Our group class progression takes dogs from Teen Tails to the through Senior level, building skills step by step in a supportive, team-oriented environment. Each level adds new challenges and reinforces what your dog already knows. Positive methods, small class sizes, and real-world skills at every stage.
Teen Tails Training Class
Teen Tails is our adolescent group training class for dogs between 6 and 12 months of age who are navigating the teenage stage. This six-week class is designed for the dog who suddenly “forgot” what sit means, pulls toward every exciting thing, struggles to focus, or has big feelings about the world.
In Teen Tails, we help adolescent dogs practice handler focus, recall, leash skills, impulse control, settling, polite greetings, and better choices around distractions. We also help humans understand what is normal during adolescence and how to keep training realistic, kind, and consistent.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is helping your teen dog learn how to check in, recover from excitement, and reconnect with you when life gets interesting.
Most teams move on to The Good Manners Trail after completing Teen Tails, but some beginner teams may benefit from repeating the session to build confidence and strengthen their foundation before advancing.
Teenage Ninja Tails
Teenage Ninja Tails is our adolescent agility and confidence-building class for dogs who love movement, problem solving, and working with their people. This class is a great next step after Puppy Ninja Tails or for teen dogs who need a fun, structured outlet.
Dogs work on agility-inspired activities such as tunnels, low-impact equipment, body awareness games, direction changes, focus around movement, and confidence-building with new surfaces and challenges. The emphasis is on teamwork, communication, and thoughtful movement — not speed or competition.
It is a fun way to give adolescent dogs an appropriate outlet while continuing to build trust and focus.
Trail Prep: Introduction to The Good Manners Trail
This is our beginner-friendly course for adult dogs and humans who are new to training, returning after time away, or looking for a fresh start before entering the Trail Marker pathway.
This 5-week course begins with a humans-only orientation, giving you the chance to learn how positive reinforcement training works before adding the excitement of dogs in class. We will cover how to use rewards, marker words, leash handling, body language, realistic expectations, and how to help your dog feel safe and successful.
For the next four weeks, dogs join class to practice the early skills they need for The Good Manners Trail, including focus, check-ins, leash foundations, recall, settling, and simple manners. Adult dogs can be wonderful learners, and with clear communication, trust, and supportive practice, progress can happen quickly.
Trail Prep helps both ends of the leash feel ready for the path ahead.
The Good Manners Trail
Trail Marker 1:
Trailhead is the starting point for adult dogs learning focus, communication, leash manners, recall, settling, and everyday skills.
Trail Marker 2:
On the Trail helps dogs build consistency and teamwork around mild distractions.
Trail Marker 3:
Trail Ready focuses on stronger reliability, better manners, and real-life practice in more challenging class setups.
Trail Marker 4:
Trailblazer is for advanced teams polishing connection, responsiveness, and thoughtful choices around bigger distractions.
Trail Marker 5:
Beyond the Trail is for teams ready to take their skills further with more advanced, real-world challenges
Each Trail Marker builds on the last, reinforcing what your dog already knows while adding new challenges at the right pace.
Why a Progression Matters
Training isn’t something you do once and check off the list. Dogs need ongoing practice and new challenges to keep their skills sharp and their minds engaged. That’s why our level system provides a clear path forward with built-in goals and milestones along the way. Many of our students stay with us for years, progressing through levels and exploring new activities because they genuinely enjoy the journey.
What Class Feels Like
Most of our group classes are held at our Gurnee training center. We keep class sizes small so every dog gets personal attention. The atmosphere is supportive, team-oriented, and completely pressure-free. We’re here to help you and your dog succeed, not to judge where you’re starting from.
Classes may include warm-up games, skill-building exercises, guided practice, controlled distractions, and a recap of what to practice at home. We meet dogs where they are, celebrate progress, and help you build the kind of skills that make everyday life easier.
At Trusted Tails, group training is about more than cues. It is about building trust, understanding, and teamwork — one tail at a time.