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.
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.
AKC Star Puppy
Weeks: 6
Length: 60 minutes per session
Number of Students: minimum of 3, maximum of 8
Prerequisites: your dog must be 4-12 months old to participate
Class Content: You and your dog will learn to navigate the outside world and all its distractions successfully! We will cover loose leash walking, focus work, distractions, basic obedience, impulse control, and age appropriate socialization. This course is a wonderful way to prepare your puppy for moving up the Canine Good Citizen course, Household Manners, or Life Skills for Success. Class size: minimum of 3, maximumof 8 students- one hour sessions
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.
AKC Canine Good Citizen
Weeks: 3
Length: 60 minutes per session
Number of Students: minimum of 3, maximum of 8
Prerequisites: your dog must be at least 5 months old to participate and have completed the Star Puppy or Household Manners Class at Northfield Dog Training or have equivalent skills.
Class Content: This class focuses on preparing you and your dog to pass the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test. You will practice the required test elements the first two weeks and take the CGC test the third week.
You can read more about the CGC test here.
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.
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.