Butler Area Classes
Family Dog Obedience offers a variety of classes at Reichhold’s Events Barn, 167 Dinnerbell Road, in Butler PA. This location offers a generous training area (7200 sq feet), which is also used as an indoor horse arena. The footing is a well-groomed sand mixture, and the space is well-lit and ventilated. Classes at Reichhold’s are held from April through October each year. The exact dates are listed at the beginning of the season on the Current Classes page.
All class sessions are only 4 weeks long and sold in Family Dog 4-Packs, which allows families to schedule dog training around vacations and other activities during the summer. You can repeat classes as needed to attain your goals with your dog.
You can enroll for any combination of the 4-Pack sessions. Because of the size of this facility, classes also offer opportunities to learn and practice with Agility Obstacles like the Tunnel, Table, Teeter Totter, other contact obstacles, and a variety of jumps and weave poles. Canine Good Citizen classes and testing, as well as classes for Rally Obedience, Flyball, and specialty seminars will be offered at this location as well.
Descriptions of our classes follow. Please see our Current Events section for class dates, times and prices. All classes must be paid in advance.
Kinder Puppy Classes
Open to puppies from 3-6 months of age. We will address the concerns that most ‘new puppy parents’ have and teach good habits right from the beginning. Some topics of discussion will include socialization, crate training, housebreaking, stages of puppyhood, and lifetime social skills. The criteria from the AKC STAR PUPPY PROGRAM will be included. Puppies will be introduced to the basic obedience skills such as sit, down, stay, come, and walking on a leash. Confidence building exercises will include introducing one agility obstacle each week.
Adult Dog Basic Manners Class
For dogs ages 6 months and up. This class will focus on basic manners and skills, such as sit, down, stay, walking in heel position, coming when called, and how to have your dog perform these basic skills reliably. Demonstrations & advice about the various types of collars/leashes available to handle your dog will be given. New commands are also introduced, such as leave it and wait. Plus, we will discuss potential dominance issues and offer advice to owners who have rescued a ‘second hand dog’ from a shelter or other situation. One agility obstacle will be introduced each week.
Agility Basics Class
This class will focus on basic maneuvers from agility dog training, such as jumping techniques, weave poles, tunnels, and contact obstacle training. While competition standards will be taught, the focus is on fun, communication, and exercise for your dog. Dogs must have completed at least one Basic Manners class with us to take this class. Class size is strictly limited to 6 participants, and all dogs must be friendly and social to people and other dogs.
Agility Skills Class
This class will continue your Agility skills, and introduce obstacles sequences. Continued lessons will be given on contact obstacles, flexibility training, improved jumping skills, and off leash control exercises. Open practice time is set aside in each class for students to work at their own pace. Dogs must have completed one Basic Manners class, as well as the Agility Basics class (or prove competency to that level) in order to participate in this group. Class size is strictly limited to 4 participants, and dogs must be friendly to people and other dogs.