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Class / Workshop Descriptions

Puppy Class 

Puppies 10 weeks and under 5 months of age.  Obstacles to walk on and through. There is a short period of time in which to become accustomed to all of the sights and sounds of the whole wide world in a controlled setting. In this hands on class, you will learn how to safely and positively expose your puppy to new things so that she grows up to be a confident, well-adjusted dog. During this class, your puppy will meet new people, play with other puppies and be exposed to lots of props, including hats, walkers, strollers, skateboards and more. We will teach name recognition, permission games, exchange games, loose lead walking will be touched upon plus handling skills.

  • “Off” (no jumping)
  • Auto Check IN  / Eye contact walk stop stand still kissing sound if dog doesn’t look back in five seconds, run quickly backwards
  • Name recognition / find it game with Gotcha
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Exchanges to help prevent resource guarding behaviors
  • Come / Recalls  Restraint or recall past food
  • Leave it / Take it
  • Go to Mat or Place
  • Sit/stay and Down/stay
  • Permission game
  • Release word
  • Marker word  YES – charging the word
  • Step on the lead Relax Down
  • Recall to many in the room if time allows
  • Group play if time and the right puppies or dogs who are social[/su_spoiler]

 

  • Are puppies introduced slowly and calmly when they start class?  
    • Yes we put them behind an xpen so puppies can get use to the group and open up if the puppy looks interested in venturing out.
  • Are puppies divided up for play time by play style as well as by size? 
    • Yes as much as we can or they can stay behind an xpen enclosure until ready.
  • Are socially appropriate adult dogs in the playgroup as well? 
    • When available.
  • Are other owners involved in playtime to provide positive human socialization experiences for the puppies?
    • Yes we also do a pass the puppy for those puppies not fearful. For those that are fearful one of our assistants will sit on the floor near them to try and make friends at the puppies RATE not ours.
  • Are children allowed to interact with the puppies during playtime?
    • Yes when we have well behaved children that will listen to our instructions;-)

We have interactive puzzles for clients and their puppies to help with the bonding process and lots of various safe obstacle’s set out and about including short tunnels, PVC Ladders, steps with a bridge, hoops, and domes to step up on.

Classes run about 50 minutes.  Bring your dogs dry food for lunch to be used as training treats and other tidbits he or she have been getting.

Also bring a clean bowl for water.

Puppy Next Step (Prior Permission Required from Dee)

For puppies 5 months and up. This is a “life skills” class designed to teach your puppy/dog basic manners. We emphasize teaching skills to replace behaviors you don’t like, such as jumping on people, “counter-surfing”, or door-dashing! 

  • “Off” (no jumping)
  • Auto Check IN  / Eye contact walk stop stand still kissing sound if dog doesn’t look back in five seconds, run quickly backwards
  • Name recognition / find it game with Gotcha
  • Loose Leash Walking
  • Exchanges to help prevent resource guarding behaviors
  • Come / Recalls  Restraint or recall past food
  • Leave it / Take it
  • Go to Mat or Place
  • Sit/stay and Down/stay
  • Permission game
  • Release word
  • Marker word  YES – charging the word
  • Step on the lead Relax Down
  • Recall to many in the room if time allows
  • Group play if time and the right puppies or dogs who are social

Small Dog Class

This class is for small dogs (25 lbs and under) and runs alongside puppy class.

Still Working on the 4 D’s: Distance, Duration, Distraction, Difficulty (Level 2)
4 sessions

Continue to perfect eye contact, recall work, permission games, loose lead walking skills, sit for greeting, and leave it to name a few.  This is “lifestyle” obedience not competition obedience exercises. Preparatory work towards Canine Good Citizen and Trick Certification.

Fun and Wag It Games / Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Preparation (Level 3)
4 sessions

The CGC Preparation class works on building the relationship and working on off lead skills to continue to form a strong bond. Working toward CGC degree through American Kennel Club (AKC) testing.  Visit www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm for more information. We like to train off-site as much as we can.  Musical chairs, tic tac tow, working on stays on the platform and on the ground, grocery relay games and so much more.

Life Skills (Level 1)
6 sessions with no dogs first class.

