Puppy Manners & Home Obedience
Puppy Manners Beginning Home Obedience Advanced Home Obedience Off-Leash Control

This is where most families begin their dog's education. Many enjoy basic training so much, they go on to earn their CGC and Therapy Dog certification. Some even get "hooked" and join our Agility and Competition Obedience programs! All participants receive a detailed Lesson Booklet covering the week-by-week lessons for each class & a copy of "Training your Family Dog," an extensive reference tool covering all types of behavior problems, nutrition discussions, nail trimming & tooth brushing instructions, plus answers to commonly asked questions. Each class includes time for student questions & problem solving. Toenail trimming & teeth brushing are also demonstrated. 

 

As professional dog trainers and class instructors, our primary goal is to train the human members of the families who come to us for help with basic obedience and household manners. We believe that our job is to provide clear instruction and easy-to-follow techniques that are based on dog behavior and communication. 


Our philosophy is to be proactive: to anticipate and prevent problem behavior before it begins, such as teaching the dog to sit for greeting before it learns to jump up on visitors. When problems do occur, redirection is the first thing we recommend, as in teaching the dog to trade the owner's shoe for a wonderful doggy chew toy. If proactive techniques do not work, we will introduce corrections (mild at first) to teach the dog that the bad behavior must be stopped. In all cases we believe in being fair to the dog and getting to the root of the problem. 


There are progressive levels that comprise our home obedience program. Most dogs will achieve basic obedience and on-leash proficiency (assuming their owners follow through at home!) after two 7-week sessions of classes, Puppy Manners and Beginning Home Obedience for the youngest dogs, or Beginning Home Obedience and Advanced Home Obedience for the older puppies and mature dogs. Owners desiring reliable, off-leash control will find it beneficial to continue their dog's education through the Beginning Off-Leash class. Dogs who successfully complete Advanced Home Obedience qualify for participation in our Agility classes, Therapy Dog classes, the Canine Good Citizenship Test and other advanced activities.


Be sure to read the "About Us" section of this website for more information on our training philosophy and general information about our various programs.
 
 Class   Description
Puppy Manners For puppies under 5 months of age when class begins &/or toy breeds under 6 months.  (Please note that this age range is flexible, depending on the puppy's size, confidence level, mental maturity, etc.  If you are uncertain as to whether or not this is the best class for your puppy, email us.) Class includes socialization, introduction to obedience commands & puppy agility obstacles.  Click here for more info & schedule.
Beginning Home Obedience For dogs over 5 months of age. (Please note that this age range is flexible, depending on the puppy's size, confidence level, mental maturity, etc.  If you are uncertain as to whether or not this is the best class for your puppy, email us.)  Lots of work on basic obedience & control, including controlled walking, sit, down & stand stay, come, sit for greeting, go to a rug & lie down. For dogs with little or no formal training.   Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
Advanced Home Obedience For dogs over 6 months of age who have successfully completed Beginning Home Obedience with Family Dog.  Dogs must be rock solid around distractions.  Drop on recall & stays out of sight are introduced.   Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
Rally Obedience For dogs over 6 months of age who have successfully completed Beginning Home Obedience and/or Advanced Home Obedience with Family Dog.  Dogs must be rock solid around distractions.  Rally is the fun new sport that combines aspects of agility and obedience.  Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
CGC Practice & Prep For dogs who have successfully completed Advanced Home Obedience. Class continues to practice basic exercises plus off-leash control.  Graduates of this class will be prepared to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, which is open to all breeds, regardless of pedigree.  Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
Canine Good Citizen Test We offer the AKC Canine Good Citizen test several times every year.  The test is open to purebred and mixed breed dogs, students and non-students.  Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming tests.
Therapy 
Dog 		 There is nothing like the feeling you experience when you see your dog bring joy, love and happiness to a child or adult in need.  This class is for dogs who have earned their CGC.  Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
Kids 'N Canines Designed specifically for kids and their dogs, these classes are intended to give children an introduction to proper dog handling in a fun, positive environment.  Classes cover a little bit of everything.  Various classes and workshops are offered for different age groups.   Click here for more info & schedule of upcoming classes.
Field Trips & Special Interest Family Dog is always happy to develop classes for specific interest groups.  If your scout troop, 4-H group or daughter's birthday party would like a program tailored just for them, we can do it!   We have experience creating all kinds of one-time, short and long-term workshops, classes & seminars.  Contact us for more information.
Private Lessons The Family Dog staff is always available for private lessons to help with specific issues, such as housebreaking, behavior problems, etc.  Contact us for more information.
 

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This website and its contents are owned by Kathy Lang and Family Dog Training Center-- unless otherwise noted. NOTHING from this site may be used without the written permission of Kathy Lang, Family Dog Training Center or the identified owner. 2000-2008©

PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER:  Kathy Lang and Family Dog Training Center have taken great measures to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site; however, neither can be held responsible for errors. Schedules and instructor assignments may be changed as necessary to accommodate student loads. Articles, photos and text contained on this web site are intended to be informational ONLY and do not constitute training guidance, examples or instructions.