cheers & chill
Group training classes for taproom hangs with your dog
Do you love bringing your dog along but wish they could relax?
Do you pop down Blackhorse Beer Mile for a pint, or to your local coffee shop, but end up calling it early because your dog has zero chill.
This October, join us for four weeks of fun, relaxed group dog training classes in a real-life setting. We'll help your dog build the skills for chilled taproom and cafe hangs. We'll practice in a large private space at Big Penny Social on the Blackhorse Beer Mile, so your dog will have lots of room to find their chill.
These classes are perfect for you if your dog:
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Needs help mastering the art of chilling out
Doing nothing is harder than it looks!
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Gets distracted by exciting things
Passing people and hounds, interesting smells and that pizza crust on the floor.
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Are learning when to say hello
To greet or not to greet? We'll practise if, when and how to say hi to people and other dogs.
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Needs help sticking with you
Practise loose lead walking and staying together in tight spaces.
What you'll learn
The art of chilling out
Learn practical skills and how you can set your dog up for a successful taproom outing.
Sticking together
With lots going on, walking through the door can be a big moment. Learn how to help your dog focus on you so you can navigate the space together.
To greet or not to greet
Sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s a disaster! Learn how to assess the situation in real time and handle those “say hi” or “no thanks” moments.
Finding their chill
Take the skills beyond the taproom. Learn everyday ways to help your dog relax, settle and feel more comfortable.
Ready to find your dogs chill?
Ed & Ernie, Walthamstow
“The class was perfect for us, only a few dogs and really practical advice!”
“We attended the first “Cheers & Chill” classes with our bouncy, adolescent Bernese Mountain Dog… We had been really struggling with over excitement when entering a new space. The difference from week 1 to the last class were so encouraging! We really enjoyed working with Carla and would highly recommend this class!”
Real life settle skills.
For everyday city hangs.
- More chill
- Practical tips
- Happier hounds
- Cheers & Chill Taproom Class Info
- Dates: Monday October 12th to Mon 2nd November
- Location: Big Penny Social, 1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL
- Time: 7pm - 8pm
- Cost: £160 for 4 weeks
- Small Class Size: Max 5 dogs
- Suitable for dogs aged 6 months+
Taproom Training Class FAQs
How do I train my dog to settle in a pub or cafe?
It feels like it should be easy, right? Just hang out and chill! But doing nothing is harder than it looks for lots of dogs, especially adolescents and dogs who are used to being busy. And the secret to learning how to chill actually starts before you even arrive at the taproom.
In class, we’ll look at all the things you can do to help your dog arrive ready to relax, plus games and skills to help them find their chill once you’re there.
Why can't my dog settle when we're out?
If your dog struggles to settle when you’re out, you’re definitely not alone. Being out and about comes with a whole load of things your dog doesn’t have to think about at home: noise, people, dogs, smells, movement and, of course, the possibility of someone dropping a chip.
In class, you’ll learn how to prepare your dog for a successful outing, when to support them and when it’s time to call it a day. Behaviour gets stronger with successful repetition, so trying to power through when your dog isn’t coping isn’t going to help in the long run. We’ll learn how to set them up for chilling success instead.
My dog wants to greet everyone - can this class help?
Absolutely! Figuring out if, when and how your dog should greet people or dogs isn't always straightforward. Some dogs get major FOMO when greetings are involved, while others are perfectly happy to admire people from afar but could do without the fuss.
We’ll learn how to assess whether a greeting is a good idea, plus training games to help you manage those moments. They’re also useful for those times when saying hi really isn’t on the agenda, like when you’ve just sat down with your pizza!
My dog can be reactive or nervous, is this class for them?
Dogs learn best when they feel safe and comfortable, so this class is designed for dogs who can be around other people and dogs without having some really big feels.
Some of the ideas and training games we cover can be really useful for nervous or reactive dogs, but this group class isn’t the best place for them to learn those skills. If you’re not sure whether this class is right for your dog, get in touch. I’m always happy to have a chat about what's best for your hound.
Is this class just for bringing my dog to pubs and taprooms?
Not at all! The skills you’ll learn will help your dog find their chill in all sorts of dog friendly places, from cafés and restaurants to your local pub, and they’re useful at home too. Learning how to settle isn’t just for taprooms.
How many dogs are in each class?
I keep classes small so every dog and person gets the individual support they need. There’s a maximum of 5 dogs per class, and the private space we use at Big Penny Social gives us plenty of room to move around, practise and help your dog find their chill.
Can I bring my puppy to this group training class?
I love working with city pups, but this particular class is designed for dogs aged 6 months +. The length of the class and focus needed can be a bit much for young puppies, who already have plenty of learning going on!
I’m happy to support you and your puppy with one-to-one coaching instead. Book a Discovery Chat and we can talk about how to set your puppy up for London city life.
Is your hound comfortable around other dogs and people?
Dogs learn best when they feel safe, so this class is designed for dogs who can be around other people and dogs without completely losing their minds! Some FOMO and excitability is expected, and it's one of the things we'll be working on in class.
Not sure if this sounds like your hound? Drop me a message and we can figure out whether this class is right for you.
