Classes Offered
Puppy PreSchool
for puppies between (8) 10 weeks and 16 weeks of age who have received at least one set of vaccinations
– 4 weeks – $35
This is a great foundation for you and your puppy. The time between 8 weeks and 16 weeks is an important time in your puppy's life for learning and socialisation. Puppies learn all the time, from everything around them. Early socialisation and training makes for a well-adjusted and well-mannered adult. Puppy training involves the integration of training and play, so that the puppy learns new and correct behaviour without even realising it's a training session.
In this class, we will work on socialization; introduction to basic skills such as sit, down and come; attention and focus; plus housetraining, crate training, handling to help make the puppy welcome at the vet's and groomer's; dealing with mouthing, chewing, jumping up, barking and more. We will talk about communication — how to talk so your puppy understands.
Bring a hungry puppy and yummy treats.
Comprehensive handouts provided.
Puppy Kindergarten
(for puppies 16 weeks to 6 months)
– 7 weeks – $85
This is also a foundation class for you and your puppy. Take advantage of your puppy's natural desire to follow the pack leader to practice coming when called, and coming out of a play group and around other distractions. Puppy Kindergarten involves the integration of training and play, so that the puppy learns new and correct behaviour without even realising it's a training session.
In this class, we will continue to work on socialisation; introduction to basic skills such as sit, down and come; attention and focus; plus housetraining, crate training, handling to help make the puppy welcome at the vet's and groomer's; dealing with mouthing, chewing, jumping up, barking and more. We will talk about communication — how to talk so your puppy understands.
The first session is without dogs so we can discuss dog-owning issues, introduce the clicker and work on timing of rewards together.
Bring a hungry puppy and yummy treats.
Comprehensive handouts provided.
Family Manners I
(puppies over 6 months of age and dogs of all ages)
– 7 weeks – $85
You and your dog will learn SIT, DOWN and a relaxed LIE DOWN, STAY, walk on a loose leash and come when called and we'll also cover some common behaviour problems such as jumping up or charging out of doors. This class is designed to produce a well-mannered family pet.
The first session is without dogs so we can discuss dog-owning issues, introduce the clicker and work on timing of rewards together.
Bring a a flat buckle collar, leash, yummy training treats and a hungry puppy.
Comprehensive handouts provided.
Family Manners II
(puppies over 6 months of age and dogs of all ages)
– 12 weeks by special arrangement –
For graduates of Family Manners I. Builds on the skills learned in Family Manners I with an emphasis on home manners and using your dog’s training to make him a more enjoyable companion. We will take "field trips" around town. Heeling, retrieving, jumping and agility are introduced.
Comprehensive handouts provided.
Foundation Skills for Agility
Learn directional commands like "go on", "get out", "come in", "left" and "right". Weave poles, the teeter totter and tunnels will be taught with the dog working with enthusiasm and drive. Handlers will work on handling skills using hoops and cones at the same time the dogs are learning distance and directional skills. Several different methods for each new skill will be introduced; you choose what works best for you and your dog.
Dogs need to be able to have off-leash control around other dogs and people when in class, and must be non-reactive when meeting other dogs.
$12.50 per session or pre-pay $70 and receive a punch-card good for 8 sessions.
Comprehensive handouts provided.
Continuing Agility Practice
A drop-in class that continues building on skills learned in the beginning class.
This is an on-going class, with no real beginning or end. To join, you must take a private lesson to get up to speed on the training methods we will be using in class. This is not necessary if you have taken any of the other classes we offer. This private lesson is $20, and can be scheduled on weekdays during the day or on Monday nights between 5.30 and 6.15. Please let us know if you would like to join the class.
Agility Topics
4-week short classes concentrating on single agility skills such as contacts, weave poles, directional skills (tight, out, wrap, left, right), discriminations (tunnels, contacts, etc.), distance (go tunnel exercises, followed by sending to other obstacles).
$48
Foundation Skills for Competition
This can be held as a private or group class by special arrangement.
Is competition in your future? We'll introduce games that will help with focus and attention, and show you how playing tug can be the foundation for all the obedience exercises and an attentive, enthusiastic obedience dog.
Tracking
This can be held as a private or group class by special arrangement.
Tracking is a sport based on the dog's ability to follow the scented track of a stranger through a field and to indicate articles left there by the stranger.
Schutzhund skills
Interested in the German sport of Schutzhund? Join the Big Sky Schutzhund Club to learn in a cooperative atmosphere. Club members train weekly, host and participate in seminars and trials, and travel throughout the country meeting new people while trialing their dogs.
Need more help? Private sessions are available if you feel you need a little more guidance.