CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
See class schedule for date and time of classes. Classes are held for six or seven weeks depending upon the class for approximately 45 minutes.
Please bring your dog with an ordinary collar, martingale collar or head halter and a 4 – 6’ leash. No chain leashes or harnesses, please. We have collars and leashes available and would be happy to help you find the best one for your dog. You will need to bring soft treats for your dog and a bag to carry them in. No aggressive dogs are allowed. Current age appropriate shot records or documented titer testing is necessary to participate in class.
To sign up for a class, fill out the application, pay for the class and send us your shot records. While we encourage all members of a family to be involved in training your dog, we ask that no more than two family members be on the floor working a dog at one time. Students must be a minimum of 12 years of age and accompanied by a parent. Classes are designed to teach YOU to teach your dog.
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class 
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program is the puppy level of the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program. S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner. Early training and socialization are the keys to having a well behaved dog. This class will teach you how to best communicate with your puppies, start training the basic commands (sit, come, walking on a leash), provide information on puppy raising questions (chewing, housetraining, jumping on people, biting, nail clipping, teeth cleaning and basic grooming, etc.). This class is a great start with socialization with other dogs and people to help avoid problems with fearfulness, shyness or aggression. The class is open to all dogs up to six month’s of age. Classes are limited to 8 students. Puppies may begin as soon as they have the complete round of the combination vaccinations. In order to be eligible to take the S.T.A.R. Puppy Test at the end of the class, participants must attend a minimum of six classes with their dogs. Please send your current vaccinations with your application.
Beginner Home Manners
This is a great class for any age of dog to learn or perfect all those basic obedience commands to have a well behaved pet at home. Some of the exercises taught in this class are come, sit, down, stays, leave it and walk on a loose leash. We also introduce stand, getting into heel position and expand the walk on a loose leash exercise. Instructors know a variety of ways to help you and your dog become more proficient with each exercise. Class will also cover common problems such as bolting out of doors and jumping on people, etc. Classes are limited to 8 dogs. Please include your shot records or documented titer testing with the application.
AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Class
Prerequisite: Beginner Home Manners
AKC Canine Good Citizen is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. It is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you will discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. In this class, we will reinforce and practice the skills necessary to pass the AKC CGC test. Dogs must have completed a basic obedience class prior to enrolling in this class. This class helps perfect lessons learned in the Beginner Home Manners class and puts them to use in practical situations. Some of the items include meeting and greeting other people, walking through a crowd, meeting a person with a dog and brush and exam. The American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Test is offered at the end of the class. If you pass the test, you can send off your paperwork to receive your Canine Good Citizen certificate for your dog! This class is a valuable step to the training and control needed for classes in obedience, rally, and agility classes or for therapy dog work. The class concludes with the AKC CGC Test. Class is limited to 8 dogs. The American Kennel Club offers either a certificate or a title with the CGC designation. Please send your shot records or documented titer testing with your application. For more information including the test items, please follow this link:
For an example of a test, please follow this link (please note that each evaluator’s test may be a little different):
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=canine+good+citizen+test&view=detail&mid=5F450ED5C460C7D803435F450ED5C460C7D80343&FORM=VIRE
AKC’s COMMUNITY CANINE – CGCA
Prerequisite: Canine Good Citizen
This course prepares you and your dog to take the AKC’s Community Canine (CGCA) test, the AKC’s advanced certification program designed to reward dogs who demonstrate exemplary manners out in the community. The class is a guided forum to practice all the skills necessary to pass all ten items on the test. Some of the skills needed to pass the test include: Dog waits under control while the owner fills out paperwork or has a snack, dog walks past distractions, sit/stay in a group, dog allows a person carrying something to approach to pet it after having put down the carried object, leave it, down/stay, recall off center with distractions and dog sits/stands while owner exits a doorway. The class is exclusively for dogs that have a CGC Certificate on file with the AKC. Your CGCA Test is included in your class fee and will be conducted on the last night of the class. Please include your shot records or documented titer testing with your application. For more information on CGCA and the test items, please follow this link:
The following is a video of a sample test:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=canine+good+citizen+advanced+test&&view=detail&mid=1AC198B7CA741FE8E9BF1AC198B7CA741FE8E9BF&&FORM=VRDGAR
AKC’S URBAN CANINE GOOD CITIZEN – CGCU
Prerequisite: Canine Good Citizen
AKC Urban CGC requires that the dog demonstrate CGC skills and beyond in an urban setting. As with Canine Good Citizen, AKC Urban CGC has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Urban CGC title (CGCU). The CGCU Class is exclusively for dogs that have a CGC Certificate on file with the AKC. Some of the skills need to pass the test include: entering and exiting doorways, walking through busy crowds, reaction to city distractions, crossing streets, walking under control in businesses, walking up a set of stairs, using elevators and entering/exiting a car. The AKC CGCU test is included in the class fee and will be given the last class. Please send your shot records or documented titer testing with your application. For more information on CGCU including test items, please follow this link:
For a video of the CGCU test, please follow this link:
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=canine+good+citizen+urban+test&&view=detail&mid=0912A55148D67075DB750912A55148D67075DB75&&FORM=VRDGAR
TRICK DOG
Prerequisite: Beginner Home Manners
Trick Dog Class can be taken as a fun class to learn new tricks for your dog or it can be an official AKC title on your dog’s record. This class is offered when there is enough interest.
