ALL TRAINING CLASSES ARE OPEN TO BOTH MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS
FOR UPCOMING CLASS TIMES AND DATES, CLICK HERE
Basic Manners: Puppy (dogs 6 months old and younger)
This is a puppy only class designed to help teach your new puppy basic manners and skills. Your puppy will learn what sit, down and stand mean and how to walk nicely on a leash. We will also teach attention exercises, touch, wait, leave it and coming when called. You will learn how your voice and body language can affect your puppy and the importance of getting your puppy used to being touched and handled. Puppies must be a minimum of 9 weeks old and have received the vaccinations appropriate for their age. They do not need to be vaccinated for rabies if under 6 months.
Basic Manners (dogs all ages)
This class is designed for dogs of all ages who have had no previous formal training. You will work as a team with your dog on basic commands and manners, which will begin to pave the way for a well-behaved family dog. Sit, down, stay, touch, wait, leave it, attention exercises, coming when called and polite leash walking will be taught.
Where do I go from here? Click here for class progression suggestions.
Intermediate Manners
These are skill based classes where students will learn essential tools to help them and their dogs develop good manners. Classes will be practice focused with techniques revolving around “dog’s choice” style of training
Intermediate Manners includes the following subjects:
LOOSE LEASH WALKING AND DISTRACTIONS
- how to teach and build value for their dog being at their side
- 3 techniques to help teach/improve loose leash walking
- a systematic approach to desensitizing distractions and decreasing a dog’s reaction threshold
POLITE GREETINGS & IMPULSE CONTROL
- how to teach their dog to “check in” before greeting
- how to teach their dog self control while greeting
- how to tell if their dog is over threshold before greeting and what to do about it
- “magic mat” or “place” training
- building a stay with distractions
CONFIDENCE BUILDING & RECALL
- Games to help build their dog’s value for them and coming when called
- Exposure to various objects to help build their dog’s confidence
- Games/exercises to challenge the dog’s mind (in turn also building dog’s confidence)
Canine Good Citizen Prep Class (Prerequisite: Intermediate Manners)
The Canine Good Citizen program is based on the concept that all dogs should have enough basic training to be under control at home and in public. This test of your dog’s manners and training is not a competition and does not require that you and your dog perform with precision. After completing this course, you and your dog will be ready to take the Canine Good Citizen test, which is offered twice yearly at the Winnegamie Dog Club. The class will train the behaviors evaluated in the test, including walking politely on a leash, reacting appropriately to another dog, coming when called, supervised separation, and sitting politely for petting. More information on the Canine Good Citizen test can be viewed on the WDC website at the following link: https://winnegamiedogclub.com/classes/obedience/canine-good-citizen-test/
Therapy Dog Boot Camp (Prerequisite: Intermediate Manners & CGC)
This is a prep course, based off of Alliance Of Therapy Dogs guidelines/rules/regulations. Participants must have completed Basic Manners, Intermediate Manners and pass the CGC Test. No reactive dogs, please. Requirements: A slip/limited slip, buckle, quick release, martingale or any other smooth collar. A 4-foot or shorter leash (A body harness with metal or plastic buckles or rings may be included with the collar if desired). This class does not include testing to be registered for therapy work.
Trick Dog Class (Prerequisite: Basic Manners)
If you and your dog are bored or not quite ready for more advanced classes, but still want to build your relationship, this class is for you! This novice trick dog class is for beginner handlers & dogs looking to have some fun learning together! We will review the basics like watch me, sit, and down. Then we will build on those behaviors and learn tricks like rollover, spin circles, shake hands, and more. But it’s not just about the tricks. Handlers & dogs will also learn about reward-based training and different ways to teach a behavior. We will be using clickers, which will be available at the club for purchase or you are welcome to bring your own.
AKC Level 1 Fitness Class
Time interacting and building a relationship with your dog is time well spent. The AKC Level 1 Fitness course will provide a foundation for fitness related activities while minimizing risk of injury. In this course, handlers will learn how to teach their dogs proper form, core skills, and body awareness, as well as building confidence, increasing strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health while having fun in a safe, learning-centric environment. You will learn how to properly use canine fitness equipment such as Cato boards, Klimbs, perches, balance pads and cavaletti. Spoiler alert, a good sit stay and a few tricks are side effects of taking this class! It is recommended puppies have attended a puppy manners class, are vaccinated, and be at least 12 weeks old.
AKC Level 2 Fitness Class
The AKC Fit Dog 2 Class is designed to teach fun fitness skills to teams that have completed the AKC Fit Dog 1 course. Level 2 builds upon the foundations learned in Fit Dog 1 and adds more advanced skills such as the side step, pp-up stand, walking backwards to a target and position changes with front or hind feet elevated, among other intermediate fitness skills.
