Pender Obedience Classes FAQ Sheet

Pender holds 8 week indoor obedience sessions throughout the year upstairs in suite 202. Classes are $175.00.
**Owners should bring soft treats and their dog on a nylon or leather lead. **
 
When are classes?
Puppy Kindergarten begins Saturday, 8/6/11 from 1:10pm-2:10pm. (age 10 weeks to 5 months).
Basic/Obedience 1 begins Saturday, 8/6/11 from 12:00pm-1:00pm. (age 5 months to 12 years).
CGC (AKC Canine Good Citizen certification program) begins Saturday, 8/6/11 from 11am-11:50am. (4 months and up.)
Obedience 2 begins Saturday, 8/6/11 from 9:00am-9:50am. (Held only for dogs that have graduated from Basic or two Puppy classes.)
Obedience 3 begins Saturday, 8/6/11 from 10:00am-10:50am. (For graduates of Obedience 2.)
 
What is the difference between Puppy and Basic Classes? The only difference between is the age of the dogs attending and that there is socialization/play time in puppy class only.
 
What will I learn in Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience?
The puppy and basic classes are comprehensive and will teach those new to dog ownership and those that have had dogs before just about anything a dog owner would want to know. (Topics include sit, down, stand, attention, handling, stays, targeting, recalls, mouthing, biting, stealing, jumping, potty training, heeling, pulling, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding, barking, dominance, and much more.)
 
When do Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience Begin?
2011 Start Dates for Puppy & Basic classes are 04/25/11, 06/01/11
 
FMI: Contact the trainer Michelle Jackson VM 703-591-3591 or emailmjackson@pendervet.com
 
Pender Puppy Kindergarten (Obedience Level 1) is for puppies age 9 weeks to 5 months. Off lead play time socialization is offered with this comprehensive class for those new to dog ownership and those that have had dogs before, learning just about anything a dog owner would want to know. Topics include sit, down, stand, attention, handling, stays, targeting, recalls, mouthing, biting, stealing, jumping, potty training, pulling, heeling, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding, barking, dominance, and much more. Puppies that attend a minimum of 6 classes may be tested for the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy award.
 
Pender Basic (Obedience Level 1) is for puppies and dogs starting at the age of 5 months on up. A dog is never too old to learn new tricks! This comprehensive class is for those new to dog ownership and those that have had dogs before learning just about anything a dog owner would want to know. Topics include sit, down, stand, attention, handling, stays, targeting, recalls, mouthing, biting, stealing, jumping, potty training, pulling, heeling, oral hygiene, grooming, feeding, barking, dominance, and much more. This class differs from Pender Puppy only by the age of the dogs attending and that there is no play time during class. Dogs work harder on impulse control in Basic.
 
Pender Canine Good Citizen Class (Obedience Level 1) is for is an AKC certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. Age 4 months and up. 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 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Topics taught and tested for dogs in class include accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, proper canine appearance and grooming, walking on a loose lead, walking through a crowd, sit and down on command, staying in place, coming when called, calm reaction to another dog, calm reaction to a distraction and supervised separation. 
 
Pender Obedience 2 is for puppies and dogs that have graduated from a level 1 obedience class. Dogs that have performed well in level 1 and are ready to learn more will move up to this next level. Training topics include hand signal exercises for the sit, down and stand, heeling with attention, recalls in distracting situations, finishes, improving and proofing stays, sit and stand stays for examination. Owners will work hard to improve any behavior issues.
 
Pender Obedience 3 is for dogs that have graduated from level 2 obedience and have optimum dispositions. Owners will learn to train their dogs at a further distance and obedience train their dogs through distracting situations. Main topics include off lead heeling, off lead hand signals, off lead recalls at a distance, and out of sight stays. Owners will perfect their training techniques and may consider showing their dogs in AKC or UKC events.
 
For any questions contact the trainer: Michelle Jackson VM 703-591-3591 or emailmjackson@pendervet.com