More Sports & Fun

We welcome new students! Please be sure to review our Class Info and Policies. Thank you!

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.

Class Session Start - End Location
Sports Prep - Thursday 10:00am - Diane Battis January 9, 2025 - February 13, 2025 Area C1 Register
Sports Prep - Tuesday 8:15pm - Diane Battis January 7, 2025 - February 11, 2025 Area C2 Register
Sports Prep - Thursday 10:00am - Diane Battis November 21, 2024 - December 19, 2024 Area C1 Class Full
Sports Prep - Tuesday 8:15pm - Diane Battis November 26, 2024 - December 17, 2024 Area C2 Class Full

AKC Fit Dog Skills

During this fun fitness class for healthy dogs , you and your canine partner will learn how to safely do gentle conditioning stretches and perform basic moves that strengthen core and limb musculature and promote body awareness. Teams can work towards an AKC Level 1 Fit Dog certificate.

Prerequisite: Basic Canine manners or the equivalent.

Class Session Start - End Location
AKC Fit Dog Skills - Wednesday 3:00pm - Winnie Radolan January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area C1 Register
AKC Fit Dog Skills - Wednesday 3:00pm - Winnie Radolan November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area C1 Class Full

Canine Freestyle

Ready to dance with your dog, or give it a try? This class is for dog and handler teams interested in the sport of Canine Freestyle. In addition to moves, content will address choreography, music selection, costumes, style and putting it all together. No experience required.
The Advanced Freestyle class welcomes all levels, with instructor approval. Contact Sally Silverman.
 
Class Session Start - End Location
Advanced Freestyle - Tuesday 11:30am - Sally Silverman January 7, 2025 - February 11, 2025 Area C1 Register
Freestyle - Monday 7:15pm - Sally Silverman January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area B Register
Advanced Freestyle - Tuesday 11:30am - Sally Silverman November 12, 2024 - December 24, 2024 Area C1 Class Full
Freestyle - Monday 7:30pm - Sally Silverman November 11, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area B Class Full

Tricks 101

How Tricky is your dog? Tricks 101 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 101 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.

Class Session Start - End Location
Tricks - Monday 6:00pm - Sally Silverman January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area B Register
Tricks - Monday 6:15pm - Sally Silverman November 11, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area B Class Full

Duration Hold/Retrieve (Virtual)

Want a strong, motivated retrieve of the dumbbell and a good foundation for utility exercises? Do you want a dog who enjoys playing tug & fetch, where they actually bring the toy back to you and release it? Do you want to be able to teach your dog intermediate, advanced, & even elite tricks that involve your dog holding something in their mouth? Join me as I teach you how to create a firm hold, the end skill in the complex retrieve chain. Our basic goal is a dog who thinks that the holding skill is the best part of the whole thing, and hurries to get there when we ask for a retrieve.

Dogs are expected to be strongly motivated by either food or to have the basic toy skills (bringing back to drop or tug, and dropping toy on ground as well as shaping within the toy game concepts) if the handler wants to use toy skills as a reinforcement.

We will spend some time on refining both food and toy reinforcements, figuring out what is the most exciting for teaching this hard behavior.

Other skills we will practice:

  • chin rest
  • fronts-or almost a front, sit on or off a platform.
  • Nose Target

Teaching Approach:
Lecture and real time practice sessions. Written homework will be sent after each class.

You will need:

  • A laptop, computer that can be manipulated, or ipad to join via zoom video
  • A small quiet area for working, away from other household pets

Recommended for dogs who have taken at least Basic Canine Manners

Class Session Start - End Location
Duration Hold/Retrieve (Virtual) - Wednesday 6:00pm - Liz Maslow November 6, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area C1 Class Full

Rally Skills

Looking to continue building a lasting relationship with your dog while preparing for competition, just having fun, or building a bond before you try a more intense sport such as Agility or Flyball? This course may be just right for you. It’s also perfect for those retired or “sport” dogs who still want to be active.

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.
 

Class Session Start - End Location
Rally Fun! - Tuesday 10:15am - Tina Fitzpatrick January 7, 2025 - February 11, 2025 Area C1 Register
Novice Rally Skills - Tuesday 9:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick January 7, 2025 - February 11, 2025 Area C1 Register
Rally Fun! - Thursday 7:30pm - Tina Fitzpatrick January 2, 2025 - February 13, 2025 Area C1 Register
Novice Rally Skills - Thursday 9:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick January 2, 2025 - February 13, 2025 Area B Register
Rally Fun! - Thursday 7:30pm - Tina Fitzpatrick November 14, 2024 - December 19, 2024 Area C1 Class Full
Novice Rally Skills - Thursday 9:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick November 14, 2024 - December 19, 2024 Area B Class Full
Rally Fun! - Tuesday 10:15am - Tina Fitzpatrick November 12, 2024 - December 17, 2024 Area C1 Class Full
Novice Rally Skills - Tuesday 9:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick November 19, 2024 - December 17, 2024 Area C1 Class Full

Advanced Rally Skills

Advanced Rally Skills is offered to those students with a knowledge of Rally and who has worked with their dog in another Rally environment and is familiar with all of the Novice signs and has been at least introduced to the Advanced signs. This class is geared to those students who wish to hone their advanced skills while learning the Rally signs for the Excellent and even Master levels. Heeling techniques will also be covered in this course. The small-size of this class will allow the instructor to tailor the class to the skill level of the students. Off-lead skills will be emphasized.
 
