Dog Training Classes
A Variety of Training
We offer group classes and one–on–one training in Obedience, Rally, Tricks, Puppy Kindergarten, Tracking, Agility, Therapy Dog Preparation and Testing, Behavioral Modification and Problem–solving. On this page are summaries of the various classes and training we provide, below each summary is a link to more detailed information and class schedules.
Puppy Kindergarten
Puppy Kindergarten is a class designed to educate new pet owners and teach new puppies basics manners. The curriculum includes toy discrimination (chew on this not that), housebreaking, jumping up, mouthing (nipping and biting), nutrition and vaccines, as well as, “sit”, “stay” “down”, “come” and “leave it”.
Obedience Training
Obedience Training is a sport for dogs and their handlers that ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit”, “down”, “come”, and “stay”, to high level competition within clubs such as the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club, where additional commands, accuracy and performance are scored and judged. Both competition and companion obedience classes are offered.
Dog Agility Training
Dog Agility Training is a dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy. In trials, dogs run off–leash with no food or toys as incentives. The handler can not touch the dog or obstacles. The handler controls the dog using voice, movement, and various body signals, requiring exceptional training of the animal. Even if you don’t plan on competing with your dog, agility improves the dog/handler bond and increases a dog’s responsiveness and trust that carries over to everyday life. It boosts a dog's confidence and self–esteem. Four levels of Agility classes are offered. Introduction to Obstacles, Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Class size is limited to five dog/handler teams with advanced registration. Basic obedience is required.
Rally Obedience Training
Rally Obedience Training is a fun and exciting sport for dogs and their handlers, kind of a cross between obedience and agility. Dog and Handler teams navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform such as Sit–Down–Sit, Front and Finish, Send Over Jump and Sit and Walk Around. Teams navigate the course in a brisk, continuous performance without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance.
Dog Tricks
Dog Tricks class is a fun way for dogs and their handlers of all ages to learn a variety of commands not usually covered in an obedience class. You can teach an old dog new tricks and have fun while you’re doing it! Skills like “rollover”, “play dead”, “high five”, “sit up”, “speak”, “whisper”, and “crawl” are just some of the tricks covered in this class.
Therapy Dog/CGC Training
Therapy Dog / AKC Canine Good Citizen training is for handler and dog teams who would like to volunteer their time providing affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, mental institutions and schools. Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament. A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, at ease in all situations, and gentle. They must be content to be patted and handled, sometimes clumsily.
Canine Tracking
Canine Tracking is a dog sport that is the competitive form of Search and Rescue. It demonstrates the extremely high level of scent capability that dogs possess. In this sport the dog follows a track that is 450-500 yards long with several changes of direction. The track is laid by a human tracklayer and is “aged” anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours. The goal is to use the scented track to locate an article left at the end of the trail by the tracklayer. The owner follows the dog on a long leash. It is something that any dog of any breed or age is capable of doing. It’s a great class for dogs that might be reactive towards other dogs because only one dog at a time is ever on the course and also for dogs that may not be trustworthy off leash because a tracking dog is always in a harness and on a leash.
Behavior Modification & Problem Solving
Behavior Modification and Problem Solving are private lessons designed to bring behavior changes in problem dogs by changing maladaptive owner practices using positive reinforcement and conditioning. Digging, chewing, barking, and jumping up are some of the behaviors that can be resolved using these proven techniques.