Group Instruction

Though it is our belief that dogs initially learn best under private instruction, we also strongly believe that there comes a time when the dog, and his owner, needs to learn how to handle distraction. This is where we feel Group Instruction becomes important. As an introduction to the group process, we do invite our Board & Train graduates to come back for a small Group Lesson a few weeks after graduation at no additional charge. In order to progress through the more advanced levels of obedience, a dog and his handler need to be exposed to various levels of distraction. It is important for the handler to anticipate how their dog will react to these distractions, and how best to counter that reaction. This can only be taught in a group environment where the instructor can help the handler "read" her dog, advise her on how to react, and then explain why her dog acts as he does and how to recondition his behavior. The group environment is treated as a teaching opportunity and not a "free for all" of behavior which only escalates and becomes more difficult for unpracticed handlers to control. When dogs react to the presence or behavior of another dog, the behavior is analyzed, broken down, and a process of counter-conditioning begins. Owners have walked out of our Group Classes impressed with their dogs' performance and with a sense of empowerment that they can handle the next "outburst" on their own. Any client who has completed one of our Board & Train programs, or who has worked with our trainers in Private Instruction, is welcome to join us for Group Lessons at their convenience.

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New Group Classes!

Due to many requests from our clients, we have added Group Classes to our Obedience curriculum. Since many of our Board & Train clients had come to us from a failed group background, we vowed that our group process would be more effective. To this end we have a strict limit on the number of "teams" in each class so that each can receive adequate personal attention from their Instructor. We began this process by adding a puppy class, Puppy Pre-K9, in early 2007. The popularity of this program urged us to follow up with a Basic Manners course in Fall 2007. We expect to add a Canine Good Citizen course, and testing, in the Spring of 2008. More levels are sure to come, as well. Call for more details.