PET CLASSES

These classes use positive reinforcement and emphasize basic obedience skills and learning to focus in the presence of other people and dogs. They are designed for family pets, but handlers who compete in dogs sports are also welcome.

STAR Puppy 

The STAR Puppy class is an AKC program that provides a test and certificate for puppies and owners who demonstrate 20 owner and puppy behaviors at the conclusion of the class. STAR Puppy is designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start and is an excellent first training class for puppies and provides a lead-in to the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. Owners must attend all 6 class sessions to take the test and obtain the certificate. 

MON 5:15 - 5:45 pm Instructor: Jennie Weisenberger Limit 6 for puppies 6-10 months old at start of class. No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3

MON  6:00 - 6:30 pm               Instructor:  Jennie Weisenberger    Limit 6  for puppies 3-5 months old at start of class. No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3

WED 5:15 - 5:45 pm Instructor: Peggy Cushard Limit 6    for puppies 12 weeks to 6 months old at start of class

Household Obedience 

For handlers who want to build a bond with their dog, learn basic obedience, and have a dog that is a happy, well-adjusted member of the family.  Positive reinforcement is used to teach: sit, down, stay, leave it, come, loose leash walking, and mat training. Dogs will be exposed to other people and dogs. Dogs must wear a flat buckle collar, martingale, or harness.  Bring lots of small, soft, high-value treats.  Dogs should be at least 6 months of age or have completed a puppy class.

MON 7:00 - 7:45 pm Instructor: Kyleigh Cross Limit 6 FULL No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

WED 11:00 - 11:45 am Instructor: Sarah Carter Limit 7 FULL

WED 5:30 - 6:15 pm Instructor: Jan McLean Limit 6

WED 6:30 - 7:15 pm Instructor: Jan McLean Limit 6 FULL

Cooperative Care

Handlers will learn essential skills to reduce stress in handling their pets during veterinary and grooming procedures. Through a combination of practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, participants will learn to teach their dogs various cooperative care behaviors, foster body awareness, and desensitize them to handling procedures such as blood draws and vaccinations. By fostering a trusting partnership with their pets, participants will gain the confidence and tools needed to reduce stress for both themselves and their canine companions. Pre-requisites: Dogs should have a foundation in basic obedience commands (sit, stay, down, come), as these skills will provide a framework for more advanced cooperative care behaviors. Dogs must wear a flat buckle collar, martingale, or harness and a 6 foot leash. Bring loose, lickable treats such as peanut butter, squeeze cheese, or yogurt if possible. Small, soft treats are an acceptable substitute. Also bring a small pillow, cloth, or towel each week.

THUR 7:00 - 7:45 pm Instructor: Jamie Kiefer Limit 8 FULL

Come When Called

This class is for puppies and young adults who need a little extra help in training a happy recall, which can save your dog's life. A “stay” is not required but can be helpful. It is not intended for competition obedience training, but may help. As the weeks progress, we add in distance and distractions, as we teach you to teach your dog. There will be homework! No head halters allowed so dogs must be trained to a flat buckle or martingale collar. Up to two handlers per dog allowed in ring. This is a 4 week class. Class meets April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 15. Registration fee: $60

WED 1:30 - 2:15 pm Instructor: Kelly Clark, Assistant: Charlie Williams Limit 4 FULL

WED 2:30 - 3:15 pm Instructor: Kelly Clark, Assistant: Charlie Williams Limit 4

Preparing for the CGC

Pre-requisite: Must have taken at least one obedience class and dog is able to walk on leash. The CGC (Canine Good Citizen) is a ten-skill training program that focuses on basic good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and in the community. OTCGL offers the CGC test several times a year. Our next scheduled event is June 18 at 6:00-8:00 pm.

THUR 5:30 - 6:15 Instructor: Celeste Gerlach Limit 6 FULL

 COMPETITIVE OBEDIENCE

These classes are designed for those who compete in AKC or UKC Obedience. However, you don’t have to compete to take these classes! Everyone is welcome. In competitive obedience, skills are built upon at each level. Therefore, students should begin with “Beginner Novice” or “Novice.” A dog must be able to safely work off leash in order to take a Novice class. Novice skills are required before taking an “Open” class and the Open skills are required before progressing to the “Utility” level. Many handlers enjoy learning the skills and exercises, and some decide to compete later. In general, taking a family pet class should precede taking a competitive obedience class.

