Pleasant Dog for summer 2026

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- May 19, 2026

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with A Pleasant Dog, is excited to announce its lineup of affordable dog training classes for Summer 2026, open to City residents and non-residents. Classes include $5 and free options and will take place at parks around the City as well as at Grand Rapids’ School for Dogs, A Pleasant Dog.

“We know we have a big community of dog lovers in Grand Rapids,” said Laura Cleypool, director of the department. “Our collaboration with A Pleasant Dog provides opportunities to support dogs and their owners while promoting best practices and behaviors. We’re grateful for the chance to provide low-cost and free options to support this community and help neighbors better enjoy our parks with their pups.”

The $5 class topics include appropriate greeting behaviors, leash training, recall training, nosework, impulse control, and special tricks and sports. Free class topics include a class for reactive dog owners and a support group for reactive dog owners.

“A Pleasant Dog is committed to making evidence-based, quality dog training accessible to Grand Rapidians as part of our commitment to improving the quality of life of pets and their people,” said Jenn Gavin, founder and owner of A Pleasant Dog. “These classes are our way of giving back to the community we love so much.”

Classes will be one-hour long and are designed to be stand alone classes, although attendees can sign up for more than one class if they wish. Registration is required for all classes.

Pleasant Greetings – Don’t Jump Up! ($5 class)

  • Wednesday, June 3, at Martin Luther King Park (900 Fuller Ave. SE) from 3-4 p.m.

Leash Manners ($5 per class)

  • Friday, June 5, at Wilcox Park (100 Youell Ave. SE) from 4-5 p.m.
  • Tuesday, June 23, at Riverside Park (just north of the south trailhead and boat launch) and from 6-7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 24, at Richmond Park (963 Richmond St. NW) from 3-4 p.m.
  • Friday, August 14, at Roberto Clemente Park (546 Rumsey St. SW) from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Come Back! Recall Training ($5 per class)

  • Saturday, June 6, at Pleasant Park (630 Madison Ave. SE) from 2-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 24, at Garfield Park (2111 Madison Ave. SE) from 6-7 p.m.

Reactive Dogs are Good Dogs, Too: A Workshop for Humans Only

(Free classes, registration still required)

  • Wednesday, June 17, at A Pleasant Dog (1430 Knapp St. NE) from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 29, at A Pleasant Dog (1430 Knapp St. NE) from 2-3 p.m.

No Bad Dogs: A Support Group for Reactive Dog Owners

(Free classes, registration still required)

  • Saturday, June 30, at A Pleasant Dog (1430 Knapp St. NE) from 6-7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 28, at A Pleasant Dog (1430 Knapp St. NE) from 6-7 p.m.

Impulse Control ($5 class)

  • Tuesday, July 14, at Midtown Green (747 Fountain St. NE) from 6-7 p.m. 

The Nose, Knows: Nosework Skills and Training ($5 class)

  • Wednesday, July 15, at Huff Park (2399 Ball Ave. NE) from 3-4 p.m.

Go Ahead and Show Off: Tricks 101 ($5 class)

  • Saturday, August 1, at Cambridge Park (1501 Gladstone Dr. SE) from 2-3 p.m.

Classes are not suitable for dogs who are reactive or aggressive toward other people or animals. For the $5 classes, the following rules are in place:

  • All dogs coming to classes must be up to date on the following vaccines (for their age): Distemper, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, Bordetella, Rabies; and must have a clean fecal sample on file with your vet, done within the past 6 months. Vaccines and fecals are on the honor system.
  • One dog per person.
  • Please maintain doggy social distance of at least 6 feet between dogs. 
  • Leashes required.

No dogs are allowed at the free classes and support groups for reactive dogs.

Registration is open for all classes at https://grparks.info/dogtraining.

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