Group Classes are taught in 6 week sessions. Each class meets once
a week for about an hour. The Motivational Method
is a step-by-step process, where each week builds on the previous one.
During class, the instructor will teach you how to train your dog to do
the steps for that week. Your ultimate success will depend on the training
and practice that you give your dog at home throughout the week. You will
be provided with written "homework sheets" to help guide you through your
training at home.
Obedience Classes
Everybody comes to class with different goals for their dogs. Our Level
I classes provide a solid foundation, whether your goal is a well mannered
pet or ultimately an advanced obedience title. Just as the weekly classes
build on one another, there are five levels of obedience classes which
progress through more and more advanced levels of training.
Level I is appropriate for adult dogs and puppies over 4 months of age.
For younger puppies there is a special Puppy
Class which provides socialization opportunities and age-appropriate
training as well as basic puppy care.
Level I:
Where to start with your dog, learn how to better your relationship and
communication with your best friend. Learn all the basics from responses
to your first command to how to work off leash and hand signals. We include
basic house manners too, such as not jumping on guests or bolting through
an open door to your home or yard. [class
schedule][registration form]
Level II:
Further your training from basics to working around real distractions.
Advanced training that will make owning a dog a real joy. A goal at this
level is off leash control. After having laid a foundation, take your training
to a new level. [class schedule][registration form]
Level III:
Train and prepare to show your dog to a Companion Dog title (CD.) Get comfortable
with off leash work no matter what is going on around your dog. Learn the
handling skills to better your own performance. Introduction to drive
theory - Put your dog's Personality Profile to work for you by understanding
how your dog thinks. [class schedule][registration form]
Level IV:
Introduce your dog to the different jumps in AKC obedience. Teach your
dog to retrieve and to do jump work on show equipment. Advance your dog's
education to a Companion Dog eXcellent (CDX.) [class
schedule][registration form]
Open/Utility Workshop:
A continual class that works on all levels of AKC obedience including Utility.
Perfect your handling skills for competition. Your goal in this class is
a Utility Dog (UD.) [class schedule][registration form]
Puppy Class:
Learn how to survive the puppyhood period. Proper socialization at this
age is crucial. Start training on the right foot, since the puppies are
learning from the start, teach them what it is you want them to know. This
class is very important for people who have never owned a puppy before.
[class schedule][registration form]
Rally Classes
Rally Class:
Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler proceed at a brisk, but normal, pace through a course of designated stations.
There should be a sense of teamwork with the dog under control within a 2-foot area at the handler's left side.
Each station has a sign designating a particular skill that is to be performed by the team before proceeding to the next station.
Our Rally class is not an obedience training class but rather a "Learning about Rally" class,
teaching you about the sport and teaching the signs used in the routines.
All levels will be covered. We will take a few signs every week and practice them
and then do a short course including those signs each week.
On the last night there will be a more difficult course set up that will be run like a Rally Match.
The "Intro" class introduces you and your dog to all the equipment and
obstacles of the exciting new sport of Dog Agility. Each obstacle is taught
individually using positive reinforcement, and a step-by-step approach
which increases the challenge as the dog's confidence increases. The course
also covers basic handling skills and running a short sequence of obstacles.
You must have basic control of your dog on and off leash to participate.
Wear shoes with
good traction, and bring lots of treats and a hungry dog!
To graduate from Intro to Fundamentals your dog must be comfortable performing beginner-level
obstacles, and have instructor's recommendation.
[class
schedule][registration form]
Agility Fundamentals:
The next level of Agility - continue your dog's agility education with
more challenging obstacles and sequences. Focus on building a sound foundation
of teamwork, motivation, and obstacle performance that will serve you both well
throughout your dog's agility career. Continue to progress your dog's obstacle
skills towards competition level.
To graduate from Fundamentals to Novice your dog must be able to do the teeter at full
height, must be able to do training weaves (channel or wires), must be able to
Stay, Down, Sit, and Come, and exhibit a great relationship with you
during class. Must have instructor's recommendation to move on to
Novice.
[class
schedule][registration form]
Novice Agility:
You have the foundation, now increase your dog's obstacle
skills to competition level, including inline weaves. Learn key handling skills,
including directional control and side changes. Continue building teamwork
with longer and more challenging sequences. To graduate from Novice, your dog must readily
perform all the obstacles, including straight line weaves, and must be able to complete a sequence
of at least 10 obstacles without running away.
Must have instructor's recommendation to move on to Competition Prep.
[class
schedule][registration form]
Agility Competition Preparation:
Put it all together so you and your dog can show in agility competitions.
"Competition Prep" topics cover more advanced skills, including sequences seen in
Open and Excellent/Masters levels of competition.
In order to get
the most from the class, your dog must be comfortable performing all the obstacles,
remain with you in a distracting environment,
and be capable of performing a qualifying run at the novice-level or higher.
Learn how your handling affects your dog's performance. Work on distance
and directional control. Learn to analyze different handling options
and discover what works best for your dog. Learn about agility competitions,
what to do on a course walkthrough, etc. Practice course run-throughs.
Play agility games. [class schedule][registration form]
