Archives: Classes

Class news and reviews

Advanced Nosework -Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.

For students who are preparing for Started/Advanced Trialing

This group is for students who have been through a minimum of Introduction to Nosework and Intermediate Nosework, whose dogs are searching for multiple odors. Handlers should be starting to ready change of behavior well and the dogs should have a strong foundation to alert behavior.

This group will explore many of the nuances of beginning to trial.

This semester all five lessons will be at RHS.

We will be taking your Nosework to new heights and skills. We’ll be dealing with distractions, convergence, inaccessibles, multiple searches, clear areas, blind searches, multi-room hides, detailing rooms and more. We will start with the Started Level components and requirements and move our way to the Excellent level over the course of the class, focusing on getting handlers ready to take the plunge into more mock trials and/or competitions.

 

Leash Reactivity -Tuesdays @ 8:30 pm.

Does your dog bark, snarl, lunge, growl or become aggressive on a leash towards dogs, people or vehicles? Is he difficult to walk in public because of his poor behaviour towards others? Leash Reactivity can stem from any number of problems: too much excitement, fear, frustration, protection, lack of canine social skills or sometimes aggression. Regardless of the root cause, this Behaviour-Modification class will help you understand your dog, how to advocate for him and help teach him to control himself around others. Part private one-on-one lesson and part group class, Leash Reactivity will arm you with the knowledge and skills to work with your unique case.

Our first class is information only, to get you a step ahead of your dog.

Important details: Please note Leash Reactivity is not designed as a socialization class. We will not be working on greeting, meeting or playing with other dogs. We are strictly dealing with being able to see and pass by dogs/people/other triggers without reaction. In the early weeks dogs will be taking breaks throughout the hour, most typically in the vehicle. In cold or hot weather you may leave your car running and/or stay with your dog on their down-time.

Therapy Dog Prep -Saturday @ 11:45 a.m.

Therapy Dog Prep: Therapy dogs and their handlers are in demand at hospitals, senior homes, schools and other places where dogs bring comfort to people in need. Although therapy dogs require a great social temperament, they also require a high level of training.

Every organization has their own testing to become a fully-fledged Therapy Dog. This class begins to prepare your dog for those tests.

To enter this class, your dog will already need to be:

  • At least 10 months year of age
  • Social and outgoing towards people (men, women and children)
  • Minimal jumping and/or mouthing
  • Not heavy leash pullers
  • Not reactive to other dogs

Dogs DO NOT need strong obedience skills to be excellent therapy dogs, but should have generally great manners and calmer temperaments. Dogs who show any aggression -to human or canine-, however minor, will be excused from class.

Please note that this is NOT service dog training. Therapy dogs are for comforting people other than their handlers. Service Dogs are purposefully trained for their own human. This is not a suitable course for service dog training.

Intro to Nosework -Tuesdays @ 6:00 p.m.

Ever wanted your dog to become a detective? Train him to find hidden odors just like a working bomb-detection dog! With plenty of easy games to play at home, you can put your dog’s nose to good use and make him a sleuth in record time.

No prior training required! No obedience -no problem!

Using our dog’s natural abilities, this fun sport is great at building confidence in shy and reactive dogs, building purpose in working bred dogs and giving your dog a job you can play anywhere. From young puppies to hyperactive adolescents to seniors with mobility issues, all dogs can enjoy playing this low-impact, highly addictive game.

For this class your dog will require a harness or other “nosework exclusive” piece of working equipment.