Welcome to Cairo Canine Academy!

Welcome to our homepage! We are excited about our role as a center for Positive Reinforcement Training and dog owner networking in Cairo. Our classes started mid-January 2009, at our training center on Road Nine in Maadi. We offer private, group and mini classes for all levels of obedience. For more information see the class description list, our training calendar or see pictures of some recent graduates.

Have questions? You can read more about our training methods here, or see some of the more frequently asked questions.

Class Descriptions and Prices

We have several different class options to meet your needs. They include group, private, and mini-classes. The class calendar can be found here; if you want a particular class but don’t see it on the schedule, let us know. To sign up for classes, you need to fill out the registration form (you can download it here, we can email it to you, or you can pick one up in person) and pay the 500 LE deposit. This will reserve you a spot in the group class.

In order to attend class, your dog must be current on its vaccinations, and we must see proof that they were administered. For adult dogs, the shots required are DDP (Distemper, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) and Rabies (either the one or three year shot) with Bordetella preferred, but not required. For puppies under four months of age, we will accept having had the first two rounds of DDP and Rabies. If you have any questions about this policy, either call or email us.

If you have further questions, see our FAQ page, or contact us.


Group Classes


We currently offer four kinds of group classes: Puppy, Small Dog, Beginner, and Intermediate, each class meets once a week for five weeks, each session is an hour and a half long. Each level includes weekly emailed homework. Classes are strictly limited to four dogs, and must have a minimum of three to start. The price for 5 week course is 1000 LE.
Puppy Class- This class is for any type of dog, six months and under. Over five sessions, we cover the following topics: socialization, house training, mouthing and nipping, cradle and massage, taking treats gently, take it, gotcha, sit, down, loose leash walking, stay (both with distraction and distance), give, come, wait at doors, leave it, sit politely for greetings, grooming basics, and several tricks. In addition, each class session will have time devoted for the puppies to play.

Small Dog- This class is for any type of small dog, at any level of training and age provided it is under twenty pounds. Training a small dog can differ from that of the problems of a larger dog, and this class is geared to addressing those issues. Over five sessions, we cover the following topics: socialization, adolescence, house training (including pad or litter box training), crate training, mouthing and nipping, cradle and massage, taking treats gently, take it, gotcha, sit, down, loose leash walking, stay (both with distraction and distance), give, settle, come, wait at doors, leave it, sit politely for greetings, grooming basics, and several tricks.

Beginner- This class is for any type of dog, six months and older, with no or moderate training. Over five sessions, we will cover: socialization, adolescence, mouthing and nipping, luring and cue behaviours, taking treats gently, take it, gotacha, sit, down, loose leash walking, stay (both with distraction and distance), give, settle, come, wait at doors, leave it, sit politely for greetings, grooming basics, and several tricks.

Advanced- This class is for any dog, one year or older who has passed the beginner class, or can prove that it has met those standards. The curriculum is generally less structured than in the other levels, and we spend a lot of time proofing the behaviours with various levels of distraction and distance. Graduates of this class will be able to pass the Canine Good Citizen test sponsored by the American Kennel Club. Over five weeks, topics can range from the basics of clicker training, stay (in a stand, with distraction and or distance), wait, heeling, stand, park it, and various tricks.

Private Classes

Private classes can either run for one session (200 LE), four sessions (1000 LE) or eight sessions (1800 LE). The curriculum is designed around the specific needs of the client and the pet. Private lessons include a personalized booklet containing the behaviours and topics covered. Topics can included aggression, biting, socialization, adolescence, house training (including pad or litter box training), crate training, mouthing and nipping, cradle and massage, taking treats gently, take it, gotcha, sit, down, loose leash walking, stay (both with distraction and distance), give, settle, come, wait at doors, leave it, sit politely for greetings, grooming basics, the basics of clicker training, wait, heeling, stand, park it, and various tricks.

Contact us for available dates and times for private classes.

Mini Classes

Mini classes meet once, for an hour to an hour and half, and cover specific topics like house training, tricks, stay, clicker training. They are open to a maximum of five people. The price is 100 LE per person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions that we commonly receive. If you have a question that isn't on the list, let us know and we will try to answer it as quickly as possible.

