Choose from a wide variety of topics listed below.
Basic skills
Classes will meet for 6 weeks. We will cover basic skills such as: attention and engagement, sit, down, come, and stay. We will set the stage for loose leash walking and discuss all things dog. Each class will include an example of enrichment that you can do at home with your pup. The class will focus on developing a strong relationship with your dog that is the basis for all future training and playing training games which make training fun for dogs and owners alike. Puppies who are ready can take the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy test during the 6th class and dogs older than one year may be ready for the Canine Good Citizen test or a trick dog test.The first three will occur at The Houndstooth and the remaining classes will be at Splashdown.
Cost $120 and class is limited to 4 teams.
This class will begin on January 4th and end on February 8th.
Trick Dog (Novice and Intermediate)
A 4 week tricks course will help beat the winter boredom and help continue to build a positive relationship with your dog. We will work on a variety of tricks. Each week the steps for teaching two different tricks will be taught and prior tricks will be reviewed. The tricks we learn will be at the novice and intermediate level with a few advanced tricks thrown in. At the conclusion of the class we will take some additional time to test any team ready for their title.
Cost $100 and class is limited to 6 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
Introduction to Treibball
This six week course will introduce you and your dog to the herding game of Treibball. Treibball is a ball herding game in which dogs take a large ball(s) and push it to the owner who is positioned near a goal. So, no sheep are needed, as your dog “herds” the ball into position. This is a great game for all dogs. It is a slower game so retired dogs can participate and also, since most venues restrict access to the competition field, reactive dogs can play. There is also an opportunity for remote titling through video.
We will spend the time covering basic rules of the game, and teaching foundation skills to get beginners started. Skills will include control around balls, stimulus control for pushing, not biting, directionals, steering and building confidence.
Cost $120 and class is limited to 5 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
AKC Fit Dog
This six week course follows the AKC Fit Dog curriculum and is taught by a certified Fit Dog instructor. Humans will lead their canine companions through a variety of exercises designed to strengthen and stretch a variety of muscles. The emphasis will be on short, controlled and slow movements to encourage use of specific muscles in specific ways. Safety and proper form will be emphasized. Benefits of the class include: mental and physical stimulation, reduced risk of injury, increased strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health. Spend the winter months preparing for the more active sports by working on fitness.
Cost $120 and class is limited to 5 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
Introduction to Disc with Mary Beggs
We will spend four weeks introducing human and canine to all things in the game of disc. Disc is a great game that you can play with your dog most anywhere with very little equipment needed. It is also a game that can develop in a wide variety of ways depending upon the skills of the handler and canine. Class will focus on safety within the game, types of discs, building disc interest, fetch with return/drop, go arounds, and basic throws/rolls.
Cost is $100 and class is limited to 6 teams.
This class will be offered Mondays at 6PM beginning on January 2nd and running four consecutive Mondays.
Disc Tricks with Jessica Edgerley
We will spend 6 weeks learning six advanced disc tricks (arms, leg weaves, back up, hoops, rebound and stall). This class will be taught via Zoom Sundays at 12PM and video consultation will be available to gain feedback on your practice during the week. These tricks are advanced tricks so the dog and handler should be comfortable with basic disc skills such as throwing, catching and retrieval.
Students can attend the zoom class in their own home or join us at Splashdown for a group class where we will watch instruction and then each dog/handler team will have individual time in the training room to try out the skills with group feedback. As the team practices during the week, you may send video to Jessica for additional feedback and troubleshooting.
Cost $150 payable to Jessica via paypal at centralk9@sbcglobal.net.
Class will begin January 8th and run for six consecutive Sundays.
Class is limited to 8 teams.
Rally Obedience
In this 4 week class, we will learn the rules of rally, but most importantly will move through and practice a wide variety of signs. Rally is all about teamwork as you and your dog navigate a course together. Signs are numbered and you move through the course with your dog completing the exercise that each sign states. As AKC notes, “unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. While touching isn’t allowed, you can use verbal commands, clap your hands, pat your legs and use hand signals to praise and encourage your dog.” This, along with the wide variety of signs, keeps the training interesting and varied.
Each week we will conquer at least one master level sign as well as create a training plan to teach the skills to our dog. We will also move through a short course (8-10 signs) that include novice and intermediate signs.
Cost $100 and class is limited to 4 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
Introduction to Scentwork
In this 4 week class we will imprint the dog’s with the essential oil of birch which is used in novice classes. We will work on “going to source” games and novice level interior and container searches. Dogs will play a variety of search games during each class and handlers will leave with the knowledge to continue their practice at home. As noted on the AKC site,”the sport of Scent Work is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug dogs), employed by humans to detect a wide variety of scents and substances. In AKC Scent Work, dogs search for cotton swabs saturated with the essential oils of Birch, Anise, Clove, and Cypress. The cotton swabs are hidden out of sight in a predetermined search area, and the dog has to find them. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge.”
Cost $100 and class is limited to 4 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
Scentwork skills and practice
This 4 week class is offered to teams who have moved beyond the introductory level, but would like additional time to develop and practice skills. During class we will review foundation skills and continue to develop them through more difficult searches and problem solving games. Handler and canine teams will develop their trial skills through more complex searches that challenge the team while supporting them in the learning process. We will continue to develop “going to source” through a variety of search games using the essential oils of birch and anise.
Cost $100 and class is limited to 5 teams.
Schedule to be determined.
We are waiting to schedule some of these classes based upon the needs of those who wish to take them. Please let us know that you wish to register for a particular class by sending an email to splashdowndogsports@gmail.com and include what day/time works best for you. Of course, we cannot guarantee to meet your scheduling needs, but we will work to do so.