Pet Therapy Class: Pet Therapy Preparation Course
Puppy Class: Puppy Kindergarten
Basic Obedience: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4
Advanced Obedience: Competition Open, Cpmpetition Utility , Competition Heeling
Conformation: Conformation
Agility: Introductory Agility, Novice Agility

NDTC offers classes designed for pet owners wishing to teach basic commands and manners to their pets, as well as those working toward competitive obedience titles. Our curriculum is designed and updated by our Training Director. Our instructors are Club members who are typically experienced dog trainers, many of whom have put multiple obedience or other performance titles on their own dogs. All instructors have assisted more experienced trainers as part of their own training so that we can offer quality instruction using the latest, most effective methods.

New pet owners are encouraged to bring their puppies and young dogs to Puppy Kindergarten classes. During the formative period in a dog's life, exposure to different environments and experiences can be tremendously helpful in developing a stable, happy temperament. This class includes puppy socialization and help with common puppy problems like housebreaking and chewing.

Our Level 1 and Level 2 classes focus on basic control and manners, responsible pet ownership, and having fun with your dog. A team graduating from Level 2 can expect to pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. These classes address such skills as walking on a leash without pulling, sitting quietly to be examined at the veterinarian's office, coming when called, and accepting grooming and nail clipping. Students can also obtain some individualized problem-solving for common problems, such as jumping up on people, barking, and shyness. Perhaps the most important benefit of these classes is that they offer an opportunity for the pet and its owner to have fun together and bond. Many people enjoy these classes so much that they decide to continue on with more formal obedience lessons.

NDTC offers a series of classes designed for the serious competitor. This series covers Novice, Open, and Utility Obedience, as well as the newly-approved series of Rally Obedience Events.
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Pet Therapy Class

8 Week Pet Partner Evaluation Pet Therapy Preparation Course: This course is designed to help handler and dog acquire and fine tune the skills needed to pass the Delta Society Pet Partner Skills and Aptitude Evaluation. The course is open to dogs that have completed NDTC's Level II (or higher) Obedience Class (or the equivalent elsewhere) within the last ninety days prior to the start of a Pet Therapy Class. They must also have their AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification (must provide a copy to the registrar as well as copy of current shot records including rabies).

Pet Therapy Class registrants that have had more than a 90 day break since their last class (Level II or higher) are required to attend a readiness screening with their dog in order to be admitted to the class.  The readiness screenings will usually be on the Wednesday before a new class starts (registrants will be given an appointment time and feedback will be shared at the time of screening). (top)

Puppy Class

Puppy Kindergarten:  This is an eight week class open to all puppies between twelve weeks and six months of age.  The class helps owners and their puppies accomplish goals in three areas:  socialization for their puppies, introduction of all the basic obedience commands, and information on various canine care and behavior topics each week.  One special benefit students receive in this class is one-on-one help with "puppyhood challenges" they are experiencing.
Prerequisites:  All puppies must be at least twelve weeks old and have had a minimum of their first two rounds of shots with written proof from their vet or breeder.  This proof would be in the form of a print-out or certificate from the vet (or letter signed and dated from the breeder which outlines specifically what was given and the dates administered).  The "check-a-box" vaccination record booklet given to owners by vets is not accepted as proof of vaccinations. (top)

Level 1: This is the first of two classes that focus on basic control of the dog and house manners. It is the ideal class for the pet owner. This class can also be of benefit to those who are interested in competing in performance events with their dogs, as they can build on the skills they learn in this class. Handlers are taught basic concepts of dog training, such as how to show a dog what to do, proper use and timing of positive reinforcement, and how to use, but not abuse, corrections (negative reinforcement). Emphasis is placed on lifesaving skills, such as coming when called, as well as skills that make a pet easier to live with, such as sitting for a pill or a treat, and walking on a loose leash without pulling.
Prerequisites: The dog must have a fully mature attention span. The age at which this occurs varies from breed to breed and individual to individual, but usually does not occur until the puppy is at least seven or eight months old, and often occurs later. Puppies and young dogs that cannot pay attention for an entire hour-long class should be enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten. (top)

Level 2 : This is the second of two classes that focus on basic control and manners useful for pets and competition dogs alike. During the last session of this class, students will take the AKC Canine Good Citizen test (both mixed-breed and pure-bred dogs are eligible), and those passing will be awarded CGC certificates. The ten elements of the test are (1) accepting a friendly stranger, (2) sitting politely for petting, (3) appearance and grooming, (4) walking on a loose leash, (5) walking through a crowd, (6) staying in place at a sit and a down, (7) coming when called, (8) reaction to another dog, (9) reactions to distractions, and (10) supervised separation.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 and recommendation from Level 1 instructor that the dog take Level 2. (top)

Level 3 : This is the first of three classes that teach the specific exercises in the AKC Novice Obedience class. However, those not intending to compete may still enjoy learning these exercises, and their dogs can benefit from the increased precision and the deeper level of bonding that will take place. The goal in Level 3 is to begin the foundation work for competition obedience.

