Puppy Class

   Getting a puppy off to a good start is imperative to your puppy developing into a great dog.
  Your puppy will learn basic behaviors including:
Targeting, Sit, Down, Come When Called, Leave It, Drop It, Go To your Bed, Socialization Exercises and Say Hello to a stranger.

We will also discuss:
How dogs learn, house training, nipping, jumping, problem behaviors, nutrition, grooming, dog body language, importance of play and more.
During the last class you and your puppy can take the AKC Puppy
S.T.A.R. test.

* Puppies do not attend the first class. 
During the first class we will work on our skills as trainers.

 Canine Life And Social Skills.
C.L.A.S.S

   A training program designed and developed by the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). C.L.A.S.S., or Canine Life and Social Skills, is an educational program to promote training focused on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions.

Our curriculum is based on using fun games and exercises to test and develop real life skills and manners for dogs.

Skills learned in this course, will prepare dog and handler in testing for
the APDT’s 3 levels of assessment.

Real life skills taught and learned in level 1, include:

• Wait politely at a door before entering.
• Come when called and wait politely as leash is attached.
• Loose leash walking.
• Politely greeting a new person.
• Give, Take and Leave it.
• More...

Students are encouraged to download and read the
C.L,A,S,S student handbook, before attending.

* Dogs do not attend the first class. 
During the first class we will work on our skills as trainers.

 American Kennel Club
Canine Good Citizen

   This class will prepare you and your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)  test.
You will learn and practice all 10 steps of the CGC test. The last week of the class you will take the CGC evaluation.

Dogs registering for this class should know basic skills such as sit, down, stay and loose leash walking. We will practice these behaviors and hone our skills to the goal of passing the CGC.

Dogs passing the test will be titled "Canine Good Citizen" through the American Kennel Club of America.
It is NOT necessary a dog be registered with the AKC to test and title as a Canine Good Citizen. All breeds welcome including mixed breeds.

For more information about the CGC evaluation, click here 

 Trick Class

   Teaching your dog tricks is not only fun for you, but it is fun for the dog.  Tricks are great confidence building activity for your dog.
   We will learn how to teach a trick from start to finish, how to make sure the trick is fluent in many locations, how to plan out and train more difficult tricks, how to chain tricks together and how to utilize your dogs natural abilities to create new behaviors and tricks.  In this class you will also learn how to shape behaviors, capture behaviors and build behavior chains.
   In this class the sky is the limit, we will have a list of tricks to learn or you can bring your own trick ideas.  Each dog/handler team will work on tricks of your choice.  You may be surprised at what your dog can learn.

   This class is great for beginners or more seasoned trainers.  Dogs should have knowledge of basic skills such as sit and down. 

 Basic Manners with Clicker Training

Your dog will be learning how to learn.  Using all positive reinforcement methods.  These methods are the same as those used by Marine Mammal and zoo trainers.  Your dog will learn basic manners and behaviors including: Sit, Down, Come When Called, Leave It, Drop It, Go To Bed, and walking on a Loose Leash.
Behavior issues will be discussed and you will learn how to solve problem behaviors. We will also teach the dogs a trick or two for fun, and to help build your dogs confidence.

"Clicker Training" is an animal training method based on behavioral psychology that relies on marking desirable behavior and rewarding it. Desirable behavior is usually marked by using a "clicker," a mechanical device that makes a short, distinct "click" sound which tells the animal exactly when they're doing the right thing. This clear form of communication, combined with positive reinforcement, is an effective, safe, and humane way to teach any animal any behavior that it is physically and mentally capable of doing.

* Do not bring your dog to the first class.  We will be working on our training skills.

 Advanced Puppy Class

  This is a new class for puppies who have completed puppy class or have not completed a training program. Any puppy under 2 years of age is welcome.

   This fun, fast paced class will focus on learning for adolescent dogs Training exercises will be taught using learning games and interaction with other puppies in class to help the puppies to learn proper social skills, appropriate play and self control.

* Puppies do not attend the first class. 
During the first class we will work on our skills as trainer’s.

 
 Canine Nose Works

  A brand new sport and skill for you and your dog. Dogs learn to find a target odor and tell you they have found it.

Introduction to Nose Work Level 1 - The Basics

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. Playing search games is a great outlet for energetic dogs, a wonderful way to keep older dogs active, and even helps fearful dogs build confidence.  Plus, it is fun for the humans too.  This class focuses on teaching you how to encourage and develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a great class for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy and to find out just how good is your dog’s nose. 

In this class, dogs will work individually,  all other dogs will be crated away from the training area.  As a result, dogs that are reactive, fearful, and do not play well with other dogs, are welcome.  In fact, many dogs with these behavior issues tend to make positive behavioral changes as a result of learning Nose Work.  Whether you are just out to have fun or hope to compete in this fun new sport, you are welcome to learn with us. 

Introduction to Nose Work Level 2 - Introduction of Odor

.  In level one your dog learned to hunt for “food” within boxes and simple search area’s. In Level 2, your dog will learn to search for odor (or smell) of a targeted scent.  Search area’s will be more complex.  Dogs will continue to work individually, and will have little, or no contact with other dogs.
Prerequisite, Your dog must have attended and completed, Introduction to Nose Work -Level 1