Puppy & Obedience classes starting this week
Whether you just want your dog to be a great companion or hope to start him on the road to competitive dog sports, you’ll need the Basics & more. Encourage your friends and neighbors to train their dogs. It makes for a nice canine community as well as enriching the lives of both human & canine.
Upcoming Classes
FOUNDATIONS for AGILITY: Sunday 5:00-6:00 pm starting February 22nd. Six-week course, $125. This is the pre-requisite class for BEGINNING OBSTACLES. FOUNDATIONS for AGILITY covers groundwork exercises for agility, such as fast downs, recalls, side changes, targeting, self-control exercises, parallel movement at speed and more. It also includes an introduction to jumping foundation work. Instructor: Andrea Atkinson
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Leslie McDevitt’s “Control Unleashed” Program was designed for dogs that are easily distracted or aroused; reactive or uncomfortable around other dogs or people; lacking self-control; or just anxious, stressed & shut-down. Our class will go over the key notes of the program, and will work through her exercises designed to help these dogs “cope” with the real world. Minimum enrollment to start: 4 dogs. Instructor: Sheyla Gutierrez, CPDT-KA.
Whether you just want your dog to be a great companion or hope to start him on the road to competitive dog sports, you’ll need the Basics & more. Encourage your friends and neighbors to train their dogs. It makes for a nice canine community as well as enriching the lives of both human & canine.
August Classes – Basic Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, Canine Sports Sampler, Puppy Class, Control Unleashed & More
Includes Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Come, Walk on lead, Leave it & Take it Nicely. Whether you just want your dog to be a great companion or hope to start him on the road to competitive dog sports, you’ll need the Basics & more. Encourage your friends and neighbors to train their dogs. It makes for a nice canine community as well as enriching the lives of both human & canine.
Instructor: Trish Swinney
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN AND THERAPY SKILLS: Saturdays 4:00-5:00 pm, starting August 2nd. Cost is $125 for six sessions.
Do you have a dog that needs a confidence boost?
Do you want to deepen the bond between you & your four-legged best friend?
Not sure if you or your dog will like a particular sport?
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HEAD START PUPPY CLASS: Tuesdays 7:15-8:15 pm starting August 5th. Cost is $125 for six sessions.
Help your pup develop into a calm, capable adult through training in self-control, drive-building, basic obedience and exposure to new sounds, surfaces, objects, people and dogs. First class is an orientation for the humans (no dogs)! Next 5 classes are for humans & dogs. Household members are welcome as well. Next orientation session is scheduled for August 2nd. This is not your typical puppy class and is packed with content and activity to get your puppy started right.
This is the pre-requisite class for BEGINNING OBSTACLES which is scheduled to start on October 23rd in the same time slot. FOUNDATIONS for AGILITY covers groundwork exercises for agility, such as fast downs, recalls, side changes, targeting, self-control exercises, parallel movement at speed and more. It also includes an introduction to jumping foundation work. A day-time Foundations for Agility class may also be scheduled if there is sufficient interest.
To earn the Advanced CGC title, the dog must be registered or listed with AKC (AKC number, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number) AND, already have a Canine Good Citizen award/title on record.
January Classes
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Also, these classes are on-going:
Saturdays: Utility Practice (8:00-9:00 am); Open Prep (9:30-10:30 am); Obedience Competition Prep (10:30-11:30 am); Rally Coursework (11:30 am-12:30 pm) $15 for one class or two with one dog for $25 (except Utility). Reservations required and typically open on the preceding Tuesday. Next classes: Jan 4 & 11.
Wednesdays: Outdoor Agility Coursework at FreeSpirit: 5:00-6:30 pm – $20 pay as you go.
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Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Skills: Wednesday, January 8th – 6:00 to 7:00 pm. 6 sessions for $125.
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR STELLAR PERFORMANCE DOGS: Starting Wednesday January 8th. 8:30-9:30pm— 6 sessions for $125.
Getting a new dog or puppy ready for a performance sport career requires:
– Building a strong working relationship through focus & control exercises;
– Creating enthusiasm & motivation including building their natural toy- and play-drives;
– Developing good balance & body awareness to maximize athleticism & minimize injuries over a long career; and
– Establishing a complete understanding of basic cues and commands for good manners.
These “Building Blocks” will create a good foundation for performance sports by building trust and a desire to work with you from the beginning. Whether you have a young pup or a new rescue that needs to develop some confidence, the exercises and games in this class will help you bond together and be better prepared for a performance career. And it never hurts to revisit these “building blocks” with more experienced dogs to refresh these skills.
Come learn all the fun ways to train these skills in your upcoming performance star – but most importantly, show them that spending time with you is REWARDING!!! This is the basis for a good career in performance sports. After all, it’s not just about the dog, but about the team you can become!
Instructor Sheyla Gutierrez.
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OBEDIENCE CLASSES: Saturdays – starting January 25th, cost is $125 for six sessions or $25 per class.
Whether you just want your dog to be a great companion or hope to start him on the road to competitive dog sports, you’ll need the Basics & more. Encourage your friends and neighbors to train their dogs. It makes for a nice canine community as well as enriching the lives of both human & canine.
Foundations for Agility class Wednesdays, starting January 8th at 9:30 am or Mondays, starting January 13th
On-going Classes
Most Saturday Mornings: Cost is $15 for one class or both on one day with one dog for $25*. Next Saturday morning training dates – Jan 4th & 11th. Reservations required. Call or email to be added to our Reservation Reminder list.
Utility Practice (8:00-9:00) Utility Obedience exercises for those finishing their CDX and getting ready for Utility (*not eligible for multiple class discount).
Obedience Competition Prep (10:30-11:30 am) Beginner Novice & Novice for those showing or getting ready to show in Beginner Novice & Novice.
Rally Coursework (11:30 am-12:30 pm). Rally Novice or Advanced.
Instructor: Jackie Kurzban
CONFORMATION HANDLING: Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Learn ring procedure, handling tips and how to emphasize your dog’s best traits as your dog gets accustomed to the conformation routine & environment. Pre-requisite: Dogs must be accustomed to walking on a leash. $10 per night. Instructor: George Griffin
The class will include heeling, turning left/right/around, sit and down stays, sit and stands for exam and other exercises all with various levels of distractions including people, other dogs and other distractions you would encounter at a dog show. You can work at your own level – some dogs might be off leash, others not.
2-Heeling as a group, either in a circle or in line. Includes 1/4 turns, circle right/left, about turns etc. Dogs can be taken off lead if ready.
3-Sit / stand for exam. Those handler that can leave their dogs will examine each dog. Can be done with handler at side of dog or as in trial.
4-Recall-done down the center of two lines, every other dog or criss cross depending upon class size and composition.
5-Finishes will be added to the recall but not every time.
6-Figure eight proofing will be done as a weaving exercise between the other dogs.
7-Games like tic tac toe and musical chairs can be added as well.
Because the exercises are done as a group, dog/handler teams get plenty of practice.