Beginner Novice

Pre-requisite: Dogs must be at least 6 months old and able to sit, down, come when called, have a short stay, walk on a loose leash and should haven taken a beginner obedience class. This class uses positive reinforcement to teach the skills to compete in Beginner Novice: heel on leash, figure 8, sit/down/stay, recall with fronts, and sit for exam. Focus is on competitive obedience, but non-competitive handlers who want to improve their skills are welcome. Focus on building engagement through rewards and praise. Bring LOTS of high-value soft treats.

MON 11:00 - 11:30 am Instructor: Stacie Coates Limit 6 No class on Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

WED 7:45 - 8:15 pm Instructor: Stacie Coates Limit 6

FRI 10:00 - 10:45 am Instructor: Margo Maidlow Limit 6 FULL

FRI 11:00 - 11:45 am Instructor: Margo Maidlow Limit 6 FULL

Beginner Novice Skill Building

This positive reinforcement class will include practice for focused heeling in short sessions, sit for exam, recall, and figure 8 basics. Dogs must be on a 6 foot leash. Bring lots of small soft training treats.

TUES 7:15 - 8:00 pm Instructor: Shelly Barton Limit 6

Using Props for Beginner Novice and Novice

Prerequisite: Dog should have taken at least one beginner novice or novice obedience class previously.  We will be working on the exercises in beginner novice and novice obedience using props such as bowls and platforms. These props can help us improve our fronts, finishes, stays, recalls, and other components that are important in competition. While the focus will be on competitive obedience, other teams are welcome.

WED 9:45 - 10:15 am Instructor: Maggie Sawdy Limit 5 FULL

Novice

Pre-requisite: Dogs should be at least 6 months old should be able to sit, down, have a short stay, come when called, walk on a loose leash, and have taken a beginner obedience class. Beginner Novice is NOT a pre-requisite to take this class. This positive reinforcement class focuses on the Novice exercises (heel on leash, figure 8, heel free, stand for exam, recall with finish, sit/stay get your leash, and group sits & downs). Focus is on competitive obedience, but non-competitive handlers who want to improve their skills are welcome.

MON 5:30 - 6:00 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 6 No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

MON 6:15 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 6 No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

TUE 6:00 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Dick Hemmer Limit 8 FULL

THUR 9:30 - 10:15 am Instructor: Renee Baenen Limit 6 FULL

Brace

Brace is 2 dogs handled by the same handler in the AKC novice obedience exercises. Strongly recommend to have a coupler. Pre-requisite: Dogs should be at least 6 months old and able to sit, down, stay, come when called, and walk on a loose leash. This positive reinforcement class focuses on the Novice exercises (heel on leash, figure 8, heel free, stand for exam, recall with finish, sit/stay get your leash, and group sits and downs). Focus is on competitive obedience, but non-competitive handlers who want to improve their skills are welcome.

TUES 7:00 - 7:45 pm Instructor: Dick Hemmer Limit 6 FULL

Intro to Open

Pre-requisites: Completion of Competitive Novice class and be able to perform Novice exercises safely off leash. This positive reinforcement class focuses on training the Open exercises: heeling, figure 8, command discrimination, drop on recall, retrieving dumb bell, jumps, angle jumping, fronts and finishes.

MON 7:00 - 7:30 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 4 FULL No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3

WED 10:30 - 11:00 am Instructor: Linda Alkema Limit 4 FULL

Open

Pre-requisite: Must have taken Intro to Open class. This positive reinforcement class focuses on training and proofing Open Obedience exercises: heeling, command discrimination, drop on recall, retrieving dumb bell, jumps, angle jumping, fronts and finishes. Week 6: Open run-throughs.

MON 10:00 - 10:45 am Instructor: Marty Siegrist Limit 4 FULL No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

MON 7:45 - 8:15 pm Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 6 No class Memorial Day. Make up class June 3.

TUES 6:30 - 7:00 pm Instructor: Cindy Rice Limit 5

THUR 9:30-10:15 am Instructor: Marilyn DeRoover Limit 6

Open Obedience Drills

This class is for dogs that have a good understanding of the open obedience exercises. Dogs should be able to do each exercise, but do not need to be ready for competition. We will break down the individual exercises and work on improving the individual components. Dogs must be able to work off leash with other dogs off leash (all dogs will be off leash in the ring at the same time). Instructor may work his dog in class. Students are encouraged to suggest exercises, especially ideas to improve their dog’s performance.

