Class Descriptions

Puppy Development Class is an obedience "kindergarten" and should be followed by a basic training class. Puppy class is designed to introduce the pup to other dogs, other people, as well as to build a solid foundation for formal training. Topics unique to puppies are discussed. Emphasis is on discovering your puppy's personality and learning to train him as an individual. Basic obedience commands are introduced as well. Most often, we recommend placing a dog 12 weeks to 51/2 months of age into a puppy class, although we will take them at 10 weeks. Cost for the 6-week course is $60. For those who have puppies too young for class but who want a head start, we recommend a private lessons or two with a puppy instructor.

Dogs 6 months of age or older should go right into a Basic Training Class. They are emotionally maturing now and are better able to deal with the structure of training. Basic Training Class covers the basic obedience commands, plus other training tips and tricks, in a more structured format. This class is a combination home manners and introduction to obedience training and can be used alone, in conjunction with a Puppy class, or with courses that follow. Exercises taught include sit, down, stand and staying at those position for up to several minutes. Hand signals and off lead heeling are introduced. Walking on a loose lead and Come when called are emphasized. Problem solving for undesirable behaviors is also addressed. Cost for the 8-week course is $80.

Graduates of Basic classes may continue their training at the Intermediate level for refinement of response time and techniques. New exercises are added, off-lead work increased. Emphasis is on steadiness and reliability. Cost of the 8-week course is $80.

Graduates of Intermediate may continue into Advanced class. This is a Companion Dog class for students wanting a more solid working dog off lead. Students of Advanced class may transfer into the Novice-Ring Ready course should they decide to pursue their titles. Advanced classes are $25 per month. There is a one-time registration fee of $20.

Most of the students in the advanced classes of Novice-Ring Ready, Open & Utility are working towards AKC and AMBOR obedience titles, although students are not required to show their dogs to advance in our program. Private lessons are available at all levels.

Agility is an obstacle course for dogs and can be pursued for fun or AKC titles. It is fun and great exercise for both dog and handler. We hold Agility indoors in our 4000 sq. ft. training rooms on non-skid matting and will be doing some seminar work outdoors as well.

In most cases, we recommend taking your dog to a Group Class. Owners handle their own dogs in a class under supervision from experienced trainers. The dogs benefit greatly from socializing with other dogs and being exposed to different environments and strangers. This method of training is also the most economical, starting at $60 for a 6 week course or $80 for the 8 week course.

Sometimes we have requests for Private Lessons and In-Home Training. Although we strongly recommend class training, you could consider private lessons when your schedule will simply not permit attendance at a class or when there is an extenuating reason why a dog or its handler cannot attend classes. Private training can be customized to your needs and start at $15 per half hour or $30 per hour. Private lessons are conducted at our facility. Private lessons in a customer's home are also $30 per hour, and there is a $15 house-call fee. In-home lessons are limited to the Huntsville City limits in most cases. We may be able to arrange lessons outside the city limits for an additional charge - please call for availability.

Some of our instructors will take dogs into their homes for Boarding/Training. Rates usually run $200 per week in most cases. Straight boarding is $15 per day and dogs must already be crate trained and manageable to qualify for that rate. Although we can refer you to a trainer affiliated with our school who may provide these services, Boarding and Boarding & Training is an arrangement between the owner and the trainer that does not involve the school. Please call or e-mail for a referral.