Old City, Philadelphia · Since 2003They train all day in the city. Pick them up tired and smarter.
For City Dogs, Life is Different.
Raising a dog in Philadelphia isn't like the suburbs. Every walk has surprises- the lobby gauntlet, curb cuisine, crowded sidewalks, the occasional Philly raccoon, strangers trying to pet your dog, and occasionally drumline Elmo.
You don't need a dog who can sit in a quiet room. You need a dog who can handle the city.
That's what City Dog® Day School is built for.
“After 3 weeks of City Dog Day Training, our walks are way less stressful. Macy is listening and making eye contact, and she will stay in a long down when new people come into our apartment.
The classes are great for us to continue to practice what Macy has learned."”
— B. Nock
Here's what a day actually looks like.
We spend the day doing real-world training, leash work on actual Philadelphia sidewalks, impulse control around actual Philadelphia distractions, and the kind of city-proofing that makes daily life together genuinely easier.
Drop your dog at our Old City studio between 8:15–9am.
Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday · Old City studio
Pick up a tired, happy, smarter dog between 2–4 pm. We'll loop you in with personalized lessons so you know exactly what to do when you get home.
Every Friday we hand you the leash. One-on-one with your trainer — we show you exactly what your dog has learned that week and how to reinforce it at home and out in the world.
This is how the training sticks. Not just for your dog. For you.
We're happy to coordinate a walker or taxi service to make drop-off and pick-up smooth for you.
The real stuff.
For your dog:
· Sidewalk manners — walks without pulling, lunging, or losing their mind at other dogs
· Leave the chicken bones — and all other Philly street specials
· Coffee shop composure — calm at your feet while you finish your latte
· Big feelings — reactivity, barking, lunging, the heart-racing moments
· Tight spaces — elevators, narrow hallways, crowds without the meltdown
· Polite greetings — saying hi without knocking over your neighbor (and knowing when not to say hi at all — a vastly underrated skill)
For you:
· How to read your dog before things escalate
· Feeling capable, not embarrassed, when your dog has a moment
· Understanding what your dog actually needs to feel good in the city
How it works
STEP 1: Start with an Eval Day.
We spend a day with your dog. Watch them move, think, and respond to the city around them. Then we tell you exactly what they need and how long it takes to get there.
STEP 2: The program.
Typically 3+ weeks. Tuesday through Friday. Drop off 8:15–9am. Pick up 2–4pm. We do the work. Fridays you come in and we hand you the leash.
STEP 3: City Dog Membership.
When your dog graduates, they come back for Field Trips and Immersion Days — preventing or addressing any reactivity, refining skills, and mentoring new dogs coming up behind them.
INVESTMENT:
Program length depends on your dog. We'll tell you exactly what we recommend after the eval. Eval day is $100 and can roll into a program.
Want to talk to someone first?
Keep it Sharp
Grads can come back for focused sessions or full reset days whenever life gets busy and things get a little rusty.
Raising a city dog is hard.
You're not doing it wrong.
You just need the right team.
