Meet our Dog Trainer
Bobby Jo Steeke was raised in Frazee and graduated from Frazee High School. She went on to NDSU and eventually Boston University with degrees in Microbiology and Computer Information Systems respectively. After living and working in Biotech for over 20 years, in California both in San Diego and the Bay Area, she moved to Colorado in 2016 where she started training dogs professionally. She specializes in training and socializing puppies with a goal of having well rounded, confident, curious, and adventurous puppies that love to try new things. She loves learning and is currently enrolled in the Academy for Dog Trainers where she plans to graduate mid-2024. She is a fear free, science-based trainer and loves the relationships that can be built with a dog using a positive reinforcement training program. She’s excited to be on the team at The Backyard and can’t wait to get started loving on all of your dogs. She has four dogs and plays agility and a few other dogs sports with them.
Dog Training Classes offered
Key Information
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All Training classes require the owner(s) to take all of the information they acquired through our classes, and work with their dogs at home. This will help make you get the most out of your training and ensure your dog has the best chances to succeed.
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All Training classes are non-refundable and non-transferable.
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Payment is due in full at the time of booking.
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Must fill out Training form and contract before any classes are attended.
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Instructors will hand out homework and reminder emails for every weekly class.
Orientation - FREE / Required.
Class Length: One, 30 minute class.
Orientation - Orientation is designed to allow you to come into our facility and see where you will be training. There will be a short presentation from our instructor as to how classes are set up, what to bring to class, what is allowed in class, the rules about bringing your dogs into the classroom, etc. The orientation is required to be attended by the human(s) that will be coming to class with their dogs. No dogs are allowed in orientation.
Pre-requisites: None. Required for admission into your first class. All subsequent classes you register for do not require an additional orientation.
What to bring to class: The human that is going to be attending class with their dog. Do not bring your dog. If you do bring your dog, you will be asked to leave it in the car.
Paperwork that will need to be filled out prior to training!
This is a must!
Click on the links above to open a PDF File. Fill out the paperwork. Email it or drop off at our store.
*Your spot is NOT secured until we have the following*
1) Backyard Training Contract
2) Backyard Training Dog Registration Forms
3) Up to Date Vaccines on hand
4) Payment in full.
Email -
Beginner Puppy - $175.
Class Length: 5 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class Size: 5 dogs
Beginner Puppy - You brought home the most adorable puppy, now what? Not sure where to begin? Then Beginner Puppy is the course for you. It’s a five week course built for puppies between the ages of 8 -16 weeks that have at least one set of shots on board but may not yet have finished the entire series of puppy shots. This is the social development period of a dogs development and we want to take advantage of that by teaching your new family member how to play nicely with other puppies, expose them to everyday things that they will encounter during their lifetimes, and also use their little sponge brains to our advantage by teaching them basic skills such as sit, down, stay, leave it, and coming when called.
Pre-requisites: Puppy must be between the ages of 8 -16 weeks old. Puppy must have their first set of shots on board (DHPP - Distemper) but do not have to have completed the series. Proof of vaccinations is required.
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.
General Life Skills - $175.
Class Length: 5 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class size: 6 dogs
General Life Skills- General Skills is a five week course built for dogs that are 17 weeks and older that have not been to a dog training class. In this class we will teach general attention and impulse control skills as well as sit, down, stay, come when called, and leash walking.
Pre-requisites: Dog must be 17 weeks or older and have Proof of vaccinations that are required. (DHPP, RABIES, and BORDETELLA)
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.
Beginner Scent Work - $140.
Class Length: 4 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class Size: 6 dogs
Beginner Scent Work - Beginner Scent Work: Does your dog constantly have their nose to the ground? Are you interested in having a search and rescue dog? Well then this may be the class for you! We will use your dog’s innate sense of smell to play games where she needs to find treats and other scents by searching through boxes and other containers in an indoor search.
Pre-requisites: Dogs must have gone through either Beginner Puppy or General Life Skills. Dog must be 17 weeks or older and have Proof of vaccinations that are required. (DHPP, RABIES, and BORDETELLA)
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.
Puppy Socials - $20.
