Our Training is "FUN"damental

 
GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Weather Closings: If we find it necessary to cancel a class due to weather, it will be posted on the home page of our web site and announced on WSB-TV).  It is your responsibility to check for cancellations.

  • Which Class: If you are uncertain which is the best class for you, e-mail your dog's age, breed and previous training level (if any) or telephone 770-986-8317. 

  • Class Fee:  The class fee listed covers the entire six-week session.

  • Session: Class slots are filled on a first registered basis and we are not able to "hold" slots via telephone or e-mail.  If a class is not noted as full on the schedule page, but fills prior to our receiving your information you will be contacted immediately.  The class fee listed is for the entire six-week session.

  • Discounts: Students with puppies or dogs adopted from rescue organizations or animal control receive a $10 discount on their first session only and should use the rescue fee listed. Refer a friend and receive $10 off your next session when they enroll.

  • Handler/Dog: The same person and should attend class with the dog on a weekly basis for continuity and their name only should be listed on the registration form.  For those with multiple dogs, they must bring the same dog to class each week.  Other household members are welcome to observe or fill-in when the student must miss class.  Only one handler per dog is allowed on the floor in class.  We cannot allow children under the age of 12 to handle the dog in class.  Family members are more than welcome to observe and should be involved in the weekly homework.

  • Vaccination Records:
    Don't forget to send your dog's vaccination records via one of the following methods.  Your registration will not be complete and you can't start class until they are received.
  • Equipment: For your convenience, training equipment is available for purchase at class. We do not recommend your dog's training collar be the quick-release type since they are not always reliable. We suggest a buckle or other training collar. We recommend that your training leash be leather, no longer than 6' and no wider than ½". Flexi-leashes can not be used in class unless specifically instructed. A harness is not appropriate for training class. You can find more specific equipment guidelines on our Equipment page. We do not accept credit cards for equipment and cannot allow you to take equipment or treats now and pay later. Please bring a check or cash with you to class if you think you might need treats or equipment.

  • Children: Children at our facility must be supervised by an adult (other than the person handling the dog) at all times.

  • Class Fee/Vaccination Records: The class fee must be received in order for your registration to be complete.  One check may be written for multiple classes.  Fees for all six-week class sessions are $100 and additional classes in the session/same handler are $60.   For your dog's protection, we insist that everyone confirm that their dog's vaccinations are current.  You must provide your veterinarian's name and telephone number for verification.  Puppies must have begun their vaccinations and be current based on their age. 

  • Safety: Please keep your dog on a tight leash, close to you when entering and exiting the training facility. Your dog may be friendly, but the other dog might not be.  We ask that you wear tennis or another appropriate walking shoe. No "slide on" shoes please.  Secure footing will help you train better.

  • Treats:  Bring small, soft training treats to class every week.  We have treats available for purchase if you forget yours.

  • Bitches In Season: We do allow bitches in season to attend class, however, students must meet the following three requirements. 1) The bitch must wear britches for her entire heat cycle so that our matting is protected, 2) student must notify instructor or assistant when entering your class that their bitch is in season and 3) it is the student's responsibility to make certain their dog is on a tight lead and monitored at all times. There are no exceptions to this policy.

  • Clean-up After Your Dog: We must be very strict about keeping all areas around the Training Facility clean. A pooper-scooper and receptacle will be placed in the designated exercise area. If you choose to exercise in a different area clean-up is still required. To help avoid a problem, please do not feed your dog after noon on class days.  Please do not allow your dog to soil common areas such as the side of the building, the waste receptacle, doorways, cars, etc.

  • Your Class:  Mark your class starting time and date on your calendar.  Reminders are usually, but not always, sent the week before class begins if an e-mail address is provided on your registration form or you can e-mail ADOG or call 770.986.8317 to confirm registration receipt.

  • Refunds/Transfers: If you are unable to attend class as planned after your registration is processed, a $15 service fee will be deducted from your refund.  If you begin class and are unable to attend the remaining classes in a session, it will be necessary for you to notify us before the second week of class in order to receive a refund less a $15 service fee.  No refunds are given after the second week of class.  There is no charge to transfer your registration to another session.

  • Missed Classes: We will miss you if you are unable to attend a class, but unfortunately cannot offer make-up classes or a discount. Your instructor will provide the homework sheet if you know you will be missing the next week's class or you can contact us and it will be e-mailed to you.

