PUPPY PRIMER
For puppies 10 weeks to 18 weeks at the start of class.
This class has a rolling admission, you may join at any time.
The $60 fee covers 4 classes. You may take these classes within a 5 week period.
An orientation without puppies is included with this class.
Vaccinations: One distemper/parvo shot and one deworming at least one week before attendance at class. Also all puppies must be in their adoptive home for at least 10 days before coming to class. We follow the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommendations on puppy class protocols. Click here to see them
Puppy Primer is an essential class. Your puppy will have a chance to socialize with other puppies and their families. How to socialize your puppy correctly will be emphasized. Early socialization is your best insurance against problem behaviors in your adult dog.
We will address house training, mouthing and handling, and crate training routines.
Training exercises will include sit and pay attention, down, leave it, leash walking and come when called.
"Management Magic" by Lelie Nelson and Gail Pivar will be given to each puppy attendee.
PUPPY CATCH UP
For puppies 18 weeks to 7 months at the start of class. Distemper/parvo, and rabies shots required for attendance at class.
The first class is without puppies
This class is designed for:
Anyone who has adopted an older puppy and missed out on junior puppy class
Anyone who forgot to attend a junior puppy class with their puppy (you know who you are!)
Anyone with a puppy that needs a brush up of their skills with a group of their peers
In “Puppy Catch Up ” we will assess your puppy’s personality and motivations . We will make sure he/she is on track to become a well balanced adult.
Through fun games and activities we will show you how to train your soon to be adolescent dog.
As well as practicing a range of “impulse control” exercises (sit, wait, leave it) we will show you training games that will enrich your dog’s life as well as helping you gain control in a positive way. Off leash play may be limited in this class, but we will teach your puppy how to politely greet other dogs on leash and we will discuss exercise options including dog parks .
This is an excellent class for older puppies with no former training or Puppy Primer graduates who want to further their training with other young dogs.
PUPPY PLUS
For graduates of Puppy Primer and Puppy Catch Up (must have graduated from Puppy Primer or Puppy Catch Up within three months of start of class or with instructors permission) Distemper/parvo and rabies shots required for attendace at class.
This class is for puppies who have learned some basic skills in a previouspuppy class. The class will refine these skills and add others.
We will work on impulse control exercises like “leave it” and “stay,” also coming when called and leash walking. The puppies will learn how to negotiate an obstacle course with tunnels and jumps. Tricks and targetting will be taught to keep your young dog motivated.
As handlers you will learn how to fade the lure (treats in hand) and to work more with real life rewards.
Attention will be stressed as the basis of your relationship with your dog, but you will have to earn that devoted attention!
This class is designed to keep you and your dog motivated and having fun whilst furthering your training goals.
PUPPY PLUS EXTRAS
For Graduates of Puppy Plus. Distemper/parvo and rabies shots required for attendace at class.
In this class your puppy will be able to stay with his/her peer group of young dogs as they continue to learn training and socialisation skills.We will build on the basic skills we have started in Puppy Plus focusing on foundation skills such as stay, leave it, coming when called and leash walking. More exercises will be learned off leash as this will be a very dog friendly environment of young dogs.
Several tricks will be taught including more advanced targetting. All dogs will continue to work on retrieving a ball or toy.
This will be a fun class for students who want to learn more advanced skills in a highly motivated and dog friendly group.
K9 MANNERS
For any dog 6 months or over. Distemper/parvo and rabies shots required for attendace at class.
Attendance at an orientation without dogs is required to attend this class
This class is suitable for dogs with no training at all, or graduates of puppy classes.
Basic exercises such as sit, pay attention, down, leave it, beginners stay, and leash walking will be covered in this class. We will train all these exercises in a very positive, upbeat way with food, toys and real life rewards.
New dog owners will find answers to all house training, crate training, and general questions. We will address the pros and cons of dog parks and how to get your dog good exercise. This is a foundation class from which you can start to move on to many fun opportunities in dog training.
K9 MANNERS PLUS
For Graduates of K9 Manners. Distemper/parvo and rabies shots required for attendace at class.
K9 Manners Plus builds on the foundation skills your dog has learned in K9 Manners. Attention, sit-stay, down-stay, leave it,
coming when called and leash walking exercises will be practised.
Each dog will learn several tricks to keep them motivated and having fun.
Teaching your dog to play with you will be emphasised and taught as the basis of a good relationship.
Working with distractions will be emphasised.
This class will prepare your dog for beginners Rally, Canine Good Citizen or K9 Cross training classes.
ENRICHMENT GAMES
For Graduates of any Cheery Dogs or Blue Dog K9 training class. Dogs must be dog friendly. Permission of instructor required.
In this class we will use targetting and shaping to teach our dogs new behaviours. You will learn simple games and techniques to enrich your dogs life without needing expensive equipment. Impulse control exercises such as stay on your mat and leave it will be interspersed into the class.
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
For graduates of K9 Manners Plus or with instructors permission
In this classeach week we will work on all the exercises of the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. The test will be performed during the last class. Dogs who pass will receive their certificate by mail.
Please check out the requirements for passing the test on: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/
OVER EXUBERANT DOGS
Any age dog is eligible for this class, however, they must have some basic understanding of paying attention, leave it, loose leash walking and coming to their name. For dogs who are not graduates of Cheery Dogs or Bluedog K9 classes permission of instructor is required.
Greeting visitors and passing other dogs politely on leash are two challenges for many people and their dog companions.
In this class your dog will be given a chance to learn some self control and make better choices in these exciting situations.
Dogs who show people aggression or overt aggression towards other dogs may not attend this class.
