SCDTC - Training Classes

We offer a variety of classes for all levels of interest. Our puppy and beginner classes are great for socialization, manners and basic obedience. Those who wish to compete, we've got those hard to find high level obedience classes. And, for those looking to try something different, we've got agility and freestyle. You may be asked to help move/set-up/take-down equipment.

Socialization and introduction to training with exercises tailored to the younger dog. Basic grooming, health hints, house soiling, chewing, biting, barking, digging, etc.

S.T.A.R. Puppy

SCDTC now offers the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program through our Puppy and Beginning classes. Puppies under the age of 12 months can participate. Participants will receive:

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal
A frameable certificate
AKC puppy handbook
Discount to enroll in AKC Companion Animal Recovery Corporation
Ongoing monthly Email Newsletter

For more information, see the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

Must be between 3 and 5 months at time of first class. Must have had all their Parvo Shots. All puppy owners are required to either mail a copy of their dog's shots with their check or bring them to the class on the first night. Rabies are not required.

The course begins to train you to train your dog. Basic obedience skills are introduced, including walking on a loose leash, attention, sit-stay, down-stay, stand-stay, and come when called. We also offer advice on potty training and other problems. Continued socialization with other dogs and people in a structured class situation.
Develop a relationship with your dog. Learn Team Building, proper corrective measures, including when and how to reward your dog.

Must be at least 5 months of age or older. Beginner clases are combined the first week at the 7 pm time. Do not bring your dog to the first class. Please bring a chair to the first class.

S.T.A.R. Puppy

SCDTC now offers the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program through our Puppy and Beginning classes. Puppies under the age of 12 months can participate. Participants will receive:

- AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal
- A frameable certificate
- AKC puppy handbook
- Discount to enroll in AKC Companion Animal Recovery Corporation
- Ongoing monthly Email Newsletter

For more information, see the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

In this class we extend the work started in the Beginner Class, and also introduce all the exercises that are expected for the CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test. The class goal is to be able to go into the Novice class with a steady 1 minute sit-stay, 3 minute down-stay, solid off-leash recall and reasonable loose-leash heeling skills.

Completion of Beginner class or equivalent skill level.

S.T.A.R. Puppy

SCDTC now offers the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program through our Puppy and Beginning classes. Puppies under the age of 12 months can participate. Participants will receive:

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal
A frameable certificate
AKC puppy handbook
Discount to enroll in AKC Companion Animal Recovery Corporation
Ongoing monthly Email Newsletter

For more information, see the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

A continuation of Novice training, this class prepares you and your dog for an American Kennel Club Degree, referred to as a CD (Companion Dog) title. This class is available to pet owners who want to polish their dogs manners and for pet owners who want to prepare their dogs for an Obedience title.

Advanced Novice requires that the dog has completed at least one session of Novice and be under control off leash. This class is also for Handlers who are preparing for the CD title.

This new class was started in June 2007. This class addresses ring etiquette, ring procedure, going over the rule books, things that Judges look for and preparing the handler for showing their dog in Obedience.

The Show Class is for dogs that have completed Novice, Advanced Novice, Open or equivalent classes.

These classes are designed for the exhibitor who wishes to attain the CDX, Companion Dog Excellent degree, which requires that the dog jump obstacles and retrieve items. Appropriate exercises are presented. This class is also good for people wishing to practice before entering a trial, and we welcome drop-ins.

Open requires that the dog have two legs towards their CD title, and all the skills acquired in the Advanced Novice class. It is for dogs who are preparing for a CDX title.

These classes are designed for the exhibitor who wishes to attain the UD (Utility Dog) or UDX (Utility Dog Excellent) titles, which require that the dog respond to visual signals, retrieve articles based on scent, and perform directed jumping. Appropriate exercises are presented. This class is also good for people wishing to practice before entering a trial, and we welcome drop-ins.

Utility requires that the dog have two legs towards their CDX title. It is for dogs who are preparing for a UD title.

Advanced Classes will learn all of the AKC Rally Novice, Advanced and Excellent Signs in 5 weeks with Workshops to follow. Much like a car rally, dogs and handlers enter a ring, proceeding from station to station demonstrating basic skills. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is encouraged, making Rally specially fun for both dog and handler. The dogs must know how to heel, sit, down, come and finish to get the most out of the class. For the last week of the session class will be set up as a practice ring for a trial.

Handlers will receive Rally Sign Descriptions. Rally Rules & Regulations are available for handlers who will be competing. The classes are limited to 10 dogs. (Drop-ins are allowed only with Trainer's approval and if there is room.)

Rally Advanced requires that the dog has completed the Novice Rally Class. In Rally, students will need to bring a crate because they have to walk and learn the course without the dog, so they need somewhere to put him until they are ready to walk the course with the dog.

Conformation 101 is designed to introduce beginning or inexperienced people into the world of conformation dog showing. Conformation can be as technical if not more so than Obedience -- "no rules" makes Conformation quite different. Conformation 101 is not a prerequisite to our regular (drop-in) Conformation Class, however this class provides a solid basis, covering material in a progressive sequence, with people of similar knowledge and experience levels. The class covers equipment, attitude, timing, how to move, the AKC Breed Standards, etc. It also covers what to expect at a show, etiquette, faux pas, how to stack your dog, how (and when) to look at the judge, show culture, etc.

The class size is small (a minimum of three and a maximum of six students), so as to provide more individual attention for you and your dog. Make your dog's show career a fun experience.

