Training

For puppies from 10-18 weeks old that have had two sets of immunization shots (8 & 10 weeks.)  First class, Orientation, is held without the puppy and is mandatory for all students.  Puppies will be taught basic obedience cues of Come, Sit, Down, Stay, Walk on a Leash, Drop It, Off, Leave It, greeting people, and walking through doorways politely.  We use positive reinforcement methods and games to make training fun for both the owner and the puppy.  Tips and guidance for potty and crate training, plus lots of discussions about many common behavioral issues such as biting, teething, chewing, jumping, barking, socialization, separation anxiety and more.  Tips for training tricks are included and encouraged.

 

Early socialization (starting around 9 weeks of age) is critical for the development of all puppies.  The "socialization window" closes at 16 weeks of age.  Please review the public statement on this subject from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.   http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/images/stories/Position_Statements/puppy%20socialization.pdf

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For puppies from 18 weeks to seven or eight months of age depending on the breed.  Training is the same as Puppy K

STAR Puppy - Upon completion of Puppy K or Puppy 1, or after the instructors evaluation, pups attend this advanced class.  We continue to strengthen the basic obedience cues through the 4 D's:  Duration, Distractions, Distance and Diversity work.  We'll teach the pups Obedience Fronts & Finishes, Tricks and more Games!! 

 

We'll incorporate Life Long Rewards, such as toys and tricks to help wean the pup off food for cues they have learned.  We also teach the pups to "Go to Your Mat or Place" using their crate mat or a rug which helps to teach self-control.  We work on the new 20 AKC S.T.A.R Puppy test requirements, similar to the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) as many students wish to earn this award which indicates the dog has great social manners. Both purebred and mixed breed pups can earn this award.  The STAR test is given the last week of class.   Separate fee of $5 to take this test.

Basic Obedience PLUS!
For adolescent pups (over 6 months of age) or adult dogs. 

 

In this class you teach your dog basic obedience behaviors such as: sit, down, stay, come when called, walking on a loose leash, and not jumping on people. Use positive methods to tap into your dog's intelligence and eagerness to work for rewards (food, toy or social). Learn how dogs learn, and how to motivate them. Your dog benefits as he develops self-confidence as well as confidence in you as a fair, consistent, fun and benevolent leader. You benefit by a deeper and more joyful relationship, based on mutual understanding and respect, with your dog.

 

PLUS! we cover dog body language and behavior. Obedience classes alone have no effect on preventing dog bites. The key is not in "dominating" your dog or teaching it specific commands, but in being able to recognize stress signs and avoid potentially dangerous situations. Dogs tell us loud and clear when they aren't comfortable, but unless we know how to "speak Dog", us humans don't hear them. By learning to hear what your dog is saying, you can keep her, as well as other dogs and people, safe.

 

Length: 6 weeks

Cost: $70; K-9 members $42

Instructors:  Anita Gard & Lisa Mallory
Class Size Limited to 10 dogs

This class is for adolescent pups (over 6 months of age) or adult dogs. 

 

We all know that some basic obedience training makes dogs more fun to be around. What many of us don't know is that it has other, less obvious, benefits. Obedience training helps your dog see you as her leader, and it also gives them a mental workout--something that many canines need just as much as physical exercise to stave off boredom and make them feel useful. And some commands, like a good recall, may even save your dog's life one day.

 

Dogs need to know what is allowed, what is not allowed and what you want them to do. It is crucial for the physical and emotional development of your dog that he has clear boundaries and rules. Don't be afraid to be a good strong leader for your dog. Being strong with him is not about getting physical with him. You can always be firm but kind. To be the leader, doesn't mean forcing him to do what you want. It means control of resources and establishing boundaries. The better your dog understands that you are the lovable person in their life who can give them what they want, the more you will be able to shape their character and the more well behaved they will be. As a firm leader you will be able to rid your dog more quickly of problematic behavior.

 

Basic obedience commands such as: sit, down, stay, come when called, go to place (or more if you want) can make the difference between a dog that’s out of control and a dog that’s a pleasure to live with. Practical applications of sit, down, stay, come when called, wait at the door, no jumping on people and go to place are great dog training commands that set a solid foundation for a peaceful and rewarding relationship with your dog. Come and join our class for a fun and rewarding experience.

