Classes We Offer
Class sizes are small to allow for individual attention
Click the + sign beside the class name to see its description.
Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Obedience and Manners, Advanced Puppy/Basic Classes
Puppy Kindergarten
For puppies 5 months and younger. Puppies are sponges, so come join us and teach your puppy basic obedience (sit, down, stay, come, wait) and manners (not jumping, walking nicely on leash). We will work on skills that are necessary for everyday life including impulse control. Questions regarding housebreaking, teething and anything puppy will be answered!
Basic Obedience and Manners
This class is designed for dogs over six months who have not had a basic obedience course and for dogs who would benefit by repeating. Training techniques are presented to owners who want their dogs to learn to sit, lie down, stay, come, keep all fours on the floor, and walk with a slack leash. These techniques are for owners to use in everyday life to help their pet become and remain a well mannered member of the family. We believe it is never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!
Advanced Puppy/Basic
For dogs that have completed Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Obedience and have an understanding of basic commands. More advanced obedience, how to work around increasing distractions, and life skills are covered.
Agility Classes
Agility - Level 1 Introduction
Level 1 is for dogs with no agility experience. The class will introduce agility equipment and basic handling. Dogs must have completed Puppy Kindergarten or Basic Obedience. Use of non-agility equipment for basic handling and body awareness will be shown so you can work on your skills at home. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners or permission from instructor.
Agility: Level 2
For dogs who have had Level 1. More sequencing will be offered with basic handling. Prerequisite: Agility – Level 1 or permission from instructor
Agility: Level 3
Dogs at this level should be working rather consistently off leash. Increasing emphasis on proper handling and teamwork. Prerequisite: Agility – Level 2 or permission from instructor
Agility: Level 4
Dog and handler must work fluently off leash. Increasing the difficulty of courses and becoming more proficient at teeter and weaves will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Agility – Level 3 or permission from instructor
Agility: Level 5 - Competition Level
Dogs must be fluent on all equipment including teeter and weaves. More focus on reading a course and handling skills/options will be covered. Prerequisite : Agility – Level 4 or permission from instructor
Competitive Obedience Classes
Competition Obedience – Novice level
For those who want to further their dog’s attention and obedience skills and those who want to prepare their dog for the obedience ring. Novice level, as well as foundation skills for Open and Utility will be covered. This is a fun, fast-paced class. Prerequisite: Advanced Puppy Kindergarten/Advanced Basic or permission from instructor.
Competitive Obedience – AKC Levels Open & Utility
For those who want to compete in Open and Utility. This class uses creative exercises to improve skills and attention. Each class helps the handler and their dog to progress to the highest level of competition obedience. The classes are taught to build precision in a fun enjoyable environment!
AKC Rally
AKC rally is a fun obedience sport requiring the dog and handler to navigate a series of stations, each with a skill to be performed. The team moves through the course at their own pace. This class will teach students how to correctly interpret and perform the signs for each station while working and improving obedience skills. This is a great class to work on obedience teamwork with your dog. Prerequisite: Advanced Puppy Kindergarten/Advanced Basic or permission from instructor.
Scentwork
Scentwork - Level 1
Scentwork is a terrific way to deepen the bond you have with your dog and it’s also great for senior dogs and dogs with physical challenges. This introduction class will teach your dog to recognize and indicate the essential oil odor of Birch, the scent most commonly used in the Novice level of scentwork trials.
A strong foundation is key to future success in scentwork so we are offering Level One in a “drop in” class format. Dogs will progress at their own pace so that their understanding is solid before moving on to Level Two.
We use “clicker training” in this class. Students unfamiliar with “clicker training” will also learn how to use this training tool. Students not wishing to use a “clicker” will be instructed in the use of a “verbal marker”. Students will be provided with a Birch Scent Aid for practicing at home.
