Why should I train my dog?
Your dog will become a pet that you will be proud of with behaviors that include:
- Politely interacting with family and friends
- Calmly greeting your guests at the door
- Developing life saving skills (coming when called, staying when told, and not running out the door)
We use positive training methods.
Puppy Kindergarten
Description:
The Puppy Kindergarten class is very important for all puppies to work on socialization skills around other dogs and people. The puppies get to play with other puppies and to interact with strangers. House manners and common behavior issues (e.g., housetraining, mouthing, jumping on people, etc. ) are covered. This class teaches basic behaviors such as attention, sit, down, come, and walking on a loose leash.
- This class gets you and your dog off to a wonderful start of building a great relationship and training foundation with your dog.
- Students should bring each week to class, a variety of high value food treats, treat pouch, tug toy, 6 foot leash, buckle collar, and a hungry puppy.
Basic Part A & Part B
Description:
The Basic class teaches behaviors including eye contact, sit, down, come, walking on a loose leash, stay, impulse control, give, drop something from their mouth, and go to place. Behavior problems will be addressed as needed. Dogs will learn manners around other dogs and people.
- Students should bring each week to class, a variety of high value food treats, treat pouch, tug toy, 6 foot leash, dog mat, and a hungry dog.
ADVANCED / Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Part A & Part B
Description:
The Advanced/CGC class continues the leanings from the Beginner 1 class, focusing on distance control and working around increasing distractions. You will be very surprised how much you and your dog benefit from this class. Among other things, you will be able to call your dog around distractions, have your dog do an “emergency” down when away from you, and ask for a down/stay with increasing distractions and distance from your dog. Additionally, this class will teach you the exercises needed to earn the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. Please see the AKC web site for more information on the CGC program: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm. You will be tested for the CGC title on the last day of class.
Therapy
Description:
This class prepares your dog to pass a standardized therapy dog test which will enable you to volunteer wherever therapy dogs are welcomed. Therapy dogs are traditionally found in hospitals & rehabilitative facilities as well as in hospice & nursing homes. Additionally, libraries and schools encourage visiting therapy dog teams which educate children about pet care and safety and offer the opportunity of participating in the National Kids Read Program. Please see http://www.golden-dogs.org/ for more information on therapy dogs and testing. Therapy dog testing will be conducted on the last day of class.
Tricks
Description:
This class teaches beginner level tricks for those dogs new to tricks and advanced tricks for dogs that have taken a prior tricks class. Tricks can keep your dog agile, gives young dogs an outlet for their energy and gives old or retired dogs something to keep them active. In teaching tricks you can capitalize on and improve what your dog already knows while you strengthen your bond with your best friend. Teaching tricks will give your canine friend a way to expend mental and physical energy in a positive and productive manner. Tricks are an excellent way to help you develop a higher level of communication. Who would benefit from this class, therapy dogs can entertain people with their new skills, Tricks are a great warm up for the competition dog and stress reliever in the ring between exercises they are a great outlet for energy on a cold winter night, and can build confidence in a shy dog. Great for kids, teaches them how to teach their dog to listen to them in a fun way.