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Dog Walker

CLASSES

TCDTC Classes run 8-10 weeks unless otherwise noted. Our Winter/Spring sessions run January through June and our Fall sessions run August through November. If you would like to be notified about upcoming courses please Subscribe to our mailing list. If an upcoming class is full and you would like to be added to the wait list please contact us.

CURRENT CLASSES

UPCOMING CLASSES-see also "Descriptions", below

* times and dates are subject to change

Descriptions

Class Descriptions

Obedience

Puppy

For puppies from 8 weeks to 20 weeks old at the start of class: basic socialization, instruction on how to teach your dog to sit, down, stand, wait, stay, walk on a loose leash, and come when called. House training, puppy safety, nutrition, basic grooming and preventing/correcting unwanted behaviors are also discussed.

Vaccine records are required from your veterinarian (photocopy we can keep), showing current status of vaccines. New vaccine series records are collected throughout the weeks of the course as shots are updated.

Basic Level One Obedience

For dogs at least 5 months old. Learn the fundamentals of owning a well-mannered pet. Heel on leash, sit, stand, recall, sit/down stay, as well as tips on general healthcare, good grooming and public manners. All work is done on leash.
Vaccine records are required from your veterinarian (provide us with a photocopy we can keep), showing current status of vaccines.

Basic Level Two Obedience

Continuation of foundation work, exercises, and concepts learned in Basic one. Working towards consistency, reliability, improved responses, increasing distance, and improving the understanding and skills of the handler/owner. Additional work with recalls, heeling, as well as learning new heeling exercises. A lot of proofing is done in this class as well as attention work. Prerequisite: TCDTC Basic One or permission of instructor.
Vaccine records are required from your veterinarian (provide us with a photocopy we can keep), showing current status of vaccines.

Advanced Obedience

For dogs who have had a TCDTC Basic Obedience class or permission of the instructor. Focus is on continuation of basic work with emphasis on improving response to commands and reliability. There is also a lot of proofing with distractions to improve performance included.

Competitive Obedience

NOTE: These classes are designed to prepare, but do not require, you to compete in the obedience show ring.

Novice

Pre-requisite – advanced basic, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor

This class is a continuation and polishing of exercises taught in the lower level classes. Dogs should already know heel, sit, stand, down, stay, and come on leash. Novice obedience teaches control off leash and perfects what the dogs have already learned. This class puts in the foundation work so dogs and handlers will know enough that, with practice, they could enter an AKC obedience trial and earn a Companion Dog (CD) title. Class may be repeated.

Open

Pre-requisite – Novice, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor

This class is geared towards those wanting to teach their dog more advanced level exercises. This class puts in the foundation work, which includes retrieving, jumping, and drop on recall. Out of sight sit/down stays, off-lead heeling and figure 8 work. With practice, the dogs and handlers will know enough to enter an AKC obedience trial and earn a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Class may be repeated.

Utility

Pre-requisite – Novice/Open, competition experience handler or permission of the instructor

This class is for trainers at the CDX level. This class put in the foundation work, which includes all phases of the Utility exercises. Scent discrimination, directed retrieving, and signal work. The moving stand, go-outs and directed jumping. Class may be repeated.

Rally

Rally classes are fun classes that you can earn AKC titles in. The classes may cover all three levels or be tailored to the needs of the handler / dog teams. There will be instruction on how to perform each exercise. Students should bring a portable crate to use when walking the courses.
 

NO dogs may be left unattended or tied.

Visit the AKC website for a more detailed description of rally and rally course stations:

AKC Rally  AKC Rules

Rally Novice

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know the basics of heeling (without a tight leash) fronts and finishes.

Rally Intermediate & Advanced

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know how to heel off lead.

Rally Excellent

(Pre-requisite- Advanced basic, Novice obedience, Intermediate & Advanced Rally, or instructor’s permission)

The handler/dog team should know how to heel off lead and all basic obedience commands with strong reliability.

AKC Canine Good Citizen Program ®

What Is It?

