Novice Level
This is the most popular level of training. Novice training is
similar to riding a bike. “What does learning to ride a bicycle have to do with dog training?” you may ask.
Well, try viewing the leash as training wheels on a bike. When you are first learning, it’s all on-leash.
You certainly wouldn’t think of taking those training wheels off your child’s bike until they were ready, right?
The same is true of your dog. You don’t take the leash off until the dog is ready. The novice level of training
has a very specific set of commands to teach the dog, in a very specific order. If you miss a class, you’ll be
lost, unless you schedule a make-up class BEFORE your next group class. (One make-up class is included in the cost of
your 10 week novice course.) So, please show consideration to your classmates and try not to miss a class. Also,
it’s a good idea to bring someone along so they can take notes for you.
The Novice curriculum is as follows:
Week 1: Lecture on methods, equipment, dos and don’ts, how to get the most out of the course, etc.
This is a human only class. Please leave your dog at home.
Week 2: Left side sit, release command.
Week 3: Heeling.
Week 4: Sit for examination. (This is the introduction to stay).
Week 5: Sit-stay.
Week 6: Down.
Week 7: Stand for examination. Six foot sit-stay.
Week 8: Down-stay.
Week 9: Recall. (Come command.)
Week 10: Grading/Evaluation.
Novice curriculum is specifically set up so that each new command builds off the
commands learned in the week previous. They are also all taught so that they can be worked into your walk. Please
understand that training is physically demanding. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be “muscling”
the dog. There is, however, a lot of walking and bending involved, ESPECIALLY if you own a small dog. If you have
a physical impairment, such as a bad shoulder, wrist, back, etc, please inform us prior to week one. This way, we are
aware of the problem and can trouble shoot and tailor some methods to better serve you.
Intermediate Level
Intermediate level differs from novice level in that there is no set schedule of
commands taught. Also, intermediate is broken up into two “sub-levels”: Intermediate A and Intermediate
B. The A level consists of students who have just completed the novice level and are ready to move on to more complex
training and the B level consists of students that have been in the intermediate level for several months. Intermediate
level is still on-leash, but the leash is oftentimes dropped as we walk away from our dogs. In both levels A and B we
focus on variations of what we learned in novice, with greater challenges. Distractions are added into the training,
and some problem solving is required on the part of your dog.
The Intermediate Curriculum is as follows:
Intermediate A
Direct Recall at thirty foot distance.
Drop on Recall.
Recall out of sight.
Long Sit-stay at ten
foot distance.
Long Down-stay at ten foot distance.
Stand-stay at two foot distance.
Hand signals with no verbals.
Double
dog figure eight.
Mingled heeling.
Intermediate B
Recall through a crowd.
Sit-stay out of sight.
Down-stay out of sight.
Stand-stay at six foot distance.
Hand
signals, foot signals.
Double dog figure eight with dogs as pylons.
Sit in motion.
Down in motion.
The intermediate level has no set time frame. Each dog learns at their own
pace, and the same goes for the handler. One dog may be in intermediate for only three months before it’s ready
to move on to advanced. Another may be in intermediate for eight months, or even two years. A lot has to do with
how much time and effort you are putting into the training of your dog, but don’t try to push them forward when they
aren’t ready.
Advanced Level
The advanced level is very exciting for most people. This is where we take
the leash off and (in most cases) move on to the remote collar. We also use a “tab” on the collar, so you
have something to grab if need be. In this level, we focus a lot on hand signals, and create more varied and complex
situations for the dog/handler team.
The Advanced curriculum is as follows:
Stand in motion
Sit in motion at a jog
Down in motion at a jog
Stand from in front
Sit from
in front
Down from in front
Drop on recall, hand signals ONLY
Review and variations of previous level exercises
As with the intermediate level, there is no set learning schedule, as seen in novice.
With lots of practice and consistency, you’ll have a dog that is completely reliable off-leash.