Do you have to beg your dog to work with you? Do you find yourself easily frustrated by your dog's exuberance or lack of focus? Do you want to pursue dog sports with your dog or puppy and want to start with some good foundation training? Topics that may be covered in this class include:

• Focused and offered attention
• Impulse control around food and toys
• Crate and ex-pen manners
• Relaxation on a mat
• Turning on and off
• Motivational recalls, with distractions
• Loose leash walking
• Body awareness challenges
• Focus with distractions
• Acceptance of restraint

Other topics may be added depending on the makeup of the class and their particular interest in dog sports. This class is appropriate for dogs of all ages, and handlers with an interest in agility, obedience or rally. It will also help with household manners. Clicker Foundations OR other appropriate marker training experience (decided on an individual basis) is required for admission to this class. This class will be limited to seven dog and handler teams. This class is going to be taught using motivational and positive training techniques and will have eight weekly sessions.

Contact Alanna Lowry 386-6647 for further information or to reserve a spot in this class.

Click on Links to See What Other Students Learned: Class 1 (9/21/10); Class 2 (11/17/10)

World Champion Agility Trainer Susan Garrett Reveals Her Top 10 Foundation Skills for All Dogs. Three of those skills - “It’s Yer Choice”, “Shaping Tricks” and “Targeting” are part of this course!

What:  This 8 week course will focus on –

• “It’s Yer Choice” – Susan Garrett’s fun exercise to teach impulse control.  If your dog is always staring at the treats or toy, this exercise is for you.  Learn how the presence of whatever the dog wants can be a cue for your dog to focus on you. 
• Targeting (variety) – you will learn to teach the dog how to target objects with his nose and feet
• Body awareness and stretching/flexibility applicable to any canine sport or lifestyle
• Fun & useful behaviors such as ring a bell to go outside, “watch me”, and the nail trim board

Who:  This class is for you if you - 

• Are a dog sport competitor – agility, obedience, freestyle, rally, or Schutzhund.
• Have a new puppy or older dog and want to make training easy and fun
• Want to learn how to communicate effectively with your dog
• Want to build confidence in your dog using positive reinforcement
• Want to teach your dog impulse control
• Want to improve your timing and observation skills
• Have never used a clicker
• Have used a clicker for some training but aren’t sure how to adapt it to other behaviors on your own
• Use the clicker but don’t know how to get rid of the treats
• Have a dog who just stares at the treats or toys
• Want to find the joy in training

World Champion Trainers (Susan Garrett & Silvia Trkman) recommend trick training as foundation training skills for all dogs

 

When: First class is an orientation and skills practice without dogs.  Contact Marge Rogers, 287-0030 (H), 707-4750 (C), or e-mail rogersmmr1@aol.com  Class size is limited.  Register today.  Instructor: Marge Rogers www.youtube.com/user/rogersmmr

 

Requirements: Attendance at a minimum of 4 classes is required for a Certificate of Completion. 

 

Cost: $90 for non-members; $54 for K-9 members.

 

→ Dog leaves food alone without being cued    ←

Coming together is beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. –Henry Ford

What: This course uses the principles of The Clicker Foundations course & Leslie McDevitt’s book, “Control Unleashed,” to expand focus and attention in the presence of distractions.  Owners will learn how to help dogs gain confidence & learn to ‘win’ in the presence of distractions/triggers.  Each handler/dog team will work at their own pace & handlers may select individual exercises to work on during the course.   Also included will be extensive use of mats, passive and active attention & for some dogs (as appropriate), introduction to working off-leash.

 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Clicker Foundations with a 75% or better attendance rate (6 out of 8 classes) and instructor approval are required for this course. 

 

Instructor: Please contact Marge Rogers, rogersmmr1@aol.com  or 707-4750 for additional information.

Practical Clicker Skills –  “Catch and Click Success”

This course is designed to provide a balanced mix of discussion, demonstration, training, student participation and just plain fun!

Using knowledge of basic clicker training you’ll teach your dog practical, useful behaviors that will enhance your relationship and make your furry friend a more enjoyable companion to live with. All behaviors will be taught with a clicker and positive reinforcement.

