Calendar
The following is my schedule for group dog training classes I am currently teaching at Speedy Paws.
Please contact me at your earliest convenience, if you are interested in attending a class. If you arrive 20 minutes prior to the class start time, you can also register the day of the class. See below for location and price, and how to prepare for classes.
Group and private dog training lessons are held at:
Speedy Paws K-9
Performance Training Center, LLC
630 Keith Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
More information about group classes:
Basic obedience classes are offered for puppies and adults during the day and evenings, though the number of classes varies due to demand and building availability. You may start taking classes anytime, though it is recommended you start at the beginning of the session if you can. Please check the schedule on my web site to see the current offerings and let me know several days beforehand which class you plan to attend. I confirm there is space available, send you a list of things to bring to class and ask that you arrive 15-20 minutes early to register.
COST:
Classes are $110 for 6 lessons (to be completed in 8 weeks). Cost for current students is $100. Specialty classes, like Foundations for Performance, are $110 for 5 weeks. Checks and cash are accepted for payment (no debit or credit cards.)
WHAT TO BRING:
Please bring shot records for your dog and get approval from your vet if under two months of age. If you are planning to attend puppy classes, please go to the resources section of my web site and read How to Socialize Your Puppy, written by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. AVSAB encourages owners not to wait to attend classes until their puppy has completed their shots due to the fact 80% of brain development is completed by four months of age and the risks of delaying socialization must be weighed against the need for vaccination.
Basic obedience classes start with teaching your dog that you are the leader and then guiding you in how to train and manage your dog, while developing a clear communication system and positive relationship. Your dog will learn to pay attention to you, control their impulses, sit, down, stay, come, leave it, greet politely and walk beside you on a leash. The second level of obedience, called Beyond the Basics, builds on the first by increasing the duration, distance and distractions under which your dog responds to cues. Those who complete this class will learn the skills needed to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. A 50-page manual is included.
Puppy classes include the basics (described above) but also how to safely socialize your puppy and deal with common problems such as jumping, mouthing and lunging. A 25-page supplement comes with this class, which describes the stages of puppy development. Students are encouraged to take the AKC Puppy Star and level 1 obedience tests at its conclusion. Many people continue on in this class as their puppy moves in to adolescence, to continue to build their repertoire of skills and proof them. Play sessions for puppies are offered at the end of class where they can be supervised and interact in a safe environment.
If students have questions in between classes, they can always contact me via phone or email for assistance. I am also available for behavior consultations if your dogs needs exceed the scope of the class.
I also offer several specialty classes periodically; Scent Games and Foundations for Performance. The former is good in preparing for scent work in competition obedience or tracking, while the latter is really helpful in preparing to take agility, Rally or competition obedience. The foundations class is geared to young dogs (6 months to 1 year of age) that have passed the level 1 puppy class test, or for older dogs already competing but who need some remedial training in foundation skills. The class will include ways to increase motivation while maintaining control and keeping good focus. We will make heavy use of play to make it fun for you and your dog. Your dog will learn specific skills needed in all sports: targeting, jumping correctly, heeling, pivots, recall and stay. You will learn how to improve your dogs foot timing and coordination and move them comfortably across various surfaces. You will also learn how to strengthen and condition your dog to prevent injury and increase endurance.
Private obedience lessons are offered by the half hour for $25 and full hour for $50. This may be helpful in preparing for the CGC therapy dog test or working on a specific problem behavior.
*If you are interested in private dog training lessons,
please call or E-mail Mary
to arrange scheduling for your private sessions.
*If you are interested in a behavioral consultation, please start by completing this questionnaire, and Mary will contact you with further information including details about how to proceed with the behavioral consultation.
