Description of dog training classes offered at K9CA
Basic Training - Addressing Leash Reactivity
Is your dog leash reactive?
K9CA’s Leash Reactivity Mini Course will help you teach your dog how to be more confident and secure. It will teach you strategies to address leash reactivity.
What is leash reactivity and the underlying causes of it
How to help your dog develop coping skills and confidence
Strategies to pair coping skills and desensitization processes
A road map of how to progress this training over time
Basic Training Bronze
Prerequisite: dogs 6 months and older.
This class is an entry-level class for dogs with little or no training.
In this class we will cover dog training basics. Handlers will learn how to teach their dogs to
Sit
Down
Stay
Leave It
Proper way to greet people and other dogs
Introduction to loose leash walking
Introduction to Recall - come when called
Basic Training Silver
Prerequisites: Dogs 6 months & older that have completed Basic Training Bronze or coach approval
In this class, we will work on refining and enhancing skills you and your dog already know, such as
Sit stay and down stay with distractions, distance, and duration
Improving loose leash walking with distractions
Recall with distractions and distance
Greetings with other dogs
Entries & exits
Basic Training Gold
Prerequisites:
For dogs 1 year & older, Basic Training Silver or Instructor Approval
In this class, we will improve obedience and solidify the skills learned in Basic Training SILVER to help transform your dog into a well-mannered family member. This class will show you how to build and strengthen the trust and bond you have with your dog. Emphasis will be on:
Improving handler skills and focus
Improving dog's attention and skills
Learning advanced skills
Enrichment activities
At the completion of this class, attendees will have the opportunity to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Our instructors are certified AKC CGC evaluators, so those who are successful will be able to apply for this title from AKC.
Basic Training Bronze- Home Manners - via ZOOM
NOTE: This class is taught online using ZOOM. You will need to be able to sign onto ZOOM and use your camera to get the most out of this class.
Prerequisite: dogs 6 months and older.
This class is an entry-level class for dogs with little or no training.
In this class we will cover dog training basics. Handlers will learn how to teach their dogs to
Sit
Down
Stay and Wait at the door
Leave It
Home Manners - greeting people at the door
Home Manners -managing counter surfing
Introduction to Recall - come when called
Intro to Rally - Mini Session
Prerequisites for this class are CGC, Basic Training Silver or Instructor approval.
This class is for those new to the sport of Rally. The class will teach Rally signs used in novice-level Rally and how to proceed through a Rally Course.
K9 Fitness & Injury Prevention Bronze
Prerequisites for this class are Basic Training Bronze or coach approval
Whatever your dog's activities, conditioning and injury prevention should be part of your dog's training plan. This course is designed to:
Provide you with a new way to have fun with your dog while improving their overall fitness and flexibility
Strengthen and condition muscle groups to prevent common injuries doing everyday activities
At the Bronze level, we will work on creating the fitness training loop and overall foundational exercises. These exercises will also focus on posture improvements to ensure your dog minimizes future injuries that result from improper posture and movement.
This course will qualify for AKC Fitness Titles.
Fetch - Mini Session
Prerequisites: Basic Training Silver or instructor approval
In this class, we will teach or improve your dog’s ability to fetch. While the class is designed to help you achieve AKC Fetch Titles, it is about more than just that, and everyone is welcome whether you want to earn a title or not. Fetch is a great way to strengthen the bond you have with your dog.
In this class, participants will learn.
How to teach or strengthen the foundation skills needed for fetch (take it, hold it, carry it, return to me, give it to me)
How to deal with and proof for distractions during fetch
Marking and blind hides
Fetching will be about balls, bumpers, and anything else you want your dog to fetch. Participants are asked to bring their own ball, bumper, or toy to class for your dog to fetch. If you are hoping to progress through the AKC Fetch Titles, I recommend you bring a bumper, as balls and toys are not allowed in the higher-level Fetch Titles. Tennis balls are great for beginners; bumpers can be purchased at any pet store or Amazon.
K9 Trekkers
K9 Trekkers is a walking club for dog lovers to get together - to exercise, to socialize & to make human friends & K9 pals!
We will meet at local parks, weather permitting, or at K9CA in cases of inclement weather. Each week, we will either walk at a park or do a fitness activity in the building, so there's always something to look forward to.
Our activities will count toward FIT Dog titles if you're interested in pursuing a title!
We will have 4 quarters for registration- $45/ quarter.
Time will vary with season.
Loose Leash Walking - Mini Session
Objectives for this class:
Improve basic leash skills
Improve attention and focus while walking on a leash
Learn strategies to tackle leash aggression issues and curb pulling
Nosework Games - Introduction- Mini
Prerequisites – your dog should be able to walk on a leash
Who likes to sniff? EVERY dog likes to sniff! In Nose work Games Introduction we will introduce you and your dog to the fun game of scents.
We will start by teaching your dog how to let you know they have identified the scent, something we call an indication. Then we will teach them to find the scent using simple scent problems.
