Training Class Descriptions
Classes offered by First Dog Training Club cover all aspects of dog obedience including Basic Manners, Competition Obedience, Rally and Show Handling.
Basic Manners:
Puppy Kindergarten Class
For dogs 3 to 6 months of age. This age is a critical time in the development of the puppies. The class teaches them to get along with other dogs, to come when called, to sit and lie down when told. They also have a chance to socialize with other puppies during supervised play periods and are given a chance to be held, petted and handled by all the students in the class. Common puppy problems are addressed and students are given advice on how to solve these problems.
Beginner Class
This class is for dogs that have no formal training. You and your dog will learn the basic skills that are needed to start to work together as a team. You will learn how to control your dog on a leash and have him or her obey simple commands such as sit, stay, down and come. The dog will also learn good manners such as not to jump, pull or bite. Any behavior problems that you may have can also be addressed in this class.
Advanced Beginner Class
For those dogs who need to hone those skills learned in the Beginner Class and work on any problems that may still be occurring. The training prepares the dog and the handler for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and the Therapy Dog International (TDI) tests. (See sidebar for more information.)
Competition Obedience:
The competition classes re-enforce the concepts learned during the Basic Manners classes. The classes focus on the handler and dog working as a team to perform a set of prescribed exercises in preparation for showing your dog.
Attention Class
This class will focus on attention exercises and distractions during attention and will follow the Terri Arnold method. Intended for handlers that are totally committed to getting head attention from their dogs. This is a 2 session class.
Novice Class
This class helps your dog continue to improve his basic skills, socialize in different settings while preparing you for the AKC Companion Dog (CD) Obedience title. In order to earn a CD, the dog and the handler must perform the following exercises:
Heel on leash – pattern to be dictated by the judge
Figure Eight – heel on leash around two people who act as posts
Stand for Examination – the dog stands and stays while being examined by the judge
Heel Free – heeling off leash, same pattern as the heel on leash
Recall - the dog comes to its handler when called and on command returns to heel
Long Sit – group sit and stay for one minute
Long Down – group down and stay for three minutes.
Ring Prep Novice
This is the final series of training for those who are interested in competing and showing your dog for the AKC Companion Dog (CD) Obedience title. This class will introduce you to the world of dog shows and obedience trials
Open Class
This class is for dogs that have earned a CD and would like to compete for the next AKC title, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX). All exercises in this class are performed off leash. In order to earn a CDX, the dog and the handler must perform the following exercises:
Heel Free and Figure Eight off leash
Drop on Recall - come when called, then down on command, complete the recall on command and return to heel on command
Retrieve on the Flat - retrieve a dumbbell thrown on the ground, on command give the dumbbell to the handler and return to heel
Retrieve Over the High Jump - retrieve a dumbbell over a jump, on command give the dumbbell to the handler and return to heel
Broad Jump - jump over a long, broad and low jump and return to heel on command
Long Sit - group sit and stay for three minutes while the handler is out of sight
Long Down – group down and stay for five minutes while the handler is out of sight
Utility Class
This is the highest level of obedience competition where you earn a Utility Dog (UD) title. All exercises in this class are performed off leash. In order to earn a UD, the dog and the handler must perform the following exercises:
Signal Exercise - the dog responds to hand signals for the stand, stay, down, sit and come exercises
Scent discrimination - the dog must find the handler's scented article (a metal or leather dumbbell) among a pile of metal or leather articles, return to the handler with the scented article and on command give it to the handler and return to heel
Directed Retrieve - the dog follows a directional signal to retrieve one of three gloves placed on the floor
Moving Stand and Exam - the dog must heel, stand, and stay as the handler continues to move away. The dog will be examined by the judge and will return to heel upon command
Directed Jumping - the dog must go away from the handler, turn and sit. Then, the dog must clear whichever jump its handler indicates (bar jump or high jump) and then return to the handler. Upon command, return to heel.
Rally:
These classes will introduce handler and dog to AKC Rally competition, a fun way to start competing with your dog. Rally combines traditional obedience exercises while following a course with numbered exercises to be performed. There are 50 Rally signs that may be used to design a course
Novice
This class is intended for beginners. All exercises are performed on leash. It will cover the rules and regulations, and the novice exercises while going through a course. This class will prepare students for their Rally Novice (RN) title
Advanced/Excellent
This class is for students that have completed the Novice Rally class. All exercises are performed off leash. This class will cover the advance and excellent signs and will prepare the students for their Rally Advance (RA) and Rally Excellent (RE) titles.
Show Handling
This class is for individuals and their dogs that need to practice and prepare for showing their dog in the ring for breed championships. Class covers patterns and stacking procedure.
