Group Classes

The AKC designed the Family dog program to help families teach manners to their pets while also promoting responsible dog ownership in our communities. Each class has a framework specifically designed to help you and your dog develop a lifelong bond through training and socialization. There are 4 stages of the Canine Good Citizen Program, each with a 6-week course. 

Each 6-week course costs $135.

S.T.A.R. Puppy stands for: Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible Owner.

You and your pup will learn: Socialization strategies, training games, appropriate physical activities and what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

Goal: 

You and your pup will learn: 10 different essentials for a canine good citizen: sitting politely for petting, grooming and appearance, leash manners, reaction to distractions, reaction to another dog, accepting a friendly stranger, coming when called, walking through a crowd, sit and down, stay in place, supervised separation.

Goal: To pass the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Test. As an AKC trainer, Kynsey is certified to administer this test. In passing the test, you and your dog will be set up for success at home and in public. You’ll also be ready to move on to the next class.

You and your pup will learn: 10 advanced skills that are an extension of the skills learned in CGC: Dog will sit, down, stand under control, walks loose leash in a natural setting and in a crowd, ignores distraction dogs, can sit in a small group with other dogs/owner, leave it, sit/down stay, allows stranger to approach carrying object, and recall around distractions. There is a focus on being in a public setting/natural setting so the dogs skills are put to the ultimate test. 

Goal: To pass the CGCA test so your dogs has an understanding of what manners should look like out in a public in real life situations. 

You and your pup will learn: 10 skills that demonstrate your dog has the ability to be in an urban or city environment without being too aroused or distracted: Exit/enter a building, walking through a crowd on a sidewalk,reactions to city distractions, crossing the street, ignoring food on the sidewalk, public building manners, allowing a stranger to pet, going up/down stairs and an elevator, housetrained, and transportation of pet (car/bus/trolley)

Goal: To pass the UCGC in an urban setting that includes traffic, crowds, noises, smells, and other major distractions present in the city.  

Trick Training is a great way to connect with your dog on a different level! It's also great for building confidence for our nervous nellies as well as providing mental enrichment to energetic, busy-bee pups! There is no age limit, ability level, or prerequisites! All you need is yourself, your dog, and some yummy treats! This class allows you to work towards the goal of a "trick dog" title through AKC. I offer the first 3 of 5 stages of trick dog titles. (The final two courses are more advanced than most wish to pursue for family dogs).

You and your pup will learn: Different novice tricks set by the AKC. They include: high five, speak, crawl, spin, touch, fetch, etc. 

Goal: Your dog to demonstrate 10 tricks from AKC’s novice trick list. If a dog already has a CGC passed and on record with AKC, they will only need to perform 5 to pass! 

You and your pup will learn: A few examples of tricks that can be performed in intermediate are: Leg weave, paws up, head down, open door, sit pretty, place from distance, rollover, etc. 

Goal: For your dog to perform 10 tricks from AKC’s intermediate list so you can move onto the advanced class! 

You and your pup will learn: Some examples of tricks that can be demonstrated are back up, pivot, smile, pay dead, left/right, reverses around handler, toy identification, embarrassed, etc.

Goal: For your dog to perform 10 tricks from AKC’s advanced list so you will be able to earn your Trick Dog Advanced title!