Group Classes

General group classes are small with a limited number of dogs to allow for individualized attention for you and your dog. Each level is a 7-week session meeting one hour per week. All group lessons are held at the DogSense Training Facility on Drane Field Rd. Group classes include Basic Obedience, Advanced Levels 2 and 3 as well as the Beyond Basics series.

Please Note: while we have helped many owners re-train their dog under the direction of Animal Services, group classes are not an appropriate venue for for these situations. Please contact us to schedule private lessons.

Basic Obedience

A 7-week program designed for dogs who have had no training, puppies or older dogs. The dogs learn basic commands that enable them to be polite members of the family. The owners begin to learn how dogs think, how dogs view situations, and how to establish themselves as the pack leader in their dog's life.

The start of Beginners Program includes a two hour seminar in the first week, where we discuss equipment, how to become your dog's pack leader, and discuss some common behavior problems and their solutions.

Behaviors that are covered in this program include...

• Housebreaking
• Polite leash behavior
• Coming when called
• Remaining in one place

• Stopping jumping up
• Stopping excessive barking
• Stopping destructive chewing
• and more

Advanced Level 2 and 3 Obedience

These programs are the natural progression of the training started in the Beginners program. Perfecting leadership skills, strengthening behaviors we are creating, and continuing to work on behaviors we are getting rid of. We work on perfecting stays, leash work, and introduce off leash control.

Beyond Basics

A fun course with an introduction to a variety of advanced training techniques; we explore Agility, Rally Obedience, and trick training throughout the 7-weeks. If you are looking to continue with your dog or would like to sample an introduction to different advanced competition level training, this one is for you!

We train over low jumps, through tunnels and weave poles found on agility courses as well as work on the discipline required for Rally Obedience. In addition, we teach you how to teach your dog a variety of tricks including; jumping through hoops, shake, wave bye-bye, forward and backward spins and more. Trick training starts with foundation tricks and builds up to more advanced level tricks so this course can be taken multiple times as the class is dynamic in which skills are being taught.

This program is intended for dogs and owners who have completed level 3 Obedience training and are working off lead.

Conformation and Handling

Geared towards individuals who are showing their dog in the conformation ring, these classes are taught by a professional handler who has multiple group wins at Westminister. Classes available as a drop-in. Please contact us for details.