Training Classes with Reading Recommendations

Select a topic:

• Animal Licensing

• Basic Class Information

• Clicker Training

• Equipment

• Class Orientation

• Must be licensed

• Vaccinations

• Class Assistants

• Day Light

Animal Licensing

It is a State Law that you must license your animal. Dogs are licensed after they receive their rabies shot at about 4 months of age.

Licensing Information

Animal Legal & Historical Center

Animal Licensing for Gilroy/Morgan Hill Pet State Code

The City of Morgan Hill Animal Control Services holds responsibility for animal licensing for Morgan Hill and Gilroy city residents, including state-mandated responsibility for ensuring that all dogs are licensed and have current rabies vaccinations. Cat licensing is available, but not mandatory.

Morgan Hill Police Department
Animal Control
16200 Vineyard Boulevard, Morgan Hill, CA 95037-3620

If you live in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, both cats and dogs are required to be licensed.

Send the completed forms and a check to:

Division of Animal Care & Control
605 Tennant Avenue, Suite G
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Questions?  Call (800) 215-2555 or (408) 465-2920.

If you live within the city limits of Gilroy, call Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350.

If you live within the city limits of Morgan Hill, call Morgan Hill Police Department at

(408) 776-7300.

Basic Information

Group classes are limited at this time and are taught at 

Four Paws Dog Daycare in San Martin, CA , Princevalle Pet Hospital in Gilroy, CA and for an introductory period at Soquel High School in Soquel, CA.

Classes are small no more then 8 with a minimum of 4 dogs. Some classes comes with a private lesson.

Classes use positive reinforcement and clicker training.

NO corrections taught in class.

Clicker Training: All classes are taught using the clicker unless otherwise mentioned in the class description - this involves using food as a motivator. For more information on clicker training visit the following websites:

Clicker Training uses no punishment and other myths

Stacy's WagNTrain - What is Clicker Training?

Stacy's WagNTrain - Getting Started

Karen Pryor - Clicker Training

Clicker Training USA

Clicker Training Lessons

Clicker Training for Horses

More with Horses

Clicker Training - What it isn't

Canine University

Clicker Training

Clicker Training for Deaf Dogs

Clicker Training for Cats

Equipment: Buckle collars, martingale collars (limited closure), head collars, body harness ( Sensa-tion harness or and Easy Walk harness). No choke chains, prong/pinch collars, electric shock collars or any other "training" collar/harness that is designed to add an aversive to the animal.

Orientation: Please do not bring your puppy/dog to the first class/orientation. Orientation can last up to 2 hours depending how much fun or interest there is.  You will receive your handbook along with your first few homework assignments. Orientation is a mixture of lecture with PowerPoint, and some skill development games.

City License: Puppies (once 4 months old with first rabies shot) and Dogs must be licensed to be permitted in a class. This is a solid requirement.

Vaccinations: Puppies must have at least their 1st vaccination to be permitted to enroll in Puppy Head-Start (at least 10 days before start of class) as well as have a negative fecal test result. For all other classes, proof of vaccinations or titers test results required.

Class Assistants: Most classes may have a Class Assistant to help during class. If you are interested in apprenticing, please contact Daphne. 

Day Light Restrictions: Since the majority of classes are taught outside, K-9 Partnership is very limited on times and season to give outside lessons.