Introductory Obedience Classes

AKC ​S.T.A.R. Puppy
Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsible Ownership
For puppies 9 weeks to 5 months. If you have a puppy and want to make sure you are starting off on the right foot to get a well-mannered dog look no further than this S.T.A.R. Puppy class! This course will work on all the basic behaviors your puppy will need to live as a polite member of society, such as walking politely on a leash, sitting and laying down on command, and being handled by you, as well as others, impulse control (wait), and restrained recalls (come), tips on house-training, socialization, problem solving for undesirable behaviors.
 
If you ever thought about making your dog a therapy dog this is a great place to start! The first few months are when we set them up for who they will be for the rest of their life. Let’s get them off on the right foot! At the end of this class, we will test your dog for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification. So not only will your puppy learn some great skills, but they will also be eligible to test for certification, all before they are a year old!
Prerequisites: Puppies must have received at least one set of vaccinations, not including rabies. Kennel Cough and Flu vaccines are recommended. There are no training prerequisites. An evaluation may be required. Puppies must be at least eight weeks old at the start of class, and less than a year old to be eligible to test for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification.
​Beginner
​Basic Training for Adult Dogs
For all dogs over 5 months of age. Topics covered include sit, stay, down, impulse control (wait), restrained recalls (come), and leash walking. For those dogs and handlers starting at the Beginner level, these skills are introduced. For dogs and handlers who have completed the Puppy class, these foundational skills are reinforced and strengthened. Problem solving for undesirable behaviors: e.g. jumping up, pulling on leash, and chewing and attention to developmental stages during adolescence. 
Prerequisites: Adult dogs must be vaccinated. There are no training prerequisites. An evaluation may be required.  
Intermediate 
​Canine Good Citizenship Preparation
Continuation of Beginner I: including further development of sit, down, stay, impulse control (wait), restrained recalls (come), and leash walking. Skill necessary to obtain the AKC Canine Good Citizen title will be introduced and practiced.
Prerequisites: Beginner I or permission of the instructor or Obedience Director

Competition Obedience and Rally Classes

Teaching Novice
Teaching Novice is a foundation class that teaches competition heelwork and other behaviors related to AKC Competition Obedience. Focused Attention (stationary and moving), hind end awareness, stays/impulse control, and engagement games will be covered. The focus of this class is to teach more advanced skills while at the same time growing the dog's enthusiasm for the game and building a solid relationship with the handler. Any dog can benefit from these skills, whether they intend to compete or not. These skills also have great cross-over to other sports, including agility. Dogs signing up for this class should already know the basics: Sit, Down, Stay, and Come. We will continue to build fluency in these basics. 
PLEASE NOTE:  In order to give everyone the best chance of success we cannot accept dogs with reactivity and/or aggression issues in this class.
Prerequisites: Intermediate or permission of the instructor or Obedience Director ​
Novice
Novice is a competition obedience class. This class is for teams that are preparing to compete in Beginner Novice and Novice classes at obedience trials. Rules and ring procedure will be covered. The formal exercises will be perfected and proofed. Run-thrus will be conducted as time permits.
Prerequisites: Teaching Novice or permission of the instructor or Obedience Director ​
Open
This class teaches the foundation skills for the AKC Open exercises to obtain a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Major focus is teaching the dog the dumbbell skills of take, hold, and carry. Off leash heeling will be covered as well as retrieving, broad jump, and drop on recall. 
Prerequisites: AKC Novice Title (CD) or Permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Utility
This class teaches the foundation skills for the AKC Utility exercises to obtain a Utility Dog Excellent (UD) title. We will cover hand signals, scent discrimination, and directed jumping. 
Prerequisites: Dogs should know all of the AKC Open exercises. Permission of instructor or Obedience Director.
Rally Novice and Advanced
This class will teach the signs needed for the AKC Rally Novice (RN) and Rally Advanced (RA) title. Rules, regulations, and handling tips will be covered. All novice signs will be introduced and put into short courses to run. 
Prerequisites: Beginner II or permission of the instructor or Obedience Director 
​Rally Excellent and Masters
This class will teach the signs needed for the AKC Excellent (RE) and AKC Master (RM) title. Rules, regulations, and handling tips will be covered. All Excellent and Master signs will be introduced and put into short courses to run.  
Prerequisites: AKC Advanced Title (RA) or Permission of instructor or Obedience Director.

Specialty Classes

​​​Advanced Family Dog
In this class, dogs will practice and proof skills learned in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Beginner, and Intermediate classes in real world settings. The goal is to have a well-behaved dog in many places, not just in class. You will also practice the skills needed to pass AKC Community Canine and Urban Canine evaluations.
Prerequisites:  Permission from instructor.
CGC and Trick Dog
This class will teach the skills needed to earn AKC Trick Dog and CGC titles. You will learn training methods such as luring, capturing, and shaping, to teach your dog tricks. These foundations lead to more complex tricks (e.g. bow, back up, playing the piano). Not all teams need be working at the same level. 
Prerequisites: Beginner II or permission from instructor
Intro to Animal Therapy/CGC
Always wanted your dog to become a therapy dog, but never knew how to go about it? This class is your first a two-step process in learning how you and your dog can become an AIR Dog, or a certified Attitudes In Reverse therapy dog. Learn the legal classifications of support animals; i.e., Emotional Support Animal, Therapy Dog, and Working Service Dog. We will discuss the benefits of therapy dogs, how to get started, and where they can expect to visit once they are certified. You can read more about the differences between the types here: Therapy dogs vs Support Dogs. There will be an introduction of the skills your dog will need when they do their therapy work and to earn their CGC, such as greeting people politely, coming when called, and reacting calmly to distractions. You will also receive tips for how to get involved in therapy work and make the most of your future therapy dog visits. Not all dogs are suited to therapy work, however. At the end of this course, your dog is eligible to take the AKC CGC test, as long as they are at least a year old by the date of testing.
Prerequisites: Beginner and Intermediate classes
Therapy Dog Evaluation Prep Class
This class is designed for dogs that have a handle on their basic obedience and manners. The Prep Class will involve more in-depth work with medical equipment, polite greetings with people on crutches, walkers, and/or canes. Learn the proper way for YOUR dog to “visit” with someone in a wheelchair or aided by other medical equipment. Focus on “professional” walking. Your dog must be as professional as you when going into public facilities. You and your dog will be “partnered” with a certified test dog to prepare for visits with other dogs.
Prerequisites:  Dogs must be at least 1 year of age and MUST have completed Intro to Animal Therapy/CGC Class. No exceptions.