Group Course Descriptions
Training helps to build positive relationships between dogs and their families. We offer a variety of classes, with opportunities to address individual situations and questions throughout each of the 6 week courses. We tailor classes to best meet the needs of our clients, so each 6 week course may look a little different. However, the descriptions below describe the essential skills that are covered at each level.
If you have questions about any of the classes, if your dog has had previous training and you are wondering which class would be the best fit, or you have some specific training goals in mind, please always feel free to contact us. We are happy to consult with you about your dog’s training needs.
Puppy/Beginner
The Puppy Training Class will teach essential puppy manners and cover topics to help your new puppy acclimate to your home and family. Some of the essential skills taught will include paying attention to owner (eye contact), place, sit, stay, leave it, beginning loose-leash walking skills, and recall (come). We will discuss daily exercise/play, socialization, manners, chewing, jumping, potty training, grooming/petting/examining the puppy, crate training, and any home situations or questions from clients throughout the 6-week session.
Intermediate with Agility
The Intermediate with Agility Class will expand upon the Puppy/Beginner class works on strengthening focus by adding distractions, distance, and duration to those essential skills and dog manners. Some of the essential intermediate skills taught will include sit, stand, and down in-motion, swing and finish, food refusal (when offered by a stranger), and following hand signals/handling skills. We will begin to work on off-leash skills and introduce some agility equipment.
*Puppy/Beginner prerequisite
Outdoor Obedience
This class focuses on loose-leash walking, beginner and intermediate obedience skills in various outdoor settings, and being calm around other dogs. For advanced dogs, we will begin off-leash training.
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*Puppy/Beginner prerequisite
Agility
The Agility Class ties together all of the skills learned in Intermediate with Agility class. Handler/dog teams will work together off leash to refine obedience and handling skills in a class format involving stations and various agility courses. Instructors will work with handler/dog teams individually as they progress through the courses each week.
Fun with ACTO
The Fun with ACTO Class at is a mixed class of agility, canine conditioning, tricks, and obstacles/obedience. Handler/dog teams work together both on and off leash to refine handling skills in a class format involving stations and various challenging activities. Instructors will work with handler/dog teams individually as they progress through the obstacles and challenges each week.
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*Puppy/Beginner prerequisite
Advanced Obedience
The Advanced Classes are designed around the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC, CGCA and CGCU) Program. The CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs in a variety of environments with many distractions.
