Adult Workshops

Our monthly workshops for pet owners give you the chance to strengthen your bond with your animal while learning valuable new skills! Dates, times and cost vary by workshop.

Adult Workshops

  • June 17: Cats 101

    • You and your cat will be living in perfect harmony in no time with our Cats 101 workshop! After learning about different CATegories our feline friends might fit (stray, feral, pet), you will learn basic kitty problem solving skills, covering topics like litter box training, new home introduction, stress factors, play biting and more! Cats 101 will finish off with a nail trimming demonstration by one of our cat behavior experts. The workshop is free and runs from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. No RSVP required.

  • July 8: Pet Parent 101

    • Are you considering adopting a pet or have you recently adopted one? Our Pet Parent 101 workshop is the perfect place for you to learn more about basic dog and cat care. Questions such as “How do I choose the right pet?” and “Should I adopt a puppy/kitten or an adult?” will be answered by our training and behavior staff. Additional topics include feeding, grooming, veterinary care, essential pet supplies, what to expect when you bring your new pet home and introducing your new pet to resident pets. This workshop is free and runs from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No RSVP required. Families are welcome, but please leave your pets at home.

  • August 12: Pet Parent 101

    • Are you considering adopting a pet or have you recently adopted one? Our Pet Parent 101 workshop is the perfect place for you to learn more about basic dog and cat care. Questions such as “How do I choose the right pet?” and “Should I adopt a puppy/kitten or an adult?” will be answered by our training and behavior staff. Additional topics include feeding, grooming, veterinary care, essential pet supplies, what to expect when you bring your new pet home and introducing your new pet to resident pets. This workshop is free and runs from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No RSVP required. Families are welcome, but please leave your pets at home.

  • September 9: Pet Parent 101

    • Are you considering adopting a pet or have you recently adopted one? Our Pet Parent 101 workshop is the perfect place for you to learn more about basic dog and cat care. Questions such as “How do I choose the right pet?” and “Should I adopt a puppy/kitten or an adult?” will be answered by our training and behavior staff. Additional topics include feeding, grooming, veterinary care, essential pet supplies, what to expect when you bring your new pet home and introducing your new pet to resident pets. This workshop is free and runs from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No RSVP required. Families are welcome, but please leave your pets at home.

Animal Adventurers

We also offer a variety of workshops for kids! Is your child ready to become an Animal Adventurer? Have them learn about animals in a fun and safe environment. Each session costs $20 per child and is held from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in the PHS Classroom. Learn more about each month’s topic below!

animal-adventurers

Upcoming Programs

  • June 24 (ages 8-12): Cats 101

    • It’s all about cats during Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! After a tour of the Neely Cat Center, your child will spend some time learning about basic cat care while hanging out with the kitties in our communal cat rooms. Our feline behaviorist will answer questions such as why cats purr and how to play with your pet cat. The children will make a cat toy which they can give to the shelter kitties or take home to their own cat.

  • July 22 (Ages 8-12): Dog Training Basics

    • Sit! Down! Stay! Your child will learn dog training basics. Using a positive reinforcement approach, a PHS dog trainer will teach the children how to use a dog clicker for training, how to use rewards like treats or toys to teach dogs basic commands and how to best communicate with dogs. Shelter dogs will be used to demonstrate training techniques. Your child will make an interactive dog puzzle toy to take home for their family pet or donate to a shelter dog.

  • August 26 (Ages 8-12): Reptiles!

    • From snakes to lizards, our experts at the Pasadena Humane Society will lead a tour through the Critter House followed by a Q&A session about common reptile pets and their care. Your child will meet Toby, a bearded dragon who participates in our pet-assisted therapy program. Children will assemble a 3D reptile puzzle.

  • September 16 (Ages 8-12): The Power of One! How Can I Help Shelter Animals?

