More Sports & Fun

Sports Prep

Are you interested in pursuing a dog sport such as agility, disc dog, rally, competition obedience, or nose work / scent work? This class will prepare you for the teamwork involved and will cover: shaping, working off leash, building teamwork, preparing for the ring, controlling those impulses, and other topics. The primary focus will be to have your team working in an off-leash environment.

Prerequisite: Basic Canine manners or the equivalent.

Fun, Focus and Fundamentals

This class is geared towards the dog and handler teams who have taken basic manners class and are interested in strengthening their foundation in a fun-filled atmosphere, Our goal is to deepen connection and communication skills in the handler/dog partnership, through a series of enjoyable learning games. Teams will address impulse control, stay skills, quick response, loose leash walking and recalls.

Prerequisite: Basic Canine manners or the equivalent.

AKC Fit Dog Skills

Prerequisite: Basic Canine manners or the equivalent.

Control Unleashed!

Prerequisites: This class is not for aggressive dogs. Dogs need to be comfortable being crated. Instructor approval is required and preference will be given to people who have taken Control Unleashed in the past + preference to current agility and former Control Unleashed students. This class is geared toward sport dogs. Dogs must have a familiarity with basic manners training.

For performance dogs-in-training only. This class follows the curriculum based upon Leslie McDevitt’s book and program, Control Unleashed! Do you have all the basics down with your future performance dog, and need the "next step" to get them ready for the excitement of agility and flyball class? Then this class is for you. This class is appropriate for dogs who have mastered basic obedience behaviors such as "stay" and loose lead walking and are non-aggressive around other dogs. It is designed to give your dog the experience of being loose around other dogs while remaining in "work mode" not "play mode." It is designed to desensitize dogs to other dogs moving quickly or tugging nearby. The foundation theme of this class is Connection; we will be exploring various ways for you to feel connected with your dog and remain the center of your dog's focus around an increasing level of distractions, and help you take that next step towards becoming a working team.

Canine Freestyle

Tricks

How Tricky is your dog? Tricks gives your dog the opportunity to learn dozens of fun and sometimes practical tricks. Why? Why not! Tricks are fun, engage your dog’s mind, and strengthen your relationship with your dog. In Tricks you will learn how to teach a number of tricks, as well as acquire the skills to figure out how to shape desired behaviors. Those interested in earning a Trick Dog Performance Title will have the opportunity to work on the title throughout the session.

Rally Skills

This class is geared towards anyone with zero or some experience with Rally; it will teach the skills needed to perform the Rally signs while offering a chance to start and/or perfect with more coursework. Students who have prior Rally experience are also invited to this class; it will teach the Novice and Intermediate/Advanced level, tailoring it to each student in the class. The small-size of this class will allow the instructor to tailor the class to the skill level of the students.
 

Advanced Rally Skills

Competition Obedience – the Novice Level

Prerequisite: Advanced Canine Manners or Sports Prep Class or the equivalent of either class.

Disc Dog

Parkour

Mind Games

Do As I Do - Teaching Through Imitation

We tap into all those mirror neurons that help us learn through observation by teaching your dog to watch you while you demonstrate a behavior and then copy you when you ask them to. It is great fun for all, including you, since you are an active part of the process.

Your dog needs to know at least 6 behaviors fluently that don't involve you. So hand touches and leg weaves don't work for this because you can't touch your own hand or weave through your own legs. Some should involve a prop (toy or obstacle) and some should just be doing something with their own body. SIT, DOWN, STAND, SPIN, JUMP, BACK UP, PICK SOMETHING UP, GO AROUND SOMETHING, BOW, SIT PRETTY, etc all work.

Therapy Dog Prep

For information about Alliance of Therapy Dogs visit: Join Alliance of Therapy Dogs - Alliance of Therapy Dogs Inc.

Prerequisites: Advanced Canine Manners or the equivalent. Having taken the AKC Citizen Good Citizenship is helpful but not a requirement.

Conformation Handling

The goal of our ongoing Show Handling Class is to help you and your dog become a skilled, confident and happy team, ready to make a polished presentation to Conformation judges. Dog/handler teams practice either floor or table stacking for judges’ examination. Various gaiting patterns are executed so that you and your dog can move fluidly in whatever pattern you encounter. In addition, dogs get lots of experience being touched, existing comfortably with different breeds, and developing a relaxed and positive attitude. Individual guidance is offered in breed specific presentation as well as presenting your dog’s best assets to a judge, while downplaying minor imperfections. Class often includes grooming advice as well as trouble-shooting for dogs who have encountered show ring hiccups. We emphasize a positive experience for the dog/handler team.

Register for the whole session or pay per class. Per class rate is $35 for members, $40 for non-members.

Please email Winnie for more information or if you plan to drop in.