Pittsburgh Area Classes
::::: NEW LOCATION! :::::
Family Dog Obedience has added a new location for classes!
Val is thrilled to be offering classes at The Dog Stop in Pittsburgh's East End.
The Dog Stop (www.thedogstop.net) is conveniently located at 1140 Washington Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. This facility is over 17,000 square feet, making it the perfect location for Family Dog Obedience classes.
Boyd Community Center (www.boydcommunitycenter.org) is conveniently located at 1220 Powers Run Road, Pittsburgh (Fox Chapel) 15238. Classes at the Boyd Center are held year round: During the winter months, classes are held inside the 2400 sq foot gymnasium. When the weather is nice, classes are held outdoors in the tennis court area.
Any class without minimum requirement sign-ups may be postponed. You must REGISTER and PREPAY to attend classes. Please download Registration Form and mail – along with payment – to Val Klein, 126 Dinnerbell Road, Butler, PA 16002. Proof of vaccinations are required to attend. For more information, please email Val at valsk9@yahoo.com or call 412-302-6736.
Classes at these locations are offered at different days and times throughout the year. Please check our Current Classes section for class announcements. Some of the classes offered include:
Pre-Agility Class
If you are interested in learning about the sport of dog agility, this is the place to begin! This class is designed to introduce you & your dog to the skills necessary to prepare for agility training. Topics include stretches and warm-ups, obstacle types, attention exercises, proofing recalls, on- and off-leash control exercises, improving responses to the basic commands, and many scenarios that you can learn and practice at home, with very little extra equipment needed. Dogs must be well socialized and non-reactive to people or other dogs to participate. In Pittsburgh, this class is currently being held at The Dog Stop location only. This class is 6 weeks long and class size is limited to 6 participants.
Kinder Puppy Class
For puppies ages 3-6 months. The program focuses on teaching good social skills for your puppy, as well as addressing the concerns of a “new puppy parent” such as crate training, biting, chewing etc. Classes will help owners discover what type of temperament their puppy has, and the best methods to use to teach that puppy all the way into adulthood. Topics addressed include: teaching puppies to pay attention to their owner, basic obedience commands, introduction to strange and new articles each week, grooming tips, behavioral & housebreaking discussions, chewing, social skills, etc. Kinder Puppy is 4 weeks long.
Basic Manners Class
For dogs ages 5 months and up. The focus in this class is to teach and proof the basic skills that most dog owner’s desire - The dog will sit and lie down on command, stay in place, perform a stationary recall command, and walk nicely on leash. Time is spent discussing different collar types available, as well as brief discussions on adolescent behaviors and challenges. Different ‘dog sports’ such as Agility, Rally Obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate, Flyball, Tracking, Herding & Carting are also discussed. Basic Manners is 4 weeks long.
Level 2 Practice Class
Level 2 classes are designed for any student who has completed Basic Manners or Kinder Puppy Classes. These sessions are designed to offer more challenging exercises for both the dog and the handler. Level 2 classes help you take your training skills with your dog " to a whole new level" by introducing distance training work, and minimizing hand and/or body signals to achieve a higher level of learning with your dog. Level 2 classes are offered in 4-Pack, and individual sessions/dates to allow flexibility to returning students. Subject material will be offered to help students who wish to move onto the Canine Good Citizen Test, Agility exercises, or who desire to have better verbal control with their dogs. Class is 4 weeks long.
All Levels/Games Obedience Class
This All Levels/Games class will combine all experience levels in one setting, from puppies as young as 3 months, to older, more experienced dogs. This setting provides training opportunities and inspiration for those with less experience, and offers challenges and distractions for the more advanced dogs and handlers, in a fun, exciting class pace. Good manners, basic obedience skills, and learning games will be on the agenda. All Levels/Games is 4 weeks long.
Specialty Seminars
Specialty seminars are offered throughout the year (depending on interest), and can be anything from Canine Good Citizen Classes with testing, Flyball classes, or Rally O classes, as well as focusing on one particular aspect of dog training, such as creating a better Recall, or better Heeling, with your dog. For more information, please ask!
Take It or Leave It Seminar
The "Take It or Leave It Seminar" will focus on all aspects of dogs and their desires to put things in their mouths. Commands like take it, leave it, drop it, give it, bring it, fetch it, etc. will be discussed and practiced. We will also talk about the infamous “tug of war” game and how and when you should, or shouldn’t use it! Class is open to dogs over 6 months of age only – no puppies! This will be a 2-hour seminar, with a short break. Registration must be prepaid in advance. Class size is limited to 10 dogs/handlers. Cost for the seminar is $35. All items and props will be provided to use that day. You must REGISTER and PREPAY to attend seminar. Seminar Date To Be Announced.
Dog Park Pawlitics Seminar
The "Dog Park Pawlitics Seminar" will go over seven things you should know before heading to the dog park. We will discuss: Recognizing subtle body language to anticipate and avoid problems; Identifying various styles of play; Rough play & fighting; How to determine when your dog is ready for the dog park experience; Recognizing when your dog is no longer benefitting from the dog park, and so much more! Cost for the seminar is $35. For more information, download the flyer for this seminar. You must REGISTER and PREPAY to attend seminar. Seminar Date To Be Announced.
