AKC Course Descriptions

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. All puppy/beginner class content is covered. Classes are designed to meet the socialization, training, activity, and owner responsibility requirements to complete the AKC S.T.A.R. program successfully. Puppies and owners who attend all 6 classes and pass the assessment can earn the AKC S.T.A.R. designation. 

The CGC training focuses on dog manners and obedience such as sit, stay, down, leave it, recall (come), loose leash walking and paying attention (watch me). We will also work on basic household manners and polite behavior in the presence of people and other dogs in a variety of situations. Once skills are mastered and performed consistently, handler/dog teams will be prepared to take the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test to earn a certificate and title from the American Kennel Club and/or the Therapy Dog International (TDI) test. 

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*Puppy/Beginner Prerequisite

The CGCA training will expand upon the CGC requirements and will focus on skills that owners and their dogs will use in various locations throughout the community. The AKC Canine Community program ensures that your dog is well-mannered when out in the community. Distance, duration and distractions will increase as dogs learn and practice dog manners and obedience. Once skills are mastered and performed consistently, handler/dog teams will be prepared to take the Community Canine (CGCA) 10-step test in a real-life outdoor environment to earn a certificate and title from the American Kennel Club and/or the Therapy Dog International (TDI) test. 

Therapy Dog is an AKC program which recognizes the therapy work performed by dogs through accepted organizations based on the number of visits. Therapy work involves volunteers who schedule visits to various facilities and locations such a nursing homes, classrooms, libraries, assisted living centers, hospices, funeral homes, schools, shelters even courtrooms.

Whether they are working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. A dog can provide a valuable sense of reassurance, joy, or calmness to people experiencing stressful, lonely or depressing situations or general times in their life.

Another step beyond the basic CGC test is the AKC Urban CGC title, which tests your CGC skills in an active city or town setting. There are 10-steps to the test that your dog must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title, but it is administered in a place where there are cars, streets to be crossed, noises, and fast-paced distractions.

There are five AKC Trick Titles you and your dog can earn:

• AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) See the list of tricks here.

• AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) See the list of tricks here.

• AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) See the list of tricks here.

• AKC Trick Dog Performer (TKP) See the requirements here.

• AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer (TKE) See the requirements here.

K9 University offers AKC FIT DOG Levels 1, 2, and 3 Courses, as well as community, independent and/or group walks. These courses are only for healthy dogs with no significant prior injuries or ongoing conditions. 

Participants will use various equipment in class to teach dogs fitness skills using proper form. The courses are designed to expose dogs to a variety of exercise types including cardio, flexibility, balance and strength training, as well as mental fitness and confidence building. 

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*Prerequisite 6-month of age and Puppy/Beginner class.

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Learn more about earning AKC FIT DOG titles here.

This class is all about exposing your dog to sights, sounds and surfaces. Dog/handler teams will work together through a variety of tasks in the following six categories: Social, Auditory, Visual, Tactile (touch), Proprioceptive (motion) and an Unexpected Stimulus. After successful completion of this class, your dog will be ready to take the AKC Temperament Test and earn the AKC ATT Title.