Come learn how to teach your dog to choose on his own to sit politely instead of jumping up, to focus on you when you enter a distracting environment, and to walk on a leash without pulling! “Obedience” is important, yes, but we at Playful Pups go way beyond teaching your dog to obey your commands! We want your dog to have good manners without your having to tell him how to behave in every situation. You dog will learn to wait in front of an open door, ignore a dropped piece of food, and lie down in a “settle” position –all without any verbal cues needed!
You’ll be surprised to see how quickly and happily your dog will learn these basic manners when you use positive reinforcement training instead of compulsion. In fact, you and your dog will enjoy the process so much you will probably want to continue taking classes, such as Rally Obedience, which teaches more advanced skills (Heel, Finish, etc.) in a different way and can set your dog up for earning ribbons and AKC competitions. Most importantly, the time you and your dog spend together in any class will help build a bonding relationship that will permanently enrich both of your lives.
“Thank you for a wonderful first class. Duncan and I had a wonderful time and I am even more pleased with his response to the gentle method of training you are teaching us. –Diane J.
It’s best to start training while your dog is just a puppy, but if your dog is too old for Puppy Kindergarten, he should take the “entry” level Obedience class. Even if your dog is much older and knows basic obedience skills, he still should begin with the “Intro to Force-Free Obedience” class.
After that, he would go on to Basic Obedience. [Note that Basic L and S may be taken in either order.]
Intro to Force-Free Obedience: This class is for dogs who have not yet taken a Playful Pups class, even if they already know some commands. It will teach the foundation skills and games that are covered in the puppy classes and are expanded upon in the Basic classes and beyond. So if your dog doesn’t already know games like Name Game, It’sYerChoice, Find My Eyes, Kibble Toss, Hold That Position, and Hand Touch…he will learn them and a lot more in this class! Then he’ll be ready for the two Basic Obedience classes. (Six weeks, $170)
Basic Obedience L. This class comprises half of the full Basic Obedience course. It introduces voice and hand cues for the typical obedience behaviors a well-mannered dog should have. You will build on the positive reinforcement training games and exercises already learned, but the emphasis will be on teaching loose-leash walking skills. You will also practice multiple ways to retain your dog’s attention when he spots a dog, a squirrel, or any other trigger! Most of all, you and your dog will develop a strong, mutually respectful relationship. (Six weeks, $170)
Basic Obedience S: This class comprises half of the full Basic Obedience course. It introduces voice and hand cues for the typical obedience behaviors a well-mannered dog should have. You will build on the positive reinforcement training games and exercises already learned, but the emphasis will be on teaching stationary behaviors, such as “Stay,” “Wait,” and “Go to Your Mat.” Most of all, you and your dog will develop a strong, mutually respectful relationship. (Six weeks, $170)
Intermediate Obedience: If you have already taken a Playful Pups class and your dog some Basic Obedience skills, taking this class will refine and strengthen them. Continuing to use the foundation skills, you will now apply them to off-leash heeling, distance recalls, fronts and finishes, and solid stays. This a great course for a dog that already has basic manners and an owner who wants to do more! (6 weeks $170)
Advanced Obedience: This is a class for Intermediate Obedience graduates who want to solidify, maintain, or expand their obedience skills. It will be conducted mostly off-leash and will introduce behaviors needed for Obedience and Rally competitions. But don’t worry: the format is relaxed and fun, since skills are often practiced while playing games, such as Musical Chairs or Recall Relays! (6 weeks $170)
Dog About Town: If you have already taken a Playful Pups class and your dog has strong Basic Obedience skills, taking this class will help you take these skills on the road! The initial class will be at the training center; however, the rest of the classes will meet at various dog-friendly spots in the area. That means, of course, that you and your dog have already learned several ways to deal with potential reactivity and are ready to practice them in the real world! (6 weeks, $170)