1. How do I sign up for one of the classes?
2. When are your classes?
3. What types of classes do you offer?
4. What do I need to sign up for class?
5. How do the classes work? Do you train my dog?
6. Where are the classes?
7. How long are the classes?
8. How many people are in a class?
9. Can you come to my house?
10. I don't want to take a class with other people, do you have other options?
11. Can you train in Arabic?
12. What do I need to bring to class with me?
13. Can I bring other family members with me?
14. How much experience do you have training dogs?
15. How does your calendar/schedule work? How do I know what day I should go to class?
16. My dog bites. Can you help me?
17. Do you train guard dogs?
18. What if I want to sign up for class, but I know that I will be gone for one of the dates?

1. How do I sign up for one of the classes?

It's pretty simple. If you are interested in a class, give us a call or send us an email telling us what class you would like to sign up for. We will let you know if there is still space available, and if there is, will send you a registration form via email. You can also pick up a registration form at our office. Once we have received both your form and you deposit, you will have a space reserved for you.

2. When are your classes?

At the moment, we are only offering classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We will continue to add more classes on different days as needed. To find a class that works for you, take a peak at our calendar here .

3. What types of classes do you offer?

We offer private, one-on-one classes, group classes at all levels of instruction, and mini classes that cover specific training topics like house training or nipping. For a more detailed explanations, see our class list here.

4. What do I or my dog need to sign up for class?

First, you need to fill out the registration form and secure a place in class. Your dog also needs to be up to date on it's shots provided by veterinarian or breeder. If you do not have written evidence of vaccinations, we cannot have your dog in class until we have seen proof. This is for the protection of both your dog, and the others in the class. For adult dogs,the shots required are DDP (Distemper, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) and Rabies (either the one or three year shot) with Bordetella preferred, but not required. We will accept puppies under four months of age, as long as they have had the first two rounds of DDP and Rabies. If you have any questions about this policy, either call or email us.

5. How do the classes work? Do you train my dog?

This refers to only to group classes, for more information about our other class options, please refer to our class list here.

Our classes are four or eight weeks long. Each week we cover several new topics, and review from the previous week. We do not train your dog, but we will show you how to get the best results and guide you through the process step by step. The reason that we do not train your dog for you is that, you, the human also have to be trained. After all, if your dog knows what to do, but you don't know, what's the good of training? Moreover, we believe that it's important for each client to have the tools to be able handle what ever issues come up post class. Working with your dog will also increase the bond between you and him.

As part of the class, you will be given a booklet with weekly lesson plans and homework so that you can come to class prepared.

6. Where are the classes?

The classes take place at our Training Center in El Maadi. It is located in Midan Damshaq, on Road 9, Building #154, next to a Jotun paint store.

7. How long are the classes?

Each class is an hour to an hour and half long, and each session last for either four or eight weeks.

8. How many people are in a class?

The class is strictly limited to five dogs. This is why it is important to register and pay the deposit to secure a place in the class. If you have not completely registered, we cannot guarantee that there will be a spot in the class. We also must have at least three dogs to start a class. If we don't have that many, we will hold the registration until we have reached the minimum.

9. Can you come to my house?

Generally, no we don't come to to client's homes to do training. Part of the reason that we recommend group classes is so that your dog gets used to different surroundings and can handle whatever may occur.

10. I don't want to take a class with other people, do you have other options?

If you are uncomfortable taking a group class, or have a dog with special training problems (like aggression or biting), we also offer private classes. We can also offer group classes with a closed registration so that only you, and a group of friends up to five can take a group class. Please email or call us for more information.

11. Can you train in Arabic?

Yes, both of trainers speak Arabic. We are more than happy to answer questions or explain concepts in Arabic, but the classes are taught solely in English. If you would like a class taught primarily in Arabic, please contact us.

12. What do I need to bring to class with me?

Other than your dog, please bring a copy of the shot records (for the first class only), some soft and smelly treats (hotdogs work great) and if you have a small dog, some sort of blanket or small bed. You will also need a 4 to 6 foot nylon or leather leash, and collar. Please do not bring an extendeble or retractable leash to class!

13. Can I bring other family members with me?

Yes, you can bring other people along with you. The more people that are trained along with your dog, the more successful you will be. Children are also welcome as long as they are well behaved and do not disrupt class.

14. How much experience do you have training dogs?

Our lead trainer, Sarah Michelle, has been training dogs for over five years and holds several professional certifications. She had taught over 200 group classes, and over a hundred private lessons both in the US and in Egypt. Our other trainer, Christal, has taught in Egypt for several years, and is currently getting certificated as a pet dog trainer. Both trainers will be present at each class. We would be happy to discuss our credentials in more detail if you have more questions.

