Lena Whitfield
Founder & Head Teacher · CPDT-KA, AKC CGC Evaluator
Former second-grade teacher. Writes every lesson plan, teaches Basic Manners and runs CGC testing days.
Our story
From second-grade teacher to head of school.
Good Manners Dog School started with one very rowdy Lab mix and a teacher who noticed that dogs learn a lot like kids do.
Class of 2014
Meet Lena Whitfield, CPDT-KA
“Good teaching is good teaching, whether your student has two legs or four.”
For twelve years, Lena taught second grade in Wake County. In 2014 she adopted Biscuit, a yellow Lab mix with a lot of energy and very few manners: he chewed shoes, jumped on guests and pulled hard on the leash.
At Biscuit’s first obedience class, Lena noticed that good dog training worked like good teaching: clear goals, small steps, lots of praise and plenty of practice. She was hooked.
She studied for and earned her CPDT-KA, the independent certification for professional dog trainers, and became an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. In 2016 she opened Good Manners Dog School in a renovated 1950s schoolhouse in Apex.
Our philosophy
Reward-based family training
Dogs learn best when learning is fun. We teach with rewards, play and clear, kind structure, and we teach the people too, because a cue only works if the whole family uses it the same way.
Every class follows a written lesson plan, every skill is broken into small steps, and every dog gets to succeed before we make things harder. That’s how we build manners that hold up at home, on the sidewalk and at the vet.
Classroom rules
- Every dog can learn something new today.
- Small steps, lots of wins.
- Reward what you want to see more of.
- Practice is a game, not a chore.
- Families learn together.
- Celebrate every graduation, loudly.
School history
A few milestones
From one backyard class to the Triangle’s friendliest schoolhouse.
- 2014
Biscuit comes home
One very bouncy Lab mix, one first-time dog owner and one life-changing obedience class.
- 2015
Lena earns her CPDT-KA
She also becomes an AKC CGC Evaluator and starts teaching weekend classes in her backyard.
- 2016
The schoolhouse opens
A 1950s schoolhouse in Apex becomes Good Manners Dog School, chalkboards included.
- 2019
Marcus joins the faculty
Field trips become part of the Advanced level.
- 2022
Priya takes over Puppy K
Puppy Kindergarten doubles to six terms a year.
- 2026
1,800 graduates and counting
And Biscuit still greets every one of them at the door.
The faculty
Meet your teachers
Marcus Bell
Intermediate & Advanced · CPDT-KA
Leads the real-world field trips. His border collie, Scout, is the demo dog for loose-leash walking.
Priya Nair
Puppy Kindergarten · KPA-CTP
Clicker expert and puppy whisperer. Believes socialization is the most important lesson there is. Her poodle, Pepper, agrees.
The schoolhouse by the numbers
Small school, big results
1,800+
graduates since 2016
6
dogs max per class
94%
of Basic grads continue to Level 2
310
Canine Good Citizen titles earned
Come visit the schoolhouse.
Book a free 20-minute placement visit. Biscuit will be at the door.