Fundamentals

Fundamentals
The fundamental training courses build foundational skills for both handler and dog.

Description:
Positive reinforcement using a clicker teaches the dog basic manners and skills used for later classes.

Target Dog and age range:
Dogs needing basic obedience skills, 4 months and older. No dogs are brought to the first/orientation class. A new class will begin every 4 weeks.

Goals:

  • Promote responsible dog ownership
  • Help dogs become well-mannered members of the family
  • Socialized with other dogs and people working in the same area
  • Problem solving for minor behavior problems
  • Developing basic skills for other dog sports

Prerequisite skills:
None

Skills covered in class:

  • Developing a bond with the dog and attention to handler
  • General dog care
  • Eliminating unwanted behaviors
  • Basic commands using verbal and hand signals (sit, down, stand, loose-leash walking, coming when called)
  • Tricks to stimulate the dog mentally
  • Interactive play with the dog introduction to agility (7th class)
  • Introduction to Rally obedience (8th class)

Promotion requirements:

Dogs must be reasonably calm around other dogs/people and the owner
must have control of dog verbally and physically to enroll in other GLKC classes.

Class size and duration:

  • Maximum 8 dog/handler teams
  • 8 weeks
  • 1 hour per week

Equipment provided by the handler:

  • Collar (buckle, quick release, or martingale[no tags on any collar])
  • Leash (4-6ft fabric [no nylon] or leather)
  • Variety of soft, bite-sized treats

Equipment provided by GLKC:

  • Clicker
  • Weekly Handouts

Contact:
Carolyn Regnier or the Education Committee Chair for more information

Description:
To assist new puppy owners in caring for basic needs of the puppy, to develop skills for socializing with people and other dogs as well as new situations.  Training will include basic manners, activities appropriate for puppies to prepare for dog activities, and responsibility of the owner to the puppy through proper care and to the community.  The ultimate goal is to pass the AKC STAR Puppy program.

Target Dog and age range:
All purebred and mixed breed puppies from 12 weeks to 1 year. No previous dog training is required.

Goals:
To pass the 20 item AKC S.T.A.R Puppy test (see the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy website).

Prerequisite skills:
None

Skills covered in class:

  • Responsible dog ownership
  • Basic manners: greeting people, sit, down, come, walking on a loose lead, etc.
  • Importance of exercise, activity, and mental stimulation of puppies
  • How to socialize the puppy
  • Preparation for participation in Canine Good Citizen, Basic Clicker, or other subsequent classes

Promotion requirements:
Successfully master the 20 items required by AKC to pass the S.T.A.R. Puppy program.

Class size and duration:
The class will meet weekly for 1 hour for a duration of seven weeks.  The puppy and at least one family member must attend six weeks of class (AKC requirement).  The class will consist of no less than three and no more than eight puppy and owner teams.  Families are encouraged to attend and all family members may participate in class.  If children attend, they must be old enough to participate without being disruptive.  Parents must supervise their children to insure that all students have a good training experience.

Equipment provided by the handler:

  • Properly fitting collar or harness (instructor will help you fit). No choke, prong or electronic collars allowed.
  • Leash (4-6ft fabric or leather [no flexi-leads])
  • Variety of soft, bite-sized treats
  • Toy

Equipment provided by GLKC:

  • Clicker
  • Weekly handouts via email
  • $10 coupon good towards a future GLKC class

Contact:
Contact the Education Committee Chair for more information

Description: 
Prepares the dog and handler for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test. The test is given at the conclusion of the class.  Handlers and dogs who pass receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Target Dog and age range:
Six months and up

Goals:
Prepare dogs and handlers for the AKC CGC Test.

Prerequisite skills:
None

Skills covered in class:
The 10 AKC CGC Test items:

  1. Accepting a friendly stranger
  2. Sitting politely for petting
  3. Appearance and grooming
  4. Walking on a loose lead
  5. Walking through a crowd
  6. Sit and down on command
  7. Coming when called
  8. Reaction to another dog
  9. Reaction to distractions
  10. Supervised separation

Promotion requirements:
Dogs and handlers must pass all ten items of the CGC Test.

Class size and duration:

  • Maximum 8 dog/handler teams
  • 8 weeks
  • 1 hour per week

Equipment provided by the handler:

  • Collar (buckle, quick release, or martingale, head halters or other collars must receive prior approval from the instructor)
  • Leash (4-6ft fabric or leather)
  • Variety of soft, bite-sized treats
  • Clicker (optional) may be purchased in class

Equipment provided by GLKC:

  • Items for distractions: walkers, wheelchair, umbrella, etc.
  • AKC CGC Test rules, regulations, and guidelines

Publications for instructor guidance:

  • AKC CGC Program materials
  • AKC Citizen Canine
  • Monthly AKC Evaluator’s Newsletter articles

Contact: Contact Education Committee Chair for more information

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