Behaviors taught include:
           

• Loose Leash Walking (LLW) – Learn to improve your timing, delivery of treats, importance of treat placement, and just how enjoyable it can be to walk with your partner at your side.
• Go To Mat – Famed clicker trainer, service dog trainer, and author Sue Ailsbywrites “Picture your dog crated whenever you need a moment without her, no matter where you are, and without having to carry a crate around.”  Enough said.
• Stay – Teach your dog to stay with confidence in the face of distractions, and stay put until asked to do otherwise.
• Coming when called (Recall) – Along with jumping up and pulling on the leash, this may be one of the most requested behaviors trainers are asked to help teach. Teaching a reliable recall could save your dog’s life. We’ll go beyond the basics and condition your dog to happily romp, race or run to you whenever you call.
• Handle with care – We’ll go over basic concepts of teaching your dog to accept       and enjoy having their ears and teeth examined or cleaned. We’ll also begin shaping
  nail trimming without the drama or fear. You’ll be introduced to the concept of
  writing training plans to help ensure clarity and success in your future training. 

Classes include e-mail and video support. Class size is limited to ensure everyone gets ample individual attention.

Requirements: Clicker Foundations or permission of the instructor.  Attendance at a minimum of 5 classes is required for a Certificate of Completion.

Cost: $80.00 for non-members/$48.00 for K-9 members

Contact: Lisa Mallory 641-9089/673- 4320     Lemallory@bellsouth.net
Youtube channel   -  http://www.youtube.com/user/lisarnocn

What we will be working on:  This class is intended for older puppies and younger dogs that have not yet started formal obedience work.  We will be using marker training to establish a foundation for competition obedience.  Topics covered: explaining marker training and how to apply it to your dog, creating focus and engagement with your dog, creating muscle memory for heeling with attention, rear end awareness, fronts and finishes, stationary exercises (sit, down, stand and stay), send-aways, etc.
Because this class is a “foundation” course, food will be used to help mark all of the behaviors we are trying to capture. 

Prerequisite: It is not required your dog have completed a previous course at K9.  However, instructor approval is required to make sure your dog is a good match for this particular class and its curriculum.  Dogs need to able to participate in a class type environment – meaning they need to be able to pay attention to the handler and not be overly preoccupied with everything going on around them.  Due to the method we will be using with the dogs, almost any age of dog can participate, from approx. 6 months and older.  Depending on the class make-up, dogs will be on lead the majority of the class period.  Dogs need to be HUNGRY when coming to class, so they cannot be fed their dinner prior to class time.     

  
Equipment needed: Buckle collar, 3-4’ lead, 6’ lead, flexi lead, lots of small treats

When: 6-week class on Mondays. Start date will be scheduled as soon as the class fills.

Cost: K-9 members $36.00 / non-members $60.00
Make checks payable to K-9 Obedience Club

Reserve your spot: Class size is limited. Contact Shannon Shepherd at (904) 210-4227 or email:

Instructor: Shannon Shepherd

What: A marker-based approach to teaching your dog traditional obedience exercises. Although the emphasis is on Beginner Novice / Novice exercises such as heeling and recalls, we also lay foundations for work higher up the competitive ladder. Many of the skills and foundation exercises are also needed in the Rally ring, particularly with the stricter Rally rules effective in 2012.

 

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Clicker/Marker Foundations course.

Materials needed: Perch, lots of treats, dumbbell or other retrieve object (e.g. wooden spoon).

 

Length: 6 weeks

Cost: $60; K-9 members $36

Instructor:  Anita Gard

 

Class Size Limited to 8 handlers

Rally is a great way to learn how to start competing for the first time or with a new dog.  You can talk to your dog, give praise, encouragement and body cues to perform each sign.  Remember, all dogs including mixed breeds can now compete in AKC dog sports.  Rules, signs and skills (turns, fronts, serpentines, figure 8s) will be taught.  Each week will include practice courses.  Dogs perform on leash in Novice.  Open to dogs that can walk on a loose leash, sit, down and stay.  To learn more about getting started in Rally, and how to register your dog with AKC, go to:  http://www.akc.org/events/rally/getting_started.cfm

 

Still working on completing your Novice Title?  Join us to polish performance.  We will also introduce some Advanced signs and courses.    

