Basic Obedience Course Descriptions
Click on any of the names below to learn more about that class, including class length, prerequisites and expected equipment.
Hybrid Puppy Kindergarten
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: Puppy must be between 10 weeks and 4 months old when the class begins. If you have a larger breed puppy the younger you can start the better! Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Learn how to build a solid relationship with your new puppy and a good foundation for future dog sports. Develop skills for maintaining your puppy’s attention. Teach basic obedience cues (come, sit, down, stay, and the foundation for loose-leash walking). Socialize your puppy to a new environment and other dogs and people (puppies will actually get to play with each other during or after at least one or two of the classes, how often depends on the makeup of each class).
Please check with your vet about the appropriate age for you to start your puppy in a class, as some vets recommend that young puppies should have had the second in the series of distemper/parvo vaccinations before attending a group training class, but some are fine with them attending after the initial vaccine depending on age, breed, and other factors.
This is a hybrid class that includes on-line information and in-person class sessions. The on-line portion includes several lesson videos for you to watch each week and handouts for you to download, read and learn from. Students are expected to watch each week’s videos before coming to that week’s class and to start practicing with their dog. We will practice these skills each week at the in-person class.
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
AKC Star Puppy
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per week
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: None.
S.T.A.R. Puppy is for 10 weeks to 8 months old. In this class we cover learning theory and how to communicate effectively with your puppy using AKC’s S.T.A.R. Puppy skills. You will learn how to teach basic obedience skills, tackle common puppy issues, and build relationship and engagement to lay a solid foundation for living together. Skills covered include, loose leash walking, recall, and basic behaviors, such as sit, down, and stay. In the last class we will test for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy. Testing forms provided.
Please contact Hanna at hanna@hrgtraining-walking.com with any questions.
The course includes support videos and weekly handouts provided via email. Test forms handed out at week 5.
Equipment:
- Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
- Flat buckle or martingale collar, harness and 4-6’ leashes
- If your dog is active and likes to bark, bring something to occupy them during down time.
REGISTRATION IS BY DOG. DO NOT REGISTER A SECOND PERSON – YOU WILL END UP BEING CHARGED TWICE.
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per week
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: Prior Obedience class is recommended
Canine Good Citizen This class is for dogs 6 months and up. We will cover all 10 skills of the AKC CGC test. Additionally, we will cover learning theory, how dogs learn and effective communication to ensure lasting results and better bond between you and your pup! In the last class we will test each dog for the CGC title. Test forms provided.
Please contact Hanna at hanna@hrgtraining-walking.com with any questions.
The course includes support videos and weekly handouts provided via email. Test forms handed out at week 5.
Equipment:
- Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
- Flat buckle or martingale collar, harness and 4-6’ leashes
- If your dog is active and likes to bark, bring something to occupy them during down time.
REGISTRATION IS BY DOG. DO NOT REGISTER A SECOND PERSON – YOU WILL END UP BEING CHARGED TWICE.
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Adolescent Manners
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per week
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: none.
Adolescent Manners For puppies 25 weeks to 2 years old. In this class, we cover learning theory and how to communicate effectively with your adolescent puppy. We also learn how to teach basic obedience skills, tackle common adolescent issues, and build relationship and engagement to lay a solid foundation for future training and building on already learned skills. Skills covered include loose leash walking, recall, as well as sit, down, and impulse control.
Please contact Hanna at hanna@hrgtraining-walking.com with any questions.
The course includes support videos and weekly handouts provided via email.
Equipment:
- Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
- Flat buckle or martingale collar, harness and 4-6′ leash
- If your dog is active and likes to bark, bring something to occupy them during down time.
REGISTRATION IS BY DOG. DO NOT REGISTER A SECOND PERSON – YOU WILL END UP BEING CHARGED TWICE.
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Manners for Mature Dogs
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per week
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: none.
Manners for the Mature Dogs For dogs 2 years and older. Whether needing to brush up on skills, just starting out, building to the next level or wanting to work with new distractions, this class is designed for dogs (and humans!) of all skill levels. Skills covered include: learning theory and how dogs learn, loose leash walking, wait, let’s go, recall, sit, down, drop it, leave it, calm observation and cooperative care skills.
