PET CLASSES

These classes use positive reinforcement and emphasize basic obedience skills and learning to focus in the presence of other people and dogs. They are designed for family pets, but handlers who compete in dog sports are also welcome.

STAR Puppy

STAR Puppy is designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. It is an excellent first training class for puppies and provides a lead-in to the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. In classes aimed at earning the AKC STAR Puppy distinction you’ll be able to get info on your puppy-raising questions. Handlers must attend all 6 class sessions in order to take the test and obtain the certificate.

MON 5:30 - 6:00 pm Instructor: Deb Hughes Limit 6 This class is for puppies 3-5 months of age at the start of class.

MON 5:30 - 6:00 pm Instructor: Jennie Weisenberger Limit 6

This class is for puppies 5-10 months of age at the start of class.

Family Dog

This class will focus on impulse control and manners for the family dog. Before your dog can walk politely down the street, they need to learn to ignore all those tempting distractions that cause them to drag you down the sidewalk! We will focus on exercises and games that will help your dog learn to keep their attention on you! Dogs should wear a buckle or martingale collar or a harness and must be able to be around other dogs without barking.  Bring lots of small, soft, high-value treats. Dogs should be at least 6 months of age or have completed a puppy class.

TUE 7:00 - 7:30 pm Instructor: Roxann Wilkinson Limit 6

Household Obedience

This class will focus on developing your dog into a happy, well-adjusted member of the family. Positive reinforcement (treats, praise) are essential. Initial focus will be on impulse control exercises, then basic obedience skills including sit, down, come, and loose leash walking. Dog must be on a 6’ leash and flat buckle or martingale collar or harness. Since this is a group class, dogs must be able tolerate being around people and dogs. Bring enthusiasm and lots of small, soft, high-value treats. Dogs should be at least 6 months of age or have completed a puppy class.

WED 5:30 - 6:00 pm Instructor: Mary Ann Schropp Limit 5

WED 6:15 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Mary Ann Schropp Limit 5

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Preparation and Skills

Pre-requisites:  Dogs must be under control, understand basic obedience commands, and be able to walk on leash. Dogs should be at least 6 months old and have ideally taken a beginning obedience class. The CGC is a ten-skill training program that focuses on basic good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and in the community. CGC testing may be offered at the end of this class.  This is a 4 week class. Class meets: Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70.

THUR 5:30 - 6:15 pm Instructor: Jan McLean Limit 6 

Novice Tricks

This class open to everyone…for fun or those who wish to get a title. Teaching tricks is a great way to keep your dog’s brain engaged while building the bond between the two of you. This class will focus on the 10 tricks needed for the AKC Novice Trick Dog title (the test is optional but will be offered the last night of class ). You will need plenty of small soft treats and your dog should be in a harness or a buckle or martingale collar.

TUES 7:45 - 8:15 pm Instructor: Roxann WIlkinson Limit 8

Obedience Foundations for the Family Dog

This beginner class will use fun exercises to teach foundational skills. Lots of treats, enthusiasm, and praise are required to make you a higher priority than the environment… other people, dogs, smells, etc. Dog must be on a 6’ leash and flat buckle or martingale collar or harness. Dogs must be able tolerate being around people and dogs. Bring enthusiasm and lots of small, soft, high-value treats. Dogs should be at least 6 months of age or have completed a puppy class.

WED 7:00 - 7:30 pm Instructor: Mary Ann Schropp Limit 5

Fun with Introduction to Scentwork

This class is designed for the average pet owner. Age of dogs: 3 months to adult. This class will teach introduction to odor, how to do simple searches and ways to help wear out your dog in the dead of winter. 4 week class: Class meets Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $55.

THUR 5:30 - 6:00 pm Instructor: Jessica Epstein Limit 8

AKC Temperment Test

In this class the instructor will go through all the elements to pass the AKC Temperment Test. This class is open to all dogs from 3 months to adult. To actually take the test, dogs are required to be at least one year old, however the items to take the test are not strenuous. 4 week class. Class meets Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, and Dec 11. Registration fee: $55

THUR 6:30 - 7:00 pm Instructor: Jessica Epstein Limit 6

COMPETITIVE OBEDIENCE

These classes are designed for those who compete in AKC or UKC Obedience. However, you don’t have to compete to take these classes! Everyone is welcome. In competitive obedience, skills are built upon at each level. Therefore, students should begin with “Beginner Novice” or “Novice.” A dog must be able to safely work off leash in order to take a Novice class. Novice skills are required before taking an “Open” class and the Open skills are required before progressing to the “Utility” level. Many handlers enjoy learning the skills and exercises, and some decide to compete later. In general, taking a family pet class should precede taking a competitive obedience class.

