Group Classes

High Hopes Dog Training Group Classes

Hope Sisitsky, owner of High Hopes Dog Training, teaches all of our group classes.  With 23 years of dog training experience, she promises that classes are educational and fun.


Our eight-week indoor training classes are designed to help you better understand your puppy or dog while teaching them to be well-mannered members of your family. Information will include instructions on how dogs learn and communicate with other dogs in a way they will naturally understand. This will provide you with a better understanding of why your dog does what he or she does. You will learn the most effective way to become a loving but fair and consistent dog parent through using positive reinforcement training methods and relationship-building exercises.

Dog obedience training is an ongoing process. Plan on spending 15-20 minutes each day working with your dog to gain the maximum benefit from these classes.

Puppy Kindergarten

What is the single most important (and fun) thing you can do for your puppy? Puppy Kindergarten!! For puppies between 10-23 weeks old, socialization with other puppies and people is crucial to help them become social, well-balanced dogs. While making lots of friends during off-leash playtime, your puppy will gain confidence by participating in activities and learning basic cues. Discussions for puppy parents include puppy development, house-training, destructive chewing, and play-biting. This is an eight-week indoor class.

All dogs must be friendly & comfortable around new dogs & people. If your dog is not comfortable, please contact sandy@high-hopes.net to discuss the right training for you & your dog.

Upcoming Puppy Kindergarten Classes

Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27.

4:15-5:15 PM

Register for Wednesday Classes


Saturdays: March 16, 23 (skip 3/30), April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.

10:30-11:30 AM

Register for Saturday Classes


Mondays: March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

4:15-5:15 PM

Register for Monday Classes


Wednesdays: April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
4:15-5:15 PM

Register for Wednesday Classes


Puppy Kindergarten is for puppies ages 10-23 weeks.

Location: High Hopes Dog Training Center, 4108 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Fee: $299 for 8 weeks

Skills taught in Puppy Kindergarten:

Sit - Down - Touch - Games - Come - Focus on Leash - Drop It  - Agility


Topics Discussed:
House-Training - Play-biting - Socialization - Chewing - Grooming

General Policies

  • Owners are responsible for maintaining control of their dogs at all times. Dogs that the trainer deems disruptive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or aggressive may be removed from the group class and referred for private instruction.
  • There should be ONE primary handler (per dog) who attends every class. No more than two people may attend each class unless special permission is granted.
  • With approval from the trainer, well-behaved children 10+ may attend class when accompanied by a parent who is the primary handler. 
  • If your dog is fearful around or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a private consultation may be required prior to enrolling in a class. In addition, any issues that may arise during the class will be addressed at the trainer's discretion.
  • By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you release the owners and trainers of High Hopes Dog Training of any responsibility for injury that you or your dog may incur in the class of your participation in class. It also acknowledges that you give permission to High Hopes Dog Training to post photos of you and/or your dog on any social media outlets or on their website.

Refund & Absentee Policies

  • There will be no refunds issued once classes have begun. A prorated credit can be applied to a later class session if withdrawal is done before week 2 of class.
  • Make-up classes are not available.

Beginner Obedience & Good Manners

Want a dog who listens better? In this basic training class, dog parents will learn how to best communicate with their dogs in order to teach them good manners. Positive reinforcement training methods are used to teach the following behaviors: touch, look, sit, down, stand, come, settle, wait, take it, loose-leash walking, and more. Other topics include separation anxiety, agility exercises, impulse control, and canine communication. This eight-week indoor class is for dogs aged six months and older or graduates of our Puppy Kindergarten class.

All dogs must be friendly & comfortable around new dogs & people. If your dog is not comfortable, please contact
sandy@high-hopes.net to discuss the right training for you & your dog.

Upcoming Beginner Obedience & Good Manners Classes

Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27.