Please contact Hanna at hanna@hrgtraining-walking.com with any questions.
The course includes support videos and weekly handouts provided via email.
Equipment:
- Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
- Flat buckle or martingale collar, harness and 4-6′ leash
- If your dog is active and likes to bark, bring something to occupy them during down time.
REGISTRATION IS BY DOG. DO NOT REGISTER A SECOND PERSON – YOU WILL END UP BEING CHARGED TWICE.
Loose Leash Walking and Recalls
Weeks: 3
Length: 60 minutes per week
Class size: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: none.
Loose Leash Walking & Recalls For dogs 6 months and up. This is a specialized class focusing on two core skills: walking politely on leash and recall. Every week we will build on the skills learned and add in new games for some fun challenge! Additionally, we will cover learning theory, how dogs learn and effective communication to ensure lasting results and better bond between you and your pup.
Please contact Hanna at hanna@hrgtraining-walking.com with any questions.
The course includes support videos and weekly handouts provided via email.
Equipment:
- Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
- Flat buckle collar or martingale collar or harness and 4-6′ leash.
- If your dog is active and likes to bark, bring something to occupy them during down time.
REGISTRATION IS BY DOG. DO NOT REGISTER A SECOND PERSON – YOU WILL END UP BEING CHARGED TWICE.
Life Skills for Success
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Number of Students: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: your dog must be at least 6 months when class starts and have completed a puppy class, household manners class, or reasonable equivalent.
Class Content: Whether you need to refresh the skills learned in puppy class or work on changing existing behaviors in your adolescent or adult dog, this course will help you navigate household issues such as barking, door dashing, jumping, leash pulling, counter surfing, and distractions.
Equipment:
* Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
* Collar (flat collar, martingale, slip collar, or non-restrictive harness. Pinch/prong collars are not allowed)
* 4-6 foot leash
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Loose Leash Walking
Weeks: 3
Length: 60 minutes per session
Number of Students: minimum of 3, maximum of 8
Prerequisites: your dog must be at least 6 months when class starts and have completed a puppy class, household manners class, or reasonable equivalent.
Class Content: Struggling to walk a dog that is pulling is no fun! Learn how to reframe your walk so that you and your dog can take time to enjoy the scenery, relax, and manage distractions you might encounter as you are out and about in your neighborhood.
Equipment:
* Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
* Collar (flat collar, martingale, slip collar, or non-restrictive harness. Pinch/prong collars are not allowed)
* 4-6 foot leash
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Really Great Recalls
Weeks: 3
Length: 60 minutes per session
Number of Students: minimum of 3, maximum of 6
Prerequisites: your dog must be at least 6 months when class starts and have completed a puppy class, household manners class, or reasonable equivalent.
Class Content:One of the skills your dog needs in life is a reliable recall. In this three week class, we will cover how to build a recall that works, games to play and maintain that recall, as well as an emergency recall game to ensure your dog always returns.
Equipment:
* Lots of small, easy-to-chew, high-value treats (this is from the dog’s perspective; they should love what they are getting).
* Collar (flat collar, martingale, slip collar, or non-restrictive harness. Pinch/prong collars are not allowed)
* 4-6 foot leash
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.
Hybrid Household Manners
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Prerequisites: For these sessions of Household Manners, your puppy/dog can be any age, although we recommend at least 4.5 months old if a puppy. There is no playtime for the dogs in this class.
This class focuses on teaching dogs basic skills for everyday life and on laying a solid foundation for more advanced training. It also teaches handlers how to communicate effectively with their dogs and engage in basic problem solving. Learn how to build a solid relationship with your dog. Develop skills for maintaining your dog’s attention. Teach basic obedience cues, including come, sit, down, stay, control around doorways, and loose-leash walking.
This is a hybrid class that includes on-line information and in-person class sessions. The on-line portion includes several lesson videos for you to watch each week and handouts for you to download, read and learn from. Students are expected to watch each week’s videos before coming to that week’s class and to start practicing with their dog. We will practice these skills each week at the in-person class.
Please email info@northfielddogtraining.com with questions.