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*Not all of these classes are
offered every schedule*
 
PUPPY POUNCE: 4-week class
for dogs 8 to 16 weeks old (pup
must have had his initial Distemper/Parvo vaccine no less than 10 days
prior to 1st class). If you have health concerns about your
young pup socializing with others please READ
THIS! This class will
cover age specific issues such as potty training, desensitization to
sights and sounds, mouthing, bite inhibition and jumping up as well as
beginning work on control commands including “sit”,
“down” and “come”. We will discuss what to
expect in different stages of canine development and socialization and
allow pups to socialize with other pups and humans during supervised
“recess” periods. Positive reinforcement only; no leash
corrections will be used. INSTRUCTOR:
Danette Johnston, LVT, CPDT
PUPPY PLAY GROUP: One-hour play sessions for puppies 8-20 weeks (pup
must have had his initial Distemper/Parvo vaccine no less than 10 days
prior to session). Come
socialize your puppy in a safe and monitored environment. A trainer
will be on hand while your pup learns crucial socialization, play and
bite inhibition skills from his fellow pups. $10 per session,
pre-registration is required.
PUPPY 101:
(humans only, pre-registration required) 1.5 hour seminar for humans
only.
Have a new puppy or thinking of getting one? Just miss getting into a
puppy class? This seminar will get you started on the basics of
what you need to know to raise a great pup! We will discuss the best
methods of management, house breaking, desensitization,
socialization and stages of canine development. Included in the
price of this class is the Ultimate Puppy Tool Kit (www.ultimatepuppy.com ) a set
of 6+ books, $20 value. INSTRUCTOR: Danette Johnston, LVT, CPDT
THE BASICS: Our
core 6-week basic obedience course for dogs 6 months and older
This
class uses reward based positive reinforcement only; no leash
corrections are used. The class covers canine thought, communication,
leadership, jumping up and walking on a loose leash as well as
practical commands such as sit, down, stay, wait, come, look, leave-it,
go to your place. Learn how, by using positive methods, you can prevent
undesirable behaviors and gain desirable ones. You
will also be given basic tools to become a great (and effective!)
leader to your dog. Time
permitting, this class may include supervised “recess”
periods for socialization if appropriate for your dog. Dogs do NOT attend the first week of class.
INSTRUCTOR: Danette Johnston, LVT, CPDT
BEYOND THE BASICS/Canine Good Citizen Prep: 4+-week course for graduates
of The Basics
This
class continues our work from The Basics incorporating
distractions and off-leash work. We will also practice the skills
needed for passing the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test and learn
beginning tricks and agility. CGC evaluations on the last week of class
(last class is extended; price included in the class fee).
Prerequisite: The Basics or prior
instructor approval (private evaluation required). This class is
limited to 6 dogs. INSTRUCTOR: Danette Johnston, LVT, CPDT
COURTEOUS CANINE CRASH COURSE: 3-week intensive Basic Obedience class for dogs
1 year and older. Classes meet for 1.5 hour sessions once a week
for 3 weeks (you must attend all 3 sessions; if one is missed you will
not be allowed to attend the following sessions). For
those of you who have a hard time scheduling a 6 week obedience class
into your busy life we have designed an intensive “crash
course”. This class covers the same
material and uses the same techniques as The Basics.
TRICKS!
4-week class for dogs who have completed THE BASICS (or
have prior instructor approval).
This is a fun, relaxed class where you will learn some basic tricks
such as bow, spin, crawl, roll over, grab it (among others!). We
will also give you the skills to continue with more complicated feats.
AGILITY
FOR FUN: 5 or
10
week session
This
is a FUN one! Learn to use agility equipment like weave poles, A-frame,
see-saw, jumps and more! Dogs must have taken Basic obedience to attend. Experienced Agility dogs also welcome.
This class is outdoors; dress for it!
Seasonal.
DIFFICULT DOG: Private evaluation plus 4-week class aimed at
dogs with reactive or aggressive tendencies towards other dogs.
We will work on teaching the dogs to relax in the presence of other
dogs and, most importantly, to have your dog look to YOU for cues on
how they should react when other dogs are present. This is a good
intro for a reactive dog to later be able to enter The Basics.