When there is demand, Level 3 will be separated into Beginning Level 3 and Advanced Level 3. The Beginning Level 3 class is the starting point for those who wish to prepare themselves and their dogs to compete in formal Obedience. The Advanced Level 3 class builds on the skills learned in the Beginning class and provides an intermediate step between the beginning Obedience skills class and the Novice Show Preparation Class (Level 4). Students may wish to repeat Level 3, as needed, before moving on to Level 4. Prerequisites: Experienced trainers may enroll puppies that are at least four months old. Beginning students should first obtain a CGC, which is offered as part of the Level 2 class.
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Level 4 : This is the second of two classes that prepare a handler-dog team for showing in the AKC novice trial class. This class focuses on ring preparation and achieving the highest degree of precision desired by the student before entering their first novice trial. Students may repeat this class as needed to polish their performance for the show ring.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level 3. (top)

Competition Open: This class teaches the basic Open level Obedience exercises and helps the dog-handler team refine their performance in preparation for showing in the AKC Open Obedience class. The instructor works with each student at the student's level.
Prerequisites: Dogs must have earned the Companion Dog (CD) title or have the instructor's permission.

Competition Utility: This class teaches the basic Utility level Obedience exercises and helps the dog-handler team refine their performance in preparation for showing in the AKC Utility Obedience class. The instructor is available to teach inexperienced exhibitors how to train the advanced exercises, but the more advanced students generally help each other and act as "stewards" and "judges" to give each other formal or informal run-throughs.
Prerequisites: Dogs must have earned the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title or have the instructor's permission.

Competition Heeling: Competition Heeling is for the handler who wants to improve his/her heeling scores. It emphasizes attention, footwork, body language, fronts and finishes.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler should have completed Beginning Level 3 or have the instructor's permission.

Rally Obedience: Rally Obedience is a new dog sport that has recently been approved for AKC competition. Unlike "traditional" obedience classes, you are allowed to talk to your dog whiole competing. This class offers foundation skills and sign instruction. Read more about Rally on the American Kennel Club's site.
Prerequisites: Dog and handler should have completed at least one class session of Level 3 or have the instructor's permission.

**Occasionally, certain classes designed to meet a particular need will be offered for one or two class sessions during the year. These will be listed on the Class Schedule on the opening page of the NDTC website when they are available.

Conformation

Conformation: This class teaches an owner of a conformation dog how to handle their own dog in the breed ring. Even if the owner intends to put the dog with a professional handler, early training on stacking, baiting, and gaiting will benefit the dog.
Prerequisites: None. (top)

Agility Classes

Introductory Agility: This class introduces dogs and their owners to the exciting sport of agility. In this class, teams will use success-oriented training methods that will lay the foundation for future agility competition and serve as a confidence-builder for those who may not continue on to competitive agility. Dogs will work with a combination of regulation and scaled-down equipment and will be introduced to the A-frame, tunnel, teeter totter, tire and bar jumps, the pause table, and the chute.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Level 1 obedience and reliable off-lead control over the dog, even under distracting and exciting conditions. (top)

Novice Agility:  This class introduces dog and trainer to the handling skills needed for agility success. In this class, teams will practice a range of sequences and exercises designed to develop their teamwork, improve motivation and enhance performance. Handlers in this 8-week session will be introduced to a variety of jumping exercises, standard crosses used in agility (front, rear and blind), and beginning distance work. Dogs will work with full-sized contact equipment, tunnels and weave poles. Novice Agility is designed to teach basic handling techniques while increasing confidence, communication and obstacle familiarity.

Prerequisites: Dog/handler teams must have completed either NDTC's Introductory Agility class or a comparable Beginner/Starters class at another facility. Dogs must be able to work off lead, have basic obedience skills (sit, down, stay, recall) and be physically mature enough to tolerate sustained jumping exercises. (top)