Class Descriptions

These classes are for those who wish to show their dog in the conformation ring.  Students learn more advanced ring techniques, get stacking tips, handling tips, ring protocol for both breed and group rings, and can socialize dogs for the show ring atmosphere. Instructors are experienced show handlers.  This is a drop-in class, pay as you go.

Prerequisite:  Student should be familiar with basic show ring protocol and know how to present their breed of dog.

This class is for puppies three months to no more than 20 weeks old on the first night of class. Puppies learn how to meet and interact with other puppies and people. They also learn a few simple commands and fun tricks. This is a four week class.

Prerequisite: Puppy’s age must fall within class description.

STAR Puppy is an AKC program for getting puppies off to a great start. STAR stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. Pups in this class will learn all the skills necessary to pass the AKC STAR puppy test in addition to many basic obedience skills, basic obedience, fun training games and more. You are required to attend all six classes of this program in order to take the AKC STAR Puppy test.

Prerequisite: Pups over 20 weeks (with a few exceptions) and no more than 12 months of age. Pups should not reach their 1st birthday before the last day of class/testing day in order to take the test.

This class teaches the foundation skills needed for basic manners (sit, down, stand, come, stay, controlled leash walking), impulse control, and handler focus.

Prerequisite: Dog must be at least 6 months of age. 
Limitation: One dog per handler.

Advances foundation skills. Teaches motivational games and tricks. Have fun with your dog while improving communication, behaviors, and attention.

(CGC/Tricks/Games: Classes including any of these suffixes will provide exercises to better prepare your dog for Canine Good Citizen or Trick testing to earn an AKC title)

Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience or approval of instructor.

In this course the team will work to improve attention, consistency in training, develop handling skills to maneuver the dog and define heel position. The focus is on formal obedience; handlers should be interested in showing their dogs in obedience and/or rally. Emphasis is on AKC Beginner Novice Obedience and Novice exercises.

Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience, Rally Novice, CGC title or approval of instructor.

This class will help build basic obedience skills into AKC Competition Novice exercises. Handlers will learn to identify the principal features, correct and accurate performance of all AKC Novice exercises. Teams will have the opportunity to work through modest distractions and proofing.

Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience, Rally Novice, CGC title or approval of instructor. Completion of Advanced Beginner Obedience and/or Competition Obedience Foundations preferred. Handlers are required to download or purchase a copy of current AKC obedience regulations.  

This class will help build basic obedience skills into precision AKC Novice exercises. All the AKC Novice Class exercises will be perfected, working through modest distractions, proofing, and polishing handling skills. Instruction covers low jumps, position changes (in front position), hold and take a dumbbell.

Prerequisite: Same as Novice Obedience. Additionally, students should have knowledge of all AKC Novice exercises. 

This class perfects all elements of AKC novice obedience. Instruction covers beginning jumping, retrieving a dumbbell, target games, position change exercises, and rally maneuvers.

Prerequisite: Same as Novice Obedience. Additionally, students should be able to perform all AKC novice exercises. 

This class continues to proof heeling and develop, jumping, retrieving, and position changes into complete AKC open exercises. Based on goals of the students, foundation skills for directed jumping, go outs, signals, glove marks, and scent articles will be developed.

Prerequisite: Team should be able to perform all AKC novice exercises. Plus have a reliable retrieve and dumbbell hold, as well as experience with the high and broad jumps (at age-appropriate heights).

This class continues to proof AKC Open exercises, perfect performance of scent articles and
continue to develop AKC Utility exercises.

Prerequisite: Team should be able to demonstrate a work-in-progress ability of all the AKC open exercises plus AKC utility scent articles.

This class is for dog/handler teams that are polishing and proofing their utility skills. Handlers often work independently with direction and problem solving from the instructor.

Prerequisite: Dogs should be able to perform all AKC utility exercises or a modified version of the exercises.

Rally focuses on dog/handler teamwork where the team navigates a course of rally signs. Each sign indicates a skill that the team needs to perform. This class will polish foundation skills including sit, down, stand, come, stay and controlled leash walking while practicing station to station sequencing. Turns, pace changes, fronts, finishes and additional novice exercises will be introduced.

Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience or CGC title. Dogs 6 months or older.

Distinguishes between rally heeling and rhythm obedience heeling, defines heel position. Continues to polish rally novice maneuvers, develops skills for performance of advanced signs, introduces foundations for excellent exercises. Strengthens position changes (sit/down/stand), come, fronts, pivots, jumps and finishes. Will include rally rules and regulations course sequencing and full courses experience.

Prerequisite: Completion of Rally Novice class, AKC Rally Novice title, or approval of instructor. It is required to download or purchase a copy of AKC Rally regulations.

This class introduces you and your dog to the basic agility equipment:  jumps, tunnels, and contacts.  It can be taken just for fun or by anyone who wants to start agility competition.  Class is held indoors and/or outdoors, whatever the instructor chooses.  You are required to take this class if your dog hasn’t had exposure to all the agility equipment.  Other classes you have taken where the instructor let your dog play with the tunnels and jumps do not qualify you to skip this class.

Restrictions:  No prong or choke collars allowed in agility classes.

This class will cover the basic foundation skills for beginning agility sports.  Students will be introduced to handling techniques and strategies for building obstacle drive, and will learn various flatwork exercises. 

Prerequisite:  Dogs should be proficient in basic obedience commands (sit, stay, recall) prior to enrolling in this class.

This class is designed for novice dogs in preparation for agility competition.  Most of the class will be spent running novice courses in standard and jumpers.  Novice level FAST will also be introduced.  Dogs should be reasonably proficient on all obstacles!  Discussion will also be given for having a dog measured, filling out entry forms, preferred or regular classes, etc.  Reading course maps, walk-throughs and volunteer jobs at a trial will also be covered.  Each class will allow limited time for individuals to practice independently on the obstacles.

Prerequisite: Intro to Agility or equivalent, or evaluated by the instructor.
Restrictions:  No prong or choke collars allowed in agility classes.

Class will be practicing a combination of handling techniques by using
small area obstacles sequences. May focus on 10 most common techniques.

Prerequisite: Dogs should have obstacle skills. Handler can be a beginner but needs to know: front cross, rear cross and blind cross.

Class will be practicing exercising that create drive/independence. Distractions will be added.

Prerequisite: Dogs should be familiar with skills needed for jumps, teeter, A-fram, dog walk, tunnel, and weaves.

This class offers competing agility dogs (from novice to master’s level) an opportunity to work obstacles, sequences and discriminations on JWW and standard courses on our field.  While no formal lesson plans will be used, all handlers will be expected to assist in course building and designing/suggesting working sequences.  Handlers with more experience will be encouraged to mentor and assist novice level handlers.

Prerequisite:  Must be advanced enough to compete in trials.

This class offers competing agility dogs an opportunity to work obstacles, sequences and discriminations on JWW and standard courses on our field.  While no formal lesson plans will be used, all handlers will be expected to assist in course building and designing/suggesting working sequences.  Handlers with more experience will be encouraged to mentor and assist novice level handlers.

Prerequisite:  Must be advanced enough to compete in trials.

Class Description: This class focuses on breaking down and analyzing advanced agility courses. We will be working on fostering good course walking habits in an effort to create more efficient and more consistent runs at agility trials.

Prerequisite: Must be ready for agility trials.

This class will introduce dogs to the target odor of birch used in the exciting sport of AKC Scent Work. Dog and handler teams will learn important foundation skills such as odor obedience, search drive, and recognizing changes of behavior. 

Prerequisite: Dog must be at least 6 months of age.

This class will introduce the remaining AKC odors, distractions, odor puzzles, handling skills and multi-hide searches. All four search elements (Container, Interior, Exterior and Buried) will be covered.

Prerequisite: Dog must be on birch odor. Completion of Beginner Scent Work or equivalent, or approval of instructor.

This class will focus on complex odor puzzles for teams preparing for the AKC Excellent/Master levels. Teams will work through a variety of odor challenges such as elevated, ground, converging, inaccessible, threshold and transition hides.

Prerequisite: Team must be competing in the AKC Advanced level or higher.