Trick Dog Title Info: AKC Trick Dog titles are official AKC titles listed on the dog’s title record. The processing fee for each title to the AKC is $20. Multiple titles for the same dog can be sent in together, each one will be processed in succession after each previous title has been added and printed. Dogs must have an AKC, PAL, or AKC Canine Partners number to earn a title. All dogs can get a number including purebreds and mixed breeds.
Novice Trick Dog Class: (TKN)
The dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list. If a dog has a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate or title on record at AKC, it can do 5 Novice tricks (CGC + 5) to earn the Novice title.
Intermediate Trick Dog Class (TKI)
The dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks.
Advanced Trick Dog Class (TKA)
The dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 5 tricks from the Advanced list.
Trick Dog Performer Class (TKP)
In this title, handlers perform a short routine with at least 10 tricks previously learned.
Rally Obedience Competition
(Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent & Master)
This AKC sport is fun for dogs!! It’s not traditional obedience and it’s not traditional agility. It’s something in between the two. In Rally obedience, the team of dog and handler navigate a course and must perform various obedience exercises as indicated at the different stations on the course. There are five levels of rally competition: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Excellent and Master. (We will teach the Rally Intermediate and Advanced Class together.) Prerequisite: Canine Good Citizen. Classes will be 6 weeks and as requested.
Rally Beginner Novice
Prerequisite: Canine Good Citizen
In the Beginner RN Class, all signs are judged on leash. There will be between 10 and 15 signs with a minimum of three and a maximum of five stationary exercises. An example of a RN sign would be: Call Front, Finish Right Forward. This class is different from the Rally Novice Class in that more foundation work is taught and is for people who haven’t had rally at all or for people with a new dog but have had rally before. This class or the RN Class is a requirement if you want to enter the Comp Obedience 1 Class.
Rally Novice
Prerequisite: Canine Good Citizen
In the Rally Novice Class, all signs are judged on leash. There will be between 10 and 15 signs with a minimum of three and a maximum of five stationary exercises. An example of a RN sign would be: Call Front, Finish Right Forward. This is for people who have taken Beginner Rally Novice or who just want to continue to train at the RN level. This class is for people who have had rally before and want to continue to work at this level. This class or the Beg. RN Class is a requirement if you want to enter the Comp Obedience 1 Class.
Please note: The Rally Intermediate and Advanced Class will be taught together. Only difference in the two is Advanced is off leash and requires a jump.
Rally Intermediate
Prerequisite: CGC & Rally Novice Class or Beginner Rally Novice Class or RN Title
In the RI Class, all signs are judged on leash. RI must have between 12 and 17 signs, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationary signs. An example of and Intermediate sign would be: Halt, Pivot 180 Degrees Left, Halt.
Rally Advanced
Prerequisite: CGC & Rally Novice, Beginner Rally Novice or Rally Intermediate Class or RN or RI Title
In the RA Class, all signs are judged off leash. RA must have between 12 and 17 signs, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationary signs. A dog is required to jump once in the RA level. An example of an RA sign would be: Left Turn, Dog Circles Right, Forward.