5:30-6:30 PM

Register for Wednesday Classes


Saturdays: March 16, 23, (skip 3/30), April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

Register for Saturday Classes


Mondays: March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

5:30 - 6:30 PM

Register for Monday Classes


Mondays: March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.

6:45 - 7:45 PM

Register for Monday Classes


Wednesdays: April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
5:30- 6:30 PM

Register for Wednesday Classes


Beginner Obedience is for graduates of Puppy Kindergarten or for dogs six months and older.

Location: High Hopes Dog Training Center, 4108 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Fee: $299 for 8 weeks



Skills taught in Beginner Obedience & Good Manners:

Sit - Look - Touch - Focus - Wait & Take It - Settle - Off - Separation - Weave - Wait For Meals - Stand - Come - Leash Walking - Down - Massage - Agility Fun

General Policies

  • Owners are responsible for maintaining control of their dogs at all times. Dogs that the trainer deems disruptive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or aggressive may be removed from the group class and referred for private instruction.
  • There should be ONE primary handler (per dog) who attends every class. No more than two people may attend each class unless special permission is granted.
  • With approval from the trainer, well-behaved children 10+ may attend class when accompanied by a parent who is the primary handler.
  • If your dog is fearful around or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a private consultation may be required prior to enrolling in a class. In addition, any issues that may arise during the class will be addressed at the trainer's discretion.
  • By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you release the owners and trainers of High Hopes Dog Training of any responsibility for injury that you or your dog may incur in the class of your participation in class. It also acknowledges that you give permission to High Hopes Dog Training to post photos of you and/or your dog on any social media outlets or on their website.

Refund & Absentee Policies

  • There will be no refunds issued once classes have begun. A prorated credit can be applied to a later class session if withdrawal is done before week 2 of class.
  • Make-up classes are not available.

Intermediate Obedience &

Problem-Solving

Now that your dog has learned some good manners, the next step is to apply those manners to real-life situations while addressing common behavior problems like jumping on guests, door-dashing, pulling on the leash, not coming when called, etc. Behaviors taught include stay, place, leave it, heel, touch tag, and more. Dogs will be trained to respond to both verbal and non-verbal cues. This eight-week indoor class is for graduates of our Beginner Obedience & Good Manners class or dogs who have had Private Training with High Hopes.

All dogs must be friendly & comfortable around new dogs & people. If your dog is not comfortable, please contact
sandy@high-hopes.net to discuss the right training for you & your dog.

Upcoming Intermediate Obedience & Problem-Solving Classes

Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27.

6:45-7:45 PM

Register for Wednesdays Classes


Saturdays: March 16, 23, (skip 3/30), April 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11.
1:00 - 2:00 PM

Register for Saturdays Classes

Wednesdays: April 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29.
6:45 - 7:45 PM

Register for Wednesday Classes


Intermediate Obedience & Problem-Solving is for graduates of Beginner Obedience & Good Manners. If your dog has previous training experience with another company, please check with us about whether this class is appropriate for you and your dog.

Location: High Hopes Dog Training Center, 4108 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Fee: $299 for 8 weeks



Skills taught in Intermediate Obedience & Problem-Solving:

Place - Heel - Release - Focused Walk - Leave It - Hand Cues - Calm Greetings - Sit-Stay - Down-Stay - Touch Tag - Side Sit - Tricks

Door-Dashing - Reading Cues - Begging - Agility Fun 

General Policies

  • Owners are responsible for maintaining control of their dogs at all times. Dogs that the trainer deems disruptive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or aggressive may be removed from the group class and referred for private instruction.
  • There should be ONE primary handler (per dog) who attends every class. No more than two people may attend each class unless special permission is granted.
  • With approval from the trainer, well-behaved children 10+ may attend class when accompanied by a parent who is the primary handler. 
  • If your dog is fearful around or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a private consultation may be required prior to enrolling in a class. In addition, any issues that may arise during the class will be addressed at the trainer's discretion.
  • By purchasing this item, you are acknowledging that you release the owners and trainers of High Hopes Dog Training of any responsibility for injury that you or your dog may incur in the class of your participation in class. It also acknowledges that you give permission to High Hopes Dog Training to post photos of you and/or your dog on any social media outlets or their website.

Refund & Absentee Policies

  • There will be no refunds issued once classes have begun. A prorated credit can be applied to a later class session if withdrawal is done before week 2 of class.
  • Make-up classes are not available.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification Prep Class

We all want our dogs to be good canine citizens, right? Well, we can help make that happen! During this eight-week class, we focus on the ten skills needed by all well-mannered dogs as outlined in the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen Program. The CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community while stressing responsible pet ownership. The CGC test will be administered during the last class meeting.

Upcoming CGC Class


Mondays: January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26.

6:45 - 7:45 PM

Register for Monday Classes

Your dog must either be a graduate of our Intermediate Obedience & Problem-Solving class or have previous training. Dogs must be at least eight months old and friendly with strangers and other dogs. This is a 8-week class, with the assessment being administered on the last class date.

Location: High Hopes Dog Training Center, 4108 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Fee: $299 for 8 weeks



CLICK HERE to view a video of a CGC test.

General Policies

  • Owners are responsible for maintaining control of their dogs at all times. Dogs that the trainer deems disruptive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or aggressive may be removed from the group class and referred for private instruction.
  • There should be ONE primary handler (per dog) who attends every class. No more than two people may attend each class unless special permission is granted.
  • With approval from the trainer, well-behaved children 10+ may attend class when accompanied by a parent who is the primary handler.
  • If your dog is fearful around or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a private consultation may be required prior to enrolling in a class. In addition, any issues that may arise during the class will be addressed at the trainer's discretion.
  • By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you release the owners and trainers of High Hopes Dog Training of any responsibility for injury that you or your dog may incur in the class of your participation in class. It also acknowledges that you give permission to High Hopes Dog Training to post photos of you and/or your dog on any social media outlets or on their website.

Refund & Absentee Policies

  • There will be no refunds issued once classes have begun. A prorated credit can be applied to a later class session if withdrawal is done before week 2 of class.
  • Make-up classes are not available.

Therapy Dog Class

Therapy Dogs are used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, schools, rehab and long-term care facilities, libraries, veteran care programs, and many other facilities. If you would like to learn how to become a certified therapy dog team with your dog, then join us for this intensive eight-week class! We practice advanced behaviors necessary for you and your dog to interact in the community with different types of people in a variety of environments. We will provide you with local testing information.

Prerequisite: CGC Title

Upcoming Therapy Dog Class

Coming soon!



Your dog must be a Canine Good Citizen in order to take this class.


Location: High Hopes Dog Training Center, 4108 Electric Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

Fee: $299 for 8 week.

General Policies

  • Owners are responsible for maintaining control of their dogs at all times. Dogs that the trainer deems disruptive, uncontrollable, unpredictable, or aggressive may be removed from the group class and referred for private instruction.
  • There should be ONE primary handler (per dog) who attends every class. No more than two people may attend each class unless special permission is granted.
  • With approval from the trainer, well-behaved children 10+ may attend class when accompanied by a parent who is the primary handler.
  • If your dog is fearful around or aggressive towards people or other dogs, a private consultation may be required prior to enrolling in a class. In addition, any issues that may arise during the class will be addressed at the trainer's discretion.
  • By registering for this class, you are acknowledging that you release the owners and trainers of High Hopes Dog Training of any responsibility for injury that you or your dog may incur in the class of your participation in class. It also acknowledges that you give permission to High Hopes Dog Training to post photos of you and/or your dog on any social media outlets or on their website.

Refund & Absentee Policies

  • There will be no refunds issued once classes have begun. A prorated credit can be applied to a later class session if withdrawal is done before week 2 of class.
  • Make-up classes are not available.
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