Criteria to enter class:
1. Puppies must be a minimum of 5 months old, however a puppy 4 months old may be admitted if it has successfully completed a Puppy Kindergarten class.
2. New-to-you adult dog or an adult dog that needs to start beginner training.
3. Owner committed to investing 15 minutes twice a day to practice skills
Content presented in class:
PVKC’s Beginner Class stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. This class lays the foundation for all your dog activities in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. You will find that training enhances the bond between you and your dog and helps create a dog that is a joy to live with. As you progress through the class you will be working on the following with your dog:
1. How to start getting your dog to focus its attention on you
2. How to get your dog to sit or lie down on command
3. How to get your dog to stay put in either a sit or down position
4. How to get your dog to walk nicely next to you on a loose lead
5. How to get your dog to come to you when called
6. How to teach your dog the “leave it” command
Other things will be covered as they come up. Remember, though, that a good dog is “made”, not “born”. You and your dog are a team, and the success of both of you depends on you, the owner, practicing with your dog.
Please Note: If, in the view of the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club class instructor, a dog that has enrolled in the instructor’s class would be better served by being referred to a private trainer before attending beginner classes, the instructor will discuss this option with the dog’s handler no later than the second week of classes.
Advanced Beginner Obedience
Criteria to enter class:
1. Dog can walk on loose leash next to handler for several steps without pulling or jerking on leash or being lured with food or toy.
2. Dog can sit and lie down with minimal repetition of commands.
3. Dog understands the concept of waiting or staying in position when commanded and can successfully hold that position (either sitting or lying down) for 10 to 15 seconds.
4. Dog will come to you when called with a lot of motivation and praise.
5. Dog shows some focus and attention on handler.
Content presented in class:
The Advanced Beginner Class continues with the theme of responsible dog ownership and basic good manners for dogs. You will be working to improve those skills learned in the Beginner Class. In addition you will be introduced to those skills your dog will need to know in order to pass AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test. This test is given by PVKC at various times of the year, and it is frequently given at area dog shows. If you take and pass the test you will be receive the CGC title from the AKC and will be able to use the initials “CGC” after your dog’s name.
Below are the skills covered in the Advanced Beginner class. Remember to practice!
1. Work on walking on a loose leash in heel position for longer distances.
2. Work on proper leash handling.
3. Improve responses to sit and down commands.
4. Extend time and distance for “sit/stays” and “down/stays”.
5. Extend distance for recalls.
6. Continue working on “leave it” command.
7. Work on skills needed for AKC’s “Canine Good Citizen” (CGC) title. These include:
a. Accepting a friendly stranger
b. Sitting quietly while a friendly person pets the dog
c. Gentle grooming by a friendly person
d. Walking on a loose leash
e. Walking politely through a crowd
f. Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place for a few seconds
g. Coming when called
h. Behaving politely around another dog
i. Reacting confidently around distractions
j. Being able to leave the dog, on leash, with a stranger while the owner goes out of sight for three minutes. The dog should maintain good manners while the owner is out of sight
Please Note: If, in the view of the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club class instructor, a dog that has enrolled in the instructor’s class would be better served by being reassigned to another class more in keeping with the dog’s skills, the instructor will discuss this option with the dog’s handler no later than the second week of classes.
Intermediate Obedience
Criteria to enter class:
1. Dog can walk on a loose leash in heel position for a reasonable distance.
2. Dog responds to sit and down commands usually on the first try.
3. Dog can wait or stay in a sit or down position for at least 30 seconds.
4. Dog will sit quietly for an exam.
5. Dog will come to you when called.
6. Dog is focusing on handler.
7. Owner committed to practicing with dog at home.
Content presented in class:
The Intermediate Class begins the transition from primarily good manners and “Canine Good Citizenship” to learning more traditional obedience skills that are needed to participate in many dog sports such as obedience, rally obedience, agility, tracking, carting, hunting, etc., while still being taught in a relaxed setting. This class is a starting point for those hoping to go on to competition, but anyone just wanting to learn more training techniques or seeking more control over their dog’s behavior in public settings – particularly in situations where many other people and/or dogs are present — should feel comfortable in the class.
Below are the skills covered in the Intermediate class.
1. Continue to improve heeling on loose leash. Add the automatic “sit” when the handler halts.
2. Continue to stress proper leash handling.
3. Work on footwork—right and left turns, about turn, change of pace, halts, figure 8.
4. Work on recalls from a distance. Introduce formal obedience recall.
5. Teach “fronts and finishes”.
6. Work on increasing time of “sit/stay” to one minute and “down/stay” to three minutes. Introduce more formal group “sits and stays”.
7. Teach the stand command, followed by the “stand for exam”.
8. Introduce other dog sports like competition obedience, agility, tracking, breed showing, etc.
Please Note: If, in the view of the Pioneer Valley Kennel Club class instructor, a dog that has enrolled in the instructor’s class would be better served by being reassigned to another class more in keeping with the dog’s skills, the instructor will discuss this option with the dog’s handler no later than the second week of classes.
