Classes

Here you’ll find the description for all of our classes. If you’re ready to register, check out our schedule page.

Obedience

Whether or not you want to compete, every dog owner should consider some form of obedience training. It’s the best way to establish good communication skills between you and your dog – and to make sure that your dog is the most well-behaved one in your neighborhood!

Puppy Class

Pre-requisite: For puppies 3 months to 6 months; must have had basic vaccinations.

What you will learn: All skills will be taught on leash. Puppy will learn positive first experiences in a variety of situations. At the end of the class, puppy teams will learn the foundations of lure training and will work on attention, walking on a loose leash, sit, down, and come.

Basic Manners Class

Pre-requisite: For dogs six months and older looking to start training, or get a refresher. Dogs must have had basic vaccinations.

What you will learn: The foundations of lure training will be taught. Basic skills covered will include: attention, walking on a loose leash, sit, down, stand, stay, and come. You’ll also cover teaching tricks for the AKC Trick Dog Novice title

Canine Good Citizen (CGC)/Tricks Class

Pre-requisite: Dogs should be able to perform all Basic Manners skills and should have had a previous training class.

What you will learn: The Canine Good Citizen Program teaches the AKC CGC test. The 10-step CGC test is a non-competitive test for all dogs, including purebreds and mixed breeds that is held the last week of class. It is a pre-requisite for many therapy dog groups; and some homeowner’s insurance companies encourage CGC testing. The CGC is an AKC title. Plus, each week you will learn a new trick so your dog can earn an AKC novice tricks title . Check out akc.org, click on sports and events, look through the list to find CGC and tricks info.

Competition Obedience

Foundation Competition Obedience

This class is for teams who think they may be interested in AKC Obedience or Rally competition. We will cover all aspects of heeling, fronts, finishes, and recalls required for both Rally and Novice Obedience Class.

Pre-requisite: CGC or instructor permission

Novice Heeling Class

This class is for teams desiring to show in the AKC Novice Class. Emphasis will be on heeling skills as well as recalls, stays, and fronts and finishes.

Pre-requisite: Foundation Competition Obedience or instructor permission

Novice/Open Competition

This class is for teams getting ready to show in the AKC Novice Obedience Class. Emphasis will be placed on handling skills and polishing the team’s performance for the ring. Open exercises will be introduced

Pre-requisite: Instructor Permission

Open/Utility Competition Class

This class is for teams looking to compete in the AKC Open Obedience class. The class will cover all of the exercises: Command Discrimination, Retrieve on the Flat, Retrieve over the High Jump, Broad Jump, Drop on Recall and Stand for Leash. Some utility exercises will be introduced. Teams should have a CD title or currently showing in AKC Novice, or by permission of the instructor.

Conformation Ring Practice

Those needing the basic instruction to correctly handle their dogs from beginner to accomplished.

Fading the Lure

This class will help handlers begin to shift from luring to fading the treat/toy for behaviors the dog can do successfully with the lure.

Pre-requisite: Basic Manners Class. The dog should also know a few behaviors with a lure (sit, down, tricks)

Problem Solving

Handlers must also have a problem they are trying to solve that we can "see" in class. Problems like barking at the front door wouldn't be an appropriate challenge for this class.

Sample problems that could work for this class are below: Dog won't hold a start line in agility, dog won't wait at the door until released; dog won't pick up the dumbbell, dog won't sit quietly in its crate and wait its turn to work, dog gets the "zoomies" in the ring

What you will learn: Handlers will learn to isolate challenges, create training plans and begin to create a plan on how to “fix” that behavior over the 7-week class.

Agility

Whether you just want to have fun exercising with your dog, or want to go further and enter an Agility competition, get ready for a fast-paced, rewarding experience that will get you and your dog in the best shape of your lives!

Agility 2 Class

**Pre-requisite**: Successful completion of Agility I class, or approval of the instructor.
**What you will learn**: These are skills needed for Novice agility; including 6 weave poles, contact performance, sequences are 6 to 12 obstacles, begin working on distance, handling skills for crosses and more difficult sequences.

Agility 3 Class

**Pre-requisite**: Should be proficient on all equipment and doing 12 weave poles. This class is by instructor permission only.
**What you will learn**: These are Advanced and Excellent skills for those competing or almost ready to compete in trials.

Rally

Started in 2005, AKC Rally is a fun family sport and participation increases each year. It’s a perfect starting point for those who are new to canine sports, as AKC Rally provides a challenging introduction to all competition sports for dogs and handlers to strengthen their skills.

Rally Novice Class

Rally Advanced/Intermediate Class

Rally Excellent Class

Rally Master Class

Pre-requisite: This class is for dogs and handlers who completed the Foundation Competition Obedience class, or by instructor permission.

What you will learn: Students will learn rally exercises, signs, and procedures for each designated level AKC Novice, Intermediate and Advanced, Excellent or Master Rally. Signs, sequences and courses will be practiced. Students will be encouraged to participate in Rally trials. Check out akc.org, sports and events, find AKC Rally for all levels.

Competition Rally Ring Ready

Pre-requisite: Rally Exc/Master class completion. AKC Rally Master title or skill verification and permission of instructor.

What you will learn: This class is designed to provide experience in performing Exc/Master level courses and to ensure that handlers are familiar with AKC Rally Ex/Master rules and regulations. Teams should be proficient in performing all signs required at every level of Rally. Teams will receive practice and coaching in running Exc/Master courses.

Scentwork

Description here.

Scentwork 1

Pre-requisite: Must have basic manners class

What you will learn: Dogs will be introduced to the starting odor of Birch and learn how to hunt for odor. Dogs will be introduced to the AKC elements containers, buried, interior and exterior.

Scentwork 2

Pre-requisite: Scentwork 1 class, or dog must be on birch odor.

What you will learn: This class will focus on handling skills during searches, working on teaching dogs to search independently and with drive.

Scentwork 3

Pre-requisite: Scentwork 2 class, or instructor permission

What you will learn: Taking the skills you have learned from SW1 & SW2 and apply to scentwork challenges learning how to manage the variables that are created.

Scentwork 4 Trial Prep

Pre-requisite: Instructor permission

What you will learn: Dogs must be trialing at the Excellent/Master or with Instructor permission. Dogs must be on all 4 odors and all elements.

Animal Therapy

This class will prepare teams to become Animal Therapy Teams. We will cover typical therapy visits and how to manage your dog.

For Animals: Please note that your dog must be at least 24 months and under 10 years of age to qualify for the initial evaluation. If you have rescued/adopted your animal, you must have lived with it for a minimum of six months before you may test to be a Volunteer Animal Therapy Team.

Pre-requisite: Canine Good Citizen Test, dogs must have solid obedience skills and loose leash walking skills