Puppy Kindergarten

 

This class is a good introductory class for young puppies using positive reinforcement training methods. The class will teach your puppy the socialization skills required to deal with the variety of experiences the world might offer. You will be shown how to teach your puppy to settle, basic manners and basic obedience, leash skills, safe ways to meet strangers and other dogs, as well as the importance of play to helping your bond with your dog. This class is for small breeds that are under 6 months and medium/large breeds under 5 months by the class start date. Children are welcome.

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Canine Life Skills

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This K9 101 class is a starter class for anyone who wants a well-mannered dog.  You will learn how to teach your dog the ultimate basics such as self-control starting with settle and food manners, how to sit and down quietly, to focus, to walk on a loose leash, to come when called, and so much more.  You will be provided with a number of tools to socialize your dog to the many things it will encounter on a regular basis. Topics include grooming and handling, trips to the vet, dog parks, crates, rewards, and more importantly how to prevent problems before they become habits.

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Beginner Obedience Level 1

 

Demonstrate foundational obedience skills: Dogs will reliably perform foundational obedience behaviours (sit, down, stand, stay) on cue with appropriate handler timing and reinforcement.

 

Show sustained focus on the handler: Dogs will demonstrate the ability to orient to and maintain focus on their handler during training exercises and in mildly distracting environments

 

Outcomes perform a reliable recall: Dogs will respond promptly to their recall cue and disengage from low- to moderate-level distractions to return directly to their handler.

 

Walk on a loose leash with close heel position: Dogs will enter the training building and move through the environment on a loose leash, demonstrating reduced pulling and the ability to maintain a focused, close heel position for short durations.

 

Demonstrate behaviour adjustment and management around distractions: Handlers will demonstrate the ability to redirect their dog’s focus or behaviour when distractions arise, using appropriate cues, reinforcement, and management to maintain calm, controlled responses

 

Beginner Obedience Level 2

 

Demonstrate increased reliability of obedience skills:  Dogs will perform sit, down, stand, stay, and transitions with increased duration, distance, and distraction, showing improved fluency and responsiveness to cues.

 

Maintain sustained focus in higher-distraction environments: Dogs will demonstrate the ability to maintain engagement with their handler despite environmental distractions, with reduced latency in responding to cues.

 

Execute an advanced recall: Dogs will demonstrate a reliable recall from greater distances and higher value distractions, returning promptly and finishing under control.

 

Demonstrate precision loose leash walking and heel: Dogs will maintain loose leash walking with longer duration and improved consistency, including a focused heel position with turns, changes of pace, and environmental challenges.

 

Demonstrate advanced redirection and impulse control: Handlers will demonstrate the ability to proactively manage arousal levels and redirect behaviour around distractions, with dogs showing improved impulse control and emotional regulation.

 

Small Dog Obedience

 

This upbeat, fun class for dogs 25 lbs or less will be low stress, with an emphasis on learning to communicate with your pet.  We will concentrate on recall, sit & down, go to mat, loose leash walking and other exercises to teach your dog to focus on you and be a good companion.  Dogs suited to this class should be able to function well around other dogs and people without disrupting the class.

 

Beginner Scent Detection

 

This class is for dogs that have not had any formal training in scent detection. Your dog will be introduced to the game of scent detection and learn to find specific scents and communicate to the handler where they are. The handlers will learn to build drive in their dogs for the game (make it fun) and handling skills that will help your dog be successful.

 

Intermediate Scent Detection

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This class is for dogs that can identify Wintergreen scent in containers and interior searches and who have a formal alert. Your dog will learn to search for multiple odors, be exposed to various distractors, learn to search at different levels, and find more than one hide at a time. Handlers will continue to develop skills including: leash handling, recognize when their dog is in odor and how to recognize a false alert. Weather permitting, we will also do exterior searches. Dogs and handlers work individually to address problem areas.

 

Advanced Scent Detection

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This class is for dogs who are competing or interested in competing. This class is for dogs who are familiar with searching for multiple odors. The dog will learn to search at higher levels, how to work in converging odors and odor pools, and experience more complex and longer searches. Handlers will work on refining skills to do more complex searches. When there is availability, classes will be held in different locations. Dogs and handlers work individually to address problem areas.

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Rally Obedience - Beginner

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This class is for dogs that have completed two basic obedience or other rally classes and for owners that are ready to try a different type of fun.  Dogs must have a good concept of the heel position, respond on first cue most of time to sit, down, stand, front, get in and should be able to focus on handler. This is not a basic obedience class as handlers will need to focus on the signs so they can learn all 42 Novice signs that will be covered in 6 weeks.

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Rally Obedience - Novice

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Dogs and handlers develop the skills needed to complete the 42 Rally Novice exercises. Dogs are improving their focus as owners are polishing their handling skills and building confidence as they get closer to competition. (Should they choose to compete).

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Rally Obedience – Advanced

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Dogs have competed in novice rally obedience and are ready to learn or practice 24 more stations at Intermediate and Advanced levels off leash. ​Handlers will become more comfortable with their own skills or just need an opportunity to practice.

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Rally Obedience - Advanced/ Excellent

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Handlers are learning or polishing their handling skills as they continue at the higher levels of competition. There are 20 more challenging signs to learn in Excellent.

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Try It All Sports

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Can’t decide which dog sport to try? Our Try It All class offers the perfect solution! Explore the exciting world of dog sports with your dog in just six weeks and discover the joys of agility, scent detection, rally obedience, flyball and more. Start with building a strong foundation of focus and engagement, then dive into each sport, learning the basics and having a blast. This class is perfect for curious dogs and owners eager to find their passion.

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Intro to Agility

 

This class will introduce dogs and handlers to obstacles like tunnels, jumps, and contacts in a fun, safe and positive environment, building teamwork and body awareness. This 6 week course focuses on safety, navigation, and foundational skills like targeting and handling techniques, typically for dogs at least 6 months old.

 

Canine Good Neighbor

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Owners will learn about the basic training required for dogs to be a good ambassador out in the public.  Well mannered dogs do not jump at or on other people. They have self control around other dogs, can remain quiet in public, come when called, and can accept all kinds of people and being touched by strangers. This annual spring class covers all the exercises required to take the CKC’s CGN test that is offered annually in May or June.  Having a CGN certificate states that this dog has passed basic training!

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​Conformation

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This is for people that want to learn more about how to show their dog. We offer workshops occasionally and offer drop-in handling classes before our May show.