The buttons below will take you to the websites of the recreation departments that sponsor our classes. Use the search function on the recreation website to find our classes and enroll. If you have any questions or issues, you can contact the recreation department directly or contact Gold Star Dog Training.
To view descriptions of the classes listed below, click here.
Schedule also available as PDF. Click below to print current schedule.
Click the thumbnail image above to open the schedule as a PDF.
Regarding the Therapy Dog Academy course: Pre-requisite: Gold Star Dog Training Basic/Essentials course; contact us to discuss exceptions. Course does not grant/guarantee therapy dog certification. Dogs must have a solid grasp of basic obedience and be free of aggression/reactivity towards people or other dogs. Please review the course policies for details.
Click here to review all course policies.
Note: All classes are an hour long each week; for Therapy Dog Academy, the first class is 1.5 to 2 hours long.
CLASS FEES: Fees range from $155-$220 to attend with a dog and $75-$100 without a dog, depending on the class and the sponsoring Recreation Dept. Please visit the Rec Dept website for fees for each class.
ESSEX Junction
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
Saturdays, Jan 17—Feb 28, 10am AND 11:15 sessions (no class 1/31)
Saturdays, March 28—May 9, 9:30am AND 10:45am sessions (no class 4/4)
Mondays, May 18—June 29, 6:15pm (no class 5/25)
Beyond Basics
Saturdays, Jan 17—Feb 21, 12:30 (no class 1/31)
Mondays, May 18—June 22, 7:30pm (no class 5/25)
Therapy Dog Academy
Saturdays, March 28—May 9, noon (no class 4/4)
Contact Essex Junction Recreation at 878-1375 or use the button to go to their website.
ST. ALBANS
Classes for 2025 are finished. See 2026 dates below
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
Tuesdays, Jan 13—Feb 24, 6pm
Tuesdays, March 10—April 21, 6pm (no class 3/17)
Tuesdays, May 12—June 16, 6pm
Beyond Basics
Tuesdays, March 10—April 14, 7:15pm (no class 3/17)
Therapy Dog Academy
Tuesdays, Jan 13—Feb 24, 7:15pm
Tuesdays, May 12—June 16, 7:15pm
Contact St. Albans Recreation at 524–1500 or use the button to go to their website.
WESTFORD
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
Classes for the rest of 2025 are full.
Beyond Basics
This class is offered through the Essex Parks and Recreation Department. The class is held in Westford.
Classes for the rest of 2025 are full.
WILLISTON
Classes for 2025 are finished. See 2026 dates below
Dog/Puppy Essentials: Basic Training and Social Skills
Thursdays, Jan 15—Feb 19, 5:45pm
Sundays, Feb 22—March 29, 1pm AND 2:15pm sessions
Sundays, April 26—June 7, 2pm AND 3:15pm sessions (no class May 12)
Saturdays, July 11—Aug 15, 9:30 AND 10:45 sessions
Beyond Basics
Sundays, Feb 22—March 22, 3:30pm
Saturdays, July 11—Aug 8, noon
Therapy Dog Academy
Thursdays, Jan 15—Feb 19, 7pm
Sundays, April 26—June 7, 4:30pm (no class May 12)
Contact Williston Recreation at 876-1160 or use the button to go to their website.
This class is offered through both the Williston and Hinesburg Recreation Departments. It meets in Williston, and the fee is the same. You can register through either town—if one site says a class is full, try the other!
