Like humans, the more dogs are taught, the more they will learn. After one six or eight week course of obedience, you will experience a dramatic transformation in your relationship with your dog. To ensure that this change becomes a permanent part of your life and your dog’s life, you must continue to build on the foundation you have laid.

Pender Veterinary Centre offers two levels of obedience classes, Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience. These classes are taught by experienced instructors and are held in our indoor obedience room on the second floor of the Pender building.

Puppy Kindergarten
This class is designed for puppies from 9 weeks up to 4 ½ months old. In the Puppy Kindergarten class, you will examine the emotional development of the dog and establishment of the human-canine bond. This class will cover important topics such as housebreaking, crate training, chewing and mouthing, and grooming. You will learn how to assist your puppy’s development into a calm, confident dog who can be handled comfortably by you, the groomer, and the veterinarian. You will also learn how to begin teaching your puppy basic commands such as heel, sit, down, stand, stay, come, and off.

The classes are one hour long and are held once a week for six weeks. The cost of the Puppy Kindergarten class is $150.00 and preregistration is required.

Basic Obedience
Basic Obedience classes are designed for dogs 4 ½ months and older with no prior training. During Basic Obedience, you will learn how to teach your dog basic commands, including heel, sit, stay, down, come, and stand. You and your dog will learn how to walk comfortably through crowds, and how to encounter human and canine strangers. Your dog will also learn to be handled comfortably by you, as well as by groomers and veterinarians. This class is also recommended for Puppy Kindergarten graduates.

The classes are one hour long and are held once a week for eight weeks. The cost of the Basic Obedience class is $175.00 and preregistration is required.

To register for a class, complete and sign the form. Attach your check, payable to Pender Veterinary Centre, Ltd., and mail it to 4001 Legato Road, Fairfax, VA 22033, or drop it off at the hospital during business hours. For more information, contact Lori Ankers at 703-654-3114.

Click here to download our Obedience Brochure & Form