M E R R I M A C D O G T R A I N I N G C L U B . C O M
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Puppy Class - This is for puppies up to 6 months old. Some of the topics covered in the classes are socializing your puppy, gentling exercises, house-breaking, nipping, jumping, and beginning obedience exercises such as sit, down, come, stay, and walk on a loose lead.
Star Puppy Class - A course for puppies up to six months old. Emphasis is on socialization with people and other puppies, play training, housebreaking and other problem solving. The puppy is introduced to basic obedience commands including sit, down, come and walking on a leash. It is a program certified by the American Kennel Club as a precursor to the Canine Good Citizen with the main focus being Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility. The owner and puppy must pass 20 test items to pass the course Pre-Basic - This class is for puppies that have taken the puppy class, want to train further and prefer because of the young age of their pet, not to enroll in the Basic class. This course will further the exercises learned in the puppy class. Basic Obedience - This is for dogs over 5 months and up to any age. The course will cover obedience commands of sit, down, stand, stay, come and walk on a loose lead. All exercises are taught on lead. Attention is also introduced and the use of some obstacles to help build confidence. Pet Manners Class - This class is meant for the pet owner who wants a dog they can live with and enjoy. Pet owners will be shown the methods they can use to get their dog to walk on a loose leash, come when called, stay in a sit or down position, and be a joy to have around the house. Class size will be limited to twelve to ensure individual attention from instructors. The requirements for admission include proof of all required vaccinations. For the safety of the class, no aggressive dogs will be permitted in the class and all handlers must be able to control their dogs. Enrollment is limited to non-members of Merrimac as this will not be part of the class sequence geared to preparation for AKC Obedience Trials. Advanced Basic - This class is for dogs that have completed the Basic class. The basic exercises of sit, down, stay, come, walk are expanded upon with distractions. There will be some work on preparing the dog for the AKC's Canine Good Citizenship test which the club offers twice a year. These include but are not limited to walking in a crowd, petting by a stranger, being brushed, and noise distractions. This is all on lead. Pre-Novice - This course is for handlers that are considering obedience competition. This course will introduce all the exercises needed for the AKC's Companion Dog title. These include the stand for exam, on and off-lead heeling, long sits and downs, formal recalls, return to heel, and figure eight. Dogs should have a good knowledge of basic obedience to enroll. Novice - This course is for handlers that want to polish their obedience performance in preparation for competition. Footwork, attention, how to create a better performance, motivation, and developing a foundation for advanced work are some elements covered in this class. Beginning Open - Introduces the exercises for AKC's Companion Dog Excellent title. These include off lead heeling, drop on recall, retrieve on the flat and over a jump, broad jump, and long out of sight sits and downs. A good foundation of the Novice level work is recommended. Advanced Open - This course is for dogs that are comfortable with all the exercises at the open level and need to polish their performance for competition. Utility - This is for dogs that are working on the Utility Dog title. The scope of the class depends on the particular level of the students at the time of enrollment. Obedience Run-thru class - This class is for dogs that are showing or getting ready to show in the Novice or Open ring. It will be a fast moving class and will be run as a real trial ring. Limited proofing and corrections. Rally - A positive reinforcement class that is designed for the handler who is interested in learning the skills necessary to compete in Rally Obedience. Rally Obedience exercises differ significantly from traditional formal obedience exercises. Rally is really a combination of obedience and agility, and dogs and handlers LOVE it. Rally Obedience emphasizes fun and excitement for the dog / handler team while providing a more natural performance, which improves the dog's attitude and builds a sense of teamwork. Breed Handling - This class is designed to prepare both the handler and the dog for competing in the conformation ring. This class is for all size dogs and novice as well as experienced handlers. Conformation Table Dogs - This class is for small dogs that are shown in Conformation on a table. It gives the handler and dog experience in working with a judge and presenting the dog on a table. This class is for novice as well as experienced handlers. Conformation Run-Thru Class - This is a non-instructional class designed for the experienced handler. It provides an opportunity to work in a ring setting with other dogs and a judge. Just the class to prepare for those upcoming shows. Agility Skills - This class is open to any dog that has completed at least one obedience class of any level (including puppy class); there is no minimum age requirement. It will teach many of the skills that are essential to a good Agility competitor and that foster teamwork between handler and dog. It will be a fast, lively, and fun, so come prepared to run! This class will not teach the dogs to use the Agility Contact Equipment. Equipment Familiarization I - This is for dogs that are over 9 months old and have passed the required screening test for off-lead control and non-aggression around other dogs. This class introduces all the equipment used in competition agility and begins off lead work. The heights are set low to help build confidence, reliability, and safety. A minimum of 5 out of the 6 classes must be attended and a final proficiency test on equipment to be considered for advancement into the Equip. II class. Equipment Familiarization II - Pre-requisite is satisfactory performance and required attendance in the Equipment I class. This course builds on the foundation built in the preceding class. The equipment is brought up to full height, sequencing and handler techniques are introduced. Dogs advance to the next level once they are comfortably working on full height equipment under reasonable off lead control. Novice Agility - This is for dogs that have completed the Equipment II class and are comfortable with all the agility obstacles and are preparing to compete. This course is designed to improve handlers and dogs working as a team. Dogs with two legs earned toward their Novice Agility title are still eligible to enroll. Agility Practice and Proofing Class - For Novice level and above, dogs and their people - This class uses sequences (rather than whole courses) to set up proofing situations and improve handling skills. Agility Run - Thru Class - Dogs must know equipment, dogs must be trialing in agility, each dog will get 5 minutes per run and there should be 2 runs per dog. Participants in class must be able to tear down and pick up afterwards. Fun Dog Tricks - To be successful they should know some basic commands: Sit, Down, Stay. Some tricks may require you to be on the floor. When teaching tricks it is best to use the clicker method. Using the clicker is an easy way to mark exactly what behavior you are asking for and will help with some tricks you have to break down. First class we will go over clicker conditioning. The new( i-click) will be supplied. Bring a good sense of humor and lots of high value soft treats. |