Prerequisite: Dog must be able to perform all AKC Novice Obedience Exercises
Equipment needed: First class will include discussion on dumbbell, collar, leash
and flexi choices available and recommendations. Also needed: clicker, treats.
If you and your dog are getting a little bored with Novice training, why not
start some Open training? This class will be geared toward the Novice trainer just learning CDX training techniques. We will be working on jumping, drops, holding the dumbbell (and retrieves for dogs already proficient in holding the dumbbell), broad jumps, out-of-sight stays, and as always, polishing our heeling.

 

Why not join us? 6 week course
Cost: K-9 Members $36.00/non-members $60.00
Instructor: Diane Cohen

What we will be working on: This course introduces dogs to the Utility exercises, including signals, scent discrimination, moving stand, directed retrieve, go-outs and directed jumping.  There will be very limited heeling work in this class. This class is intended for greener dogs who do not already know Utility or those that need to be retrained in certain exercises.
Prerequisite: Dog must be reliable off-lead around other dogs and distractions.  They must also have basic retrieve skills (i.e. dumbbell).   It will be helpful if your dog has already been taught a forced retrieve or some other form of correction for a failure to retrieve.  It is not required that your dog have a CDX title.
Equipment needed: Utility articles (6 metal, 6 leather), can of cheese (for scent discrimination training), 3 white gloves for directed retrieve exercise, flexi lead, and lots and lots of treats!  If you have any questions regarding the equipment needed, please let me know ASAP.  If you need to order articles, these take a couple of weeks to get, depending on where you order them.
When: 8 week class starts on Monday, January 10, 2011 at 6:30pm
Cost: K-9 members $48.00 / non-members $80.00
Make checks payable to K-9 Obedience Club
Reserve your spot: Class size is limited. Contact Shannon Shepherd at (904) 210-4227 or email: shannonshepherd@me.com

Instructor: Shannon Shepherd

What we will be working on: This course will test and strengthen your dog's understanding of the skills needed for the AKC Open and Utility obedience ring.  We will be working on heeling, retrieves, jumping, signals, moving stand, etc. This class is intended for dogs and handlers who already know the exercises, but need to polish their skills for the ring. 

Prerequisite: Dog must be reliable off-lead around other dogs and distractions.  They must also have basic retrieve skills (i.e. dumbbell).   We will not be teaching the actual retrieve or dumbbell hold in this class.  It is not required that your dog have a CDX title, but a CD is preferred.

Equipment needed: Dumbbell, directed retrieve gloves, flexi lead, pull tab, (scent articles may be included, but we will not be covering how to teach articles) and lots of treats or a toy (no tennis balls please).

When: 8 week class starts on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 6:30pm

Cost: K-9 members $48.00 / non-members $80.00

Make checks payable to K-9 Obedience Club

Reserve your spot: Class size is limited.
Contact Shannon Shepherd at (904) 210-4227 or email: shannonshepherd@me.com

Instructor: Shannon Shepherd

Please Note:  RESERVATIONS REQUIRED for this course.  Please contact the instructor ( 731-2308)

 

This course teaches the foundation and principles behind pet therapy work. Course is 6 weeks long with field trips to facilities included. Dogs must be at least 12 months of age for enrollment. Dogs must already have great obedience commands, be well socialized and capable of handling stress calmly. The average expected commitment in pet therapy work is one to two visits per month. AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award is highly recommended, but not required for this course. Please review the Beginners/CGC class description as well as the CGC Test requirements.

Beginners class includes an introduction to agility equipment for all ages of dogs.

Advanced class is designed for those dogs who have had more training and who are getting ready to compete.

There is a certain unmistakable oneness that forms between two dancers as they move together on the dance floor.  That oneness is inspiring to watch and even more inspiring to witness with your trained canine partner.  Canine freestyle marries the exceptional training that we put into our dogs with music and creativity.  Come join us to learn how to take what you and your dog can already do and discover how to choreograph a routine to highlight your special dog.  Beginners are always welcome though we do ask that your dog has basic obedience skills like those mastered in novice rally.  For more information contact: Elaine Smith-Nabors at itchingtoogo@yahoo.com or 904-562-9412