What are the most important things in your puppy's life? Hugs and kisses? Lots of fun and play? Lots of special care? Yes, of course! But when does fun and play become eating your shoes, messing in the house, and jumping on all of your friends? Do you want your puppy to have good manners, household etiquette and good socialization?

 

It is important to get your new puppy off to the right start.Your puppy must be socialized to people (especially children), other dogs, and other animals in your home. More information from the Trainer's website is available HERE.

 

Start your new puppy in Puppy Pre-School and join us in our Puppy Parties.

 

• Puppy Preschool: (5 weeks/$45): Puppy Preschool is open to puppies 8 weeks and up to 5 months of age. Puppies are always learning even if you are not training them intentionally! Get your puppy off to the right start with Puppy Preschool. Each class begins with a discussion of puppy rearing do’s and don’ts, problem prevention and problem solving. Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to, house training, inappropriate chewing, puppy nipping, jumping and digging. Puppies are introduced to basic obedience commands using positive reward-based training methods. Each class ends with an off-leash puppy playtime. Pre-registration is recommended.

• Dog Manners: (8 weeks/$70): Dog Manners is open to dogs of all ages. This class is more than an obedience class. Learn leadership exercises, tips on reading your dog’s body language, how to prevent behavior problems and how to change unwanted behaviors. Dogs are introduced to “sit”, “down”, “come”, “off”, “stay”, “watch me”, loose-leash walking, “leave it”, and “wait” using reward-based training methods. Pre-registration is recommended.

• Manners 2: (8 weeks/$70): Manners 2 is open to any dog that has completed basic training. Each class includes training games, exposure to new and unusual experiences such as meeting a person using a walker, and exercises specifically designed to prepare the dog and handler for the Canine Good Citizen test. The CGC test may be taken on Week 8 for an additional fee ($10). Pre-registration is required. The instructor must approve any dog whose basic training was obtained outside the AnimaLodge.

• Puppy Agility: (6 weeks/$55): Puppy Agility is open to puppies aged 4 months to 1 year of age. Each class starts with a social enrichment exercise followed by a low impact introduction to agility obstacles and basic handling moves. Pre-registration is required.

• Agility 1: (8 weeks/$75): Agility 1 is a beginning level class open to dogs over 1 year of age who have completed a basic obedience course. Dog and handler are introduced to the equipment and the fundamentals of teamwork. Pre-registration is required.

• Agility 2: (6 weeks/$55): Agility 2 to is an intermediate level class open to all dogs who have completed Agility 1 or the equivalent. Dogs continue learning proper execution of the equipment but the emphasis is on handling basics. Pre-registration is required.

• Agility 3: (6 weeks/$55): Agility 3 is open to all dogs who have completed Agility 2 or the equivalent. Equipment is now full height and the dog is weaving without training props. The handler continues to learn handling techniques and is preparing to compete or may be competing at a novice level. Pre-registration is required.

• Agility 4: (6 weeks/$55): Agility 4 is for dogs actively competing in agility. Pre-registration is required.

 

Call 628-7311 for upcoming classes.

 

Jennifer McCandless

Trainer

Jennifer’s fascination with dogs began in early childhood.  She spent many hours playing with the family dogs and other dogs in the neighborhood.  Involvement in the 4H program engendered a lifelong love of training dogs and competing in dog events.  As an adult, Jennifer has titled dogs in agility, obedience and conformation.  She breeds Belgian Sheepdogs on a very selective basis, producing breed champions, nationally ranked agility dogs, herding- titled and obedience- titled dogs as well as an operational Search and Rescue dog and a certified assistance dog. 

Jennifer has taught obedience classes for 15 years and agility classes for more than a decade.  She enjoys furthering her knowledge of canine behavior and training by attending seminars, reading dog related books and magazines and watching training DVDs.

Jennifer utilizes positive, balanced training methods and each student is encouraged to decide his/her own goals and criteria when
training their dog.  Class exercises are tailored to the needs of the students in that particular class.  Training methods and equipment may vary among the students in a class according to their needs.  Jennifer strives to enhance the human/dog bond between her students and their canine friends.  She feels well-trained dog is easy to love and a pleasure for the entire family.