Business Details
33 Years
experience
Expert Dog Training in Whatcom County, WA
Cedarwoods Canine School & Kenneling has been a family-owned and operated business since 1993, dedicated to fostering strong relationships between pet owners and their dogs through proven obedience training methods. Our mission centers on creating well-mannered companions while strengthening the bond between pets and their owners. Founded by Ron and Carol McGrady, our school emphasizes a training philosophy rooted in a dog's natural desire to please, ensuring lasting behavioral improvements. With over 30 years of hands-on experience, our lead trainer Sam McGrady continues to uphold the legacy of personalized, effective training.We prioritize individual attention by conducting sessions in homes or agreed-upon locations, minimizing distractions for optimal learning. Our structured courses, including Basic and Advanced Obedience, are designed to address essential skills and complex commands, catering to both novice and experienced dog owners. The 200 Club, recognizing perfect scores in our courses, underscores our commitment to excellence. By combining decades of expertise with adaptable teaching methods, we deliver training solutions that are both practical and transformative for dogs and their owners.
Services
Basic Obedience
Advanced Obedience
Private Lessons
Friends & Family Classes
Leash Training
In-Home Sessions
Behavioral Coaching
Obedience Certification
Dog Owner Consultation
Training Accessories
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- We offer over 28 years of proven dog training expertise.
- Our family-owned school emphasizes personalized attention for every dog-owner pair.
- Courses utilize a dog's natural desire to please for lasting behavioral results.
- We provide in-home training sessions to minimize distractions and maximize learning.
- The 200 Club recognizes excellence in our obedience training achievements.
Services
Basic Obedience Course
Our 8-week Basic Obedience Course teaches essential skills like leash walking, recall, and stay commands. Each session includes personalized instruction and demonstrations using trained dogs to model techniques. The course emphasizes distraction-free learning in homes to ensure foundational skills are mastered.
Advanced Obedience Course
This 9-week Advanced Obedience Course builds on basic skills with off-leash training in controlled environments. It focuses on impulse control, advanced recall, and off-leash freedom while strengthening the owner-dog bond through complex, distraction-resistant commands.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons offer tailored training for dogs needing individualized attention. Sessions address specific behavioral challenges and reinforce obedience skills in real-world scenarios, adapting techniques to each dog's unique learning style and owner goals.
Friends & Family Classes
Group Classes accommodate 2-4 dogs for cost-effective training in a social setting. These sessions promote consistent training across multiple dogs while maintaining personalized guidance, ideal for households with several pets requiring similar skill development.
Free Consultation
A 15-minute free consultation with our lead trainer assesses your dog's needs and matches you to the appropriate training program. This service helps owners understand course requirements and training expectations before enrollment.
People
Sam McGrady
Owner and Lead Trainer
Sam McGrady has trained dogs for over 30 years, starting in 1988 with his father Ron. He became lead trainer in 2013 and continues to develop effective, personalized training methods for dogs and owners.
Questions
What prerequisites are required for the Advanced Obedience Course?
Completion of our Basic Obedience Course is required before enrolling in Advanced Obedience to ensure foundational skills are mastered.
Do you offer discounts for multiple dogs?
Yes, we provide discounted rates for training two or more dogs simultaneously in both Basic and Advanced Obedience courses.
Are in-home training sessions available?
Yes, all our training sessions are conducted in-home or at agreed-upon locations to minimize distractions and enhance learning effectiveness.
What is the 200 Club?
The 200 Club recognizes dogs achieving perfect scores in our obedience courses, celebrating excellence in training performance for both pets and owners.
Can I schedule a consultation before enrolling?
Yes, we offer free 15-minute phone consultations with our lead trainer to discuss your dog's needs and training options.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Miss VaSage
Jan 16, 2022
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Well worth the overall price considering you will have a lifetime of proper training, obedience and love with your dog. Even though my puppy and I recently began obedience training with them, I'm overall excited to see the excellent outcome and reputation I've heard and read about. Love that it's a family owned and operated facility as well as they make all the training materials after researching what works best best for dogs, and people all on site. Like that if needed you and your dog can get any extra attention/help in order for one to succeed. P.S. Appreciate that it's all praised based training as well.
Curt R.
Dec 20, 2021
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We brought our Aussie for training here 12 years ago. She spent her life as a very sweet and active family member that went on many adventures with us. Throughout it all, she behaved so well with what she learned at Cedarwoods. Thanks! I sure hope my daughters will bring their dogs here too.
Toni Ford
Dec 12, 2021
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Our dog just started obedience training a few weeks ago, and I truly can already tell a difference! Also, the owners and staff are very nice people :
Rosemarie Tom
Jul 27, 2021
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A joyful and effective approach to dog training. Sam makes sure everyone's needs are met, no matter how long it takes! Very spacious, educational, and absolutely effective. Thank you!
Trinn Allen
May 01, 2021
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Sam and the team at Cedarwoods are experienced, knowledgeable and exceptional trainers of both pets and pet parents. You can't go wrong following the teams lead and instruction.
