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

Upon completion of Puppy K or Puppy 1, or after the instructor's 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 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 $10 to take this test.

This class is for adolescent pups (over 6 months of age) or adult dogs.  Your dog will learn good pet manners such as Come, Sit, Down, Stay, Walking on Leash, and not to jump up on people.  Class is also great for polishing existing commands.  Tricks are added for fun.

Novice Foundations is open to any dog from 6 months or older who has a workable understanding of the "stay," command, can sit at the handler's left side without difficulty, and understands and responds to the recall command or has successfully completed CGC training.  This class is a prelude to true competitive training for the AKC or UKC Companion Dog Title.  In this class we will focus on attention in heel position, a more general understanding of the "Stay," command, fun, fast recalls, fronts, introduction to jumping, handler footwork, and those first crucial steps of precision heeling.  Information available upon request.

Ring Ready is for those getting ready to go into the ring in novice and beginner novice for AKC and UKC. Includes: run-throughs, rules, judging and ring procedures. Students'  dogs should know basic heeling, stands and stays.

This class teaches your dog those exercises necessary to achieve the first AKC obedience title of Companion Dog (CD).

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? 8 week class starts September 7th at 8:00.
Cost: K-9 Members $40.00/non-members $80.00
Make checks payable to K-9 Obedience Club
Questions/RSVP (904) 260-0071 or email: ruskuski5030@comcast.net
Instructor: Ginny Ruskuski
U-CDX Emma Rose of Mandarin, CDX (“Emma”)
U-CDX My Galatea, CD (“Zack”)
U-CDX Ibeski’s Montana Dog, CDX, RE, NA, NAJ (“Ricky”)

This class teaches and reviews exercises necessary to achieve the AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) obedience title.

This class teaches and reviews exercises necessary to achieve the AKC Utility Dog (UD) obedience title.

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 18 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.