 

For those who wish to continue their training to hone both their skills as a handler and their dog's ability, we have created a color-coded class flow chart showing the usual class progression.  You can see the full-size chart at ADOG or click the graphic to view in a new window.
   
EQUIPMENT GUIDELINES
  • For your convenience, we carry top quality training equipment from J & J Dog Supplies of Galesburg, Illinois.  Equipment may be purchased the first night of class.  We do not accept credit cards for equipment purchases and can not allow you to take equipment now and pay later.

  • Proper equipment is essential.  Your instructor can make recommendations specifically for you and your dog on the first night of class and make certain your collar is properly fitted.

  • For training collars, we recommend you use either a buckle collar, a Martingale collar or a prong collar.  A "quick release" collar is not recommended since this type collar can "release" on its own.  See collar examples.

  • We recommend your training leash be leather, 4'-6' long and 1/4" - 3/8" wide (depending on your dog's size).  We have long-lines available for recalls and distance stays.  Flexi-leashes are also available, but can not be used in class unless specifically instructed.

PUPPY (AKC S.T.A.R Program)
 $100 (rescue $90) -
Fee is for entire six-week session.

This class is designed for puppies eight weeks to four-five months old (depending on size).  Our goal is for you and your puppy to learn that training is fun.  Instruction focuses on the following.  ADOG began offering the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program in January 2009 when it was introduced.  S.T.A.R stands for Socialization, Training, Activity, Responsibility. Puppy Program.  It is an exciting new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a basic training class.  Read our flyer or see complete details on the AKC site.

  • positive motivational training (quiet, wait)

  • general puppy care

  • socialization

  • puppy problems (nipping, barking, jumping up, leave it)

  • controlled walking on lead

  • sit, down and stay on command

  • come when called

PET MANNERS (EVENING & DAYTIME CLASS)
$100 (rescue $90) -
Fee is for entire six-week session.

This class is designed for the beginning dog five-six months old (depending on size) and older.  No dog is too old.  Our goal is for your pet to become a pleasure to be around whether at home or on an outing.  Instruction focuses on the following.  The Pet Manners daytime class is offered every other session.  CHECK CURRENT SCHEDULE

  • teach first time skills to young or old dogs or reinforce skills learned in Puppy class

  • positive motivational training (quiet, wait)

  • maintaining good manners at all times (jumping up, barking, leave it)

  • walking (with owner in control) on a loose lead

  • sit, down and stay on command

  • come when called

  • general dog care

PETIQUETTE
$100 (rescue $90) -
Fee is for entire six-week session.

Looking for some fun at ADOG with your recently started dog?  We are now offering a class for dogs that have been through ADOG’s Pet Manners and/or Beginner (CGC) class.  You will be reinforcing skills you have worked on: walking, recalls, stay, wait (people go through a door before dogs), accept grooming and paying attention to you, the handler. You will also learn how to teach your dog to learn. Praise, markers (click, good dog etc.) and a release for doing the skill correctly will be emphasized. You will also learn to read your dog’s emotional state. Is he confused, scared or just thinks he has a choice? Have you ever wondered what to do when you think you’ve asked your dog for one behavior and he performs another?  We’ll help you!  The class won’t be all work and no play. There will be time for fun, games and tricks as well.

BEGINNER (AKC Canine Good Citizen Program) (EVENING AND DAYTIME CLASS)
$100 (rescue $90)
- Fee is for entire six-week session.

This class is designed for the beginning obedience dog six months old and older that has already achieved "manners" and has a knowledge of basic skills (sit, down, come).  Instruction includes all behaviors needed to pass the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen certification, which will be offered at the end of the session.  Instruction focuses on the following.  The Beginner daytime class is offered every other session.   CHECK CURRENT SCHEDULE

  • expanding on basic skills (walking on a leash, sit, down, sit and down stays, come when called) for a quick, consistent and reliable response to all commands

  • skills needed to pass AKC's Canine Good Citizen test

  • maintaining good manners in all situations

  • walking (with owner in control) on a loose lead

* RALLY OBEDIENCE - INTRO & ADVANCED
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee
is for entire six-week session.

Rally is a new dog sport that is sweeping the nation.  Unlike "traditional" obedience classes, you are allowed to talk to your dog while competing.  We emphasize fun and animation.  Our class offers foundation skills and sign instruction.  Read more about Rally on American Kennel Club's site. 

  • The prerequisite for our Rally Intro class is that the team complete our Beginner (CGC) course.

  • The prerequisite for our Rally Advanced class is that the team attend at least one session of Rally Intro or Novice I and have good heeling skills, a reliable sit, down and recall.