This class includes a 30 minute private evaluation (included in the
price of the class) with the instructor which must be completed at
least one week prior to the start of class. This class is limited to 6
dogs at our Ballard location. INSTRUCTOR: Danette Johnston, LVT,
CPDT
K-9 NOSEWORK An
exciting new sport you can practice anywhere with any dog! Dogs have an
amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. For this class all
your dog needs is a nose and something to work for. In this series of
classes we will introduce you to this fun new sport and literally watch
your dog follow hi nose to success! You will be amazed at how excited
your dog is to search for his favorite toy, food and three scents used
in Nosework competition. These courses are open to dogs of ALL ages and
temperaments. If your dog can not behave calmly in a room with other
dogs just let us know ahead of class time so that we can accommodate
you (we may ask you to crate your dog or have someone else available to
handle your dog in another area if he is diruptive to other dogs
working). INSTRUCTOR: Erica Wells
NOSEWORK FUN LEVEL 1: Into to Nose
Work - this class focuses on teaching you how to
encourage and develop your dog's natural scenting abilities by using
their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. This is
a great class for ANY dog for fun, confidence building, and mental and
physical stimulation.
NOSEWORK FUN
LEVEL 2: Intro to Odor - Prerequisite
Nosework Level 1
This class advances the dog's scent
discrimination skills taught in NW 1. All dogs are taught to identify
the same scent, a natural essential oil. Additionally, we introduce
tactics for building better dog/handler teamwork. Strong food or toy
motivation is beneficial for this class.
NOSEWORK FUN
LEVEL 3 - Prerequisite NW
Levels 1 & 2
Continuing
Nosework for dogs that have met minimum proficiency in finding their
target odor. This class will continue to develop handler skills and
introduce new target odors. This is a pre-competition level class. This
class may be repeated until proficiency in identifying 3 target odors
has been met.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS! -
3 week crash course in leash walking. Prerequisite: The Basics at DDO or
equivalent with instructor approval (please let us know
where/when you took Basic obedience). This course is NOT for dogs who
are reactive on lease (see DIFFICULT DOG for that). In this course we
will give you the tools to make your walks fun again by helping you
connect to the other end of the leash. We will be working outside in
the "real world" weeks 2 and 3 using positive reinforcement training to
keep both you and your dog in the "no-pull" zone. No flexi-leashes,
choke or prong collars allowed. Head collars and front-clip harnesses
are encouraged. INSTRUCTOR: Erica Wells
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN:
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Testing at dog’s day out. The testing cost is $20. Pre-registration
is required. For more info on CGC go to www.akc.org .
BARKS & BABES:
1.5 hr seminar for humans only.
Remember when your dog was your only baby? Times have changed! Whether
you are planning, expecting or already in the throes of parenthood,
this class is for you! Barks & Babes covers topics
involved in the management of living with baby and dog and keeping all
healthy and happy. Among other things, we will discuss safety (for both
dog and baby), disease/parasites, desensitizing dog to baby
sounds/movements, and how to walk and exercise your dog with baby in
tow. INSTRUCTOR: Danette Johnston, LVT, CPDT and MOM!
LEASH WALKING 101 :
Tired of all that pulling and dragging??!! This one hour workshop deals
exclusively with teaching your dog to walk with you on a loose leash.
Positive training methods used (no choke chains, pinch collars or
retractable leashes). Please bring your dog on a regular collar, head
collar or harness, a leash no longer than 6 ft. and plenty of yummy
treats your dog loves (tiny, soft bits are best). Pre-registration
required. This class is for friendly, non-reactive/non-aggressive dogs
on leash. If your dog is reactive (barking, lunging on leash) please
contact us for an appropriate class. $30 with your dog, $15 to
audit without a dog.
“WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HE
THINKING” SEMINAR:
Most
dogs don’t do what we want them to do not because they are
“spiteful,” “mad,” or “bored;” but
because they just don’t get it! A dog is a dog. He
is not a small furry human with four legs. It
is imperative for us humans to try to understand some basic canine
behaviors and thought patterns before we can teach them anything we
want them to do. This short and lively seminar delves into your
dog’s mind to figure out how he thinks; canine
“language” and pack structure/mentality are discussed. We cover how, by using positive reinforcement
techniques, you can prevent undesirable behaviors and gain desirable
ones. We will also give you basic tools to
become a great (and effective!) leader to your dog.
*Our
“kids in class” policy*
We believe it is
important for the whole family to be involved in your dog’s
training and highly encourage children to attend classes. We require an
adult present with any child under 18 and we require an adult dog handler with any child under 10. In order to maintain
focus on the dog, children under 6 must be accompanied by 2 adults so
that one adult can concentrate on dog handling and the other on the
child handlingJ. Please feel free to
contact us with any questions.
All
Classes are one hour unless otherwise noted.
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