All classes are held at

 

NEW CLASS - PAWS UP Pre-Agility Class

This group is all about getting great foundation training in the sport of dog agility.

Most newcomers to the sport just want to see their dog run around the agility ring and don't understand all the work ("play") and effort that is needed to get to the top of the game.

They come into agility because it looks like fun, they want to "do" something with their dog, their dog "can jump really high" and is so agile...... After that phase, they might even think that ...hey, we can really DO this and THEN they want to get a little more competitive.

In the higher classes of agility, the competition is more keen, courses more intricate, and times are faster.  Without proper foundation training, many people have to go back and re-train, when behaviors fall apart. 

I am currently taking time off from competing with my Pembroke Welsh Corgi Barley.  We are having to do the "re-train" thing because we took the short cuts and didn't have the core foundation training. 

I now see the value in core foundation training.  I've attended 2 seminars by Susan Garrett (http://www.clickerdogs.com) and feel that she has the smartest and most comprehensive training plan that I have ever seen.  I've learned volumes, from attending her seminars, reading her books, and watching her DVD's.  I want to share what I have learned with those willing to go the slower, but steadier route to agility success.  I will also suggest to all of my students to buy what I consider one of the best dog training books available - Shaping Success - by Susan Garrett.   This book is aimed at the agility crowd, but needs to be on every dog owners book shelf. 

Things that we will cover are a rock solid "recall" with your dog, a sit or down stay(your dog will "understand their release word"), impulse control, proper jump training, and a dog that is eager to work/"play" with you. When you are ready, you will move on to table work, 2 x 2 weaves, and individual (by dog) contact work. All this needs to be in an area with tons of distractions.

To find out more about this new class, please go to http://agility.meetup.com/82/ .

Class fees are $15 per session or $50 for 4 classes (paid in advance).

 

Puppy Headstart

This is a unique class for puppies from 8 weeks to 18 weeks (4 1/2 months).  The critical socialization period for socialization to other dogs is up to 12 weeks.  If your dog is not socialized with other dogs (not just the dogs that live in your house) by 12 weeks they will be playing catch up. 

This class is specific to this age of dog.  Aside from plenty of off leash play, we play games with the pup like "pass the puppy" and "let's take a trip to the vet", we familiarize them with nail clipping, introduce things with wheels, and start training using only positive reinforcement methods using a clicker.  A clicker is a childs toy that makes a very distinct sound and we use this to convey to the dog when they have done what we "like".  It is proven that they will repeat behaviors that are rewarded and the ones that are not rewarded will extinguish.  You can read more about clicker training at http://www.clickertraining.com .

This class is 6 weeks, one day per week and one hour per session and is currently held on Thursday evenings at 8PM.  At this time, we are waiting for puppies to come to class.  We need a certain number of pups to insure good puppy socialization.  The cost for this class is $95.  You can read more about and join this class if you are interested by going to http://puppy.meetup.com/84/?gj=sj2

Tiny Pups

This is also a unique class - just for small dogs and toy breeds.  Little dogs sometimes feel "not safe" in a regular class with large dogs.  For a toy breed puppy in a regular class with off leash play it can be not safe.  This class is for small breed puppies as well as adult dogs.  You can read more about and join this class if you are interested by going to http://toydog.meetup.com/66/ .

This class is a "drop in" class.  Meaning you can come on any week.  We do have a curriculum and it starts new each 6 weeks.  We do have off leash play as stated above and the dogs truly love to run, play and just burn off excess energy and see their friends each week.  We are holding this class each Thursday evening at 7PM for one hour and the cost is $15 per family per class.

Beginner's/Manners I

This class is for the dog that needs to learn just what to do to "get along" with us humans.  With a well-mannered dog, your life will be so much more relaxed.  Our class will let you in on the little "secret" that you CAN communicate with your dog and you'll see just how much fun that can be.  We will learn all of the "basics" - and we will do that by playing games and just having FUN.  This class is currently being held on Tueday evenings at 7PM.  The cost is $85 for 6 weeks.  We have just started a class on April 1, 2008, but if you're interested in joining us in the next class, please drop me an email and we can get you on the waiting list.