OBEDIENCE TRAINING COURSES SCHEDULE
Puppy/Basic Class/Positively Basic
These basic obedience courses are designed to teach very basic training and dog manners, and prepare dogs and owners for AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification. You will learn how to: sit your dog, heel your dog and down your dog. You will also learn a recall exercise, aka “come” and how to sit or stand for examination. Finally, you will learn how to get your dog to stay in a sit or down position. Note: Specific class depends on the dog’s age. All classes are 8 week sessions, except Positively Basic which is a 6-week class.
Intermediate/Basic II/Beyond Basic/Positively Intermediate
These courses are available to reinforce the basics, and teach new exercises such as the “Figure 8” and “Finish”. Your dog will also begin off leash work on recalls and sits and downs. Time spent in this class varies according to individual readiness to move onto more advanced classes such as Novice obedience, Beginner Freestyle, etc. Prerequisite: Puppy/Basic Obedience. Note: All classes are on-going classes, except for Beyond Basic which is a 6-week class.
Novice
This class prepares you for your first obedience title which is “Companion Dog” or “CD”. In this class, previous training will be reinforced, and you will be prepared for off-lead heeling. You will learn rules pertaining to dog shows, how to show your dog, how dogs are judged and how to prevent handler errors. Prerequisite: Intermediate Class or special permission from instructor
Beginning Open
This class begins preparing you for competing in the Open obedience class. You and your dog will learn the following exercises: retrieve of a dumbbell, retrieve a dumbbell over a high jump, the broad jump, drop on recall, and long sit and long downs with the handler out of sight. All open exercises are done off lead and prepare the handler to compete for the “Companion Dog Excellent” or “CDX” title. Prerequisite: Completion of the Novice class or by special permission from the instructor. Note: These classes are held periodically as the need arises.
Open
This class covers the same reinforcement and exercises as the Beginner Open class, but focuses on drill and polish rather than Beginner level instruction. Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning Open or by special permission from the instructor.
Beginning Utility
This class begins preparing you for competing in the Utility obedience class. You and your dog will learn the following exercises: hand signals (how to heel, stand, down, sit, recall and finish with no voice commands), scent discrimination, directed retrieve, directed jumping, and walking stand for examination. Handlers and dogs will ready themselves for competing in “Utility Dog” or “UD” events in this class. Prerequisite: Completion of Open class or by special permission from the instructor. Note: These classes are held periodically as the need arises.
Utility
This class covers the same reinforcement and exercises as the Beginner Utility class, but focuses on drill and polish rather than Beginner level instruction. Participants will train in a competition setting by running their exercises individual. Prerequisite: Completion of Beginning Utility or by special permission from the instructor.
RALLY TRAINING COURSES SCHEDULE
Intro to Rally
This 6-week course is designed for handlers and their dogs who have taken basic obedience. Students will learn about rally signs—what they mean and how to perform them. After taking this class, handlers and dogs will be ready for Novice Rally. Prerequisite: Basic obedience or special permission from instructor
Rally Novice
This class is geared toward helping handler and dog get ready for Rally competition, and earn their first Rally title, Rally Novice (RN). Rally consists of dog and handler completing a course designed by the judge and consisting of 12-20 stations. Each station has a sign providing instructions as to the next skill to be performed. Dog and handler proceed at their own pace, and not only are allowed, but are encouraged to talk, praise, encourage, clap their hands, pat their legs, or use any verbal means of encouragement. Rally is great fun on its own, or can be used as a stepping stone to standard obedience competition.
Prerequisite: Puppy/Basic obedience.
Rally Advanced
Similar to Rally Novice, this class is more advanced courses and skills for competing to earn the Rally Advanced (RA) and Rally Excellent (RE) titles.
Prerequisite: Rally Novice, or by special permission from the instructor.
CONFORMATION TRAINING COURSES SCHEDULE
Beginning Conformation
This six-week course is designed for the new conformation handler. In this course you will learn how to stack your dog, ring procedures and gaiting patterns, and basic dog show vocabulary. You will also learn information for "outside the ring", such as dog show rules, how to enter your dog, what to wear, and what to do once you get to the show.
Conformation
This on-going class focuses on reinforcing and polishing a handler's dog show skills. It is ideal for the new handler who wants to continue practicing, or the seasoned handler showing a new dog.
FREESTYLE TRAINING COURSES SCHEDULE
Beginning Canine Freestyle
In this eight-week class you will learn the basic moves of freestyle--circles, spins, twists, weaving between legs, backing, etc. You will also learn how to shape your dog's own natural movements for use in a freestyle routine.
Prerequisites: Obedience for Freestyle, or special permission from the instructor.
Intermediate Canine Freestyle
In this on-going class, you will learn more advanced moves, choreography, and how to develop individual routines to music chosen by the student.
Prerequisites: Beginning Canine Freestyle, or special permission from the instructor.
SPECIAL CLASSES SCHEDULE
Heeling Techniques
This course is designed to work on heeling techniques and competition exercise techniques. Students will focus on pace, footwork, and body positioning to achieve better heeling as well as work on maintaining the dog’s focus and position during exercises.
Obedience for Agility
This course introduces the obedience exercises needed for agility dogs, and teaches basic skills useful for the dog prior to beginning an obstacles class. The dog will learn to navigate a wobble board, a narrow plank, the open and closed tunnels, and will be started on low jumps and targeting. The class is taught using positive techniques.
In addition to formal class offerings, private lessons for companion obedience, behavior issues, manners, and competition obedience readiness can be arranged through the center. Contact the center to discuss your needs.
Flyball
Dogz Rule! Flyball Club has practices most Sundays at the building and has periodic beginner classes. Flyball is a relay race for dogs involving a tennis ball retrieve over a series of low jumps. Contact the center for details.
