Group Classes

Saturday, June 21st @9:00 AM

Get your puppy off to a bright and confident start by enrolling in our six-week puppy manners class. We’ll cover essential skills like using lures, place, sit, down, stay, puppy push-ups, stand, loose leash walking, and friendly greetings. This class suits puppies aged 3-6 months with their first vaccinations.

Instructor – Michele Longo

Classes run for six consecutive weeks.

Prerequisite – Admissions Consultation

Please be advised that sessions are non-refundable.

Wednesday, June 18th @5:00 PM

Saturday, June 21st @10:15 AM

This class continues where Puppy Kindergarten left off and focuses on enhancing the skills learned in the previous class. You and your puppy will work on commands such as recalls, longer sit-stays, and down-stays, as well as improved heeling and attention skills. This class is designed for dog owners who want to increase their dogs’ and their own freedom. All dogs must be up to date on their vaccinations.

If you did not attend our Puppy Kindergarten, you must attend an admissions consultation or get the instructor’s approval before joining this class.

Instructor: Michele Longo

Saturday, June 21st, @11:30

Monday, June 23rd, 1:45 – 3:45 PM

This class focuses on life behavior skills such as home manners, walking in town, meeting people, and going places. During the second hour, we explore various activities like Rally, Scent Work, Tricks, Man Trailing, Fit Dog, Tracking/Agility, and more. Customize your training by choosing the two-hour session (1:45 – 3:45 PM) or splitting into shorter sessions (1:45 – 2:45 pm or 2:45 – 3:45 pm).

The first hour of training for the Canine Good Citizen, Urban Canine Good Citizen, and Trick Dog certifications will be from 1:45 to 2:45. Testing (optional) will be conducted on the last day. We will also cover the manners necessary for becoming a therapy dog.

2:45 – 3:45—This is a continuation of the first hour. It is perfect for those who enjoy long walks and diverse activities. This extension offers innovative training methods to tackle real-world scenarios with your dog.

Program Director TERRI MARINIER is a veteran professional LEMA/positive reinforcement dog trainer and an AKC/UKC JUDGE!  She draws on her forty-plus years working and competing. Her specialties include obedience and sport, hunting, tracking, trailing, scent, rally, fit dog, and more.

Owner with their dog for a 2-hour class/ $375.

Owner with their dog for a 1-hour class / $191.

The trainer takes your dog through a six-week 2-hour series / $750.

Monday, June 23rd @4:00 PM

Rally is a perfect starting point for those new to canine sports. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/sports/get-started-in-dog-sports-and-events/ Rally obedience is a sport where the dog and handler move through a numbered course.  Depending on the level, there can be anywhere from 12 to 24 stations.  Each station consists of a pace change and a stationary skill such as a sit, down, or stand. This class introduces you to the sport of rally and the skills needed to succeed! Even if you aren’t interested in competition, it is an excellent class to perfect basic obedience and heeling skills.

Prerequisites – Basic Obedience or instructor approval.

Instructor, Terri Marinier

Monday, June 23rd, @5:00 PM

What is Mantrailing? It is a sport in which dogs are trained to follow a scent trail to locate a specific person. It’s a challenging and rewarding activity for both the dog and the handler.

Six-Week Course Overview

Essential Gear:
Harness & Long Line: For easy handling, use a back clip harness and a long line ranging from 15′ to 30′.
– Rewards & Toys: Bring ample food rewards and a favorite toy if your dog enjoys one.
– Footwear & Accessories: Wear comfortable shoes or boots for outdoor activities. Consider gloves if your dog tends to pull.
Scent Article: Wear a personal item like a hat, glove, sock, or scarf for at least an hour to give the dog your scent.

Course Activities:
1. Starting with Familiarity:
– Engage in a simple hide-and-seek game where the dog learns to find its owner first.
– The dog sniffs an item with the owner’s scent, follows the scent on command, and locates the owner.
– Reward the dog with food or play for successful finds.

2. Advancing Skills:
– As the dog becomes adept at finding the owner, introduce it to new scents from different people.
– This progression enhances the dog’s ability to track and locate various targets, making the activity more challenging and stimulating.

Outcome and Enjoyment:
– This fun and engaging activity builds your dog’s scent-tracking skills, leading to delightful experiences like finding hidden children or grandchildren.
– It strengthens the bond between you and your dog, offering a rewarding experience for all participants.

Instructor, Terri Marinier

Tuesday, June 24th

First class @1:45 and then again at 3:00 PM

Discover the hidden talents of your dog with our popular scent work class led by the expert Terri Marinier!

Dive into the fascinating world of canine scent detection. This class is designed to enhance your dog’s natural abilities in odor identification, boosting their confidence and keeping them mentally stimulated. Whether you’re a hobbyist or looking to compete in scent work trials, Terri’s expert guidance will provide you with the knowledge and skills to excel.

Classes fill up quickly, so don’t miss the chance to embark on this exciting adventure with your dog. Sign up now and watch your dog’s nose lead the way!

Instructor / Terri Marinier; AKC Scent Work/UKC Nose Work Judge.

Tuesday, June 24th, @4:00 PM

This class is for the uber-advanced dogs. It involves more complex scenarios that simulate real-life situations where dogs detect scents in challenging environments, such as buildings, vehicles, or outdoor spaces. To advance to this class, you must have completed the beginner scent class or have approval from the instructor.

Instructor / Terri Marinier

Begins Wednesday, June 25th @3:00

This class prepares the dog and parent team for certification processes, including CGC, Community Citizen, and Therapy Dog.

Classes will focus on practicing the requirements for each of these tests. Additionally, we will assist in navigating through the selected organization with which they will work, outlining the steps to follow. The first class will be held at Rhodes Collar, where we will positively expose the dogs to various experiences they might encounter in their training. The session will run for six weeks.

https://www.akc.org/sports/title-recognition-program/therapy-dog-program/therapy-dog-organizations/