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 course is for puppies over 6 months of age and adult dogs. (NO dog is too old to learn manners!). Features sit, down, stand, stay, come, polite leash walking, socialization, and confidence building. This class teaches the basic skills you will need for higher-level classes.

Prerequisite: Dog must be at least 6 months of age. 
Limitation: No titled dogs.  One dog per handler.

This course is for dogs over 6 months of age. The class continues to build on basic skills such as sit, down, stand, stay, come, polite leash walking, and socialization while adding more distractions and challenges. Exercises for the Canine Good Citizen test will also be taught and teams may be tested, if desired, at the end of the course.

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

This class is intended for teams that plan to compete in AKC Beginner Novice and Novice obedience.  Foundation work and building focused attention, particularly for heeling, will be introduced and prioritized during the session.

Prerequisite: Beginner obedience, CGC, or similar.

This class will help you build basic obedience skills into precision AKC Novice exercises. All the AKC Novice Class exercises will be introduced: formal on and off leash heeling with pace changes, figure 8, stand for examination, recall, and stays, as well as working with distractions and introduction to hand signals.

Prerequisite: CGC, Beginner Novice, Rally or equivalent. 
Limitation: If your dog has the Novice Title, please do not register for this class.

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: Team should be able to perform all AKC novice exercises. 

Introduction to all Open exercises ( hold the dumbbell )
Continue work on heeling (on/off leash) with proofing.

Prerequisite: Team 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 is for dog/handler teams that are polishing and proofing their open skills. Handlers often work independently with direction and problem solving from the instructor.

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

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

Pre-requisite: 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.

AKC Rally is a dog sport that is a stand-alone fun event for dog and handler, as well as a helpful transition activity into the world of obedience and/or agility competition. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is loads of fun, fast paced and energizing.  The canine/handler team moves at their own pace from station to station, performing a different on-leash exercise at each station. You’ll learn all 33 Novice exercises utilizing heel work, fronts, and finishes, and also perform some rally courses.

Prerequisite:  Beginners, CGC or equivalent.  Your dog must know basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and walk at heel on a loose lead.

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.

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

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.