Basic Obedience Class
The Basic Obedience Class is for beginner obedience dogs over six months of age and will address basic home obedience commands such as sit, down, come, stay and the off command. This class is for everyone from those who just want a better pet, those planning to compete, and those having basic house training type issues. We strive to keep all our obedience classes fun and upbeat for both the dog and handler working hard to develop the best bond we can between dog and handler. If you can establish a strong bond and trust at a young age, you will truly have a special puppy for life. We will use positive training methods while shaping the dogs behavior and building this trust and bond with your dog. In addition to learning useful commands, we will also work on common problems such as barking, housebreaking issues, digging, chewing, and stealing trash. This class is the foundation to making your dog a better companion for life; it is also a great starter class for those interested in doing therapy dog work, CGC, agility, rally, obedience, and plain basic socialization. We will also work on everyday skills such as standing so the veterinarian can give them a physical exam, grooming, and cutting toenails. In addition, we will use positive methods to teach the puppy several tricks, and play games, which will help, teach the dog how to learn and build that bond and trust between you and your dog.
Handlers can expect to do weekly homework practicing basic obedience skills, teaching tricks, and games in order to keep up with the class.
This class is open to all dogs that are at least six months of age and current on all vaccines and the class meets one hour a week for six weeks, the fee is $90. To enroll in this class or receive additional information, please fill out the class information form below or contact Debbie Kemmerer at 610-570-3464. We will be holding a six week Basic Obedience set on Mondays starting April 6th from 7 pm to 8 pm. We will be holding a six week set on Wednesdays starting April 8th from 7pm to 8 pm.
Problem Dog Obedience Class
The Problem Dog Obedience Class is for dogs over six months of age that are having serious behavior problems such as biting, aggression, destructive behavior and other major social problems that are not solved in a basic obedience class. This class is for the dog that is causing major problems at home, not for the average puppy having issues with play biting and other minor puppy problems. Your dog must be evaluated privately with the instructor before you can attend this class. Basic obedience commands such as sit, down, come, stay and the off command will be taught in class but the focus will be on resolving the major problems. In addition to learning useful commands, we will also work on other common problems such as barking, housebreaking issues, digging, and stealing trash. Handlers can expect to do weekly homework, practicing on basic obedience and problem solving skills in order to correct the problems you are having. If you are unwilling to work on these skills and put the time in to resolve your dog's problems please do not sign up for this class. Some things you may be required to do while in this class include crating the dog at home when you are not able to supervise it, evaluate the environment at home that may be contributing to the problem and use of a choke or pinch collar in class. If you are not serious enough about resolving your dog’s issues to follows these type things, you will be less then successful in this program.
This class is open to all dogs that have issues that prevent them from joining a traditional obedience class upon approval by the instructor. The instructor must evaluate dogs prior to attending this class and may require the dog to attend private lessons until their behavior is safe enough for a group class. All dogs in this class must be current on all vaccinations. The Problem Dog class meets for one-hour for six-weeks and is $120. For more info please contact Debbie at 610-570-3464 and she will set up an evaluation. Our next Problem Dog class will start on April 8 2009 at 6 Pm.
Puppy Kindergarten Class
Puppy Kindergarten Class is for puppies from ten weeks to six months of age. We strive to keep all our obedience classes fun and upbeat for both the dog and handler working hard to develop the best bond we can between dog and handler, this is even more important during the puppy’s early training. If you can establish a strong bond and trust at a young age, you will truly have a special puppy for life. This class is designed to help socialize your puppy and get them started off on the right foot to being the best companion they can be. It does not matter if your long-term goal is to have a great family pet or a super star in breed or performance events that future starts in this class. In this class, we will do basic socialization between all the people and puppies in class. We will play different games to help your puppy learn to accept and get along with different dogs and people. We will discuss and work on common problems puppy owners need to deal with including housebreaking, crating, chewing, digging, getting in the trash, and barking. We will start basic obedience training including walking on a leash without pulling and learning basic obedience commands like sit, down, stay and come. We will also work on everyday skills such as standing so the veterinarian can give them a physical exam, grooming, and cutting toenails. In addition, we will use positive methods to teach the puppy several tricks, which will help, teach the puppy how to learn and build that bond between you and your puppy. Puppy Kindergarten classes meet for one-hour for six-weeks and are $75. To enroll in this class or receive additional information please fill out the class information form below or contact Debbie Kemmerer at 610-570-3464. Our next Puppy Kindergarten class starts on Monday April 6th 2009 from 6 pm until 7 Pm.
Competition Obedience Class
Novice-Open-Utility
We divide our competition obedience classes into three levels, Novice, Open, and Utility, which are the same levels that are offered at shows. Teams that have completed a basic obedience class and wish to continue training will continue to train in the Novice level class. The goal of this class is to prepare the team to compete for their Companion Dog title, which is the first level obedience title. The skills taught in this class include heeling on lead, stand for exam, “figure 8,” heel free (off leash), recalls, long sit, and long down stays. Class will work on all the required exercises and some additional exercises to work on attention and accurate heeling. We will also begin proofing the dog against different types of distractions such as other dogs working near them, toys, treats, and other distracting things in the training area.
Once a team is competing at the Novice level or have earned their Companion Dog title, they will move to the Open level class. The goal of this class is to prepare them to compete for their Companion Dog Excellent title. Many of the skills taught in this class are similar to what was learned in the novice class. New skills taught in this class include retrieving a dumbbell on the flat, over a high jump, broad jump, “drop on recall.” In addition, the long sit is now three minutes and long down is five minutes; both are done with the handler out of sight of the dog. Teams will also start learning some of the utility exercises including signal exercises, the moving stand, directed jumping, and directed retrieve. We will continue to proof the dogs against all kinds of distraction.
The Utility class is open to dogs working toward their utility level title and for dogs that are competing at the open level. This class focuses on the utility level exercises including scent discrimination, directed retrieve, directed jumping including the “Go Out,” and heeling using all signals. All competition classes meet for one-hour for six-weeks and are $90. if you are interested in any of this classes please contact Debbie at 610-570-3464 for additional information!
Private Lessons
If you are interested in Private lessons please contact Debbie at 610-570-3464.