* NOVICE CLASSES
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee is for entire six-week session.

Three levels of Novice classes are offered, Novice I, Novice II and Novice III.  These classes are designed for intermediate through advanced ability levels. These classes not only lay the foundation for competitive showing, but also continue to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.  Instruction moves quickly into intensive training to improve reliability and prepare for obedience competition.  If you feel you meet the skill level to begin in one of these advanced classes, please list your accomplishments on the registration form. 

For our Novice I, II and III classes, we start each class with handler only footwork. So that we can get class started on time, please come to class prepared to either leave your dog securely in the car, bring a crate inside for your dog during this time or have someone come with you to hold your dog in the seating area. If you choose to bring a metal crate, you must bring something to put under it (like a rug or towel) to protect the mats.

* COMPETITION CLASSES
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee is for entire six-week session.

Trial Ready, Open, Utility
These classes are designed for the aspiring obedience exhibitor through the seasoned competitor. Great opportunities are offered for exhibitors to develop a variety of purposeful training techniques and specific strategies to fit their dog.

* PROBLEM SOLVING - OPEN/UTILITY (DAYTIME CLASS)
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee is for entire six-week session.

This class will help you with your Open and Utility skills.  In order to enroll in this class, your dog must be familiar with all of the Open and Utility Exercises.

* COMPETITION HEELING
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee is for entire six-week session.

This class is designed to help dogs and handlers currently competing to maintain and improve scores. Through the use of difficult and varied distractions, which include visual, auditory, scent and touch, for proofing, the goal is to improve focus and attention. Quick choppy heeling patterns, use of gate mazes, unusual heeling patterns and obstacles help handlers not only get used to handling in difficult situations, but learn to think quickly with their dog. Recreating difficult situations that might occur at a dog show, recall work and group exercises are also worked and proofed as time permits.

The instructor and assistant offer opinions, note handling errors, and dog errors when they see them. No formal instruction, however, is done in this class.

If there are questions about you or your dog’s readiness to enter this class it may be best to ask your current instructor, and/or plan to come and observe a class before enrolling.

* SPECIALTY CLASSES
$100 (rescue $90) - Fee is for entire six-week session.

We also offer selected specialty classes from time to time based on student needs.  They are listed in italics on each session's Schedule page.  If you feel you meet the skill level to begin in one of these advanced classes, please list your accomplishments on your registration form.

  • Our Competition Puppy classis for handlers who have previously titled a dog or have been through our Competition classes.  You must complete Competition Puppy I and have instructor approval to enroll in Competition Puppy II.  Maximum puppy age is six months. 

  • Our Off Leash Heeling class (offered periodically) class will teach you how to transition from on leash to off leash heeling.  Students must be at ADOG's Novice II level or above.  Topics covered will include: your relationship with your dog vis-à-vis heeling, motivating your dog. Keeping heeling interesting, cues for turns and change of pace, transitional steps to off lead heeling, attention on and off lead, off lead corrections.

  • Our Focus/Attention class (offered periodically) is for handlers at our Novice II level or above.  Skills taught will include: "switch" from high drive to being calm and back again; loose lead control for just walking around show grounds or the neighborhood; how to build drive and bonding with tricks; attention off lead heeling, recalls and signals. 

  • Our Performance Sports Intro class (offered periodically) is for handlers who may want to go on in obedience, agility, flyball, Frisbee or other performance sports with their dogs, or may just want another class to learn new skills with no plan to go on to other venues. Prerequisite: Dog must have a reliable off lead recall, and know sit, down and stay (at least a short stay).

  • Our Practical Skills class (offered periodically) is for any handler and dog (4-5 months and older) team who have had prior training to our Beginner (CGC) class level. The minimum student requirement is four and the maximum number of students is eight.  Items that will be covered in the class include: recall – make your recall even more reliable, close – have your dog come to your side on command, retrieve – how to retrieve objects and bring them to you, jumping – various style jumps will be covered, search – how to find specific items, mark – find a specific spot and go to it, hand signals – sit, down, stay and come with a signal.

PRIVATE LESSONS 

We offer private lessons at our facility for those who would like to hone their Obedience or Rally skills.  Please go to the Private Lesson Information and Request page for details.

Page Updated 11.20.11 - Pictured above is Owner/Instructor Sharon Willis' Australian Shepherd - CH Blue Isle Fire on Fayble Hill CD - "Fire" CD

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