Conformation 101 is for dogs of any breed or age as long as the dog has had all of it's shots. It is excellent preparation for our Conformation (Drop-In) class, where you can refine and re-address particular issues that apply to you and your dog. We have leashes and collars for sale at all classes, and can fit the dogs for the correct size of collar. This 7-week class is only held when at least 3 dogs sign-up. The Conformation Training Schedule can be found at http://www.garlic.com/~symons/scdtc-sched.htm.

Conformation classes prepare the handler and dog for the show ring. Here you will learn how to present the dog to the judge and how to gait the dog and how to show the dog off to its best advantage. I don't use and don't want the 'watch me' command in conformation - the dog should concentrate mostly on my hand when stacking and definitely be looking forward when gaiting. Because your time in the Conformation Ring is far less than that in the Obedience Ring, both you and your dog have less time to impress the judge. Conformation is not a highly structured ring event thus one has to be very alert to today's ring procedure and the needs of today's judge. Your dog must be ready to respond right now to whatever you want in order to present your dog to his/ her best based on your interpretation of the judge.

There are over a hundred points that the instructor applies during this class as needed.

Although Conformation 101 is not a prerequisite to Conformation (Drop-In), it is expected that you and your dog already know the basics of Conformation (and C101 provides a good way to learn these basics along with other people of similar knowledge and experience levels.)

The first and most important thing to bring to class is you - happy, enthusiastic, ready for fun. And then: dog, training collar (slip collar), 4 to 6 foot leather leash, soft treat (bait), DOG TOY (preferably on a rope/ string). Don't feed the dog within three hours of training. As time goes on, the collar, leash, and feeding time may change. The training classes should be fun for you and your dog - showing will be easy after that. The Conformation Training Schedule can be found at http://www.garlic.com/~symons/scdtc-sched.htm.

Have you watched friends enjoying running while their dogs run, jump, and climb brightly colored obstacles? Have you wanted to try Agility but been told there are very few classes available for beginners? Agility Fundamentals for Beginning Students is for students who are totally new to this fun sport. Learn the basic skills that you and your dog need to start Agility. Jumps, tunnels, wobble boards, and the tire will be covered at this introductory level as well as running with your dog and basic sequences. All skills are taught in a positive manner while you are having fun playing and tugging with your dog.

Be sure to bring to class a toy or two, lots of treats, a crate, small plastic lid (like from a cottage cheese or yogurt container), and a collar/leash that is easy to put on and take off.

It is important that your dog be at least nine months of age, be able to "stay" for approximately 20 seconds, come when called, and be used to a crate.

Agility Fundamentals for Advanced Students will help you to build on the basics you learned in the beginning agility class at SCDTC or other agility training centers. More advanced sequences, front and rear crosses, and weave poles will be covered. All skills are taught in a positive manner while you are having fun playing and tugging with your dog.

Be sure to bring to class a toy or two, lots of treats, a crate, small plastic lid (like from a cottage cheese or yogurt container), and a collar/leash that is easy to put on and take off.

The Agility Fundamentals - Advanced class is for students who have completed our Agility Fundamentals - Beginning class or by permission of either the instructor, Rachel Evers, rachellynevers@gmail.com, or Bonnie Edwards, blnorton@netgate.net.

It is important that your dog be at least nine months of age, be able to "stay" for approximately 20 seconds, come when called, and be used to a crate.

View a short youtube video of Chance flying over the jumps in his MACH run with owner, Bonnie. (All credit to Agility In Motion.)

Drop in by permission of instructor.

Intro to Nosework is an introductory class appropriate for students who have not taken Nosework classes before or are starting out a new dog in Nosework.

Your dog will learn how to search for treats and will be introduced to odor. At the conclusion of this class, you and your dog will have learned the basics for container searches and will have been introduced to the other elements in a Nosework Trial.

Skills are taught in a positive manner while you are having fun and learning how to work with your dog.

Please bring to class a crate for your dog, lots of scrumptious treats, and a flat buckle collar/leash that is easy to put on and take off.

Intro to Nosework is for any student who wants to learn a fun game to play with their dog. Young dogs are welcome; however, it is important that your dog be at least five months of age and completed the appropriate vaccinations prior to joining this class.

Topics in Nosework is a multi-level class appropriate for beginning students and those familiar with Nosework. Skills are taught in a positive manner while you are having fun and learning how to work with your dog.

Please bring to class a crate for your dog, lots of scrumptious treats, and a flat buckle collar/leash that is easy to put on and take off.

The Topics in Nosework Class is for any student who wants to learn a fun game to play with their dog. Your dog should have a basic understanding of "odor". Additionally, it is important that your dog be at least five months of age and completed the appropriate vaccinations prior to joining this class.

For advanced classes with the trainer's approval, you can drop-in to classes occasionally. The drop-in price for specialty classes (Agility and Freestyle) is $25. Drop-in conformation is $10.The drop-in price for all other classes is $15.

Your dog must be current on all vaccinations to attend class. Puppies require DHPP (distemper-parvo) vaccinations. Dogs over 6 months require rabies and DHPP. All new students must upload a copy of their dog's shot records or mail it with their payment.

A signed Hold Harmless Agreement / Aggression Policy is required the first time you come to class. You must agree to this when you register online or include a signed copy with your payment.

Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat, non-slip shoes. You'll also want to bring lots of tasty, aromatic treats for your dog. Soft treats work best and they should be broken into small pieces the size of your pinky fingernail.

For Puppy and Beginner Classes, do not bring your dog on the first night of class. There will be a lecture style orientation. All Beginner classes will be held at 7pm the first night of class. (The 6pm class will meet at 7pm the first week.)