PAWSITIVE RECALL
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
It’s a commitment for a lifetime benefit.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
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No prior behaviors are required.
However, if a dog is determined to be too aggressive to people or other dogs, they may be asked to leave.
If the dog is just a little fearful and needs gentle exposure to other dogs and people, the dog may be admitted. In general, caution should be exercised in approaching any dog and having him or her too close to other dogs.
Applicants who have taken a beginner obedience class outside of Tail Chasers may request to be reviewed for eligibility towards a Beginner Level 2 class. General admission criteria consider skills including that a dog that can walk nicely on a leash and respond to verbal commands to sit, down, come and stay without excessive physical manipulation.
Which class is best for me?
All classes emphasize communication, control, management, problem solving, and good manners. Most courses include a dog-free orientation class, 7 weeks of training, and an 8th week final graduation “fun” class.
Puppy
2-5 Months old, entry level obedience with socialization
Beginner 1
Ages 5-6 months and older entry level obedience, basic manners
Beginner 2
Over 1 yr, must have
Beginner 1 skills
Beginner 3
Over 1 yr, Beginner 2 skills required, reliable obedience skills
Puppy Training >>>
For puppies 2 to 5 months of age. Puppies are taught simple obedience behaviors very gently. Only buckle collars are necessary. Emphasis is on socialization and increasing the puppy's self-confidence as well as basic care and safe management of puppies.
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There will be numerous short training interludes integrated within a play session. Owners will be learning how to observe, handle and train their puppies while the puppies are learning to play with other puppies and socialize with the owners.
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Admission Criteria:
Must be a puppy 2-5 months old.
At least two sets of puppy shots
are preferred/recommended.
Equipment needed:
Buckle collar & soft treats.
If a particular puppy is too large at
5 months, the owner should be referred to a Beginner 1 class.
Socialization
Training
Activity
Responsibility
The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program rewards responsible owners who take the time to train and socialize their new puppies. The program is the puppy level of the AKC's well-known Canine Good Citizen® program. "S.T.A.R." stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and a Responsible owner, all of the things a puppy needs to have a good life.
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The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program teaches dogs and their owners the first important steps to becoming responsible members of the community and it is our hope to diminish the number of dogs relinquished to shelters through the education offered by the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.
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Puppies can begin training as soon as they have the necessary vaccines and they can enroll in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy at any point up until their first birthday. To get started, just enroll in any of our Puppy or Beginner training classes. Classes will include valuable training tips for puppy owners - such as how to house train - and lessons on practical skills for puppies -such as coming when called.
The program is open to all dogs. At the end of the training course, the trainer will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test. Upon passing, owners and their puppies will be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and will receive an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package.
Beginner I >
For dogs 5 to 6 months of age or older with basic manners. This is the first level of classes after a puppy training class.
Standard obedience behaviors are taught, such as: settle, sit, down, stand, come, loose leash walking, door etiquette, leave it/off and more.
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The dog should be starting to learn more acceptable behaviors when walking on a leash, greeting people and better control in the home.
Understanding dog behavior and dealing with the average problems is also addressed.
Beginner 2 >>
Must have Beginner 1 skills. Emphasis is on developing more reliable responses to obedience commands under more distracting circumstances.
This class could be for owners who want a more reliable, confident dog that would be safe in most situations.
Additionally it allows the owner to learn different techniques and acquire the tools necessary to cope with distracting situations and work towards obtaining the skills to successfully pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
A well-mannered, obedient companion is the goal of this class.
AKC's Canine Good Citizen certification program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs.
All dogs who pass the CGC test can receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club and they are automatically recorded in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Archive.
The purpose of the CGC Program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community.
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All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the CGC program. Dogs must be old enough to have received necessary immunizations such as rabies vaccines, and there is no age limit on the test. A dog is never too old to be a good citizen.
Beginner 3 >>>
Must have completed Beginner 2. Focuses on increased socialization with other dogs and people, confidence building, and creating a stronger bond between dog and handler. The curriculum will be based upon the requirements of the AKC Community Canine Program which is the Advanced Canine Good Citizen Title.
The goal is to increase the dog's skills in a more natural setting, rather than a controlled training facility to earn the CC title. Different approaches will be explored in the teaching process, tricks, games, a neighborhood walk and a more reliable recall. Upon completion of the course, dog-handler teams will have the opportunity to be evaluated for the AKC Community Canine title. This will take place either on the training site or at an off-site location.
While Canine Good Citizen tests are simulations of real world skills, (e.g., dog/handler walks through a “crowd” of evaluators in a ring), the goal of AKC Community Canine is to test the dog’s skills in a natural setting. For example, rather than the dog being tested in a ring, in AKC Community Canine, the “walks through a crowd” test item will involve the dog walking through a real crowd at a dog show, on a busy sidewalk, in a therapy dog setting, or at a training club.
What Does Training Cost?
Standard Fees: $85 / per course
$10 off Adoption Discount
with proof of adoption from valid agency.
Discounts only apply to
Puppy & Beginner 1 classes only.
Typically, there are no refunds… however, if your instructor feels that your dog is too aggressive for a group environment, we will consider a refund or recommendation for private instruction and behavior consultation.
PLEASE... NO Children on Training Grounds
Due to the potential for injury, no children
under 10 years of age can be on training grounds without supervision and permission from the instructor of the class. A parent must be the primary trainer in class in the Puppy and Beginner 1 class.
If children do accompany a parent and get permission of the instructor, they must watch and sit quietly by the fence and not be disruptive to other dogs and classes.
Vaccination Requirement
For the health and safety of all dogs in class, the following vaccinations are
required for your dog to attend training, proof of vaccine record will be required.
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​ Puppy Class: At least two sets of puppy shots are required.
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Beginner 1, 2, 3: Rabies, Bordatella, DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus).
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Due to COVID -19
Training Classes are not being held at this time.
Please check back periodically
Location: Tail Chasers, 569 N. Franklin St. Christiansburg
(Between Kroger & The Aquatic Center)
Orientation:
(For Dog Parents only, dogs do not attend)
Classes:
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Meet your Trainer....
POSITIVE TRAINING
PUTS THE EMPHASIS ON
TEACHING DOGS
WHAT TO DO, NOT CONTINUALLY
PUNISHING A DOG FOR
NOT DOING WHAT WE WANT.
Questions?
HELLO ...
My name is Lori and I have a passion for animals—especially dogs. I made Virginia my home in 2013 and I am fortunate to have worked around animals my entire life.
For five years I proudly served as an obedience trainer for Hidden Valley Obedience Club in Escondido, CA. I have also been a AKC STAR Puppy/Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, a program recognized by the American Kennel Club, for more than 10 years.
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As a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, APDT, I am excited to be able to re-start my training passion and bring this level of animal understanding to the NRV.
My focus is on positive training -- which I truly believe in.
Professionally, my goal has always been to offer affordable training to allow dogs and their people to strengthen their trust and bond so as to keep the dogs from developing undesirable and destructive behaviors that can ultimately result in them being rehomed/surrendered to Shelters. When I can help those who have adopted dogs to remedy issues and create an ever lasting bond and positive environment with their owner it is my greatest reward.
I hope you will enjoy your training journey as much as I enjoy sharing my experiences to improve your pup.
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