AKC "STAR" Puppy Kindergarten

It is never too early to begin training with your puppy. This class is ideal for families with puppies under 5 months old. This 6-week session places emphasis on socialization including play with other puppies, interaction with humans, and handling. Puppies learn skills such as: sit, look, down, come, loose leash walking, stay, and give. Information is provided on issues such as house training, inappropriate mouthing and biting, jumping and more. You'll learn how to prevent unwanted behavior and establish a bond with your puppy using positive reinforcement methods. 

$150/6 weeks

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Family Manners I: (Elementary School)

This 6-week session is geared toward the adolescent or adult dog who is just beginning training. You will learn to teach your dog to be attentive, sit, come when called, walk politely on a leash, and listen to down and stay. Your dog will "unlearn" undesirable habits and replace them with good ones. Management skills and problem solving will also be discussed.

$150/6 weeks

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Family Manners II: (Middle School)

This 6-week session is designed to refine the behavior of a dog who knows the basic obedience commands. An increased exposure to distractions will be a key to success as well as controlling your dog at a distance. Behaviors and exercises covered include: take it, place, stand, and wait.

$150/ 6 weeks

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Real World Class:

Finished basic training classes? Now it's time to take the show on the road! This class will apply the skills learned in Family Manner I and II to real-life situations. Your dog learns to sit-stay and down-stay reliably, walk and wait in a crowd, greet strangers politely. Focus is on the 3 D's adding Distance, Duration, and Distraction!

$150/6 weeks

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AKC Canine Good Citizen:

The CGC program started in 1989. CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC program is a two-part program that stresses responsible per ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the CGC test can receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club and be recorded in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen archives. The purpose of the CGC program is to ensure that our favorite companion, the dog, can be a respected member of the community. To pass, dogs take the 10 item CGC Test. This 8 week class will prepare you for this test and during week 8 we will test each team individually.

$225/8 weeks includes the test.

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Tricks for Fun and Challenge:

Looking for something fun and interesting to do together with your dog? Come join us for our tricks class! It will be fun, help build a closer relationship with your dog, and learn to communicate with him too! During class you will learn how to teach your dog specific tricks: how to break down complicated tricks into specific parts, and how to put individual pieces together to complete a trick. You and your dog must know basic behaviors! We will teach you how to train:

• High-five, Paw, or Shake

• Bow

• Dance

• Sit pretty

• Peekaboo

• And more...

If you are planning to do therapy work with your dog, this course is highly recommended as it is a good idea to have a few tricks for visits!

$100/4 weeks

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NEW Specialized Short Courses!

Really Reliable Recall:

A Reliable Recall is the most important skill you can teach your dog. One in three pets will become lost at some point during their life. Don't let your dog become a statistic. Join us for fun and games to teach a Reliable Recall to your dog. 

$75/3 weeks

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Loose Leash Walking:

Don't be the passenger on your dog's journey through the neighborhood. Take back your walks with a special class just for loose leash walking! These classes are designed to help handler and dog focus in a variety of distracted settings. It is sure to make walking your neighborhood more comfortable for everyone!

$75/3 weeks

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Scaredy Dog:

Does your dog get stressed easily? Is he scared of everything that moves? Are there Boogeymen around every corner? Welcome to the Scaredy Dog Support Group. This session will keep a safe, encouraging, and productive environment while teaching your dog confidence.

$75/3 weeks

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Reactive Rover:

Does your dog lose their cool when another dog is around? Are they difficult to control in public? Are you embarrassed by your dog's behavior? Welcome to the Reactive Dog Support Group! Everyone will completely understand what everyone else is going through! We will work on your handling skills and your dog's stressors. We will increase attention and responsiveness in your dog. We will help you and your dog to be more comfortable and less reactive in situations where other dogs are present. HOW??? Through POSITIVE training and DESENSITIZATION. Class size is limited to 2-3 dogs for lots of specialized attention.

$140/4 weeks

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Focus and Impulse Control:

Interested in a training class but your pooch gets so excited they can't focus? Impulse control can be very hard for some dogs. This class is a great way to introduce training to your dog in a smaller, more controlled setting. It is designed to help dogs who are easily aroused in certain situations. They become so stimulated they are unable to think or learn. Cultivate a confident canine companion who is more focused on their human!

$75/3 weeks

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Polite Pooch:

Does your dog love people but gets so excited he jumps all over them? This is an unwanted behavior and we can help you and your pooch work through this challenge in a fun and positive way!

$75/3 weeks

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Scavenger Hunt:

Exposing your dog to a wide variety of positive experiences is very important to help maintain a well-adjusted dog. This scavenger hunt will help you organize fun field trips for you pup. Here's how it works:

We meet in a designated area. Your instructor passes out a list of activities for each team to complete in 40 minutes. Prizes for the pups who complete all 36 items, or the top 3 with the largest number. Bring lots of yummy treats for your pup. Give him treats during each experience, and ask friendly strangers to give treats, too! Lots of fun!!

$25/1 hunt

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Before Your First Class:

• Dogs must be fitted with a buckle or slip collar, EasyWalk harness or other front clip harness and a six foot leash.

• Re-tractable leashes, choke, chain, or pronged collars are not permitted.

• Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers or shoes with non-slip soles.

• A sweat shirt or vest with pockets, or treat pouch to hold treats is recommended. Bring a variety of soft treats for positive reinforcement for your dog.

• Students are expected to arrive on time for each lesson.

• There are no make-up opportunities for missed sessions unless AaTs needs to cancel class due to unforeseen circumstances.

• Registration: Please use the link at the end of this page. If you'd like printable copies of the forms please email chris.patella@aatsct.org.