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Dog Training
Policies & Procedures | Course Descriptions | Schedule | Our Trainers
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Course Requirements
Fees 
Location If you have any questions, please contact dogtraining@arf.net or (925) 296-3111. Obedience/Manners ClassesAll Obedience/Manners sessions are seven weeks in length with classes once per week. Basic Manners will teach attention, sit, down, "come" and loose leash walking. For dogs older than six months. Class session: Seven weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $150. Puppy Manners will teach attention, sit, down, "come", Take It - Leave It, and loose leash walking. This class includes supervised play time for the puppies. For dogs 16 through 24 weeks at the start of the session. Class session: Seven weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $150. Small Dog Manners is a Basic Manners class for dogs under 25lbs. We will teach attention, sit, down, "come", and loose leash walking. Class session: Seven weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $150. Basic Manners II – Take your dog’s training to a new level. Learn how to remove food rewards as you work on more advanced commands and set a solid foundation for off leash work with controlled exercises and drills. Sit and down stays are taught with variations in distance, duration and distractions. Practice heeling by adding pace changes and turns, automatic sit at stops, passing by other dogs and beginning off leash work. Recall work will focus on leaving distractions, passing distractions and ignoring distractions behind the owner. Includes an intro to Rally Obedience as you practice your heeling skills and basic commands. This class helps prepares your dog for the Canine Good Citizen test. Prerequisite: Dogs must be under handler's control on leash around other dogs and have completed a Basic Manners course. Class session: Seven weeks. Dogs attend all classes. The final class is a practice Canine Good Citizen Test. Cost is $150. Everyday More Manners - Work toward visiting the café or walking calmly down a crowded street, preparing your dog for adventures in the big world. You’ll learn how to “proof” (strengthen against distractions) all the basic moves. Clean up the loose leash walking, shape heeling, and improve leave it to stroll safely through a real-life course full of temptations. Sits and downs and recalls will get faster and more reliable and you’ll stretch those stays under duress. Add auto sits, “finish” (go around), and back up, while gradually building distance, so that your dog will heed your commands when you're a few feet (or 20 feet) away. Last class is set up as a dog-friendly eating area, with "refreshments" for people. Negotiate standing in line, managing the leash while balancing a plate and a drink, and going back to get your change while your pooch lies politely under the table. Prerequisite: Dogs must be good with other dogs both on and off leash, and have completed a Basic Manners course. Clickers are encouraged but optional. Class session: Seven weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $150. Intermediate Manners – Obedience when it matters! This class will focus on teaching handlers how to get their dogs to listen even in new and exciting situations. Food will be replaced with real life rewards. Owners will learn what motivators they often give their dogs for free and how these rewards can be harnessed to reduce or eliminate the use of food in the home, car and around town. Advanced stays, re-calls and loose leash walking will be paramount. Handlers will also be able to apply techniques to home situations such as guest arrival, mealtime, and moving dogs in/out of rooms and on/off furniture. Prerequisite: Dogs must be good with other dogs both on leash and off leash and have completed a Basic Manners course. Clickers are encouraged.Class session: Seven weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $150. Performance More Manners - Want to clean up your dog’s leash walking, have fun, and learn a few tricks? This new class introduces formal AKC obedience moves. Whether you want to venture into the ring or be a star at RallyO, this is the class. You’ll start out with heeling – fast and slow – forward, backward, and sideways — make sits, downs, stands and stays really solid, add neat turns and halts, “finish” (go around) and “front” (come and sit facing handler), and start working on putting the pieces together to complete RallyO level 1 exercises 1-10 and 15-21. Clickers are encouraged but optional. Class session: Seven weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $150. Specialty Classes/WorkshopsUnleash the Madness: Good Dogs with Bad Attitudes Training 101 - How to teach your dog to do just about anything! Learn what methods work to install a variety of behaviors. Get confident on when and how to use luring, shaping, capturing, modeling, and building sequences — whether you are improving daily manners or training for specialized activities. Practice applying and combining basic training skills, making and modifying plans, deciding when to use equipment or other aids to get over rough spots, and soon you'll be ready to train almost anything — plus you and your sidekick will have a lot of fun in the process. Retrieving, targeting, paw, head, and spin tricks will be on the dogs' agenda, but the main point is honing your use of training techniques. Prerequisite: Dogs must demonstrate basic manners skills. Clickers are encouraged but optional. Please bring treats, toys and your dog on a 4-foot or 6-foot lead. No prong or choke collars, please. Class session: Four weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $100. Bully Breed Basics - Teach your bully basic commands and learn how to solve common behavior problems. Learn how to keep your bully well mannered on leash around other dogs and learn how to address breed-specific training needs. This class is designed for Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers and these breed mixes (five months and older).