Beginner Novice

Pre-requisite: Dogs must be at least 6 months old and able to sit, down, come when called, have a short stay, walk on a loose leash and should have taken a beginner obedience class. This class uses positive reinforcement to teach the skills to compete in Beginner Novice: heel on leash, figure 8, sit/down/stay, recall with fronts, and sit for exam. Focus is on competitive obedience, but non-competitive handlers who want to improve their skills are welcome. Focus on building engagement through rewards and praise. Bring LOTS of high-value soft treats.

NOTE: NEW CLASS ADDED: TUES 5:30-6:15 pm:

TUES 5:30-6:15 pm Instructor: Vicki Bowerman Limit 6

WED 2:00-2:30 pm Instructor: Vicki Bowerman Limit 6

THUR 10:30 - 11:15 am Instructor: Renee Baenen Limit 6 4 week class. Class meets Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70

Competition Obedience Foundations

Prerequisite: this class is geared toward the dog without a novice title. Ideally the dog would have completed a competition obedience class previously and handlers have a general understanding of competition obedience exercises. This class will show ways to break down your training into smaller pieces. Work on the fundamentals for all levels of obedience while having fun with our dogs.

THUR 7:30 - 8:15 pm Instructor: Linda Alkema Limit 7 4 week class. Class meets Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70

Brace

Brace is a fun option in AKC competitive obedience. In Brace a pair of dogs perform the Novice exercises together! A coupler is recommended.

Tue 5:30 - 6:15 pm Instructor: Dick Hemmer Limit 3 CANCELLED

Novice

Pre-requisite: Dogs should be at least 6 months old should be able to sit, down, have a short stay, come when called, walk on a loose leash, and have taken a beginner obedience class. Beginner Novice is NOT a pre-requisite to take this class. This positive reinforcement class focuses on the Novice exercises (heel on leash, figure 8, heel free, stand for exam, recall with finish, sit/stay get your leash, and group sits & downs). Focus is on competitive obedience, but non-competitive handlers who want to improve their skills are welcome.

MON 6:15 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 6

TUE 6:30 - 7:15 pm Instructor: Dick Hemmer Limit 10

THUR 11:45 - 12:30 pm Instructor: Renee Baenen Limit 6 4 week class. Class meets Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70

Competitive Problem Solving

Is there an exercise in Open or Utility that you just can’t seem to get a handle on? Do you have a new exercise that you would like to start teaching your dog? Then this is the class for you. Let’s put our heads together and see if we can help you solve your issues if that is what you would like to work on. If it is a new exercise, we will help you put the steps in place to lay a great foundation. If you are already competing at these levels we can also provide some proofing exercises.

THUR 6:30 - 7:15 pm Instructor: Jodi Brunson Limit 4 4 week class. Class meets: Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70

UKC Novice and Open

This Class is for people and dogs already familiar with AKC Novice and Open who want to try UKC. We will focus on the differences including Greeting the Judge, Jump in Novice, Socialized greeting in Open, Walker in Open for heeling and drop on recall and Honor down in Novice. This is a 4 week class. Class meets: Nov 7, Nov 14, Nov 21, and Dec 12. Registration fee: $70

FRI 12:00 - 12:45 pm Instructor: Shirley Robertson Limit 4

AKC Open

Pre-requisite: Must have taken Intro to Open class. This positive reinforcement class focuses on training and proofing Open Obedience exercises: heeling, command discrimination, drop on recall, retrieving dumb bell, jumps, angle jumping, fronts and finishes. Week 6: Open run-throughs.

MON 10:00 - 10:45 am Instructor: Marty Siegrist Limit 4

TUE 6:30 - 7:15 pm Instructor: Cindy Rice Limit 4

WED 12:00 - 12:45 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 6

AKC Utility

Pre-requisite: Must have taken Open or Intro to Utility class and be able to perform Open exercises. This class focuses on training and proofing the Utility Obedience exercises: signals, scent discrimination, directed jumping, directed retrieve, and moving stand.

