AKC Open Obedience is the second level in competition obedience. We recommend this class for those competing in Novice Obedience, getting ready to compete in Open Obedience or those currently competing in Open Obedience who are looking to improve their skills and scores. 

Key training areas include:

• Command Discrimination
• Drop on Recall
• Retrieve on Flat
• Retrieve over High Jump
• Broad Jump
• Stand Stay - Get Your Leash

The level of focus required notches up as the dog is expected to compete in more exercises and harder exercises.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Instructor recommendation required and have already mastered the Novice requirements.

What to bring to class:  Dumbbell will be used in class, consult with the trainer on how to choose the right size. Dumbbells available from J & J dog supply, Max 200, or Training Treasures. A crate (we recommend a collapsible one), flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6-foot leash and a long retractable flexi-leash, high-value treats, treat pouch, and water. No e-collars.

Cancellation & Refunds:  Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Scent Work class, also called nose work, is an exciting and engaging sport inspired by the work of real world detection dogs. Instead of searching for drugs or explosives, Scent Work uses four essential oils—birch, anise, clove, and cypress for dogs to locate these hidden scents in various environments.

In Scent Work Beginner training, the handler’s role is to assist rather than direct the dog.

In this class the dog learns:

• How to signal to the handler when they’ve found a scent, even with distractions like toys and food around
• The essential oils and begin practicing basic scent detection skills through beginner searches

This dog sport activity is not only fun but also helps build confidence and stimulate your dog’s mind, making it a great choice for dogs over 6 months. 

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to the start of first class. Completion of at least one Beginner Obedience class.

What to bring to class: Flat or martingale collar, or harness, at least a 10-foot leash (must be easy to take on and off), high-value treats, treat pouch, and water, and a crate (we recommend a collapsible one). No e-collars, prong collars, pull harnesses restricting the shoulders, or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Our Beginner Obedience course will guide you through all the basics to help you teach your dog the right skills from the beginning. This class covers the commands to get you started and the tools to make training fun, including:

• Start the obedience basics: Recall, Walking on leash, Sit, Down and Stay
• Games to build focus: Watch me, drop it or give, and touch
• Build a connection: learn how to use commands, praise, and release to encourage good behavior
• Learn the body language: understand how your position and movement can help you communicate better with your dog

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate is awarded at the conclusion of class provided dog and handler attend a minimum of 6 classes, completes all 20 Star puppy behaviors and is less than 12 months old.  Dogs older than 12 months may want to test for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Your dog must be 16 weeks or older on the first day of class.

What to bring to class: Flat or martingale collar sized appropriately sized for your dog, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, towel/mat and a positive attitude! No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

The Intermediate Obedience class is designed for dog owners who are looking to improve their obedience skills or want to prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) required skills.

Key training areas include:

• Better focus - walking on a loose lead, ignoring distractions and working around other people and dogs
• Sitting quietly for petting and grooming by another person
• Drive and desire to work - longer stays and more reliable recall
• Separation - be able to separate from owner while with another person
• Transition from food to engagement - Food rewards are used initially, but students will also learn how to transition away from food rewards by incorporating engagement and play into training

Earn a title - Ask your instructor for more information about testing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate.

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Beginner Obedience class or equivalent skill level.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, mat/rug and a positive attitude! No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Cancellation & Refunds: 

Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

The Advanced Dog Obedience class builds on the foundation learned in Intermediate Obedience and introduces greater precision, stronger handler communication, and improved leash handling

In this class you and your dog will polish important obedience skills including:

• Heeling in position with focus on the handler and improving handler leash skills
• Position finishes, stay-sits/stay-downs, and sit or stand for exam
• Successfully compete in the Beginner Novice obedience ring while remaining appropriate for pet owners who want a well-trained, responsive dog

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisites: Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to start of first class. Completion of at least one Intermediate Obedience class session or AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title.

What to bring to class: flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, and water. No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

If you're interested in fine-tuning your Focus & Heeling skills and learning new skills for AKC Obedience or AKC Rally competition, this class will focus on all the skills necessary in both sports. Focus & Heeling will not focus on specific ring exercises but instead on the handling aspects needed in dog sports.

 Emphasis will be on:

• Heeling - keeping your dog in position and making footwork adjustments to communicate with your dog
• Attention - working to keep the focus on you and minimize distractions
• Motivating your dog - refreshing skill and improving engagement
• Deliver rewards - Use of treat position, a positive tone of voice, and body language as a reward for your dog
• Setting yourself up for success with ring presence and preparation

This class can be taken on its own or concurrently with another class such as all levels of Rally or AKC Novice Obedience.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisites:  Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to the start of first class. Completion of at least one Intermediate Obedience class or AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, and water. No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

The AKC Utility class is the most challenging level of obedience, requiring precision, focus, and a strong bond between dog and handler. 

Key training areas include:

• Signal exercise - The dog learns to respond to only hand signals to stand, stay, down, sit, and come
• Scent discrimination - finds the handler's scent among the articles and returns the correct scent article
• Directed retrieve - follow a hand signal to retrieve an item and return it to the handler
• Moving stand and exam - the dog heels, stands, and stays while the handler moves away
• Directed jump - the dog is sent to the opposite end of the ring, commanded to sit and then directed to one of two jumps

AKC Utility (UD, UDX) titles are hard to achieve. We offer the level of training with experienced instructors that you need to make it happen.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Must have Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title and prior instructor recommendation before registering for this class, no exceptions.

What to bring to class: Scent articles & gloves - available from J &J dog supply, Max 200, or Training Reasures.  Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, long retractable flexi leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, crate (we recommend a collapsible one) so your dog is safely put up during rotations.  No e-collars. 

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

In this Scent Work Advanced, also called nose work, class teams will learn to identify and indicate specific scents used by AKC Scent Work and other trialing organizations.

Teams will focus on refining key skills:

• Team handling, handler body movement
• Alert recognition and reward timing
• Working at a competition level

Mastering these techniques will increase your proficiency and can lead to the achievement of AKC Scent Work titles and titles from other trialing organizations. Whether you're preparing for a trial or simply looking to improve your scent detection skills, this class will help you and your dog excel in this dog sport.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Completion and instructor referral from Scent Work Intermediate Training class.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale collar, or harness,  at least a 10 foot leash that is easty to take on and off, high value treats, treat pouch, water and a crate (we recommend a collapsible one). No e-collars, pull harnesses or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: 

Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.