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.
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.
Dog Training Workshops this weekend & future weekends (September/October 2012)
We’ve got some great one-day workhops planned for the next few weeks. Everyone had a great time at our Friday with Fido workshops last Friday and we’ve gotten requests for more. So here’s what’s on tap for the next few weeks:
WEEKEND WORKSHOPS with Sheyla Gutierrez (except as noted all workshops are $20 each or 2 on the same night for $35.) Many of these workshops are appropriate for dogs that have been through a Puppy class or Basic Obedience class. If you are not sure if your dog is ready, just ask!
FRIDAY, Sep. 21 at 7:15 pm: WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: Games and Exercises for Working Through DISTRACTIONS
SATURDAY, Sep. 22nd at 7:45 pm: TREIBALL
FRIDAY, Oct. 5th at 6:30 pm: “It All Begins at the Startline” – Elements of a Good Startline Stay
FRIDAY, Oct. 5th at 7:45 pm: Where’s My Tail?
FRIDAY, September 21 at 6:00 pm: GOT RECALL?
If you want your dog to respond when you call every time and under any situation you must first build up their desire to come to you. In this workshop we will use PREMACK’s Principle (If you do what I want, you will get what you want) in many games and exercises to teach your dog to WANT to come to you. Learn how to use your dog’s natural tendencies to your recall’s advantage! This Workshop is open to dogs of all levels and ages. Limited to 6-8 Working Teams. Please bring lots of tiny treats that your dog can easily swallow.
FRIDAY, September 21 at 7:15 pm: WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: Games and Exercises for Working Through DISTRACTIONS
Distractions are an unavoidable element of a performance dog’s career – in fact, not even your couch potato can avoid them! Dealing with distractions and learning to work through them, is what takes training to a whole new level and what will “cement” your training and help your dog generalize your cues. Come and learn the 3 D’s of Distractions and how to apply them to your training. Put this new knowledge to the test by challenging your dog in some fun games and exercises.
Spaces will only be held if payment is received prior to class start dates. Refunds for cancellations less than 1 week prior to class start date are only available if your space can be filled off a waiting list.