The American Kennel Club started the Canine Good Citizen Program® (CGC) in 1989 as a means of rewarding dogs who were well-behaved companions at home and in the community.

The goals of the CGC program are to teach responsible dog ownership to owners and good manners to dogs.

Why Do It?

Earning the CGC award will ensure that your dog is a well-respected member of your community. The CGC award is the one of the first AKC certificates/titles your dog can earn, and CGC provides an excellent foundation for all other training.

Some therapy dog groups require the CGC as a prerequisite for therapy work, there are CGC neighborhoods and hiking trails, and a number of state legislatures have endorsed the CGC concept.

Obedience Training for the CGC test is fun and useful. You’ll find that training to prepare for the CGC test and award will help you establish a closer bond with your dog.

Conformation

Drop-In Class - $10 Per Visit

Classes meet nearly every Thursday* at 7:00 p.m. (NOTE: This is the ONLY TCDTC class that allows walk-in-registration/pay-on-site on the day of class!

Conformation class may be divided between two dogs owned by the same handler

This class is to help fine-tune your handling skills and get your young dog ready, or refresh your champion, to show your dog to its best advantage for the breed ring.

What is offered: handling, patterns/gaiting, stacking, and the examination.

NOTE: Bitches in season are welcome, but MUST wear panties whenever they are in the building. ** NO EXCEPTIONS!**

* No class will be held on the second Thursday of each month

Group Heeling

(Members Only)

TCDTC Members training in group settings with other club members &/or the weekly Advanced Basic Class group.

Members of TCDTC are welcome to work independently with other members or to join the weekly Advanced Basic Class to hone their skills and proofing for their dogs in a group setting.

Other Classes

AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

The AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification is often the first level of obedience training award granted to dogs by the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is open to all kind of dogs, not just purebred canines. The AKC CGC title, once earned, indicates a well-mannered, in control, balanced temperament animal that has built a working obedience bond with its owner and can be viewed as a well-behaved dog in public and private spaces.

Trick Dog Prep Seminar, AKC-eligible

Did you know that AKC now has titles for your dog doing tricks?

Can your dog shake hands, do high five, fetch, jump a bar, spin circles, speak on command, do paws up, touch, kiss your cheek, etc?

If your dog has an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title, then you only have to do 5 more tricks to earn an AKC Trick Dog Novice title (10 tricks required without the CGC title.) Come have fun with your dog and possibly work towards an AKC Trick Title!

Other Special Classes

No other special classes are open at this time. Let us know what you would like to see! Call us at (989) 474-3647

NOSE WORK – offered periodically

This class will help you start your dog in the new AKC title of Nose Work. Learn how to teach your dog how to smell out certain odors after your dog learns how to look for it.

The class is limited to 6 dogs. Dogs must be crated and quiet when not working. Please bring plenty of high value treats for your dog. The dog must have a buckle collar and/or a harness, no pinch or choke collars allowed.

Come have fun with your dog and learn to work toward this exciting skill!

Vaccine Requirements

Vaccine Requirements

Dogs 4 Months and Younger

Puppies must be up-to-date on Distemper and Parvovirus (and Rabies vaccines, as applicable according to age), and remain current, with provided updates, according to your veterinarian’s schedule throughout the class sessions in which you are enrolling. Bordetella vaccines are highly recommended.

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Proof of vaccines must be provided to the instructor as a Veterinary Office’s print out. The printed copy will be kept by the instructor for the weeks of the class. Hand-written record cards do not meet the TCDTC requirement for vaccine documentation.

Dogs 5 Months and Older

Dogs 5 months of age and older must be up-to-date on Distemper and Parvovirus and Rabies vaccines, and remain current according to your veterinarian’s schedule throughout the class duration. Bordetella vaccines are highly recommended.

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Proof of vaccines must be provided to the instructor as a Veterinary Office’s print out. The printed copy will be kept by the instructor for the weeks of the class. Hand-written record cards do not meet the TCDTC requirement for vaccine documentation.

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