If you have a young puppy under 4 months of age, sign up for the next Puppy Class. This class provides a wealth of information for the first-time puppy owner that helps you know what to expect as Puppy grows and how to make life with Puppy a pleasant one. For the experienced puppy owner, this class provides the crucial socialization opportunities that are so important in the early stages of a puppy's life. Your puppy should wear a simple buckle collar to class, and you should wear clothing suitable for sitting on the floor or ground.
Older puppies and adult dogs should begin their obedience training with Level I class. You will be provided with a training collar and leash. The first few weeks involve a lot of getting up and down, so wear clothes that you can kneel on the ground in. If you have bad knees you may wish to bring a low stool. Bring bite-sized treats that your dog really likes! Your dog will be more comfortable (and more motivated) if you DON'T FEED but DO POTTY before class.
If your dog has already had obedience training, speak to an instructor about starting in an Advanced class. Level II is appropriate for dogs that have graduated from a basic obedience class, Level III for dogs working towards their AKC Novice title, Level IV for dogs beginning AKC Open training, and Open/Utility Workshop for dogs that already have a formal retrieve and are training towards AKC Open or Utility titles. Your dog will need a dumbbell for Level IV and Open, and (eventually) gloves and scent articles for Utility.
Best Friends Obedience offers discounts to prior students, and all obedience classes can be repeated for a nominal fee.
If you and/or your dog are new to agility, you should enroll in Introduction to Agility. Although your dog does not need formal obedience for agility, you will need basic control in order to be successful. Your dog should sit, down and come on command, preferably off-leash. If your dog has never had any kind of training before, you should consider taking Level I Obedience before taking Agility. Bring LOTS of treats and a hungry dog to agility class! Wear shoes with good traction and clothes you can run in.
Dogs that have been introduced to Agility Obstacles, but are not yet performing them with confidence and at full competition height should take the Intermediate Agility class. Your dog does not have to be proficient on every obstacle, but should be able to run off leash with you over a short sequence of obstacles. Be sure to tell the instructor if you need remedial work on a particular obstacle. The goal of Intermediate is to build the dog's obstacle skills and dog/handler teamwork on simple sequences. Wear shoes with good traction and clothes you can run in, and bring motivators (treats or a toy) for your dog.
Dogs that are Proficient on Agility Obstacles and can work off-leash are welcome in the Competition Prep Agility classes. These classes focus on sequencing challenges and more advanced handling skills for those preparing for agility competition at the Novice level or higher. Directionals, Distance, and Obstacle Discrimination are among the topics that may be covered. Competition Prep has a flexible outline which is tailored to the needs of those enrolled. Wear shoes with good traction and clothes you can run in, and bring motivators (treats or a toy) for your dog.
