Classes held at

Puppy Headstart

This is a unique class for puppies from 8 weeks to 18 weeks (4 1/2 months).  The critical  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. 

Please read a VERY important message about puppy socialization by Dr. Lore Haug - before reading further about puppy class.... http://texasvetbehavior.com/Socialization_in_Puppies.pdf

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 Tuesday evening at 7:15PM.  The cost for this class is $114.  You can read more about and join this class if you are interested by going to http://www.meetup.com/Puppy-Training/

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 the DCTC Calendar at http://www.dogcitytrainingcenter.com .

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 have a new class starting on January 7, 2010!

Competition K-9's

 This is a class that is just in the planning stages.  It will be geared for people that have an understanding of operant conditioning, have used shaping to train new behaviors and want to challenge themselves and their dogs.  This will be a fun class with games, discussion and thoughtful training ideas.  If this sounds interesting to you and you'd like to be put on the waiting list or have questions, please let me know that you'd like to be considered for this group.

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://www.dogcitytrainingcenter.com

The class cost is $18 per class purchased in blocks of 4 or 8.  This is an ongoing class.  The pre-requisite is ORIENTATION and then you can jump right into training.  Orientations are held on Thursday evenings at 8:15pm and on Saturday mornings at 10am.  I also hold daytime classes as well.  If you'd like daytime classes, please call me and I'll let you know when they are being held.