Classes We Teach

Here are brief descriptions of the classes we teach.

 Basic classes

Puppy Kindergarten

Introduction to school and learning. Building a positive attitude and work habits. Teaching basic manners. Socializing with other dogs and people  — for puppies under six months of age.

Level I 

Introduction to school and learning for dogs and mature puppies over five months of age. Work is more formal, more precise and more advanced than puppy kindergarten.

Level I+

Completion of Level I or Puppy Kindergarten required. Knowledge of training theory required. Reworking Level I exercises with more individual attention to specific training problems.  In the first two basic courses, we spend substantial time instructing the handlers on their techniques and training principles and methods. The Level 1+ class applies those lessons in hour-long work sessions.

Advanced Levels

Level II

Fast-paced, push level. Much more advanced exercises including distance control & hand signals. Prepare for CD. Lots of fun, music and games. Dog-life-saving exercises.

Level III

Jumping, retrieving, scent discrimination, stays out of sight are only a few of the advanced exercises in Level III.

Level IV

Refine exercises in Level III. Refine and formalize hand signals.. Advanced retrieving–dumbbells, gloves, metal and leather. Utility turns.

Level V

Prepare for CDX title.

Level VI

Topics: Go-outs. Scent discrimination. Directed jumping. Directed retrieving.

Level VII

Refine utility exercises. Prepare for U.D. title.

Speciality Classes

(Available after Level I or Puppy Kindergarten)

Certificate class:

Training to pass: CGC (Canine Good Citizen); A.T.T.S. (American Temperament Test Society); T.D.I. (Therapy Dogs International); Delta (Delta Society Pet Partners)

Agility

A-frame. Dog-walk. Weave poles. Teeter-totter. Swing-plank. These are a few of the pieces of equipment your dog will learn to traverse in this class. Advanced agility teaches advanced skills and handling techniques. A major benefit of  agility is confidence building for the dog.

Tricks

Add tricks training to your relationship with your dog.  Tricks engage the dog’s mind to figure out what you want and increase the dog’s attention and compliance.  Dogs love having work to do — give it to them through tricks. 

Carting

Teaching to pull wagons and carts for pleasure and work. Size of the dog does not matter.

Nosework:

Put your dog’s extraordinary sense of smell to work.  The challenge is for the dog to find the scent the handler has identified among boxes, in rooms and out of doors.  Dogs love the challenge of this week because they are so well equipped to do it.

Sassy Dog:

For dogs that are aggressive toward other dogs, people or are fearful of other dogs or people or that are acting in a dominant manner toward people or dogs or a combination of those behaviors.

Therapy

Commands, skills, test components to make your dog ready to visit hospitals and nursing homes. Preparation for T.D.I. and Delta tests. Fun and great satisfaction grow from therapy service with your dog.

Tracking:

Sometimes offered in winter months when there is enough demand for this outdoor al-weather sport.

Freestyle or Drill Team

Working on dance, tricks and unusual moves choreographed to music. Must also be enrolled in a regular obedience class and one other class of choice and Drill Team.

Ring Procedure, Conformation, Beginning Handling

Develop presentation skills for you and your dog in conformation and obedience rings.

What it costs

The per-class fee for the basic courses is $285 except those who enroll in Level 1 or Puppy Kindergarten may take Level 1+ for no additional fee.

Access to the advanced and speciality classes is through Membership. Members may take any classes for no additional fee beyond their membership.

When are classes offered

We offer classes nearly year-round in eight-week sessions primarily on weekday evenings and Saturdays.  Some of the specialty classes are offered on an as-needed or as-requested basis.    See the school schedule for the regularly offered classes. If you do not find the class you want on the schedule ask about the possibility of our offering it to you.

How to enroll

Open the “Contact Us” tab and send us a note or to call to ask about classes or activities.  You and your dog(s) may begin  at any time that fits your schedule. In some cases, it is not necessary to wait for the start of a new eight-week session. You may register online for many classes and activities.