General Information/Location

Dogs four months and older

ABSOLUTELY NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS!!  

Build solid basics with your dog 4 months and older in our Basic Obedience class with Debbie 

🐾 This class focuses on everyday skills—sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking, and a solid recall—to strengthen communication between you and your dog.

Course description:  

This could change based on the needs of the students. Debbie would like to meet the needs of each dog as much as possible. 

The first class will be an introduction and and evaluation of student needs

Specific items to be covered include : 

🐾  Loose leash walking

🐾 Sit and down

🐾  Stay

🐾  Reliable recall starting with name recognition.
🐾 Puppy or dog manners when being examined by vet or groomer

🐾  Checking ears, teeth, feet, etc

Please bring the following to the first class:

1. Application and proof of rabies.

2. Lots of treats, poop bags, water bowl and water, flat collar or properly fitting martingale and 6 foot leash.

ABSOLUTELY NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS!!  

Dogs should have some knowledge of basic obedience - sit, down, come, leash walking

 Canine Good Citizen Class

During the 4 week class you and your dog will learn how to perform the ten behaviors required to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. 

The required behaviors are as follows:

1.  Accepting a friendly stranger. The evaluator will approach you and your dog, shake your hand. 

2.  Sitting politely for petting. The evaluator will pet your dog. The dog should be accepting and not show shyness or resentment.

3.  Appearance and grooming. The evaluator will inspect your dog, lightly brush, examine both ears and both front feet.

4.  Out for a walk. You take your dog for a short walk which includes right turn left turn, about turn and stop. 

5.  Walking through a crowd. You will walk your dog close to several people. Your dog can show interest but may not jump up. 

6.  Sit and down on command-stay in place. You show your dog can do a sit and a down, select one of those positions, leave your dog and go to the end of a 20 foot line. You will return to your dog.

7.  Coming when called. Your dog will do a sit or down stays, you will walk 10 feet away then call your dog to you.

8.  Reaction to another dog. You and your dog approach another handler and their dog. The handlers will shake hands, exchange pleasantries and move on. Dogs can show casual interest.

9.  Reaction to distractions. Dogs are presented with a variety of distractions and cannot panic or show aggression. 

10. Supervised separation. The handler leaves the dog with the evaluator and goes out of sight for 3 minutes.

If there is interest, and time allows, we can work on an additional 5 behaviors that would qualify for a Novice Trick Dog Title (TKN). The TKN can be earned in conjunction with the CGC. 

Puppies 12 weeks to 10 months. 

ABSOLUTELY NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS!!  

REQUIREMENTS

Age-appropriate vaccinations will be required. A current health exam by a veterinarian with confirmation that the puppy is healthy enough to participate is also required. You must have owned the puppy for at least two weeks.

Please bring the following to the first class:

1. Application, vet clearance and proof of rabies, if appropriate.

2. A chair, lots of treats and/or toys, poop bags, collar/harness, and leash to each session. 

3. Your puppy.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program focuses on all the things every puppy and owner need to have a great start together. STAR stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner and in six weeks of STAR puppy classes, puppies and dogs learn the following behaviors and skills:

Owner behaviors:

1. Maintains puppy’s health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)

2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator

5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy

6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for puppy-collar tag, etc.

Puppy behaviors:

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class

8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice

10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

Pre-canine Good Citizen® Test Behaviors:

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner

13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)

14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)

15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

The skills in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes are practical and functional. Teaching puppies to tolerate grooming, handling, and basic exams of the ears, feet, and mouth will result in well-mannered puppies that veterinarians are happy to see.

ABSOLUTELY NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS!!  

Dogs must have successfully completed CGC testing

Things to bring:  

Flat collar, martingale, or properly-fitted y-shaped harness, six foot leash, treats, poop bags, water and bowl, brush

 AKC Community Canine (CGCA) Class

During the 4 week class you and your dog will learn how to perform the ten behaviors required to pass the AKC Community Canine (CGCA) test. 

The required behaviors are as follows:

1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner sits at the registration   table and fills out paperwork or, if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)
2. Dog walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.

3. Dog walks on loose leash through a crowd:
4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.
5. Sit-stay in small group (two other people with dogs, total of 3 people, 3 dogs in group).
6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
“May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)
7.  “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”

8.  Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
Owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.
9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called).
10. Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.