Class Descriptions
Our classes are open to dogs of all breeds, including mixed breeds, that are 12 weeks of age and older. Class sizes are limited so enroll early to ensure a spot in the class you are eligible for. If you have any questions, Contact Us.
Beginner
This class is for dogs that have had little or no formal group obedience training. The focus of this class is to teach your dog to work with you as a team and to learn how to live in your household as a civilized member of the family. We will teach you how to teach your dog the following exercises in a group setting:
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walk on a loose leash without pulling (controlled walking)
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sit and stay
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down and stay
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come when called
We will also address some specific issues such as jumping, lunging, “leaving” unwanted objects and going to their “place.” Successful completion of this class will allow you and your dog to move up to the Advanced Beginner class which will build on the skills taught in Beginners adding distance, distraction and duration.
Completion of this class might qualify your dog for the AKC Star Puppy test if (s)he is under one year of age.
Advanced Beginner
Admission into this class is at the discretion of the instructor or the training director.
This class is for dogs that have successfully completed the Beginner class. The focus of this class is to build on the exercises taught in the Beginner class, adding distance, distraction, and duration. Your dog will learn the following exercises:
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heel with attention to the handler (walk at your left side without pulling),
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sit and stay at a distance with distractions
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down and stay at a distance with distractions
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come when called with distractions.
Completion of this class will prepare your dog to take the AKC Star Puppy or Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.
Attention / Pre-Novice
Admission into this class is at the discretion of the instructor or the training director.
This class is meant for students who are serious about entering obedience competitions. Since the majority of mistakes made by the dog in competition are the result of inattention or lack of focus, attention will be the main focus of the class. The Beginner Novice and Novice exercises will be covered in depth. After several repetitions of this course, the students will be prepared to enter AKC Beginner Novice or CDSP Starter Novice competitions.
Novice
Admission into this class is at the discretion of the instructor or the training director.
Dogs enrolling in this class must reliably perform all exercises taught in the Beginner Novice class. This class will prepare you and your dog for competition in an AKC trial at the Novice level to earn a Companion Dog (CD) title. Non-competitors are welcome if you wish to teach your dog some advanced skills. The exercises taught are as follows:
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Heel on leash with halts and turns
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Figure 8 on leash
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Stand for examination (Dog is left in a stand, off-leash 6 feet from the handler. The Judge touches dog’s head, shoulders, and back. Handler returns to heel)
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Heel off-leash
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Recall to the front with dog returning to heel on command
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Sit/Stay get your leash (Dog is left in a sit/stay while handler retrieves the leash from the ring gate.
Open
Admission into this class is at the discretion of the instructor or the training director.
This class is for dogs and handlers ready to learn the exercises necessary to earn a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Your dog must be able to perform the exercises in the Novice class and must be able to work reliably off-leash. The exercises taught are as follows:
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Off-leash heeling with halts and turns
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Off-leash Figure 8
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Command Discriminations (The dog changes position from stand, to down, to sit with the handler various distances away)
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Drop on Recall (While performing a recall exercise, the dog must drop immediately and completely to a down position on command)
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Retrieve on the Flat (The dog retrieves a dumbbell thrown by the handler)
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Retrieve over the High Jump (The dog retrieves the same dumbbell, but must go out over a high jump, pick up the dumbbell, and return over the jump)
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Broad Jump
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Stand/Stay get your leash (The dog is left in a stand/stay while handler retrieves the leash from outside the ring)
Utility
Admission into this class is at the discretion of the instructor or the training director.
This class is for dogs and handlers ready to learn the exercises necessary to earn a Utility Dog (UD) title. This class requires the dog to be able to work away from the handler at a great distance. The dog must be under good verbal control and respond to the handler’s commands. In addition, the dog must have a reliable retrieve. The exercises taught are as follows:
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Signal Exercise (Off-leash heeling with signals to stand, down, sit & recall front & finish)
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Scent Article Discrimination (The dog must retrieve an article last handled by the handler from a group of identical articles).
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Directed Retrieve (Retrieve to a glove)
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Moving Stand for Exam (Dog must stop in motion and remain standing for examination by a judge)
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Directed Jumping (Dog is sent away from handler to a sit then jumps as directed by the handler)
Rally
Preference for admission to this class will be given to club members and previous students. New students will be accepted only if space permits.
This class will introduce you and your dog to AKC Rally, a fun way to start competing. Rally combines traditional obedience exercises while following a course with numbered exercises to be performed. This class will cover an introduction to signs at all levels, proper execution of the signs, and new obedience moves such as pivots and serpentines necessary to compete successfully. Instruction on footwork, leash handling, cueing, attention in the ring, as well as where points are gained and lost are discussed in great detail. Mini-courses are set up and students are critiqued on handling as well as providing instruction on better execution.