* A mandatory pre-screening is required for class. Please contact ARF at dogtraining@arf.net or 925-296-3111 for an application. The first class covers breed specific characteristics, training needs and the equipment needed for this class. Class session: Six weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $120. *Owners of Boxers, Bulldogs, Dobermans, Mastiffs, Rottweilers and Shepherds please call to inquire about potential class opportunities. Leash Walking 101 - In this class you'll gain the skills to control your dog on leash. Get him to give you attention and walk without pulling or lunging. Teach him to wait at curbs and leave distractions alone. Learn how to get him to be attentive to you even when you pass by other people or dogs. Prerequisite: Basic manners or equivalent skill level. Please bring your hungry dog on a flat buckle collar, gentle leader or no-pull harness, 6-foot lead and high-value treats. No prong or choke chains. This class is not for dogs who are reactive on leash. Class session: Four weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $100. Targeting Basics - Using the clicker, you'll teach your dog to "target" a specific location to teach him a variety of things; including obedience, agility tricks, freestyle basics and parlor tricks! You'll also learn how targeting can help you achieve good behavior with your dog in everyday life. We'll even discuss teaching your dog to ride a skateboard and how to get your dog to give you or someone else a kiss on command! Prerequisite: Basic manners or equivalent skill level. Class session: Six weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $120. Dog Conformation and Breed Handling - Looking to strengthen your skills and your dog's presence in the show ring? If you would like to bring home the Blue Ribbon or are interested in learning basic show techniques, please join this fun and educational class. Prerequisite: Dogs must enjoy the company of people and other dogs. This is an ongoing drop-in class. Cost is $8 per class per handler/dog. CGC - Canine Good Citizen Test Preparation - The Canine Good Citizen class is designed to practice the 10 test items you and your dog must pass to get the AKC CGC certificate, including meeting friendly people politely and accepting petting and grooming; walking nicely on a loose leash alone and through a crowd; demonstrating Sit, Down, Stay, and Come; meeting another leashed dog; remaining calm during sight and sound distractions; and being separated from the out-of-sight handler for 3 minutes (for details, see www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm.) The pass/fail CGC test, given during the last day of class, is the gateway to many therapy dog programs and is accepted by some landlords and insurance companies as an indication that the dog has social skills and that you and your sidekick work well together as a team. Prerequisite: Dogs must demonstrate basic manners skills. Class session: Seven weeks. The first week is orientation - without dogs. Cost is $140. Tracking for Fun - Your dog already knows how to follow scents using her nose. Tracking for Fun students will learn how to work and communicate with their dogs to follow simple tracks. The objective of this class is to introduce the dog to the foundation of tracking - learning to follow scent for positive reinforcement. Dogs will learn to track a straight line and add corners. Handlers will learn tracking theory - including scent pads, the effect of weather conditions, wind, and different terrain. Prerequisite: Basic manners or equivalent skill level. Please bring your dog on a harness, 6-foot lead, high-value treats, toys and 20-foot long line. No prong or choke chains. Class session: Four weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $100. Retrieving for Fun - Using positive reinforcement techniques, teach your dog to retrieve a dumbbell or dummy. This class will train a basic retrieve behavior which can be used in competitive obedience, hunt and field work, flyball, many other dog sports, and service dog work. Prerequisite: Basic manners or equivalent skill level. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Reliable Recall - Does your dog come when you call? Would you like a faster, more consistent response? A good recall is not magic — as in most dog training, it's a matter of practice, building methodically from simple to complex skills as you and your dog gain confidence. Learn how to use your voice and body, where and why treats come in, and how to "proof" the command against you dog's particular temptations by gradually adding distractions. Class session: Five weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Trail Manners - Do you want to turn your distracted dog into a well-mannered dog on the trails? In this fun class, you will work on the skills needed to enjoy hikes by working with and around common distractions on trails. You’ll learn how to anticipate and manage your dog’s behavior while enhancing your dog’s obedience commands in complex outdoor environments. After practicing the skills in and around the ARF training field, you’ll work on the Lime Ridge Open Space Trails located behind ARF. The final class is a 1.7 mile hike around the Lime Ridge Open Space visitors’ center. Prerequisite: Dogs must be good with other dogs both on leash and off leash and have completed a Basic Manners course. Please bring your hungry dog to all classes on a 6-foot lead along with water, a water bowl, high-value treats, toys and a 15 – 20-foot long line. Clickers are encouraged. No prong or choke chains. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Sports/Agility ClassesAll Sports/Agility sessions are six weeks in length with classes once per week. Prerequisite for all: Dog must be good off leash with other dogs, demonstrate solid Basic Manners and good Recall. All courses are six-week sessions; dogs attend all classes. Agility I - Perhaps Fido just might have what it takes to be an agility aficionado! In this beginner’s class, you and your canine companion will be introduced to the basics of agility and obstacle skills. If you think Fido would enjoy weaving through poles, tunnels and tires, over jumps, or “paw-sing” at the pause table, then this introductory class is indeed for the both of you! As a refresher course, the class also focuses on obedience skills as you and Fido have a fun time learning new games. Fido will also learn basic 2-on-2 contact obstacle skills, even if you’re not interested in pursuing agility as a long-term hobby. This class not only benefits Fido in other dog sports, but will also help both of you in real-life situations. Besides who knows, you and Fido might just have what it takes to become winners in the field of agility competition! Prerequisite: Dog must be good off leash with other dogs and completion of Basic Obedience is recommended. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Agility II - Now that King has accomplished the basics of Agility I you might try to try his paw at the see saw, A-frame and dog walk. In this agility class, you and King will continue to hone his jump, weave poles, tires and tunnels skills, while learning new and more complex contact obstacles. By this stage of agility, King and his cohorts truly show signs of enjoyment and shine as they strut their stuff. Prerequisite: Dog need to have completed Agility I or equivalent to sign up for this class. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Agility III - With Agility I and II under his collar, Rover is now quite the agility dog! This class will work on short sequences using all forms of equipment and incorporating new challenges such as serpentine and treadle, as well as crosses. Rover can also perfect his basic contact obstacles on the A-frame, dog walk and see-saw. You will really notice a difference in Rover’s confidence while he shines on course completing the obstacles with confidence, as he focuses on your body language and verbal commands. Prerequisite: Dog need to have completed Agility II or equivalent to sign up for this class. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Intermediate Agility - OK, so you think you and Rex have a good understanding of agility? Why not step it up a notch and join this on-going class for dogs and handlers with six months or more of agility training! You can build your confidence even further on numerous obstacles by using short-sequence exercises to develop Rex’s weaving, teeter and other skills. For those of you who’d like push their limits and see if they’ve got the right stuff, the class will also delve into novice and advanced competition level handling skills. Prerequisite: Six months or more of agility training. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Advanced Agility - Take a look in the mirror – do you see a pair of confident, yet enthusiastic agility competitors staring back at you? If so, this course was made for you and Lassie! Why not join this advanced class of students currently competing in agility or already at an equivalent skill level? Tailored for dogs and handlers preparing for future agility trials and tests, this is a perfect opportunity for all current or would-be competitors. You and Lassie will work on short sequences and courses. Prerequisite: Dog should be comfortable with all obstacles including contact obstacles and independent weave pole skills. Nine months or more of agility training. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Beginning Flyball (Flyball 101) - Learn the basics of the game of Flyball. Prerequisite: Dog must be good off leash with other dogs and have a good recall. Dog must enjoy retrieving a tennis ball. Must be at least one year old. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Flyball II - Take the skills you learned in Beginning Flyball and put them to use while working on building a Flyball team! Prerequisite: Dog must be good off leash with other dogs and have a good recall. Dog must enjoy retrieving a tennis ball. Completion of a beginning Flyball class required. Bring treats and a tug toy; dog should be on a 4-foot or 6-foot leash. No prong or choke collars, please. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Rally "O" Mania - Rally Obedience, it's the new rage in the world of dog training! We call it "Rally 'O' Mania" because we know that this will be one class you will want to repeat over and over again with your dog! Practice basic manners and obedience while learning how to navigate a Rally Obedience course. Rally Obedience moves are based on basic obedience skills but are instead set to a course, similar to agility. And unlike competition obedience, handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs throughout. Rally is fun for dogs and handlers and is a great supplement to your dog's basic obedience skills. A complete rally course will be run in each class. Who says obedience can't be fun? Prerequisite: Basic Manners II or equivalent class. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Introduction to Rally Obedience - Introduces students to the new sport of Rally Obedience, which combines many elements of competition obedience with the variability and more relaxed atmosphere of agility. We will discuss the structure of a Rally course and many of the more basic required elements. Student-dog teams in Rally move through a numbered course, following instructions at each station to perform a specific move. Students will learn heeling, turns, and halts and how to negotiate a Rally course. We will practice a small course each week, progressing to longer ones as the course goes along. Prerequisite: A novice obedience or More Manners class, or equivalent skill level. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Freestyle DanceAll freestyle dance classes are six weeks in length with classes once per week. Paws Four Fitness - This program is a canine “aerobics” freestyle class, geared toward the senior dog, overweight dog, or physically rehabilitating dog. The goal is to build strength, flexibility, and regain youthful enthusiasm! Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Beginning Freestyle - Have fun — "Dance" with your dog. This new sport is well suited to the older dog, the less active or overweight dog as well as to the canine athlete. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Freestyle 2 - Creating Your Routine. Learn to select music for your dog, create a short routine that can be used for demonstrations or therapy dog visits; this is also the first step toward competition and a freestyle title! Prerequisite: Must have completed Beginning Freestyle and have the instructor’s approval to register for this class. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Advanced Freestyle - More advanced dance routine work. Prerequisite: Have already taken a basic course in Freestyle Dance. Class session: Six weeks. Dogs attend all classes. Cost is $120. Private ConsultationsBy appointment only. One free session for any ARF Dog Adopter. All other sessions are $75 per hour.
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