Obedience

Does your dog LOVE their crate? Will they enter it on cue and hang out calmly? If you can't answer yes to these questions, then this short 4-week class is for you. Crate training is important for the safety and well-being of your dog. Doing this training NOW will help your dog transition to being left at home when you go back to work someday. Effective crate training is one of the best ways to keep your dog from developing separation anxiety. NO DOGS first week to provide clicker training for humans. Clickers provided. Class size limited to 4 participants.

Wednesdays 6-7 pm.  Four Weeks: 2/17-3/10
Wednesdays 7-8 pm.  Four Weeks: 2/17-3/10

*Class size is limited. Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations via email or or facsimile before the first night of class.

R.E.S.C.U.E. Reactive. Education. Support. Confidence.  Understanding. Energy. 

This class is for dogs that react to people and other dogs by barking, lunging, shutting down and are distressed. Having a dog that is on constant alert and anxious is hard on the owners and the dog. In this class, we will focus on better understanding of your dog's reactivity, how to communication with your dog and we will teach coping skills and desensitizing your dog with positive reinforcement.

PLEASE NOTE: NO DOGS FIRST CLASS!

This class for reactive dogs is limited in size to 5.

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have been pushed back. New Start Dates:

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

Unleash your dog's potential! Instead of being roadblocks, obstacles are the bridge between dog and handler.  In this fun and practical class, teams will utilize agility obstacles in a non-competitive environment. Class size is limited!

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have been pushed back. New Start Dates:

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

This class is perfect for dogs who have learned basic commands and owners who want to focus on mastering commands and recall from a distance with distractions.

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have been pushed back. New Start Dates:

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

Buddy's PALS (Pet Assisted Learning Service) teams go into Lansing area schools to help children in our educational system at all grade levels with reading. Children also develop positive relationships with animals and learn the critical skills needed to care for our companion animals: compassion, responsibility, respect, and kindness.  The Buddy's PALS prep class reinforces the basic skills required for the Buddy's PALS test, including sit, stay, down, leave-it, loose leash walking, along with more advanced skills to prepare for the school environment, including interacting with children and adults.  A beginner or basic skills class is recommended before taking this class.  Teams will also learn the skills to pass the Canine Good Citizen test. Learn more about Buddy's PALS on facebook!

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have been pushed back. New Start Dates:

Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. Six weeks: 2/10-3/17

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

In this class, teams will focus on learning the basics of sit, down, come, stay, loose leash walking, and managing problem behavior.  This class is great for all dogs over five months of age that have not had any formal training.

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have pushed back. New Start Dates:

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

This class focuses on basic commands including introduction to loose leash walking, socialization, and preventing problem behaviors. For dogs under five months.

Due to Governor Whitmer's order to pause in December, start dates for 2021 term have been pushed back. New Start dates:

*Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

Puppy Control Unleashed® PLUS Obedience

Puppies who are not taught certain skills right away can develop severe behavior problems in adulthood. This 10-week class teaches these critical skills by combining Control Unleashed (by Leslie McDevitt) with early obedience. From calmness to impulse control, as well as cues like “come” and “drop it,” this class is designed to provide you and your puppy with a solid foundation of skills to set you up for a lifetime of success.

In this course, you will learn how to:

• Address nipping and jumping
• Build relaxation and calmness
• Teach and support appropriate greetings with people
• Reduce fear, anxiety, and over-excitement around other dogs
• Promote attention to handler in new environments
• Teach a default safety leave it behavior
• Support focus around distractions
• Keep your pup busy with enrichment and confidence-building exercises
• Teach and strengthen “come,” “leave it,” “drop it,” and other basic obedience skills

Before the first class, you will receive a pre-recorded lecture (via email). You must watch this lecture before the first class, as it will cover important concepts (in place of an in-class lecture), which will maximize training time.

You will need the following:

• Control Unleashed® book
• Balance harness (by Blue-9 online)
• 6-ft leash
• Portable mat (e.g., Mutt Mat online)
• Treat bag (e.g. Rapid Rewards on Amazon)
• 2-3 quart bags of soft, small treats (chicken, hot dogs, cheese)

(Puppies under 6 months only. Clickers will be provided. No retractable or chain leashes allowed, no prong/pinch/choke/shock collars allowed.)

*Social distancing practices will be followed. Masks are required for indoor classes

Saturdays, 10:30-11:30 am, 10 weeks: 1/16-3/20

This class will teach you how to teach your dog almost anything. It will focus on learning skills that form the building blocks for behavior. These skills will set you and your puppy up for a life of mutual respect and communication. For dogs 8 weeks to six months old.

Please bring your puppy on a harness with a standard 6 ft leash, plenty of really yummy treats (cheese, chicken, hot dogs, or similar).  Prong, slip, choke, vibration, or shock collars not permitted.

*Social distancing practices will be followed. Masks are required for indoor classes

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

This class focuses on pattern games and the tools to give your dog the skills to cope with the world. We will also cover effective socialization using a deliberate focused method. This class is great for handling your over-excited pup, your shy pup, or as a preventive tool for reactivity. All dogs will have their own working stations.

Please bring your dog on a harness with a standard 6 ft leash, plenty of really yummy treats (cheese, chicken, hot dogs, or similar).  Prong, slip, choke, vibration, or shock collars not permitted. Bring an inexpensive, portable mat and the book Reactive to Relaxed by Leslie McDevitt. (For dogs 6 month- 1 year - other ages accepted based on availability in class and instructor approval). 

Thursdays 8:30-9:15 p.m. Eight weeks: 1/21-3/11
Thursdays, 6:30-7:15 pm.  Eight weeks: 1/21-3/11

This class is designed for both new therapy dog teams and therapy dog teams who have been working for years. We will cover YOUR real life issues and questions, including problem solving with other working teams. And we will brush up on therapy dog skills we can all use help with...Things like "leave it", "down/stay" or "loose leash walking."  You set the agenda. 

This Class is ONLY for Certified TDI®Therapy Dog teams. Class size is limited.

Wednesdays 8-9 pm. Six weeks: 10/23-11/27

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

For puppies 10-20 weeks of age. This class begins the important process of training and socialization. Topics include household manners, preventing and managing problem behaviors and basic obedience exercises. Class size limited.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY NOON ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. IF YOU WANT TO REGISTER AFTER NOON ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS, PLEASE CALL 517.599.0995 FOR AVAILABILITY AND REGISTRATION.

Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. Six weeks: 6/24 - 7/29

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.

Do you have an anxious dog? Or a reactive dog that barks or lunges at anything new it encounters?  So did I...But not anymore! Learn the techniques I used to move my dog, Arrow from Reactive to Calm or to help your shy pup go from frightened to confident. Experience with the appropriate use of a clicker or handler attendance in the first hour of “Beginning Clicker” is a requirement for this class. Class size is limited.

Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. Six weeks: 1/5-2/9

*Class size is limited. Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations via facsimile or email before the first night of class.

This course will cover the basics to get you started on a trusting, respectful and fulfilling relationship with your new puppy. Each class will include teaching a new basic obedience behavior, like “sit”, down, “don’t pull” and “come” with the scientifically proven training method of Clicker Training. Each class will also include “Puppy Do’s and Don’ts” to answer your specific questions, problems and concerns.  And of course, each week your puppy will get to PLAY and socialize. And you, as a “Puppy Parent” will learn what to look for in puppy play, what’s appropriate, what’s not, when to step in and when to let it roll. For puppies 8-20 weeks. All puppies must be current with vaccinations appropriate for their age. Bring lots of YOUR puppy’s favorite soft treats. Class size is limited. Drop in also available for $30 per class.

Tuesdays 6-7 pm.  Six Weeks: 1/5-2/9

*Class size is limited. Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations via email or or facsimile before the first night of class.

*NO DOGS FIRST CLASS.*

Dawn Archer Pizzoferrato, ABCDT uses scientifically proven "clicker training" and "free shaping" used to teach your dog all the basics plus other fun, useful behaviors. Learn how to become a benevolent leader to manage and prevent unwanted behaviors. This is an especially great class for first time owners or newly adopted shelter/rescue dogs. No corrections used as you build a bond of trust and respect. For dogs of all ages. Class size is limited. *

The first night of class will be lecture only, please do not bring dogs to class.

Tuesdays, 7-8 pm. Six weeks: 1/5-2/9
Wednesdays, 6-7 pm. Six weeks: 1/6-2/10

*Class size is limited. Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations via facsimile or email before the first night of class.

Dawn Pizzoferrato, ABCDT introduces the Canine Good Citizen behaviors! This includes advanced loose leash walking, greeting a stranger, walking through a crowd, polite behavior around other dogs, and much more. For dogs of all ages. Prerequisite: Doggie Do Good Beginner Obedience or equivalent. CGC test given on last night of class.

Wednesdays, 7-8 pm. Six weeks: 1/6-2/10

*Class size is limited. Social distancing practices will be followed.  Masks required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations via facsimile or email before the first night of class.

The Control Unleashed® class is for fearful/reactive dogs. This twelve week class will teach the dog and handler skills to cope with stressful situations,giving the dogs the ability to stay calm when faced with the triggers that cause inappropriate reactions. This class is limited to 4 participants. PAYMENT MUST BE RECEIVED IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO HOLD CLASS SPOT.

Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15 pm. 12 weeks: 2/2-4/20

Tuesdays, 7:30-8:15 pm. 12 weeks: 2/2-4/20

*Socials distancing will be practiced and masks are required for indoor classes.

ATTENTION:

All students must fill out a training survey.

Please provide proof of vaccinations on or before the first night of class.