15. How does your calendar/schedule work? How do I know what day I should go to class?

Take a look at our calendar here and find a date and class that you like. Every class runs for eight weeks, so make sure when you are looking at the calendar, you find a class that is just starting, not one that has already begun. For example, if you chose Puppy Class A, you would meet once a week on Saturdays for eight weeks. You would not come to the Puppy Class B on Tuesdays. If you have further questions, contact us.

16. My dog bites. Can you help me?

We might be able to help you depending on how severe the problem is. However, each case is different, and the best way to find out is to schedule a free consultation so that we can have a better idea of what might be happening.


17. Do you train guard dogs?

No, and we do not train dogs to bite. We ONLY train dogs in obedience and as family pets.

18. What if I want to sign up for class, but I know that I will be gone for one of the dates?

If you let us know ahead of time that you are going to miss a class, we can schedule a make-up for you without a problem.

Calendar

Our Class schedule is now available via Google Calendar. Our next round of Group Classes will start in mid January, 2010, and for the time being will be held only on Saturdays.

Puppy Class will start on Saturday, January 16 at 3pm
Beginner Class will start on Saturday, January 16 at 5pm

Each class runs for five weeks, and meets once a week, for an hour and a half.

Have questions about the types of classes? Check out our class descriptions.

About Us

The Cairo Canine Academy is committed to helping owners better understand and train their dogs using positive reinforcement methods. We offer a wide variety of training classes that feature everything from the basics, fun tricks, and more advanced behaviours (ever wish the your dog could take out the trash? You can teach him to do it!). We can even help to get your dog certified as Canine Good Citizen through the American Kennel Club.

We have several styles of classes to choose from. Private one-on-one classes are offered, along with group classes, and finally mini-sessions that focus on individual behaviours like house training or nipping.

Sarah Michelle Leonard, the lead instructor of the Cairo Canine Academy, has over five years of dog training experience in both the United States and Egypt. She is a certified dog trainer, and is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She has taught over 200 group classes, 100 private classes, and has won several dog training awards.

Christal Boutte is currently working on her certification as dog trainer, and has taught in Egypt for several years. She also speaks Arabic.

Location and Contact Information

Do you have questions?

We can be reached by email- cairocanineacademy@gmail.com or by phone at 0162256998

The Cairo Canine Academy is located in Maadi, at Midan Damashq. This is about 500 meters north of the El Maadi Metro Station on Road 9. Our Address is #154, Road 9, El Maadi, Cairo, 11431

What is Positive Reinforcement Training?

Positive Reinforcement Training works on the scientific principles of operant conditioning, and is a highly effective way to train your dog and improve your bond. Basically, using positive reinforcement means that you reward your dog for the behaviours that you want repeated; by helping your dog understand the connection between visual/audio cues and a reward, you will find that he responds to you quickly and consistently regardless of what is happening.

But using positive reinforcement doesn’t mean that you will always have to “bribe” your dog with a cookie or treat to get them to do something. First of all, a reward doesn’t have to be food; toys and petting also work. Furthermore, once your dog gets a behaviour down, you slowly fade the treat away. Thus the reward is a tool that helps to shape the behaviours you want from your dog, not a bribe. Think of it more as a paycheck that your dog has earned after he has completed his “job”- whether it be sitting nicely when guests come over, or performing a cute trick.

The advantage of this training method is that your dog will be doing what you want not because he’s afraid, but because he knows and understands what to do. More importantly, you will both want the same behaviours because they are rewarding for both of you. Learning the appropriate household behaviours should not be painful or harmful for you or your dog; positive reinforcement has been scientifically proven to be the most efficient and effective way to train.

Our goal at the Cairo Canine Academy isn’t to simply train your dog to sit or walk nicely. We want to help you understand how your dog thinks and operates, and have the tools be able to train your dog far beyond basic commands and situations.

Still have questions or doubts? Don’t take our word for it. Check out the following books, blogs and organizations that advocate for positive reinforcement.

"The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs", by Patricia B. McConnell

"Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training", by Karen Pryor

"The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs", by Jean Donaldson

"The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate, Nonviolent Approach to Dog Training", By Paul Owens

Truly Dog Friendly

R+ Dog Training Blog

The Humane Society of the United States

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers

The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies