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 will help you and your canine partner improve basic focus and develop a great working relationship by playing a variety of games. The games are intended to increase your dog’s enthusiasm for work and decrease reactions to distractions by building value for engaging with you. The course is designed for puppies and young performance dogs from all venues (agility, obedience, rally, etc.) Exercises will include games related to shaping, targeting, tricks, body awareness, and recalls.

Pre-requisite: Your puppy or dog should have some basic obedience training (sit, down, come, walk on leash, etc.). 16 weeks and older.

Sorry, but we cannot accommodate reactive dogs.

The dog/handler team learn fun fitness behaviors for healthy dogs. Will include stretching, cardio, muscle strengthening exercises, plus more. At the end of the course, a test to earn a certificate will be offered for an additional charge ($15.00). This certificate will provide points towards achieving an AKC Fit Dog title.

Prerequisite: Dogs older than 18mon preferred, but we can modify exercises, give plenty of breaks, and reduce repetitions for younger puppies. Dogs NOT appropriate for a conditioning program: dogs recovering from injuries, morbidly obese, dogs in pain.  No prior training is required. Testing is available at the end of the 6 weeks to earn your Fit Dog Level 1 certificate.

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.

See Beginner Obedience description. Dogs love to play games! Class will include leash walking/heeling games, as well as games to play with your dog for other commands. The more fun you have, the better trained and willing your dog will be.

See Beginner Obedience description. Also, some fun tricks will be introduced. Dogs can be tested for the AKC Novice Trick Dog Title (TKN). Dogs will need to perform 10 tricks from AKC list or 5 if dog has CGC.

This class is intended for teams that plan to compete in AKC Novice obedience. Emphasis is on attention, heel position, consistency in training, working through mild distractions, and smooth handling skills.

Prerequisite: Beginner obedience, CGC, or similar.

This class is intended for teams of any level, Beginner Novice through Utility, who plan to compete in AKC obedience.  The focus of this class will be to develop more awareness of clear communication skills with your dog via cues and body language and to realize how your dog interprets what youi think you are communicating.

Pre-requisite: Beginner Obedience, CGC or equivalent.

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. 

Exercises for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test will be taught and teams may be tested, if desired, at the end of the session.  Fun tricks will be introduced and dogs can be tested for the AKC Trick Dog Novice Title. 

Exercises for the CGCU will be reviewed and tested in an Urban setting (see
AKC website for list of exercises).

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 will help you build basic obedience skills into precision AKC Novice exercises. All the AKC Novice Class exercises will be practiced and perfected. Working through modest distractions, and polishing handling skills. Intro to low jumps, position changes in front position, and hold a dumbbell may be included.

Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience or equivalent. 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: Team should be able to perform all AKC novice exercises. 

Dogs have been introduced to all Open exercises.
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.

Class will introduce utility exercises and demonstrate how to start training articles and gloves. 

Prerequisite: Dogs must be proficient in Novice exercises and know how to jump

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.

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.

Pre-requisite: Competition 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.

Continues to polish Advanced maneuvers, develops skills for superior performance of Excellent signs. May include some rally master moves. Focus on consistency in training and smooth handling skills. Will include rally rules and regulations course sequencing.

Prerequisite: AKC rally Advanced title, or approval of instructor. Handler must be familiar with all rally Excellent signs.

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.

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

Pre-requisite: 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.

Pre-requisites: Must be ready for agility trials.

Class description: 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. 

Pre-requisite: Dog must be at least 6 months of age.

This class will continue developing odor obedience while working container and interior searches. Dogs will be introduced to the remaining AKC odors. 

Pre–requisite: Dog must have completed of Scent Work Foundations 1

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 Scent Work Foundations 2 or equivalent, or approval of instructor.

Met rat successfully, have tunneled and climbed. Passed “intro to BH “ successfully or are trialing in novice class currently. 

Dog and handler have titled in Novice. Dog and handler will work on harder finds, longer tunnels and additional rats.