Private Lessons in Tacoma
Personalized, one-on-one coaching with our certified dog trainer, Poppy Foxheart.
Modern, thoughtful dog owners want to train their dogs in a way that aligns with their values: empathy and compassion, science and logic, fun and fairness. Our clients want to treat their dogs like family while having age and species appropriate expectations. We support the whole household with an approach to dog training that more closely mirrors positive parenting, leaving behind outdated, harsh, punitive techniques. To address behavioral challenges using proven, up-to-date strategies, you'll work directly with our certified Tacoma dog trainer Poppy Foxheart. Together you’ll create a customized training plan using positive reinforcement focused methods that address the root cause of behavior while empowering you with the skills to build a better relationship with your dog
We Create Personalized Plans To Help With:
Leash Pulling & Manners in Public
Aggression & Reactivity
Jumping Up or Excessive Barking
Building Confidence for Fearful Dogs
Puppy Basics & Manners
Foundational Skills (Sit, Down, Stay, Touch, Place, etc)
Critical Lack of Adorable Party Tricks
Tacoma Focus: Poppy specializes in skills for city living, including mastering loose-leash walking on busy sidewalks, building focus around distractions at parks, and developing calm behavior for public, dog-friendly spaces.
Poppy is a graduate of the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy and attends frequent conferences and workshops in her commitment to the most current and kind training methods. Her passion for animals led her to work with several rescues before bringing her expertise to the Tacoma area in 2020. Poppy attended Mike Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course and the IAABC Cat Behavior Consultant Mentorship. As an AKC evaluator for Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog titles, she would love to coach you and your pet toward your first title together. Poppy loves empowering owners with the skills they need to build a stronger, more harmonious, and joyful partnership with their dogs.
Meet Your Tacoma Trainer, Poppy Foxheart
“Working with Poppy at Cascade Canine was easily the best money I've spent as a first-time puppy parent! In our sessions, Poppy worked with Sully to build strong foundational skills that he'll use the rest of his life. In the process, Poppy taught me the skills to reinforce and expand upon his training, and to build a solid relationship with my new puppy so that he LOVES learning and is set up for success. Poppy was very flexible with timing, meetup locations, and even what goals we worked on in a given session. Whenever issues arose at home, she was quick to help brainstorm and come up with practical solutions and tips.“
-Allyson T.
What our Tacoma Private Lesson Clients Say
“I can’t recommend Poppy enough! She transformed our dog’s leash walking skills and taught us effective techniques for backing up and maintaining space on demand. Her patience and positive approach made training enjoyable, and it was clear that my dog loved working with her. The progress we made was impressive, and I now feel much more confident on walks and crowded spaces.“
-Marriah A.
“I can't say enough good things about our experience with Cascade Canine.We've worked with a few different trainers before Cascade and the differences were dramatic. I have great respect for their methods and their ethics. Training is a conversation between you and your dog and can really help foster the joy you share with your dog. We are deeply appreciative of their individualized support and approach to working with us.”
-Carrie B.
“Thank you, Poppy and Cascade Canine, for being there for our family when we came up against a difficult situation with our beloved dog. We were treated with nuanced understanding, compassion, and received excellent advice and guidance. I highly recommend these trainers and experts to help you navigate any challenging or unexpected situation that you may encounter with your pet, even if you are a seasoned pet owner.”
-Lisa M.
“I have 2 large, energetic dogs who jump on everyone and can’t be walked on a leash because they pull so hard and are so distracted. After just a couple of lessons, I have seen such improvement! I was on a very strict timeline and wow, was I impressed by how easy it was to work around my schedule and focus on each dog’s specific needs.”
-Teffony Z.
“Her extensive training knowledge along with her impressive ability to apply these concepts to the unique needs of cats shows her talent in working with animals of different personalities and in different situations. Poppy also is always warm, welcoming, and supportive of her learners, including her human learners! She always works at the pace of the learners, without pressure or judgement. Her style always makes sessions fun as well as very helpful. Poppy also supports her learners between sessions, by answering questions and providing guidance if needed. Scheduling with her is easy, and she even once went out of her way to fit me in for an “emergency” session! Her enthusiasm for what she does shows and I highly recommend her for ANY of your training needs!”
-Sarah W.
Our partnership begins with an initial consultation where we'll work together to address your specific challenges. We will observe your dog's behavior, listen to your concerns, and provide immediate, hands-on coaching with practical management skills you can use right away. For some clients, a consultation is all that is needed to get prepared for a new puppy, learn a single skill, or to get things headed in the right direction. For others, it is an opportunity to get the whole household on board and learn more about what is motivating your dog’s behavior and how we can create change.
The initial consultation with Poppy serves as our first coaching session and is $225..
Getting Started:
Your Initial Consultation
Individual Private Lessons
Available for purchase after your initial consultation. Perfect for a single-issue tune-up or as a follow-up after completing a package.
60 Minute Lesson
$150
Your private lesson will focus on three to four behaviors based on your goals discussed during your consultation. Perfect for a general obedience refresher.
30 Minute Lesson
$75
During a 30 minute lesson we will focus our time on one key behavior or skill. This is perfect for dogs who need shorter sessions and have a specific goal in mind.
Remote Lesson
$135
Remote lessons connect you with your trainer via video meeting for direct coaching and video review. An excellent choice for working with cats or for those who are located outside our extended service area.
Private Training Packages
After your consultation, we recommend a package to build lasting skills and achieve your training goals. Our packages offer the best value and are designed to encourage commitment and create results. All Packages include unlimited text support as well as flexibility to meet remotely when in person isn’t feasible.
6 Lesson Package
$810
Six one hour lessons to be used within 12 weeks of purchase. We can meet weekly, bi-weekly, or up two times per week. Discuss with your trainer to determine the best schedule for your goals.
10 Lesson Package
$1275
Ten one hour lessons to be used within 16 weeks of purchase. We can meet weekly, or up to two times per week for more consistent coaching. Discuss with your trainer to determine the best schedule for your goals.
30-Minute Lesson Package
$540
Eight thirty minute lessons to be used within 4 weeks of purchase. This package is great for dogs that are young, or need shorter, more focused sessions. In order to be eligible for this package you must be located within Tacoma.
Remote Training Package
$810
6 one-hour lessons to be used within 12 weeks of purchase. We can meet weekly, bi-weekly, or up to two times per week. Discuss with your trainer to determine the best schedule for your goals.
8 Training Walk Package
$800
[NOTE: For clients we have previously trained with]
8 one-hour training walks to be used within 12 weeks of purchase. Training walks are ideal for keeping your dog’s skills fresh and providing an enriching outing during the day. Discuss with your trainer to determine the best schedule for your goals.
Custom Package
Inquire for details
Feel free to ask us about putting together a custom package that suits your needs.
For example, 6 hour long lessons for you and your family + 2 mini lessons for your dog walker.