Class Length: 30 minutes.
Class Size: 5 - 6 dogs
Puppy Socials Description - Does your dog like to play with other dogs? Are you not quite sure what appropriate play behavior is for your pup? Puppy Socials is a great way to get your dog supervised play with dogs their own age. Socials are 30 minutes long, 5 - 6 dogs are allowed in each group, and groups are put together based upon age so your dog plays with other dogs in their developmental stage. Humans stay in the class with their dogs. This is a drop-in class meaning you can register every week or every once in a while.
Pre-requisites: Proof of vaccinations is required. Dogs must have the appropriate vaccinations for their age group. Dogs must be registered in advance and must be registered in their appropriate age group.
Age Groups: (8-16 weeks, First round of DHPP) (17 weeks - 6 months, DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella) (7-12 months, DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella) ( 12-18 months, DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella)
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6 foot leash, treats for your dog.
Private Lessons 1 on 1
This is a 1 on 1 private training lessons with our trainer and your dog.
Private Lessons - Do you have some things you would like to work on with your dog? Looking to practice those basic commands or want to touch up on some general things that your dog can't seem to pick up on? Maybe you prefer a more private lesson compared to a class room type of training. Then Private lessons would be a great option for you! Our Trainer will come to your place or we can host a private training at our facilities!
Pre-requisites: Dog must be 17 weeks or older and have Proof of vaccinations that are required. (DHPP, RABIES, and BORDETELLA)
Prices:
30 min - $75
1 hour - $125
3 Hours - $275
Mileage - Any distance traveled over 15 miles will result in a mileage fee of $15.
Advanced Life Skills - $150.
Class Length: 4 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class Size: 6 dogs
Advance Life Skills- Advanced Life Skills is a four week course intended for dogs that have been through the Beginner Puppy or General Skills courses, and are looking to sharpen their leash walking, leave it, stays, and recall using distance and distractions. Each week we will dive deep into a specific skill and with practice will harden the behaviors.
Pre-requisites: Dogs must have gone through either Beginner Puppy or General Life Skills. Dog must be 17 weeks or older and have Proof of vaccinations that are required. (DHPP, RABIES, and BORDETELLA)
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.
Novice Trick Dog - $175.
Class Length: 5 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class Size: 6 dogs
Beginner Scent Work - Novice Trick Dog is a five week course intended for dogs that have been through the Beginner Puppy or General Skills courses, or dogs that love training, and are eager to learn new things. We will learn 10 tricks in the first four weeks and in the fifth week we will video each dog’s 10 tricks so that you can submit the video to AKC for a Novice Trick Dog Title! Some examples of the tricks we will learn are balance beam, crawl, find it, get on something, get in something, high five, kiss, shake hands, spin, and kennel up.
Pre-requisites: Dogs must be able to sit, down and have some impulse control. Dog must be 17 weeks or older and have Proof of vaccinations that are required. (DHPP, RABIES, and BORDETELLA)
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.
S.T.A.R. Puppy - $190.
Class Length: 6 week course with 1 hour classes each week.
Class Size: 5 dogs
Beginner Puppy - S.T.A.R. (Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility) Puppy Do you like to compete and receive medals and ribbons for your dogs? Want your puppy to get off to a great start and get a certificate and medal at the end? Looking to get some general skills on board and increase the bond between you and your puppy? Then sign up for S.T.A.R. Puppy. S.T.A.R. Puppy is an AKC puppy training program where the guardians of the puppy make the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge which includes promises to take care of their puppy’s veterinary needs, exercise and activity, and social needs. Puppies are socialized with other puppies and humans, learn basic life skills like sit, down, and walking on a leash, body handling for vet visits. Puppies must attend all classes to receive the S.T.A.R. puppy certificate.
Pre-requisites: Puppy must be between the ages of 8 -16 weeks old. Puppy must have their first set of shots on board (DHPP - Distemper) but do not have to have completed the series. Proof of vaccinations is required.
What to bring to class: Harness or buckle collar, 6’ leash, an old towel, bathmat, or blanket, a stuffed Kong or something to chew on, treats and a hungry dog.