Training
25+ years as a Registered Nurse have sparked in me a love of teaching — both people and dogs!
Over the years I have learned that the secret of successful teaching is to break complex tasks into small enough parts to understand. Dogs don't speak human language, so they need help figuring out what we want. I use positive training techniques like luring, shaping, and clickers to help you communicate with your dog. Patience, calmness, and fun are the most essential tools in your toolbox!
I offer group training classes or private in-home training sessions.
Group Training Classes
I currently offer several group training classes.
Please complete the online Training Class Sign-Up Request Form to reserve your spot.
Class Schedule and Description
Novice Agility Class
Best for: Dogs and dog owners who have completed the Intro to Agility Class or are currently competing at the Novice Level.
Description: This 6-week, 1-hour class teaches Novice Level sequences.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk at the owner's left side without needing to maintain a perfect heel position.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
- Dog owners need to bring a crate or assistant while the dog owner walks the course.
Dates: This 6-week, 1-hour class is held on the following dates:
- Thursday, April 11th at 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, April 18th at 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, April 25th at 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, May 2nd at 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, May 9th at 6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, May 16th at 6:45 p.m.
Fee: $120 paid in advance.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Rally Beginner
Best for: Dogs and dog owners new to the sport of Rally or working at the Novice level.
Description: This 6-week, 1-hour class introduces the basics of Rally, what Rally is, the equipment, Novice signs and walking the course.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk at the owner's left side without needing to maintain a perfect heel position.
- Dogs should be able to sit and down on command.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
- Dog owners need to bring a crate or assistant while the dog owner walks the course.
Dates: This 6-week, 1-hour class is held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, April 9th at 6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 16th at 6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 30th at 6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 7th at 6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 14th at 6:15 p.m.
Fee: $120 paid in advance.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Rally Practice
Best for: Dogs and dog owners working at the Intermediate level and above.
Description: In this continued Rally drop-in, 1-hour class we will practice nested courses using signs from Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent, and Masters levels. Teams can work at their current level while also learning new signs.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk at the owner's left side without needing to maintain a perfect heel position.
- Dogs should be able to sit and down on command.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
- Dog owners need to bring a crate or assistant while the dog owner walks the course.
Dates: This continued drop-in, 1-hour rally practice with nested courses is held on the following dates:
- Tuesday, April 2nd at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 9th at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 16th at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 23rd at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 30th at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 7th at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 14th at 5:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 21st at 5:00 p.m.
— Please specify the date when you sign up —
Fee: $20 per class paid in advance.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Basic Obedience Class
Best for: Dogs and puppies over 4 months who didn't go to the Puppy Class or need a refresher.
Description: Using positive training techniques, this 6-week, 1-hour class teaches the basics (see Puppy Class for details) to ensure a solid foundation with some differences for the older crowd. Later in the class, we'll move into some more advanced topics like increasing focus, what to do with leash pulling, dealing with puberty, and bad habits.
Requirements:
- No special requirements.
Dates: This 6-week, 1-hour class is held on the following dates:
- Thursday, April 11th at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 18th at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 25th at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 2nd at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 9th at 5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 16th at 5:30 p.m.
Fee: $120 paid in advance.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Advanced Beginners Scentwork
A continuation class into the wonderful world of scent work, one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country.
Best for: Scent work is fun and basically for all dogs, regardless of age, breed, or physical limitations. It provides an excellent way to build a strong relationship with your dog while building confidence. Scent work is mentally stimulating, harnessing a dog’s unique ability to detect the scent and determine the source.
Description: In this 6-week, 1-hour class, you will learn to build an effective reinforcement system for scent work. Your dog will learn to identify all odors (essential oils) used in U.S. scent work trials and communicate to you when they have located the odor. Dog and handler teams will have fun searching for odors in a variety of scenarios.
Requirements:
- For dogs that have taken the Intro to Scentworks Class.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
Dates: This 6-week, 1-hour class is held on the following dates:
- Monday, April 15th at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, April 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 6th at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m.
- Monday, May 20th at 6:30 p.m.
Fee: $120 paid in advance.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Conformation Class
Best for: For show dogs and handlers wanting to improve their gaiting, stacking, free-baiting, and acceptance of the judges exam. Junior handlers working on their patterns are welcome.
Description: This 1-hour drop-in class teaches handling skills, patterns, stacking, free-baiting, and standing for judges exam.
Requirements:
- Dogs should wear a show lead and collar appropriate for their breed.
- Owners/handlers should come prepared with lots of bait or small toys.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's/handler's control.
Dates: This 1-hour class is held on the following dates:
- Monday, April 8th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 15th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 22nd at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 29th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 6th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 13th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 20th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 27th at 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, June 3rd at 5:00 p.m.
— Please specify the date when you sign up —
Fee: $20 per class, paid at each class. Sign-up required.
Location: 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI, 2nd floor.
Intro to Agility Class
Best for: Dogs and dog owners who want to have tons of fun learning how to safely navigate various agility obstacles with their dog.
Description: This 6-week, 1-hour class teaches how to improve your teamwork and communication while your dog thinks you are playing a new game. This class covers obstacle basics, stringing together a sequence, and how to evaluate and walk a course.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk at the owner's left side without needing to maintain a perfect heel position.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
- Dog owners need to bring a crate or assistant while the dog owner walks the course.
Obedience 2
Best for: Dogs who have attended the Basic Obedience Class but need some extra practice.
Description: Using positive training techniques, in this 6-week, 1-hour class we will practice stays, loose leash walking, and other basic obedience behaviors.
Requirements:
- Dogs should have attended the Basic Obedience Class.
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep Class
Best for: Dogs of any age preparing to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) exam.
Description: In this 6-week class, we will practice exercises to assist dogs with passing the AKC CGC test. The course includes CGC Community exercises. The CGC test will be administered on the last day of class.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk on a loose leash, sit and down on command, and know come and stay.
- Dogs must be current on distemper/parvo or have positive titer within the last year.
- Dogs must have proof of rabies.
- Bring your dog to the first class on a 6-foot-long leash with lots of small treats and proof of vaccines/veterinary care.
STAR Puppy Class
Best for: Puppies ages 8 weeks to 1 year.
Description: Using positive training techniques, this 6-week, 1-hour class introduces basic obedience following the AKC STAR program. AKC STAR puppy test will be administered during the last class.
Requirements:
- Puppies 16 weeks and older must have had their rabies vaccine.
- The puppy must be up to date (age appropriate) with distemper/parvo vaccine.
- Consult with your veterinarian regarding your pup's vaccinations, health, and readiness for group classes.
- Bring your puppy to the first class on a 6-foot-long leash with lots of small soft treats and proof of vaccines/veterinary care.
Tricks
Best for: Dog owners who want to have more fun with their dog.
Description: Whether you have your sights on an AKC Tricks title or just want to impress your friends, this 6-week, 1-hour class teaches fun new tricks using your dog's natural abilities.
Requirements:
- Dogs should be able to walk at the owner's left side without needing to maintain a perfect heel position.
- Dogs should be able to sit and down on command.
- Dogs need to be under the owner's control.
Dogs 101 Class
Best for: New dog owners and people planning to get a dog or puppy.
Description: This 6-week, 1-hour class is an informative class. No dogs needed but you may want to bring a notebook. We'll cover how dogs learn and how to train. We'll also cover safety, equipment, toys, health, first aid, feeding, behavior, socialization, and grooming. In 6 short weeks you'll be an expert on all things dog!
Requirements:
- No dog required.
Grooming Desensitization Class
Best for: Dogs who show sensitivity during grooming.
Description: This 6-week, 1-hour class helps dogs accept their feet, tails, face, and other problem areas being touched and handled. We'll accustom them to the sounds of a dryer, clippers, and other tools of the trade. We start at the level your dog currently is at. The goal is to make progress.
Requirements:
- Bring lots of soft yummy treats and whatever tools you usually use to groom your dog.
- Your dog is fit and healthy.
- Your dog is current on Rabies (age appropriate as required by law), Distemper/Parvo (required), Bordetella (recommended) and Canine Influenza vaccinations (recommended). Annual blood titer test may be provided in lieu of Distemper/Parvo vaccination.
- If your dog is ill, you agree not to bring the ill dog to the training class.
- Your dog must be under your control at all times. You are responsible to clean up after your dog and maintain safety at all times.
- The training space is on the 2nd floor at 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI. You and your dog must be capable of navigating stairs to participate in the training class.
- The minimum training class size is three dogs. Training classes with less than three dogs will be canceled and a refund issued.
- Training classes are six weeks long with one training session each week, unless otherwise stated.
Our group training classes are held in a brand-new facility on the 2nd floor at 2876 5th Street, Trenton MI.
Rally Beginner Training Class.
Rally Beginner Training Class.
Rally Beginner Training Class.
Rally Beginner Training Class.
Rally Beginner Training Class.
Basic Obedience Training Class: Blue is working on Stay.
Basic Obedience Training Class: Rodney, a puppy, is working on Stay.
Basic Obedience Training Class: Rodney is working on Sits and Downs.
Private In-Home Training
My private in-home training session starts by determining where you are with your dog and which goals you want to achieve. Then we build the foundation for reaching these goals. How many sessions we need depends on your goals and dedication to working with your dog.
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific training situation.