When your dog is able to pass an AKC Novice Container search, finding Birch hidden in one of ten boxes, you will be ready to move on to a Level Two class and receive scent aids for the three other scents used in trials (anise, clove, and cypress.) Most dogs are ready to pass a Novice test in 7-8 weeks. Classes are 30 minutes long. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Scentwork - Level 2 Expanding the Search
In Level Two we will work on building the dog’s confidence in finding scent in containers, high and low hides, buried hides, room searches, and exterior searches. Dogs will also be introduced to the AKC Handler Discrimination class in which dogs must find their owner’s glove or sock hidden in a row of boxes.The occasional field trip may be part of the class. Each class is an hour long. Prerequisite: Scentwork Level 1 and permission from instructor.
Scentwork - Level 3 Advanced Scentwork and Advanced Handler Discrimination
All sorts of hides (and some games) will be presented to dogs and handlers to hone their skills, test their abilities, and have FUN working whacky searches. Field trips will be part of each session whenever possible. Prerequisite: Scentwork Level 2 and permission from instructor.
Advanced Classes
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) or Therapy Dog Classes and Testing
Fieldwood periodically offers classes for those who want to prepare their dogs for therapy dog or CGC (AKC’s Canine Good Citizen) testing. In these classes we will introduce you and your dog the skills needed to past these tests so you and your dog can become one of the many teams that assist residents at nursing homes or veterans’ hospitals, visit kids at schools, or perform other community services. After completing this course Fieldwood will bring in a certified evaluator to conduct the tests. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Canine Musical Freestyle
Canine Musical Freestyle is a mixture of obedience training, tricks, music and dance that allows for creative interaction between dogs and their owners. Routines are designed to music to show off the dog’s and handler’s skills and flair. In this class you and your dog will be shown basic and advanced moves, tips for selecting music, and working up your routine will be covered. A fun, innovative, and lively class! Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Impulse Control
Impulse control is the basis for all proper dog behavior and obedience. Does your dog jump, pull, bark, take food off your counter, rush through doors? Or do you want to ensure that your dog never does? We will use a series of exercises to help your dog gain more impulse control in their daily life with you. We will also train you to look for your dog’s triggers and help you to be more proactive. Dogs of all ages are welcome to attend.
K9 Sports Sampler
Can’t decide on what you would like to try with your dog? Try them all! Obedience, rally, agility and tricks will be sampled in this class. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Obedience Games
Work on your obedience skills through fun and innovating games. Good for all levels whether you would like to compete or just have an obedient dog. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Obedience Skills for Everyday Life
Polish your dog’s obedience with games and fun! Work on improving your dog’s recall, retrieving, stays, etc. Class will be geared towards the needs of the participants. Dogs must have had a basic obedience class or approval of instructor.
Rally-Free
Rally-Free is a unique sport combining trick behaviors from Canine Musical Freestyle with the format of Rally-Obedience. It emphasizes the precise execution of fundamental freestyle and obedience skills while encouraging creative and novel behaviors on a Rally-Obedience style course. Rally Free is an upbeat, fun way to practice skills focusing on attention and precision. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Tricks!
A fun way to continue to bond with your dog and expand your dog’s knowledge is to teach him tricks.
In this class we’ll teach the dog a variety of tricks each week building on what was learned the previous weeks. Come join the fun! Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Intro to Treibball
Treibball, aka “Urban Herding” or “Push Ball”, is a lively dog sport is similar to soccer except dogs push large balls into a goal with their noses (no pawing). Learn the fine art of clicking and shaping behaviors- skills you can use in everyday life and all dog sports. No experience needed. For dogs and people of all ages. Requirements: a hungry dog, yummy treats, and an open mind. Clickers provided. (Okay, just how do you PRONOUNCE it? According to the American Treibball Association, it’s pronounced Tri – ball…. with a long “I”. Give it a TRY!!!) Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.
Recipe for a Better Relationship
Want to continue improving your relationship and communication with your dog? The “recipe” calls for 1 cup of tricks, 2 tablespoons of obedience, 3 pinches of impulse control and 4 gallons of fun! Come join us for a class that has a little bit of everything to spice up your winter training. Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten/ Basic Training and Manners, or permission from instructor.