Puppy Mini Session
Socialization and introduction to obedience for puppies under 6 months old
Rally Academy
Prerequisites: Basic Training Silver or Instructor approval
If you've never done Rally, you will love this fun sport. If you have done Rally, you've never done it like this!
Rally is a form of obedience where you can talk to and encourage your dog throughout the course. Rally courses consist of a series of signs with instructions for you and your dog to do. Each sign you come to may ask for something different, such as a sit, a down, a circle, etc. It's great fun!
In K9CA's Rally Academy, we will teach you how to execute the signs, and we will have a course for you to navigate through those signs. While some courses will be AKC Rally, we will also introduce you to other Rally courses like those from UKC and other rally organizations.
Whether you are training at Rally Novice or Advanced Level, you will get something out of this course.
Register for this class if you just want to have fun doing a new sport with your dog and/or, if you are preparing to enter a Rally Trial, and/or if you are interested in participating in the Virtual Rally Title Program.
Recall mini session
Prerequisites: Basic training Bronze or instructor approval.
A solid recall is an essential safety skill for your dog to know, as well as the foundation for a lot of fun adventures you and your dog could enjoy together!
This mini-session class focuses exclusively on training your dog to have a better recall. In this class, we will focus on the essential components of teaching your dog the Recall, how to handle mistakes during Recall, improving your dog’s ability to recall when there are distractions and how to continue to develop your dog’s Recall at home when class is over.
Rodeo Dog Greenhorn - Mini
Prerequisites: Bronze or instructor approval
Rodeo Dog is a fun new sport that takes elements from traditional rodeos and presents them as a dog sport! The best part of it is that ANY dog and handler can do it. There are no restrictions. The purpose is to form a bond (team) with your dog and compete (if you want) in a fun and safe environment.
Participants in Rodeo Dog start first with a basic cloverleaf pattern (similar to barrel racing) and work up to Straight Line Barrels at the Bronze level. Depending on how the handler/dog does they will start on leash and can progress off leash as they are able.
Rodeo Dog results in well-rounded and conditioned dogs. It demonstrates training and good teamwork. All levels of handling skills are welcome.
Rookie STAR Puppy
This class is for puppies 5 months & younger.
The focus for this class will be on socialization and exposure for your puppy, along with some basic obedience. Socialization refers to your puppy's interactions with people, other puppies and dogs, and the environment. As such, this class will include
Introduction to basic training
Obstacle courses/exploration
Opportunity to socialize with other appropriate-sized puppies
Opportunity to socialize with socially skilled adult dogs
The goal of this class is to pass AKC STAR Puppy for those who are interested
Separation Anxiety Mini Course
Does your dog have separation anxiety? Help your anxious dog learn how to handle being left alone.
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety often develop behavior problems (destructive behavior, incessant whining/barking, etc.)
K9CA’s Separation Anxiety Mini Course will help you teach your dog how to be more confident and secure, enabling them to handle being left alone without destructive or dangerous behaviors. Initially we will start with short periods and build to longer periods of alone time.
In this three-week mini-course you will learn:
The underlying causes of separation anxiety
How to build confidence in your dog.
Strategies to lessen the effects of being left alone
A road map of how to progress this training over time
Therapy Dog Training
Prerequisites: CGC or coach approval. Dogs must be 1 year or older to be certified as a Therapy Dog.
This course is for Handler & dog teams that are interested in performing Therapy Work by going into hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, schools, etc.
We will discuss the requirements for Therapy Dog Certification.
In class, we will
Refine the obedience and manners a dog needs to have to be certified as a Therapy dog.
Provide exposures to common objects and situations your dog may be exposed to in therapy work.
Take field trips as appropriate to refine and practice skills
On the last day of class, we will arrange for a certified evaluator to conduct the dog/handler test required for therapy certification for those who are interested in pursuing the certification.
This class will not result in your dog being certified but will put you on the path to certification if you are interested.
Tricks Mini Session
Prerequisites: Dog must be at least 12 months of age and have completed a beginner-level class or instructor approval
Looking for fun activities to do with your dog?
If your dog loves learning and pleasing you, try out Tricks. Our Tricks class is a great option for mental enrichment and confidence building, and tricks are a great option for potential therapy dogs. Some tricks can also be useful in real life – such as fetching your slippers from the closet or your dog putting up their own toys.
In this class, you will learn how to teach your dog tricks using positive reinforcement. This class is a fun way to build a bond with your dog without the formality of obedience training. You will learn techniques to teach your dog multiple tricks.
WinterWorkshop Series
This class is for dogs 1 year and older.
Join us for this sampler class where participants have the opportunity to try out different dog sports, including:
* Competitive Obedience
* Tricks
* Rodeo Dog
* Fetch
* Rally
* Backyard Agility
A great way to learn what you and your dog like!
Session Notes:
Winter Workshop Series -
6 weeks
6 different sports
6 different ways to have fun with your dog