MON 11:00 - 11:45 am Instructor: Marty Siegrist Limit 4

WED 11:00 - 11:45 am Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 4

WED 1:00 - 1:45 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 4

UKC Utility

This class will introduce the Utility exercises for UKC, including the Marked and Signal Retrieves, Consecutive Recalls, plus the more familiar Signal Exercise (Signals and Heeling), and Directed Jumping. Dog needs to be a reliable off leash heeler and able to do retrieving. Owners must have three gloves and at least one of the following: 6 metal or leather or wood articles.

TUE 10:30 - 11:30 am Instructor: Terri Korthals Limit 3

OTHER DOG SPORTS

These classes provide training in a variety of sports such as Agility, Conformation, Flyball, Rally, and Scent Work. Not all classes are offered every term. The classes below are limited enrollment, but our drop in classes offer additional dog sport classes.

Intro to Agility Obstacles

This class is for dogs just learning agility obstacles. We will work all dogs in the ring at one time, on leash. We will take things slowly to build confidence and avoid mishaps. This class is for any dog, whether or not you plan to compete in agility. It will help build the dog’s confidence in themselves and how they respond to different surroundings. Dogs should be at least 6 months of age.

Mon 1:30 - 2:00 pm Instructor: Pete Ostlund Limit 5

Mon 2:15 - 2:45 pm Instructor: Pete Ostlund Limit 5

Agility: 2 x 2 Weaves

This class will focus on teaching dogs agility weaves, using the 2 x 2 technique. This class is for dogs at least 14 months old. Handlers should expect to practice 10-15 min per day and written instructions will be provided. 2 x 2 weaves will be available during class, but handlers must also have their own weaves to practice a home. E-mail the instructor on where to get equipment or how to make your own. Stick in the ground weaves from PVC are available at Tractor Supply. Or buy connectors from www.cleanrun.com.  Instructor: sjrcolando@gmail.com     

TUE 5:30 - 6:15 pm Instructor: Shirley Robertson Limit 4

Rally: Novice-Advanced & Excellent/Master

This class run through format class will offer Novice through Advanced signs, plus the teaching of the proper performance of signs as needed. The first 3 weeks will focus on Novice through Advanced, but Excellent/Master signs can be added during the last 3 weeks if students feel they are ready to progress.

MON 7:00 - 7:45 pm Instructor: Stacie Coates Limit 8

Rally: Excellent and Master

This class is for those who are training and/or competing in Rally at the Excellent or Master level. Dogs should be able to walk on leash, sit, and down on command. AKC signs will be taught.

THUR 10:00 - 11:30 am Instructor: Marilyn DeRoover Limit 6 4 week class. Class meets: Nov 6, Nov 13, Nov 20, & Dec 11. Registration fee: $70

Novice Scentwork continued

This class is limited to dogs who have had the starter class or instructor approval. Dog handler pairs will learn about scentwork with focus on building drive to search, exploring searching with boxes, and interiors.  Info about AKC scentwork at the novice level will be provided.  Handlers can expect to learn basic handling skills, start line routines, and reading their dogs. Dogs need to be comfortable either crated or sitting calmly beside handlers while other teams work.  if your dog is fussy waiting their turn, plan ahead and bring a lick mat or chew toy, or their kibble dinner to hand feed between runs.  All teams will work alone on a ring on leash.  Each class will be a mix of searching and education.

Wed  5:45 - 6:30 pm                       Instructor: Shelly Barton                                 Limit 6   

Don’t forget our drop in classes!

Below is Sept/Oct schedule, which ends Oct 17. The Nov/Dec drop in class schedule will be posted Oct 20. No make up classes for drop in classes.

Conformation: MON 6:15 - 7:00 pm - Deb Hughes

Competitive Obedience Run Throughs: Novice-Utility: MON 7:15-8:15 pm - Pete Ostlund.

Conformation: WED 12:00 - 12:45 pm - Lora Richards

Rally: AKC Excel/Master Run Throughs: WED, 2:15 - 4:15 pm - Sharon Atkins.

Rally: Novice & Advanced: THUR, 2:00 - 2:45 pm - Diane Ahti/Brenda Royer.

Table Dog Conformation: FRI 4:00 - 4:45 pm - Kim Bling

Conformation: FRI 5:00 - 5:45 pm - Denise Hawkins.

Flyball: FRI 6:30 - 9:00 pm - Terri Korthals