Rally Excellent
Prerequisite: CGC & Rally Intermediate/Advanced Class or Title
In the RE Class, all signed are judged off leash. RE must have between 15 and 20 signs, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationary signs. The dog is required to jump twice in the RE level. Courses will have a minimum of two Advanced level signs and a minimum of three Excellent level signs, plus the two required jumps and the Sit Stay sign. An example of an RE sign would be: Stand Dog, Leave Dog, Sit Dog, Call Front, Finish, Sit.
Rally Master
Prerequisite: CGC & Rally Excellent Class or title
In the RM Class, all signs are judged off leash. RM must have between 15 and 20 signs, with a minimum of three and a maximum of seven stationary signs. Courses will have a minimum of four Master level signs, plus the one required jump sign, a minimum of three Excellent level signs and a minimum of three Advanced level signs. There are no retries in the RM level. An example of a RM sign would be: While Heeling Immediately Back Up 3 Steps, Right Back Up 1 or 2 Steps, Forward.
Competition Obedience 1 & 2
Prerequisite Comp 1: Canine Good Citizen & Beg. RN/RN Class or RN, BN or RA Titles
Prerequisite Comp 2: Canine Good Citizen & Comp Ob 1 Class or BN or CD Title
These classes will be offered as there is interest. If you are interested in competition obedience, you can enter the Comp 1 Class after taking the CGC class and either the Beginner Rally Novice or Rally Novice Class or having earned a RN, BN or RA Titles. The Comp 1 Class will show you how to add precision to previously learned exercises, jumping and instruction on other exercises required for Novice Competition in both UKC and AKC and AKC’s Beginner Novice Class. This class includes handling, footwork, off leash work and getting ready for exhibiting. The Comp 2 Class focuses on Open & Utility competition exercises. To enter the Comp 2 Class, you will have to have earned your CGC and completed the Comp 1 Class or earned a BN or CD Title.
Ongoing Conformation Socialization
This class is for persons and their dogs that need practice to prepare for showing their dog in the ring for breed championships. Class covers patterns and stacking procedures. Instruction will include discussion on ring procedures and etiquette along with the tips and tricks pros use to ensure you are showing your dog to its maximum potential. No prerequisite but handlers must be able to control their dogs at all times. A beginner conformation class will be scheduled if there is enough interest. If you are a novice and are interested in learning how to show your dog in conformation or junior showmanship, please speak to the instructor for information.
TSKC Pet Therapy (Ongoing drop-in class)
This class is for people who wish to learn more about doing therapy work with animals. The class will teach handlers how to work as a team with the dog when visiting people in hospitals, assisted living centers, nursing homes, etc. The class will cover skills like: how to interact with people, how to handle distractions, meeting various people who may be using crutches or wheelchairs and how to help recognize stress in your dog.
This class does not replace traditional puppy class or Beginner Home Manners, but provides orientation to visiting as a therapy dog. Most facilities expect therapy dogs to be registered with one of the national organizations that provide liability insurance for their members. We have a Tester/Observer for Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) who is a member of TSKC, and our training helps prepare teams to take the test and do the three observations for ATD. You can find out more at the ATD website, http://therapydogs.com
This drop-in class is posted on the schedule, and costs $5 per dog when you attend. RSVP is requested.
AGILITY CLASSES
Foundations of Agility
Dogs should be at least six months old and have completed Beginner Home Manners and the Canine Good Citizen Class. Dogs should have a good understanding of come, sit, down and stay. Handler should have good control on leash and will work toward good control off leash. Foundations focuses on developing a positive dog/handler relationship. Targeting, crosses and other handling skills will be introduced with, continuation of ‘stay’ and ‘come’ with increased distractions. The class will be held indoors, and will introduce working obstacles on the “flat” (at a lower level). The class will be held indoors and is limited to ten dogs. Class is 6 weeks. No aggressive dogs.
Beginning Agility
Foundations of Agility is a prerequisite for this class. This class continues with the of training of obstacles and handling moves learned in the Foundations class. Communication between handler and dog is emphasized. Dogs must be one year to 14 months for health and safety in jumping. Class will be held outdoors as much as possible. Limited to 10 dogs. No aggressive dogs. Class is 6 weeks
Sophie owned by Dr. Elizabeth Robinson
Intermediate Agility
Sequencing of obstacles, distance handling and increased attention will be stressed. Limited to 10 Students. Class will be held outdoors as is possible. Beginning agility is required.