Introductory Obedience Classes

AKC ​S.T.A.R. Puppy
Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsible Ownership
For puppies 9 weeks to 5 months. Topics include sit, stay, down, impulse control (wait), restrained recalls (come), and leash walking. Tips on housetraining, socialization. Problem solving for undesirable behaviors: e.g. jumping up, chewing.
Prerequisites: Puppies must have received two sets of vaccinations, not including rabies. There are no training prerequisites. An evaluation may be required.  
​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

Beginner Novice
If your dog has received the AKC Canine Good Citizen (and perhaps also the AKC CGCA) title, you may have asked “What’s next?” One answer could be the AKC Beginner Novice obedience title. The Beginner Novice class is a great “next step” for CGC dogs since it works on advancing the skills your dog has already learned – Walking nicely on a leash, acting mannerly while being petted, performing a stay and coming when called. And now, ALL dogs, including mixed-breeds, are eligible to compete in AKC Obedience trials through AKC Canine Partners. Beginner Novice is an optional titling Obedience class. All exercises are conducted with the dog on leash with the exception of the recall. The Heel on Leash pattern is established using Rally signs. The exercises are Heel on Leash, Figure Eight, Sit for Exam, Sit Stay and Recall.
Prerequisites: Intermediate or permission of the instructor or Obedience Director ​
Novice
This class will teach the foundation skills for the AKC Novice exercises to obtain a Companion Dog (CD) title. Attention, heeling, sits, and downs, sit/wait with attention, stand for exam, recall games, and stays will be covered. 
Prerequisites: Beginner II 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