Wednesday, February 24
Learn how to get your dog’s tail wagging at the Animal Welfare League seminar “Happy Dogs Make Happy Homes.” Led by Lisa Colon Tudor—dog trainer and owner of KissableCanine—the workshop, held in the Arlington office (2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr.), includes information on how dogs think, the best ways to communicate with them, care and training suggestions, and how to address problem behaviors. The free course starts at 7. E-mail info@kissablecanine.com to register.

Saturday, February 27
From noon to 2, the Big Bad Woof (117 Carroll St., NW) will host an adoption event for dogs and cats.

Sunday, February 28
New friends await you at the Homeward Trails dog-adoption event at Dog Paws University (940 S. George Mason Dr., Arlington). Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions from noon to 2.

Wednesday, February 17
The Washington Humane Society is getting red-carpet ready with a fundraiser for its upcoming Fashion for Paws event. Adoptable dogs and possibly cats will be at the Ritz-Carlton from 8 to 11.

Friday, February 19
Nervous new dog parents can get a free crash course at the Washington Animal Rescue League’s monthly class. Led by a trainer, the seminar covers house training, socialization, and more. 6:15 to 7:45 at 71 Oglethorpe Street, Northwest. E-mail training@warl.org to RSVP.

Saturday, February 13
Find your canine Valentine at Nature’s Nibbles (2601 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria) when the store hosts an open house for Greyhound Welfare. Greyhound foster dogs will be on hand, and volunteers will answer questions. 11 to 1.

From noon to 2, the Washington Animal Rescue League will have cats and kittens up for adoption at at Living Ruff (8517 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring).

Love is in the air at Chateaux-Animaux (524 Eighth St., SE), where the Doggy Lama kicks off a new series of presentations on “the language of love” between you and your dog. Topics include communication, behavior problem solving, and animal needs. The free seminar starts at 4 and goes until 6.

Monday, February 1
Families expecting their first human baby can rest a little easier about their canine one with a two-hour Baby-Ready Pets workshop at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr.). Staff will offer tips on how to prepare your pet for the arrival of your baby. Students will receive information pamphlets to take home as well as a CD of baby sounds to play to help Fido adjust to his new housemate. The class is for humans only. Free. 6:30 to 8:30

Wednesday, February 3
The Big Bad Woof (17 Carroll St., NW) hosts Julie Rand, a representative from Nature’s Variety pet food, in a special event that highlights the company’s products and offers free samples. 3 to 8.

Friday, February 5
New dog owners get a crash course in all things canine at the Washington Animal Rescue League’s (71 Oglethorpe St., NW) New Dog Guardian Orientation Class. The free session, led by a certified trainer, goes over training techniques for house-training, chewing, separation, socialization, and enrichment. The class goes from 6:15 to 7:45 and is for people only. E-mail training@warl.org to RSVP.

Wednesday, January 27
The Ritz-Carlton in downtown DC is going to the dogs this week with the Washington Humane Society’s ninth annual Sugar & Champagne affair. Four-legged guests are encouraged to join their human friends at the swanky event that’ll feature a silent auction, Champagnes, and sweets. There’ll be desserts from such area chefs as Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve; R.J. Cooper of Vidalia; Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, and Brabo; Todd Gray of Equinox; and Kyle Bailey of Birch & Barley. The evening will honor Humane Society officers and its Humane Education program. Standard tickets are $90, and VIP-reception tickets are $150. Get them here. The VIP reception starts at 6, and the party starts at 7.

Thursday, January 28
Say “homeward” when you order your burrito at the Germantown California Tortilla (19847-O Century Blvd.) and 25 percent of the sales will benefit Homeward Trails Animal Rescue.

Friday, January 22
Adding another mouth to feed is always an adjustment. Especially when that mouth is also chewing up the table legs. New-puppy parents can score some relief and support at the Washington Animal Rescue League’s New Dog Guardian Orientation Class. The free session, led by a certified instructor, covers socialization, house, chew, and home-alone training. The course is for people only and runs from 6 to 7 at the league (71 Oglethorpe St., NW). E-mail training@warl.org to RSVP.

Saturday, January 23
Animal education continues at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (2650 S. Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington) with a seminar by dog trainer and KissAble Canine owner Lisa Colon Tudor. The workshop, KissAble Puppy Intensive: A Crash Course in Puppy Rearing Essentials, includes topics such as house-training, prevention of unwanted behaviors, puppy games, and socialization. The event starts at 10 and costs $45. E-mail info@kissablecanine.com to register.

Tuesday, January 12
Winter break is over, and its time for the kids—and the dogs—to head back to school. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington’s (2650 South Arlington Mill Dr., Arlington; 703-931-9241) classes start Tuesday and run for five weeks. The first-level course covers basic skills such as sit, stay, and down; clicker-training techniques; how dogs learn; problem behavior; behavior management; and canine body language. In Adult Manners II, the focus is on improving a dog’s existing skills, including lessons in commands with increased distraction, loose-leash walking, polite greetings, and distance commands. The first class will be held every Tuesday at 6:45, and Manners II starts at 8. Courses are $125 for AWLA adopters and $175 for non-adopters. Classes are limited to six dogs per class.

Saturday, January 16
NBC4’s annual Health and Fitness Expo will feature adoptable dogs from the Washington Humane Society. The event runs Saturday and Sunday from 9 to 5 at the Washington Convention Center.