CLASS INFORMATION

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Required forms for the Puppy, Beginning, and Intermediate are here: class application and questionnaire. Call 510-339-3276 to reserve your place before sending in the application. Class descriptions are below. A typical training progression is described here. Note: You do NOT need to be an ODTC member to take classes.
Puppy Training - For puppies 10 weeks to 4 1/2 months at beginning of session. Puppies are socialized with people and each other. Puppies are introduced to basic obedience commands and get to play on puppy agility obstacles. Basic behavior issues such as house-training, chewing and barking are addressed. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Beginning - For dogs 6 months and older. Dogs are introduced to obedience commands such as Come, Sit, Down, Stay and Heel. The instructor is available to answer specific dog behavior questions and help you deal with problems such as barking, chewing and pulling on the leash. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Intermediate - For dogs who are promoted from Beginning training. In this class the trainer will polish basic obedience skills, practice hand signals and other advanced exercises, and prepare for off-leash control. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
CGC and Intermediate Skills Drop-in - Prepare for Canine Good Citizen test, Beginner Novice title, and practice Intermediate skills. CGC tests given bi-monthly. Drop-in.
Introduction to Scentwork Class - For dogs with no prior experience. Seeking behavior is taught, using food, then transitioned to the target odors used in competition. Dogs and handlers gain experience in container searches and an alert behavior on finding behavior. This class is limited to 5 dogs. $100, 4 meetings each month. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Scentwork Practice - For dogs who are able to search for the odors used in competition and have a behavior change on find that their handler can recognize. This class is trial readiness preparation. All AKC odors and elements are taught. Teams will have 3 searches to work at each session, one of which will always be a container search for those preparing for an ORT or Novice Container trial. The other two searches will be a variety of odors and container, interior, exterior, buried, and handler discrimination searches. $20 drop-in.
Proofing for Novice - Proofing the exercises for competition obedience classes is required to establish reliability in any setting (including the competition ring!). The focus of this class will be on developing understanding of "the job" while maintaining motivation for compliance. Sometimes "proofing" is associated with setting up the dog for failure and then correcting that failure; that will not be the emphasis of this class. This class is for dogs that have a fundamental understanding of the AKC competition Novice exercises (they will not be taught in this class) -- heeling, stand for exam, recall, sit-stay and down-stay. Attention and reliability will be emphasized. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Proofing for Open - Proofing the exercises for competition obedience classes is required to establish reliability in any setting (including the competition ring!). The focus of this class will be on developing understanding of "the job" while maintaining motivation for compliance. Sometimes "proofing" is associated with setting up the dog for failure and then correcting that failure; that will not be the emphasis of this class. This class is for dogs that have a fundamental understanding of the AKC competition Open exercises (they will not be taught in this class) -- heeling, drop on recall, retrieving, jumping, and out-of-sight stays. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Foundation Skills for Utility - This class will teach the Foundation skills for Utility. Dogs in this class must be able to work in a group setting without disrupting the other students; in other words, very young dogs can be welcome in this class. A retrieve is a nice-to-have skill but isn't required (but also will not be taught). What will be covered: Signal response from a distance, scent discrimination (with or without a retrieve, depending on the dog), marking and mark discrimination, moving stand, directed running (for go-outs), and direction discrimination for directed jumping. Dogs in this class are welcome to practice sits and down with the Novice/Open class from 7:45 to 8 PM. Approval of the instructor is required -- contact her at h_olbrich@sbcglobal.net.
Rally Class (Tuesday) - Preparation for AKC Rally competition. Rally is the latest rage, and entries are filling up fast. It's fun and a great way to supplement and reinforce classic obedience. While the moves are very basic obedience, they are combined on a parcourse like agility, plus you can talk to your dog throughout! The class will include all levels of Rally. Over the course of the six-week class all Rally stations will be trained and practiced, and a course will be run each class. Enrollment is limited. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Introduction to Rally Obedience (Wednesday) - Rally class is varied and fun for both team members (see http://www.akc.org/events/rally/index.cfm for more information). This class will focus on the skills required for successful completion of the Rally stations. Skills will be taught in the order of importance, and by week three short Rally courses will be run through by students while new skills will continue to be taught. Students are encouraged to stay for sits and downs practice immediately after Rally class. Class size is limited. Call registrar for enrollment information. Call 510-339-3276 if interested in signing up.
Heeling Skills for Obedience & Rally (Tuesday) - Class focus is on teaching and polishing heeling skills for AKC Obedience or Rally (any level). Format will be 45 minutes practicing heeling skills as a group, and then 45 minutes doing individual heeling run-throughs. Dogs must already have 'pet manner' skills (or higher), be able to hold a sit and focus on its handler, and be able to work in a group setting without disrupting other students or dogs. Students must have signed an ODTC waiver.
Ring Ready AKC Obedience (Friday) - Class focus is polishing and refining skills needed for the Novice/Open/Utility exercises to successfully compete in AKC Obedience. Not all exercises will be covered every class. Classes are drop-in and available to those preparing for AKC Obedience competition who have signed a waiver with ODTC. Dogs must already have 'pet manner' skills (or higher) and be able to work in a group setting without disrupting other students or dogs. Limit of one dog per handler per class. If you bring more than one dog for the two classes, please keep one dog safely in your car or in a secure crate in the hall while you work your other dog.
Novice - Held on a drop-in basis, for preparation for AKC Novice competition.
Open - Held on a drop-in basis, for preparation for AKC Open competition.
Utility - Held on a drop-in basis, for preparation for AKC Utility competition.