For all dogs 5 months and up to 24 months.  This course focuses on self control skills required to develop a well behaved dog that will be an ambassador for his breed, rather than a public nuisance.   Focusing on EYE contact, recall work, permission games, loose lead walking skills, sit for greeting, and leave it to name a few.  This is “lifestyle”  obedience and not competition obedience exercises.  This course is designed for both the family pet dog and those dogs who might go on to pursue competition dog sports.  Navigating obstacles that are safe and help with learning to know how to use their bodies is also explored.

SPECIALTY CLASSES

Control Unleashed
4 sessions / Small class limited to 4 students

Dee Ganley is a Certified Control Unleashed instructor: Prerequisite is Dee must approve you and your dog for this class. Especially for dogs that have trouble focusing, are reactive, easily aroused, anxious, stressed or shut down. Dogs that have a hard time controlling their emotions when excited (which may be most of the time!), or are uncomfortable or unable to think around other dogs. If that sounds like your dog, Control Unleashed is just what you need. Small classes and a unique, proven program will help turn things around for you and your dog. This course is based on the book Control Unleashed, Creating a Focused and Confident Dog by Leslie McDevitt. A copy of the book is required for attendance in this course. CLICK HERE to purchase the book.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) / Tricks Certification

You and your dog train together as you strive toward a goal – a trick dog title! This versatile title allows you to select tricks based upon your mutual strengths. It’s easy, you choose tricks from a long list.  You are sure to find ones that are right for you and your dog! The ‘Trick Dog’ title is a team title and the same dog / handler team must perform the tricks. Please review and print out this information to learn more about CGC / Tricks Certification. You will earn two certificates if you successfully complete all through the American Kennel Club (AKC).  Mixed  breeds are welcome. If you and your dog already have a CGC then we can use that towards 5 tricks and you will just need to teach 5 more skills. These are simple tricks.  For example, jumping over a jump, walking a plank or bridge, jumping through a hula hoop, leave it, touch hand or roll a ball. Loads of choices!

Fun-gility (Wag It Games)

Such a fun class for people and dogs interested in learning how to run an obstacle course plus hoopers and tunnels, but are not necessarily interested in formal agility competition. Fun-gility will teach the dogs a variety of obstacles and steeplechase courses.  This is running and jumping for fun – every dogs dream!  Dogs attending this course should have good off leash control and should be at least 6 months old.

The Nose Knows: Scent Games For Your Dog

This class is fun! Engage your dog’s mind, provide exercise, and create training opportunities. Preparing for competition or just for fun. Have you noticed that dogs live by their nose?  A dog’s sense of smell is more powerful than we can possibly imagine.  They can easily detect the presence of one drop of blood in a 55-gallon drum of water.  All this talent needs a positive outlet.  So instead of nagging at your dog to stop sniffing, here’s a chance to learn how to have fun letting your dog be led around by his nose! Scent work is easy for the dog.  Training your dog to play scent games means figuring out how to “tell” your dog which odor gets rewarded.  This seminar will introduce you to a number of great nose games and show you how to teach your dog the rules.  We’ll use operant conditioning techniques to “mark” the right odor and then reinforce it with food or play. Everyone will find themselves in awe of what their dog can learn to do with his nose. Both you and your dog will have lots of fun learning scent games!

Therapy Dog Class

Prerequisites: Dogs must be close to earning their Canine Good Citizen (CGC), but also want to do pet visitations, visit in schools or libraries so children can read to the dog. Dog must be of sound temperament (NO REACTIVITY) or barking in over excitement can be tolerated and must be worked on before joining this class. 

Please visit www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm for more information on CGC requirements. This course is specially designed to prepare you and your dog to become a registered therapy team. Each week we will practice skills required for becoming a Therapy Dog, as well as protocol for testing and visiting. We will meet at either Merrimack County Home or various local facilities.  Handlers must be willing to use positively based training method.  Dogs must work well on a flat collar or front clip harness (no slip choke, or prong collars).

This class prepares teams to pass a therapy dog evaluation.  This class includes an evaluation at the last class. (This class is not a service dog class.)

Skills we cover:

-We will work on your handling skills and what you need to know about handling in nursing homes, assisted living, home visitations, libraries and school for appropriate R.E.A.D. prospects
-Applying basic obedience skills in a school or assisted living environment
-Meeting patients/clients/students appropriately and safely
-Need to be safe around other dogs and cats
-Signs of dog stress and what to do about it

Please visit www.caringanimalpartners.org and download the evaluation test or read about it.   

 

Workshops are a one time training session.

