Canine Good Citizen Class
Classes will be starting in the Spring of 2025. This class runs for 6 wks.
What is CGC?
CGC is a ten-skill training program that’s open to all dogs–purebred and mixed breed–that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community.
After mastering the ten skills, passing the CGC test together, and taking the Responsible Dog Ownership pledge, you and your pup will join the proud ranks of over 1 million dogs who have earned their Canine Good Citizen award– accomplishment that’s definitely worthy of extra belly rubs!
Learn more about the AKC CGC test: https://www.akc.org/products-services/training-programs/canine-good-citizen/what-is-canine-good-citizen/
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class
Classes will be starting in the Spring of 2025. This class runs for 6 wks.
This class runs for 6 weeks.
What is S.T.A.R. Puppy?
Puppies should be at least 16 weeks old and current on their vaccinations.
You’ll attend the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class for at least 6 weeks. Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC® for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds.
Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display or memento purposes; not suitable as a collar tag). You and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes:
- A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC
- New Puppy Guide – Digital Edition: AKC’s comprehensive resource about caring for your puppy
- Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.
For more information about S.T.A.R. Puppy: https://images.akc.org/pdf/starpuppy/brochure.pdf
Advanced Obedience
Classes will be starting in the Spring of 2025. This class runs for 6 wks.
This a a non-competitive obedience class aimed at developing team work with your dog using agility and obedience exercises including jumps, tunnels, wobble boards, weaves, platforms, and Rally obedience exercises and obedience drill work. This will be a class geared toward the hobby trainer who wants to have a fun time while building skills to increase your dog's focus and good behavior in a variety of situations with the distraction of other people and dogs. This class will run 6 weeks and will last approximately 1 hour.
Instructor, Jean Stephens, shows her dogs in Rally Obedience, Nosework, Shed Hunting and Hunting Retriever Tests and has competed in AKC Agility competitions. Two of Jean's dogs, Autumn and Honey, are also certified therapy dogs. She has 7 Labrador Retrievers who live in her home. Jean is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen and STAR Puppy Evaluator and offers those classes as well as Therapy Dog Preparation and Pet CPR and First Aid Courses.
Therapy Dog Preparation Course
Therapy Dog Preparation Course
This is a 5 wk course with weekly classes including site visits and practice.
A 5 wk series taught by Alliance of Therapy Dogs handler and AKC Canine Good Citizen Instructor and Evaluator, Jean Stephens and Alliance of Therapy Dogs Evaluator, Angela Moe PhD.
- Dogs must be one year of age or older, hold a CGC title, have excellent basic obedience skills (heeling, down, and sit), and possess a quiet and calm demeanor.
- Detailed description of equipment and requirements of therapy dogs used for pet therapy and animal assisted intervention in a variety of locations including senior care, medical, and educational facilities.
- Practice therapy dog handling within simulated scenarios at remote locations.
- Review certification requirements in preparation for successful testing with you and your dog.
Tuesdays, Aug. 13-Sept. 10 (5 weeks), 6:15-7:30pm
Alliance of Therapy Dogs testing will be available at the end of the course.
$200 ($100 for observers without a dog)
• 1st class: Classroom Instruction for Humans (no dogs)
• 2nd class Building Your Team (procedures & techniques)
• 3rd class: Simulation Stations (practice skills in familiar environment)
• 4th class: Exploratory Field Trip (practice in new environment)
• 5th class: Capstone Field Trip (authentic therapy dog visit)
Beginning Nosework
Beginning Nosework
1 hr |$150
New classes starting Spring of 2025.
This class is designed for dogs that are just in the learning stages of odor recognition and imprinting. We will focus on a reward based training system beginning with scent imprinting and ending with some very basic container searches. The class includes a starter Nosework practice kit containing 5 odors. You will learn how to teach odor recognition, handle and place odors for search practice, and some very basic search techniques. Instructor, Jean Stephens, has trained 2 UKC Elite Nosework dogs and has two other dogs at the Master and Advanced levels. Classes will be geared toward UKC rules. Class size is limited to 5 dog and handler teams. This is a 6 week course.
Advanced Nosework
Advanced Nosework
1 hr |$150
Classes will be starting in the Spring of 2025.
- Weekly classes for 6 weeks
This class is designed for dogs that have learned odor recognition and imprinting and will build on skills learned in the Beginning class while working on equipment use, search and leash handling techniques, and will also explore a variety of searches including vehicle, interior, container, and exterior searches. Jean Stephens, has trained 2 UKC Elite Nosework and UKC Hall of Fame dogs with two other dogs at the Master and Advanced levels. Classes will be geared toward UKC rules. Class size is limited to 10 dog and handler teams. This is a 6 week course.