Our Training is "FUN"damental

 
GENERAL INFORMATION
  • 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.  Classes marked with an asterisk (*) require a verbal authorization.  Please call 770-986-8317.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Weather Closings: If we find it necessary to cancel a class due to weather, it will be posted on the Schedule page of our web site. It is your responsibility to check our site to see if your class has been cancelled.

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 a smaller version 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 - $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:

  • 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 - $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:
CHECK CURRENT SCHEDULE TO SEE WHEN DAYTIME CLASS IS BEING OFFERED

  • 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

BEGINNER (CGC) - $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:
CHECK CURRENT SCHEDULE TO SEE WHEN DAYTIME CLASS IS BEING OFFERED

  • 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

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

This class will be for any handler and dog team team who have had prior training and want to build on the skills they've already achieved.  An authorization code is required for this class for non-current ADOG students and the four-student minimum must be met.  For questions and a non-student authorization code, please e-mail ADOG or call 770-986-8317. 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 – introduce your dog retrieve

  • 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

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

DAYTIME AND EVENING CLASSES OFFERED
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.

Rally Evening Class: The prerequisite for our evening class is that the team attend at least one session of Novice I and have good heeling skills, a reliable sit, down and recall.
Rally Intro and Rally Novice Daytime Classes
$100 (rescue $90) : We offer Rally Intro and Rally Novice on alternating sessions.  See the Schedule page for class being offered.  To join the Rally Intro class, team must attend Puppy and Pet Manners or Pet Manners and Beginner. Team's requirement for number of sessions to attend will be evaluated on an individual basis. To join the Rally Novice class, team must 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, you MUST call 770-986-8317 to obtain an authorization code. 

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

DAYTIME CLASS - This class is for those who are currently showing their dog and wish to hone and improve their heeling skills.

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

Trial Ready, Open, Utility, Competition Heeling
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.

* 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, you MUST call 770-986-8317 to obtain an authorization code.

Our Competition Puppy class is for handlers who have previously titled a dog or have been through our Competition classes.  Maximum puppy age is six months.  Authorization is required.

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

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