Class Session Start - End Location
Advanced Rally Skills - Monday 12:15pm - Tina Fitzpatrick January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area C1 Register
Excellent Rally Skills - Monday 11:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area C1 Register
Advanced Rally Skills - Monday 12:15pm - Tina Fitzpatrick November 18, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area C1 Class Full
Excellent Rally Skills - Monday 11:00am - Tina Fitzpatrick November 18, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area C1 Class Full

Competition Obedience – the Novice Level

Using a positive training approach, this class will focus on competition obedience, the novice level for AKC and CDSP Obedience. The class incorporates a lot of game training techniques, making the experience fun for both the dog and handler! Aspects of the other obedience levels will be introduced including retrieving and directed targeting.

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

Class Session Start - End Location
Competitive Obedience - The Novice Level - Thursday 11:15am - Diane Battis January 9, 2025 - February 13, 2025 Area C1 Register
Competitive Obedience - The Novice Level - Thursday 11:15am - Diane Battis November 21, 2024 - December 19, 2024 Area C1 Class Full

Disc Dog

Learn the art of chase, catch, retrieve, how to throw catchable passes, and tricky throws!
 
Class Session Start - End Location
Disc Dog - Wednesday 7:15pm - Janie Harris January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area B Register
Disc Dog - Wednesday 6:00pm - Janie Harris January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area B Register
Disc Dog - Wednesday 7:15pm - Janie Harris November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area B Class Full
Disc Dog - Wednesday 6:00pm - Janie Harris November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area B Class Full

Parkour

Parkour is urban agility for our canine partners. Dogs are introduced to the activities of jumping, balance, going under and around things and stretches the imagination to use everyday objects in different ways. Parkour can provide an outlet for busy dogs and build confidence for those in need. Your walks will never be the same again and you'll view the world as your obstacle.
 
Class Session Start - End Location
Advanced Parkour - Friday 7:15pm - CJ Hazell January 10, 2025 - February 14, 2025 Area B Register
Parkour - Friday 6:00pm - CJ Hazell January 10, 2025 - February 14, 2025 Area B Register
Advanced Parkour - Wednesday 12:45pm - CJ Hazell January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area B Register
Parkour - Wednesday 11:30am - CJ Hazell January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area B Register
Parkour - Wednesday 10:15am - CJ Hazell January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area B Register
Advanced Parkour - Wednesday 12:45pm - CJ Hazell November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area B Class Full
Parkour - Wednesday 11:30am - CJ Hazell November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area B Class Full
Parkour - Wednesday 10:15am - CJ Hazell November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area B Class Full
Advanced Parkour - Friday 7:15pm - CJ Hazell November 15, 2024 - December 27, 2024 Area B Class Full
Parkour - Friday 6:00pm - CJ Hazell November 15, 2024 - December 27, 2024 Area B Class Full

Mind Games

Learn games that exercise your dog’s mind. We all know that dogs need physical exercise but they also benefit from mental exercise. This class is for dogs that are always looking for something to do. It’s a great way to tire your dog out when you are tired or don't have much time because your dog gets to do most of the work. This class will include shaping games, creativity games, concept cues games, learning how to do behaviors at the same time (DOWN + COME= CRAWL), and finding games, which are great for when you’ve lost your keys again.

Class Session Start - End Location
Mind Games - Monday 4:45pm - CJ Hazell January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area B Register
Mind Games - Monday 3:30pm - CJ Hazell January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area B Register
Mind Games - Monday 4:45pm - CJ Hazell November 11, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area B Class Full
Mind Games - Monday 3:30pm - CJ Hazell November 11, 2024 - December 23, 2024 Area B Class Full

Therapy Dog Prep

Having a therapy dog can be very rewarding for both the handler and the dog while spreading some joy and happiness. This class is for anyone who wants to pursue therapy volunteering with their dog. It will follow the requirements of Alliance of Therapy Dogs, taking the students through all aspects of the test, reviewing the procedures to become an Alliance member and offering practical insight into the world of being a therapy team. The Therapy Dog Prep class is split into two parts: “A” and “B”. This allows more practice and to fully prepare the teams for the therapy test and a lifelong success of being a therapy dog team. You do not need to take them in order. It is not required that any participant take the Alliance of Therapy Dogs test. The generalities of this test should prepare the team for other therapy dog organizations testing procedures.

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.

Class Session Start - End Location
Therapy Dog Prep Part A - Tuesday 7:00pm - Diane Battis January 7, 2025 - February 11, 2025 Area C2 Register
Therapy Dog Prep Part B - Tuesday 7:00pm - Diane Battis November 26, 2024 - December 17, 2024 Area C2 Class Full

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 $27.50 for members, $36 for non-members.

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

Class Session Start - End Location
Conformation Handling - Wednesday 7:45pm - Pat Foley & Winnie Radolan January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 Area C1 Register
Conformation Handling - Monday 11:30am - Pat Foley & Winnie Radolan January 6, 2025 - February 10, 2025 Area B Register
Conformation Handling - Wednesday 7:45pm - Pat Foley & Winnie Radolan November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 Area C1 Register
Conformation Handling - Monday 11:30am - Pat Foley & Winnie Radolan November 11, 2024 - December 16, 2024 Area B Register