Training

PLEASE NOTE THAT CLASSES ARE NON REFUNDABLE.

Before registering please make sure you can commit to the four week class schedule. Our classes have a limited number of spots to ensure plenty of training time for each student. When you commit to a spot in a class it becomes unavailable for another person to register. Due to the fact that our classes rotate on a four week schedule we also do not offer a "make-up" classes. If you miss a class, you miss the class.

Obedience

Our approach to obedience training is “keep it simple”. We only use approved positive training methods (ie clicker training) to help you achieve the most out of your training time. It is our belief that your dog will learn quicker and more efficiently if they are having fun.

We teach both voice and hand signals with our progressive training methods. Our goal is to make your training experience positive and enjoyable while building the bond between you and your canine companion.

Beginner Obedience $160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)
Beginner obedience starts with puppies as young as 12 weeks (second set of vaccinations). In this class you will learn the obedience basics pet obedience skills such as sit, down, stay, coming when called and walking politely on leash. All work in this level is done on leash. Sorry, no pinch or choke collars allowed in class. These classes run on a four week rotating schedule.

Starting the FIRST Wednesday of the month @ 6:15 pm

Advanced Obedience $160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)

Advanced Obedience continues building on skills learned in our Beginner Obedience level. This set of classes will focus on proofing skills with distractions and adding new skills. These classes run on a four week rotating schedule.

Starting the FIRST Thursday of the month @ 6:15 pm

Nose Work

What is Nose Work?
The exciting sport of Nose Work has been designed to help you and your dog work together to use their natural desire to hunt with their nose. By providing a constructive outlet, Nose Work is a sport that challenges dogs both mentally and physically and is a very healthy way for them to release energy.

No previous experience or training is necessary for the teams involved since this wonderful sport is open to dogs and handlers of all breeds, ages and abilities. Human companions of reactive, shy or nervous dogs will be pleased to know that Nose Work is a very suitable sport for their dogs. Not only does nose work help to build confidence but our nose work classes are set up in a way that only one dog will work at a time therefore limiting any competing motivators or fear inducing stimuli present during the work.

Level 1 - Introduction to Nose Work

Does your dog love to sniff? Nose Work taps into your dog’s natural scenting ability. Nose Work was inspired by the training of scent detection canines. Nose Work is open to all dogs including dog-reactive or fearful dogs as there is only one dog in the search area at a time. It is also good for retired, injured, disabled, or elderly dogs. No previous experience or training necessary - for the dog or the handler! Classes are taught with the philosophy of nurturing a dog's natural talents and adjusting to the individual dog without the pressure of human expectations.

Minimum Age: 4 months

$160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)
Starting on the FIRST Tuesday of the month @ 6:15 pm

* on a 4 week rotation

Level 2 - Introduction to Odor I $160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)

Now that your dog is eagerly hunting for their primary reward (food or toys), they are ready for Introduction to Odor! In this class we teach your dog to identify and search for a target odor (birch & cypress). We focus on building dog/handler teamwork by improving the handler’s observation skills and the dogs’ communication skills to the handler when they find the target odor. Upon completion of this class your dog will be prepared to enter Level 1 and Level 2 CWAGS searches.

Prerequisite: Level 1 or comparative training

$160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)

Starting on the FIRST Tuesday of the month @ 7:15 pm

* on a 4 week rotation

Level 3 - Introduction to Odor II $160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)

In this class we teach your dog to identify and search for a target odor (clove & anise). We focus on building dog/handler teamwork by improving the handler’s observation skills and the dogs’ communication skills to the handler when they find the target odor. Additonal skills taught in this level include elevated hides and "invisible" hides. Upon the completion of this class your dog will be prepared for higher levels of CWAGS competition.

Prerequisite: Level 2 or comparative training

$160.00 plus GST (6 weeks)

Starting on the FIRST Tuesday of the month (time to be determined)

* on a 4 week rotation

Agility Training Program

Dog agility is a sport in which a dog moves through an obstacle course with the guidance of his or her handler. Dogs run off leash, so the handler’s only controls are voice and body language. In competition, both accuracy and speed are important. During 1977, a group of dog training enthusiasts had a meeting to work out a new dog competition which they had been asked to put on as a demonstration event at Crufts in 1978. The format they came up with would take some of the obstacles from working sheep dog trials, combining it with the concept of show jumping and would require obedience. This new sport was to be called Dog Agility.

In 1979 it was back again at Crufts only this time it was a competition and not a demonstration. It would be true to say that in the early years the dog agility was an amusing interlude for the audience but now it has grown into a major competition. Since 1979 agility has exploded all around the world. There are many different disciplines of agility and thousands of clubs that focus in each discipline. In Alberta, you can attend a trial almost every weekend in different cities around the province.

Level 1 – Getting Connected

This is where it all starts. Getting Connected teaches the skills required before moving on to focused obstacle training. This class will give you the foundation skills for agility or can be a great refresher for experienced dogs that need to “tune-up” their basic skills. Your dog will learn to focus and be attentive with the distraction of other dogs working. You will perfect your sit, down and stay. Your dog will learn body awareness, obstacle awareness and handler awareness.

The goal of this class is not to be working/learning all pieces of equipment but rather on becoming familiar with obstacles designed to promote balance and coordination. Your bond will be strengthened by incorporating fun “training games” to promote learning through play.

Prerequisites: Basic Obedience Skills Minimum Age: 4 months

$160.00 plus GST (4 weeks)
Starting on the FIRST Monday of the month @ 6:15 pm