Workshops – Fun and games develop trust and self control between the handler and their 4 footed friend.

Play training is a way to  teach your dog the games that you and your dog can play together.  Enjoy discovering these games with your dog. Come have fun with an open mind and heart.  Don’t start with expectations. This play together will help develop a wonderful relationship between  you and your dog.  If your dog has fun with you, then obedience behaviors will flow out of his commitment to the bond you have formed.  The depth and quality of this bond will bring you and your 4 footed friend closer building a life time relationship.

Barking, Chewing, and Digging: Oh My!

No dogs please. Have your dog’s natural instincts become unwanted habits at home? If so, this seminar is for you! You will learn how to solve common dog behavior problems including barking, chewing, digging, and house soiling. Once you know how to approach dog behavior problems, you and your four-legged friend can live in peace and harmony.

Changing People Changing Dogs

Working with reactive dogsis a workshop to help people learn to work and live with reactive dogs.  The workshop will focus on dog to dog on leash reactivity.

‘Come to Me!’ Whistle Recall

This workshop will teach you the ins and outs of successful “come when called” using  whistle training, as well as steer you away from common pitfalls. You will learn and practice a variety of training exercises to get your dog running happily to you when you call him. Limited enrollment (taught outside only).

Feisty Fidos: Managing On Leash Dog-to-Dog Aggression Workshop

Does your dog lunge, whine, bark and/or growl when he sees another leashed dog?  This is an all-too-common problem with urban and suburban canines.  In this hands-on workshop, you will learn effective strategies to change your dog from a “Feisty Fido” to a “Friendly Fido.”  Each participant will have a chance to work with their dog as the rest of the class observes.  Dogs will be rotated though the workshop and will need to be walked outdoors with a second handler or crated in your car (weather permitting) during down times.

Fun-gility (Wag It Games)

Fun-gility is a fun workshop for those people and dogs interested in learning how to run an obstacle course, but are not necessarily interested in formal agility competition.  Fun-gility will teach the dogs a variety of obstacles and steeplechase courses.   This is running and jumping for fun- every dogs dream!  Dogs attending this course should have good off leash control and should be at least 6 months of age.

Hocus Pocus – Let’s Get Focused!

Let’s focus on getting your dogs attention. This workshop  is designed to teach the dog how to relinquish resources in his environment.  The key to getting your dog’s attention is teaching him how to disconnect from distractions in his environment.   This is a great course for the ADHD dog (attention deficit hyperactive dog) and forms the basis of a good work ethic.  This workshop is open to dogs of all ages and no other training is required to attend.

Home Alone

Preventing Separation Anxiety – is your dog showing signs of separation anxiety?  This is a 2 hour lecture.  No dogs please.

Loose Lead Walking 

Walking without pulling including a number of techniques.

Reliable Recall

The reliable recall workshop is just what it sounds like – teaching the dog to come reliably when called.  Learn WHY your dog won’t come when called and learn HOW to change that.  This course focuses on teaching dogs the skills they need to disconnect from a distraction and respond to a ‘come’ cue.  This course is open to dogs of all ages.

The Nose Knows 

Have you ever noticed that dogs live by their nose?  A dog’s sense of smell is more powerful than we can possibly imagine.  So let’s put that powerful nose to good use! Today people use dogs in a variety of roles due to their superior olfactory ability. Dogs have invaluable roles with search and rescue teams, in identifying contraband, tracking game for hunting, and keeping tabs on endangered species. Recently, dogs have even been trained to identify bladder cancer in humans.  https://www.facebook.com/TEDEducation/videos/1271444302868773/ 

The Dog is Speaking, Are You Listening?  

This is a lecture.  No dogs please.  Canine Body Language  – learn to speak dog! Learn to listen to what your dog is telling you.  Is he afraid, scared, anxious, happy sad or about to bite?

Nervous Nelly

Learn to work with shy dogs. No dogs at the first class. This workshop is designed for those working with shy dogs by building your dog confidence and your relationship with each other. Message techniques and skills to build confidence and trust.

Tracking

Scent work with your dog.  Learn basic and advanced scent work, how to read your dog, tracking laying, and more. Let your dog show you what he does best. Limited enrollment.

Twofers!  

Working with multiple dogs at one time.  No dogs please. This is a training session for an owner who has two dogs! Learn how to get training done when you have two dogs to train! Topics will include leash walking, coming when called, and staying in place.