Group Training Classes

I. Basic Positive Training/Doggy Manners:
Saturdays, 10 AM at Markham Park

The cost for the five-week class is $175.
For dogs of all ages

You will learn:

  • How to teach your dog to be calm and focused around people and other dogs.
  • How to apply the basics, such as sit, watch me, down, stay, leave it, and wait to replace unwanted behavior with desirable behavior.
  • Verbal commands and standard working hand signals.
  • How to walk your dog with a loose leash and greet other dogs and people calmly.
  • How to have a super-fast and reliable recall ( three seconds at 30 feet by graduation is the goal!)
  • How to fade the treats and use life rewards, including play

Positive Reinforcement training (R+) focusses on what your dog is doing right. Your dog is taught and rewarded for desirable behavior, increasing his likelihood of repeating it. R+ training is reward-based, not punishment-based. You’ll learn how to gain your dog’s cooperation without choke chains, prong collars, shock collars, or leash corrections. The result is a dog that obeys with enthusiasm, not fear.

Requirements for Basic Positive Training Class:

  • Handlers 16 and older.
  • Proof of rabies and parvo/distemper yearly booster vaccinations
  • Soft, high-quality treats (such as Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried raw meal mixers or Pure Bites freeze dried chicken or liver) that can be broken into tiny pieces (not crunchy).
  • If you have a small breed, it is best not to feed your dog Saturday morning prior to class.
  • Six foot leash of leather, nylon or cotton*
  • Front attaching harnesses only (Sensation Harness* and Freedom Harness are the best-fitting)
  • Allowable collars: flat nylon or leather buckle, or Gentle Leader head collar
  • Not allowed: choke chains, prong collars, retractable-leashes, chain leashes,
    or back-attaching harnesses (unless your dog is under 10 lbs.)
  • Your dog must be friendly toward people and other dogs

Also a good idea:

  • Water/Bowl (water is available)
  • Pick-up bags
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray (rarely necessary)
  • Folding chair for observers.

*I highly recommend: a six-foot leather leash (easy on the hands) and a Sensation Front-attaching harness. For extreme pullers, a gentle leader is recommended.

PRE-REGISTRATION BY PHONE IS REQUIRED.

II. Canine Good Citizen:

Classes held periodically based on demand
The cost for the five-week class including the test is $175.

Canine Good Citizen is a title from the American Kennel Club. A Canine Good Citizen is trained to act mannerly in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs. Passing dogs receive a tag for their collar, a frameable certificate from the AKC, and earn the initials “CGC” after their name. For more information on the ten test items, go to www.akc.org

This is a handling class to prepare you to take the CGC test, which is administered on the last class. You and your dog must already have mastered the basic exercises, therefore the Basic Positive Training Class is a pre-requisite.

PRE-REGISTRATION BY PHONE IS REQUIRED.

Contact Susan Claire, CPDT-KA for more information at 954-349-5969

PlayTrain uses science-based, force free methods.  We never use any method or collar that causes your dog to feel pain, fear or intimidation.  We follow the Humane Hierarchy and LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) codes of ethics.

 

Remember, we never use: