Class Schedule – beginning
Thinking Dogs May – June 2012
Click here for advanced classes.
Open course beginning classes:
These classes are designed for new owners, puppies, young dogs, and dogs with specific needs. With permission of the instructor, you may begin at any time.
Rates for Life Skills, Graduate Puppy, and Puppy Classes:
Drop-in: $30/class or $25/class for minor/reg. student/senior (65 or older)
Purchase of five classes: $120 or $110 for minor/reg. student/senior (65 or older) (must be used within two months of purchase)
Purchase of ten classes: $220 or $200 for minor/reg. student/senior (65 or older) (must be used within four months of purchase)
Life Skills:
This is an open course that focuses on basic skills that dogs and handlers need to know to coexist peacefully and to interact with strangers or others while out in public, at the veterinarian or groomer, or when guests come into the home. This course is a preparatory course for C.LA.S.S. BA and MA skills, http://www.mydoghasclass.com/.
Instructor: Lisa Voss
Dates: Sundays 6:00 PM
Location: Davis Senior High School and other locations TBA
Puppy Class:
This is an open course that focuses on socialization and basic skills that dogs and handlers need to know to coexist peacefully and to interact with strangers or others while out in public, at the veterinarian or groomer, or when guests come into the home. Open to puppies from two to five months old. Puppies must be in good health and current on all their vaccinations. Please remember that missing classes while you are working on puppy socialization and obedience skills makes it more difficult for the instructor to spot troubling signs that will create problems in adolescence and adulthood.
Instructor: Nancy Abplanalp
Dates: Sundays 5:00 PM
Location: Holmes Junior High School and other locations TBA
Graduate Puppy Class:
This is an open course that focuses on basic skills that dogs and handlers need to know to coexist peacefully and to interact with strangers or others while out in public, at the veterinarian or groomer, or when guests come into the home. Open to adolescents from six to twelve months old.
Instructor: Nancy Abplanalp
Dates: Sundays 6:00 PM
Location: Holmes Junior High School and other locations TBA
Dogs with Concerns:
Designed for dogs who are reactive, fearful, aggressive, or for some reason cannot be successful in a regular dog class. You must have the permission of the instructor to attend. In many cases, a private consult or a series of privates may be required before the dog is ready to attend class. The goal of the DWC (Dogs with Concerns) is to create an emotional flip in the dogs, from fear and/or arousal, to calm and happy. This is done with the help of counter conditioning and desensitization techniques. As with all Thinking Dogs classes, DWC is dog and people friendly. Our goal is for the dog to take on a new worldview, where he/she feels safe and comfortable no matter what the environment. A five class or ten class punch card is required – no drop-ins.
Instructor: Nancy Abplanalp
Dates: Mondays 6:00 PM
Location: Holmes Junior High School and other locations TBA
These courses all have specific start and end dates. To enroll in these classes, please use our online enrollment form:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFMxSFBxazF6eFNtenNiUklIUFZFWmc6MA#gid=0
For ongoing or advanced courses (Puppy classes, Life Skills, etc.), please check with one of the instructors or one of the other links on this flyer.
What is Nose Work?
Nose Work is a dog sport invented when scent detection trainers who also competed in agility had dogs (and clients with dogs) who retired from agility. That is, they developed the sport to keep their dogs entertained and out of trouble. Nose Work uses dogs’ natural scenting ability to find a q-tip dabbed with a drop of some essential odor. Unlike other dog sports, the dogs know what to do; it’s the handler’s job to stay out of the way and learn how to read his/her dog.
Any dog can do nose work. The Founders built in mechanisms for reactive dogs to participate. It’s great for environmentally-sensitive dogs too because their desire to find the odor source is so strong that it overcomes any concerns about new places.
Introduction to Nose work – Foundations: This is a 6-week introductory course to nose work. The focus of this class is to introduce dogs and handlers to the nose work game and build motivation and drive to provide each team with the foundations to be successful at all levels of nose work.
Instructors: Nancy Abplanalp and Betsy Ramsey
Cost: $120
Dates: Sundays 7:30 PM, May 13 – June 24 No class May 27
Introduction to Odor – Foundations: This is a 6-week course that focuses on introducing the first target odor (birch). Teams must have completed at least 8 weeks of Introduction to Nose work to enroll in this course.
Instructor: Lisa Voss
Cost: $120
Dates: Mondays 7 PM, May 14 – June 25 No class May 28
What is Rally?
Rally is an obedience sport where dog and handler teams complete a rally course designed by the judge. Teams proceed at their own pace through a course of 10-20 designated stations performing the exercises described on each station sign. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and there should be a sense of teamwork between dog and handler. Judging in rally obedience is not a strict as in traditional obedience; perfect heel position is not required. It is meant to be a fun way to practice obedience skills that are needed to be a well-behaved dog in the home and in public places.
Beginning Rally: This is a 6 week course that focuses on introducing the novice level signs and rules of rally obedience. Dogs should be able to walk on a loose leash and know sit, down, and stand to enroll in this course.
Instructor: Lisa Voss
Cost: $120
Dates: Mondays 6 PM, May 14 – June 25 No class May 28
Why Take A Tricks Class?
(1)Sometimes the weather is too icky to go for a walk. Run your dog through their suite of tricks. Half an hour later, they’re tired. Peace for the rest of the evening. (2) It’s cute and it makes people smile. It can make what some people may perceive as a scary looking dog look less intimidating when they are seen doing their tricks routine. (3) It’s fun!
Tricks Class: This class is open to students who have completed a beginning or puppy clicker class with their dogs, and are looking for something different and fun.
Instructor: Cathy Bones
Cost: $120
Dates: Tuesdays 6:00 PM, May 15 – June 19
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http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Thinking-dogs to stay up to date with all of our class news!
