Learn the Best Practices for Taking Care of Dogs
Puppy Kindergarten - 8 Weeks to 5 Months
Got a puppy? We have a class for you and your new companion. Early training is very important in building the special bond between a dog and its owner. Puppy classes can help provide that connection.
Other than teaching the basics — sit, down, stay, come, and walking on a leash — the puppies get to have some fun negotiating the puppy agility course. Unusual footings and mini-obstacles are introduced to help build confidence in everyday experiences. The class is limited to six students.
Puppy Kindergarten: Tuesday 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Beginner Obedience
This class is designed for dogs from five months to adults. No dog is too old to be obedient!
Basic skills are taught to both the dog and its owner. Sit, down, stay and come, and walking quietly on a leash are the basics to teach the family pet how to be a great family pet.
Individual problems will be addressed, as not all dogs can be trained the same way. We stress individuality!
Beginner Obedience: Tuesday 7:30 – 8:30 PM
Beginner II Obedience
The Novice class is designed for those who have successfully completed a Beginner Obedience class and wish to continue their training. Emphasis on all the basics, which could prepare you for participation in obedience trials.
If exhibiting at obedience trials is your endeavor, we can prepare you for competition. If you want to train just for the joy of working with your companion, we encourage that too.
Beginner II Obedience Friday 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Advanced Training
We offer Advanced Obedience training for those interested in competition.
1) Novice Level
You will be sharpening your skills in the basic exercises:
Heeling With a Loose Lead
Off-Lead Heeling
Recall Exercise
Stay Exercise
2) Open Level
Includes the following exercises:
Off-Lead Heeling
Drop-on Recall
Retrieve on the Flat
Retrieve Over a Jump
Broad Jump
The exercise descriptions are as follows.
Off-lead heeling is where the dog is required to work without the benefit of a lead.
Drop-on recall exercises require the dog to perform a recall, but the dog will be signaled to down midway and then signaled to return to the handler.
Both retrieve exercises require the dog to retrieve a dumbbell.
- The first retrieve is a straight (on the flat) retrieve, and the second retrieve is over a jump.
- The last exercise is a jump that is 3–4 8-inch boards laid on the ground to fashion a broad jump.
3) Utility Level
Includes the following exercises:
Signals
Articles
Directed Retrieve
Moving Stand for Exam
Directed Jumping
The exercise descriptions are as follows:
Signal exercises, which are performed without any verbal commands, are an off-lead heeling routine. The signal portion comes at the end of the heeling. The dog will perform a stand, and the handler leaves and walks across the ring. The handler will signal the dog down, sit, and then come to the front.
Articles are where the dog will retrieve an article scented by the handler. The article can be wood, metal, or leather.
A moving stand for the exam is when you will heel the dog and tell the dog to stay while the handler walks to the required distance.
Directed retrieve involves the retrieval of a glove.
In directed jumping, the dog is sent to a specified spot and then directed to one of two jumps.
Agility
Agility is a sport for all dogs. Want to have fun and exercise for both you and your canine companion? The object of this Agility class will teach you and your dog the obstacles and to negotiate them in a safe manner.
- No particular skills are required, but we do need the dog to come when called.
- The class is limited to four students.
- We also offer private lessons by the hour by appointment.
- Thursdays 9 AM
The UKC (United Kennel Club) concept of Agility is that all handlers, regardless of physical abilities, and all dogs, regardless of breed and physical structure, should have the opportunity to participate and experience success in Agility. We believe this program rewards the dog and handler for their efforts in training to develop the ability to meet the challenges of the agility course, rather than for the possession of their physical attributes to negotiate the course at fast speeds.