For many dogs and their owners, group obedience classes provide many important advantages. They give dog parents the necessary initial exposure to dog training techniques and exercises, and they provide a mentally stimulating, highly social environment for dogs. Through in-class practice and daily, short training exercises, most dogs will exhibit noticeable improvement in their behavior over the course of any class.

Group classes have other benefits, as well. The most important is that dogs love training, and the bond between you and your dog will be enhanced by coming to class. You will find your dog pulling you into class, and reluctant to leave at the end, and your dog will come home tired after school that day. You will get to meet other responsible and friendly dog parents, who may have a word of advice to share. You and your dog will meet other dogs of various types, and all of you will have fun in the process. Group obedience classes are the most cost-effective way to learn about training your dog, and are appropriate for dogs of any age and obedience level. From Puppy Kindergarten through Refresher classes for older dogs, I offer group classes on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Puppy Kindergarten: for puppies 2 months to 5 months old when the class begins. This class will offer play time/socialization for the puppies, general puppy/dog care instructions for the parents, and an introduction to basic training for your puppy. We will begin to learn how to sit, down, stay, stand for examination, walk on leash without pulling, and other basic commands. We will give attention to other issues particular to puppies: housebreaking, destructive chewing/biting, jumping up, and more.

Puppy First Grade: for puppies approximately 4-6 months old when the class begins, who are not yet ready for Basic Obedience. We will build on and reinforce those skills we have already been teaching our puppies, whether it was in Puppy Kindergarten or on our own, and add some new ones. We will work on lengthening our puppies' attention spans and getting more consistent results from our puppies. We will continue to have time for socialization/play during class, but less than in Puppy Kindergarten. We will focus on the most important commands such as the Recall and the Stay, as we continue to expand our puppies' obedience vocabularies.

Basic Obedience: for puppies at least 6 months and older when the class begins, and for dogs of any age. This is a class for dogs and their parents who know that it's time to have better doggie manners. This class will introduce for some and refine for others the basic commands we want all of our dogs to obey when asked: come, sit, down, stay, off, stand, leave it, walk on leash without pulling, and more. We will also give attention to correcting unwanted behaviors that our dogs may have already learned. We will explore other topics vital to our dogs' well-being, such as nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care.

Intermediate Obedience/Canine Good Citizen: for puppies and dogs who have completed Basic Obedience and/or who want to sharpen their good manners. Using the 10 "tests" of the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Test, we will work on behaviors such as: sitting politely for petting, walking through a crowd, walking without pulling, remaining in a down/stay, being groomed, and more. Participants in the class may choose to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen test or not. Students who pass the CGC test will receive certification from the AKC.

"Refresher" Class: for mature dogs who are ready for some reminders and refinement. Perhaps your dog had obedience training a few years ago, but has forgotten a thing or two, or picked up a bad habit along the way. We will remind our dogs of the good manners they once knew (or were supposed to know) and teach these older dogs a new trick or two! Perfect for the slightly older dog with reasonably good behavior who may be looking for some opportunities to socialize with similar dogs while sharpening up some obedience commands.

Pre-registration and proof of current vaccinations are required for all dogs in all classes. Click for a Registration Form.

All classes are limited to 8 dogs/puppies, run for 6 weeks, and cost $90.

Instructor: Yvonne Gittelson, member Association of Pet Dog Trainers and Certified Secondary Educator. Experience in training, breeding, owning multiple dogs and more, for over 20 years.