Training

**Most activities at The Paw are able to be viewed by live public web cameras. Executive Suites no longer require a user name and password and can be viewed by the general public.

We continue to grow our training program and look for trainers to join our team. If you have training experience or would like to volunteer your time to assist our current trainers please contact us!

Puppy Camp - This is a one week special opportunity for puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age. Puppy camp is the second week of each month and includes daily daycare, and introductions to the pool. towel drying and blow drying. Your puppy will play and learn to socialize with other dogs and staff members. This class is discounted to just $89 and includes the free pool exposure. Registration and payment required to reserve your spot and puppies may take advantage of this camp up to 2 times. Note: this special is for daily daycare only, not overnight boarding

Puppy Kindergarten - A class for puppies under 5 months of age. Focuses on socialization, positive reinforcement, teaching acceptable behavior, intro to obedience, potty training, answering questions. There is play time and offers a closer look at products for dogs and includes an introduction to the pool.

Basic Obedience - a new 6 week class to follow puppy class. This class is a great introduction to obedience training and learning new skills. Dogs must complete Puppy Kindergarten to join this class.

Level 1 Beginner Obedience - Beginner Level 1 is a six week program. Two separate sessions are offered, one on Monday evenings, the other on Thursday evenings. All work is done on a 6 foot lead, teaching the handler and dog basic obedience skills. Included are heeling on a loose lead, sitting politely when greeted by a stranger, sit and stay, and working around people and dogs as distractions.

Dog and human teamwork is a very important component of our training program.

Dogs should be 4 months or older for this class. There are no prerequisites to join this class.

Level 2 Beginner Obedience - Beginner Level 2 is a continuation of the learning started in Level 1. All work is done on a 6 foot lead. New lessons include down & stay, stand & stay, learning a reliable recall (coming when called) and also working with more distractions. Other skills and exercises for a well behaved dog are also covered.

Prerequisite is Level 1 or instructor approval.

Intermediate/Advanced- This class works on fine tuning all lessons learned in the beginner courses. All exercises are done on and then progress to off lead. Proper heel position and automatic sits are expected when heeling. Recalls, sits and downs are expanded to be done off lead and with the handler further away. Increased dog attention and teamwork between human and dog are developed and expected at this level.

Students in this class are self paced and are at different levels of proficiency with their training. The int/adv. class can be repeated indefinitely, as more skills are added for each dog and human team as they progress with their training. Some students are just out of beginners, where others are close to being ready for other experiences: therapy dog testing, competing in other sports such as rally, obedience or agility.  This class is also intended for those who enjoy a really good relationship with their dog, and a well-behaved and easier to live with dog around the home and when in public.

Prerequisite for this class is completion of all Level 2 skills, and/or instructor approval.

Agility - after some basic obedience, owners can try this fun sport which utilizes jumps, teeters, dog walks, A-frames, tunnels and chutes (not currently offered)

Rally - a fun newer type of obedience that includes obeying a command posted at different stations. Dogs are timed on the course. Prerequisite class: Level 1 and Level 2 beginner class (not currently offered)

Testing for Therapy Dog Certification - for anyone interested in taking their dogs to different locations to visit people in settings such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc… to spread love, kisses and smiles

Canine Good Citizen testing - Go to http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm

Conformation - If you are looking for tips and skills for showing your dog then this is the class for you! For more information please call The Paw. Classes will meet each Thursday evening at 6:30pm and will last for 1/2 hour. Pre - registration and payment required. (Please do not wear opened toed shoes or flip flops)

ALL CLASSES MUST BE PAID IN FULL TO RESERVE A SPOT IN CLASS

Sorry classes are unable to be prorated and are non-refundable