TUES 5:00 - 5:45 pm Instructor: Pete Ostlund Limit 5 FULL

Intro to Utility

Pre-requisites: Must have taken Open class and be able to perform the Open exercises safely off leash. This positive reinforcement class will introduce the Utility exercises: signal exercise, scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand and examination, and directed jumping. Students should bring a set of predominately white gloves and a set of scent articles, either a complete set of standard utility articles or at least 2 to 3 multiple wooden dumbbells or dowels, and leather and/or metal articles.

WED 11:15 - 11:45 am Instructor: Cindy Jones Limit 5

AKC Utility

Pre-requisite: Must have taken Open or Intro to Utility class and be able to perform Open exercises. This class focuses on training and proofing the Utility Obedience exercises: signals, scent discrimination, directed jumping, directed retrieve, and moving stand.

MON 11:00 - 11:45 am Instructor: Marty Siegrist Limit 4 FULL

THUR 10:30 - 11:15 am Instructor: Marilyn DeRoover Limit 4

UKC Utility

This class will introduce the Utility exercises for UKC, including the Marked and Signal Retrieves, Consecutive Recalls, plus the more familiar Signal Exercise (Signals and Heeling), and Directed Jumping. Dog needs to be a reliable off leash heeler and able to do retrieving. Owners must have three gloves and at least one of the following: 6 metal or leather or wood articles.

TUE 10:30 - 11:30 am Instructor: Terri Korthals Limit 4

Get Ready to Proof 2.0

Pre-requisites: Ready to show in Novice, Open or Utility. Dogs need to understand what a "Mark" is such as the word "yes" or the equivalent of a click from a clicker! Each week dogs and handlers will work on specific techniques and exercises. Week 1: How to use the walk away game. Proofing sit/down/stand/stay. Introduction to guides. Week 2: Guides - working on one element at a time. Changing lanes as issues arise. We tend to focus on what "WE" are working on and not what the dog tells us needs our attention. Week 3: Finding front, finding heel, food placement. Week 4: Social pressure when executing an exercise. Pressure when heeling. Stand for exam. Drop on recall. Articles. Week 5: Perch. Random sits and downs. Introducing signal discrimination. Introducing signals. Week 6: Review

THUR 6:00 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Jodi Brunson Limit 6

Competitive Proofing: Getting Ring Ready

Pre-requisites: Dogs should be able to heel on leash, come when called, and stay. Proofing is testing the dog’s ability to correctly perform learned behaviors under varying conditions to test their readiness for trials. Handlers will polish and proof skills used in all levels of competition, such as fronts, finishes, position changes, heeling, jumping, retrieving, and stays. Individual exercises can be tailored to all levels, from beginner novice to utility.

WED 6:00 - 6:45 pm Instructor: Marty Siegrist Limit 6 FULL

OTHER DOG SPORTS

These classes provide training in a variety of sports such as Agility, Conformation, Flyball, Rally, and Scent Work. Not all classes are offered every term. The classes below are limited enrollment, but our drop in classes offer additional dog sport classes.

Introduction to Rally

This class will cover Novice Rally signs, how to read and execute them properly. Dogs should know basic commands and  be able to walk on a loose leash.

THUR 7:00 - 7:45 pm Instructor: Pat Mann Limit 6 FULL

Master Rally Signs

This class will teach the Master level signs. For handlers preparing to compete at the Master level.

THUR 11:30 - 12: 15 pm Instructor: Marilyn DeRoover Limit 6

Scentwork Games: Lessons to Improve a Team’s Ability to Search/Identify Odor

Prerequisite: intro to scentwork class and/or familiar and able to source scentwork odors. Scentwork is all about teamwork. Students will be searching for odor in different elements: interiors, exteriors, containers, and buried. Class will include teamwork games for friendly competition. Bring small, soft training treats and a leash that is at least 8 feet long.  

TUES 5:30 - 6:15 pm Instructor: Shelly Barton Limit 8

Don’t forget our drop in classes!

Conformation: Wed 12:00 noon

Novice through Advanced Rally: Wed 7:00 pm

UKC Rally RO 1 and 2: Thurs 3:00 pm

Table Dog Conformation: Fri 4:00 pm

Conformation: Fri 5:00 pm