Puppies need the opportunity to interact with other dogs as part of their exposure to the world we live in. When puppies are socialized early they tend to be more relaxed around other dogs. The ideal age for dog to dog socialization is 12 to 18 weeks. However, the primary reason is for puppies to play with other puppies is to develop bite inhibition. Puppies learn how to use their mouths by playing with and “biting” other dogs. Good bite inhibition does not guarantee your dog will not bite, but it does mean the likelihood of a severe bite is minimal. Good bite inhibition is a crucial component to creating a trustworthy canine companion. *Puppies must be between 11 to 15 weeks of age with at least 2 rounds of vaccinations.

Duration: Ongoing Cost $10 per class

This is our introduction to obedience for dogs up to six months of age. The goal of this class is to teach owners and their dogs how to communicate with each other. We use positive reinforcement training techniques to identify and strengthen desired behaviors. Participants will learn fundamental obedience commands such as sit, stay, down, come and loose leash walking. Creating a foundation for your dog’s learning that will last them a lifetime.

Duration: Ongoing Cost: $18 per class or $128 for eight classes

This class is designed for dogs six months and older with little or no formal training. If you participated in an obedience class but your dog still has problems following simple commands when distracted this is the class for you. We review all of the basic obedience skills and practice them in real life situations, teach your dog how to meet strangers, sit for pets and walk nicely through a group of people.

Duration: Ongoing Cost: $18 per class or $128 for eight classes

AKC Rally is any team sport: You and your dog navigate a course, side-by-side, as you complete the skills detailed on 10-20 different signs. Each of these signs provides instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Although each performance is timed, having a good race time is not the goal; it’s all about working as a team while performing the skills, with the dog under control.

Duration: 5 weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisites: Beyond Puppy or basic obedience class

In this class the participants go from “on leash” to “off leash”. Dogs will be taught to perform all the basic commands off leash with distractions. Your dog will be able to respond to commands whether you are inside or outside. You will learn to verbal commands or hand signals interchangeably with reliable responses from your dog. Owners and their dogs will learn new commands such as “place”, which will allow your dog a limited freedom while maintaining manners and self control in a designated area. Classes will be held on-site and off-site including a down and dine for graduation.

Duration: Five Weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten, Beyond Puppy or basic obedience class

Prepare your dog for their Therapy Dog Certification by reviewing the temperament and obedience skills necessary for the evaluation. In this class we will rehearse the actual components of the certification test, including human and canine interactions and navigating through congested areas.

Duration: Five weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten, Beyond Puppy or basic obedience class

This is a six week course designed for beginning agility students. Our goal is to teach the dogs and their owners how to negotiate all of the obstacles used in agility trials. Prospective students should have some basic obedience skills and be reasonably fit. At the conclusion of this course participants should be capable of competing as novices in a sanctioned agility trial. In addition to the weekly class, students will have access to the agility field at Pawprints in order to practice their new skills.

Duration: Six weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten or basic obedience class

In intermediate agility, we will guide you on a step-by-step to better performances on the agility course. You will learn how to use obedience and directional commands to sequence smoothly and efficiently from one obstacle to the next, through turns and winding pathways. This course will help you develop a consistent set of cues for communicating with your dog on the agility course by introducing clicker training. As a result, your dog will understand your directives and you will be able to achieve the ultimate in teamwork.

Duration: Four weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite: Beginner agility or advanced obedience class

Now that your dog has learned the basics in agility it is time to progress to hand signals and directional commands to increase your dog’s performance. Move from on-leash commands to off-leash reliability in this one day seminar. Whether you are considering competition with your pet or you wish to add a new skill set to your dog’s repertoire this class can help you get there together.

Cost $25

One of the most effective ways to reward your dog is play and when you combine play with training the result is reliable behavior. All too often training becomes regimented and repetitive, when we introduce games to learning both dog and owner become excited about class. You will be surprised, by incorporating fun and a little competition to training, how much your dog will learn.

Duration: Four weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten, Beyond Puppy, or basic obedience class

One of the most requested skills dog owners want for their pets is a reliable recall or come command. Getting your dog to arrive promptly without delay can be achieved when owner and dog both understand their roles. The dog must be attentive and responsive to the recall and the owner must be consistent and acknowledge the dog return every time. Although there will always be a large number of factors determining how well your dog comes when called, we can teach dog owners what a good recall command is and how to get their dogs to do one.

Duration Four weeks Cost: $95

Prerequisite Puppy Kindergarten or basic obedience class

Do you have a dog that barks and lunges at people when they are on-leash? Does your dog snap or growl at other dogs without provocation? Do you feel the dog has to been removed from gatherings in your home because you cannot trust them around your guests? Typically these are the behaviors of an insecure or reactive dog. By creating new routines around greetings, establishing a strong obedience foundation and relieving the dog from making incorrect decisions we can help them become more comfortable and confident companions.

Duration Four weeks Cost: $95

Take your relationship with your dog to the next level. This four week course concentrates on the connection between you and your dog. Become confident your dog will listen when needed even when they are not attached to the leash. This class combines new skills with active play enabling your dog to become more attentive and focused. Be able to control your dog at a distance, develop a reliable recall and go for walks off-leash all while having a great time.

Prerequisite: Puppy Kindergarten or basic obedience class

Now that your dog has learned the basics in agility it is time to progress to hand signals and directional commands to increase your dog’s performance. Move from on-leash commands to off-leash reliability in this one day seminar. Whether you are considering competition with your pet or you wish to add a new skill set to your dog’s repertoire this class can help you get there together.

Cost $25

Canine weight pulling is a sport available to any breed of dog in which determination is rewarded. The art of pulling with dogs is not a new one, as man has asked canines to pull carts, sleds and wagons for centuries. The dog wears a harness attached to a cart or sled and weights are added. The owner encourages the dog to move toward them as they pull against the resistance. In class your dogs will be taught to pull on command, receive a great work out and enjoy themselves as they learn a new skill.

Cost: $25

A dog’s nose is an amazing tool it has the ability to identify countless number scents. When trained properly dogs use their noses to assist custom agents in uncovering contraband, police in finding explosives and rescue workers in locating lost or missing people. We can help you harness your dog’s innate ability identify different odors, locate hidden items by their smell and track a scent through an open field. Interact with your dog in an entirely different way as you work as a team to sniff out fun together.

Duration Four weeks Cost: $95

Walking your dog can be a bonding event where dog and owner share fresh air and the open road together or it can be a never ending tug of war with your dog always winning. If your experience is the later please come to our “Leash Skills” class. We use simple repeatable routines to gain your dog’s attention and ultimately focus for extended strolls.

Cost $25

Dogs and humans may share living quarters and even some of the same emotions but we are worlds apart in our behavior. What we offer as kindness and compassion they interpret as weakness and indecision no wonder we have problems understanding their signals. This class provides the road map to better communication between species. If we know how they think and learn we can provide clearer instruction and ultimately a more fufilling relationship.

Cost $25