    • Is your child looking to make a difference in the lives of shelter animals? Now’s the chance! Children will tour the shelter and learn about different ways to help. From starting a donation drive and making pet toys and blankets to fostering a pet or creating a team for the shelter’s Wiggle Waggle Walk, we’ll give your child the tools to make a difference. Children will create a kit to launch the charitable project of their choice.

  • October 28 (Ages 8-12): Feathered Friends

    • Get to know the feathered friends in your neighborhood! Our wildlife expert will teach your child about domestic and wild birds. Children will learn what to do if they find a baby bird and will examine baby bird nests. Your child will make a wild bird feeder to take home to feed the birds in your backyard.

  • November 25 (Ages 8-12): Shelter Scavenger Hunt

    • Join us for an exciting adventure with the PHS Shelter Scavenger Hunt. Your child will tour the PHS Campus and learn about pet care basics (listen for clues!). Then it’s off the dog kennels, Neely Cat Cater and Animal Care Campus for a fun scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded to all children.

  • December 16 (Ages 8-12): It’s Cold Outside

    • What do animals do when it’s cold outside? Some migrate, others hibernate, while our house pets stay warm inside the comfort of our homes. Your child will learn how different animals cope with winter weather. Children will visit our turtle pond where they will see how we help cold-blooded creatures stay warm even when it’s chilly. The children will make and take home an outdoor feeding wreath for local wildlife.

Dog Training Workshops

Our specialized training workshops give you and your dog the chance to work on a specific training issue in a fun, focused environment. Unless otherwise noted, workshops are $25 for general registration and $20 for dogs adopted from PHS. Although we accept drop-ins for all workshops if space permits, please preregister to guarantee your spot.

Upcoming Workshops

Saturday, June 17th

  • Puppy Social Session (drop-in)

    • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Puppy Social is a drop in play hour for puppies under 6 months. This is the perfect opportunity to get your puppy socialized with other puppies in a safe and structured environment. Play interactions are managed and supervised by our trainers to ensure all puppies have a positive experience.

    Cost: $10

    Class capacity: First 20 dogs to arrive. Doors open at 9:15 am and close promptly at 9:40 am. Please arrive early if it is your first playtime. You will not be allowed to play if you arrive after 9:40 am or the max # of 20 dogs has been met. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is a drop-in class and does not require pre-registration. Must bring proof of 1st round of puppy vaccines.

  • Loose Leash Walking
    • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Do you ever feel like your dog is taking you for a walk? Learn techniques to teach your dog appropriate leash manners and to positively reinforce walking with a loose leash. Your dog must be 5 months or older.

Sunday, June 18th

  • “The Basics”
    • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Time to go back to the basics: ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’! Whether your dog is starting from scratch or already has some foundation with these cues, this workshop is a great way to practice the fundamentals. Dogs must be 5 months or older.

Saturday, June 24th

  • Puppy Social Session (drop-in)

    • 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Puppy Social is a drop in play hour for puppies under 6 months. This is the perfect opportunity to get your puppy socialized with other puppies in a safe and structured environment. Play interactions are managed and supervised by our trainers to ensure all puppies have a positive experience.

    Cost: $10

    Class capacity: First 20 dogs to arrive. Doors open at 9:15 am and close promptly at 9:40 am. Please arrive early if it is your first playtime. You will not be allowed to play if you arrive after 9:40 am or the max # of 20 dogs has been met. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is a drop-in class and does not require pre-registration. Must bring proof of 1st round of puppy vaccines.

  • Impulse Control
    • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Is your dog so excited to greet people that they sometimes jump or use their teeth? Help you pup keep its cool at our impulse control workshop! Learn techniques to teach your dog to greet people appropriately and to develop impulse control in a variety of situations.

Sunday, June 25th

  • Puppy Manners
    • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. You don’t need to send your puppy to finishing school to teach them manners. Just bring them to our Puppy Manners workshop! You and your dog will learn to address jumping, mouthing, crate training and leash manners while your puppy socializes with other puppies and people. This workshop is for puppies 6 months old and younger.