Training Locations

Group classes are being conducted at:

 The Pet Lodge

 5757 CR 64

 Spencerville, IN 46788

 Tel. 260-238-4911

 www.the-petlodge.com

 Eckhart Park

 City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department

 1500 S. Cedar Street

 Auburn Indiana 46706

 Phone: 260-925-2997

“Puppy-Go-Lucky” Group Class

     This is a 6 week course for puppies between 8 weeks and 5 months old. This course puts an emphasis on canine socialization with novel stimuli, other dogs, and people. Question and answer sessions will address daily challenges in living with your puppy. The class size is limited to 6 dogs. Each session lasts 50 to 60 minutes. A professional training manual is included in the class fee.

 Content:

• How to use positive reinforcement training techniques effectively

• How to integrate training in your daily life

• Management of your puppy (crate-training, introducing it to various areas of the house)

• Mouthing and biting

• Potty training

• Basic obedience commands (sit, down, come, etc.)

• Targeting (e. g. “touch” to the hand)

• Exposing your dog safely to new environments, situations, and controlling interactions with different people and animals ("socialization")

• Off-leash play sessions with the other puppies

• Getting dogs to accept handling and restraint

• Owner education (e. g. basic canine needs, canine body language and behavior)

• Use of appropriate equipment, toys and treats

"Young and Restless" Group Class

        This is a 6 week course for adolescent dogs between 5 months and 1 year old. Dogs with behavioral issues should attend the "Mature or What" class. This course offers support for people with "teenage" dogs and teaches clients how to control and redirect obnoxious adolescent behaviors. Question and answer sessions will be provided in each class to address any concerns you may have. The class size is limited to 6 dogs with each session lasting 50-60 minutes. A professional training manual is included in the class fee.

• How to use positive reinforcement training techniques effectively

• How to integrate training in your daily life

• Management of an adolescent dog

• Physical and mental exercise

• Focus and attention

• Basic obedience commands (sit, down, come, leave it, etc.) and tricks

• Introduction to loose-leash walking

• Targeting (e. g. “touch” to the hand)

• Addressing attention-seeking and other unwanted behaviors (e. g. barking, mouthing, jumping)

• Teaching your dog to be calm (“doggie zen”)

• Accepting handling and restraint

• Off-leash play sessions (if appropriate; at the instructor’s discretion)

• Owner education (e. g. basic canine needs, canine body language and behavior)

• Use of appropriate equipment, toys and treats

“Mature or What” and "Small But Great"* Group Class

*For dogs under 20lbs.

     This 6 week course for dogs over 12 months old focuses on basic pet manners, as well as (for the human) unacceptable canine behaviors like jumping on people and excessive barking. We will address management and behavior modification. Question and answer sessions will be provided in each class to address any concerns you may have. The class size is limited to 6 dogs. Each session lasts 50 to 60 minutes. A professional training manual is included in the class fee.

 Content:

• How to use positive reinforcement training techniques effectively

• How to integrate training in your daily life

• Focus and attention

• Obedience training (e. g. sit, down, stay, come)

• Introduction to loose-leash walking

• Problem behaviors (e. g. how to control jumping on people, chewing, digging, barking, counter surfing)

• Leave it

• Targeting (e. g. “touch” to the hand)

• Teaching your dog to be calm (“doggie zen”)

• Getting dogs to accept handling and restraint

• Owner education (e. g. basic canine needs, canine body language and behavior)

• Use of appropriate equipment, toys and treats

Getting There (Intermediate) Group Class

         This 6 week course is for "Puppy-Go-Lucky" and Mature or What" graduates. We will continue to work on previously introduced behaviors, with more duration, distance, and distractions. There will be a field trip to Rural King, Angola, in week 3 and to a local park (e. g. Commons Park, Pokagon State Park) in week 6 weather permitting. The class size is limited to 6 dogs. Each session lasts 50-60 minutes.

Content:

- Proofing behaviors with particular emphasis on

•  Sit and Down

•  Coming when called

•  Loose-leash walking

•  Sit-stay and Down stay

•  Leave it

• How to use and fade out the clicker and lures

• Go to bed

• Meeting people without jumping

Canine Good Citizen® (advanced) Group Class

         This 6 week course is for "Getting There" graduates. The American Kennel Club CGC test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. The CGC program rewards dogs that have the training and demeanor to be reliable family members as well as community members in good standing. There will be at least one field trip. The dog/handler teams will be tested in week 6 by an independent evaluator. The class size is limited to 6 dogs. Each session lasts 50-60 minutes.

Content:

•  Accepting a friendly stranger

•  Sitting politely for petting

•  Appearance and grooming

•  Out for a walk (loose-leash walking)

•  Sit and down on command/staying in place

•  Coming when called

•  Reaction to another dog

•  Reaction to distractions

•  Supervised separation

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email Silke Wittig @ 574-612-8170 or 260-927-8967 or contact@herocanineconsulting.com.

Site was last updated on 12-Jun-2008