Click Here to See the Schedule of Classes Currently Offered!
Group Classes are Conducted Outdoors from late April thru mid November
Classes are conducted rain or shine in a safe, enclosed area
A canopy provides protection from rain and sun
Classes generally meet once weekly for 60-90 minutes
Even if your dog knows basic obedience, Group Classes are still great for socialization, improving known behaviors & learning to work with distractions
SmartyPaws typically offers the following group classes:
Basic Obedience
Socialization and Basic Obedience
7 Classes for Puppies and Dogs 5 Months and Older - $175
click here to see course outline
click here to print registration forms
Puppy Kindergarten
Socialization and Basic Obedience
5 Classes for Puppies 12 to 20 weeks - $125
click here to see course outline
click here to print registration forms
Better Basics
Working on improving Basic Skills
5 Classes for Dogs that have completed Basic Obedience
but need more practice - $125
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click here to print registration forms
Beyond Basics
Taking Basic Obedience to the Next Level
5 Classes for Dogs that Know & Comply with Basic Obedience - $150
click here for more information
click here to print registration forms
Maximum class size – 6-8 dogs / Minimum class size - 4 dogs
A $25 deposit is required to guarantee a place in class
Human students may bring one additional human to class at
$5 per human per class
Humans may audit one (1) class (no dog) at no charge
Additional audits are $10 per class
Children under 18 are permitted on a limited basis and only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you wish to bring your child to group class, please contact Smarty Paws for more information about children in group classes.
“Drop-Ins” are Welcome:
Interested in only one or some classes? Drop-In with your dog at $30 per class
Drop-Ins should call ahead to check if there is space in the class
Drop-Ins who fail to call ahead risk refusal at the door
Classes are subject to cancellation if the minimum size is not met
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7-Week Basic Obedience, 60-90 Minutes Weekly Course Outline
Week 1 – Introduction to Clicker Training and How Dogs Learn
HUMANS ONLY – NO DOGS
Humans will be instructed on class safety rules
Humans will be instructed on how dogs learn, their drives and motivations
Humans will be introduced to the power of the Clicker
Humans will practice Clicker skills
Humans will be instructed on how to use a Food Lure and
How to teach their dog to follow a Food Lure
Humans will be instructed on how to teach their dog to FOCUS and SIT
Week 2 – HEEL Position, DOWN, Intro to STAY
Review of Food Lure, Focus & Sit
Humans will learn how to teach dogs the HEEL Position and the DOWN cue
Humans will begin learning to teach the STAY cue
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 3 – STAY, WAIT & Intro to RECALL
Review of Heel Position & Down
Humans will learn how to add SIT & FOCUS to the Heel Position
Humans will learn the difference between Stay and Wait cues
Humans will learn how to teach STAY & WAIT cues
Humans will begin learning to teach RECALL
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 4 – RECALL & Intro to LOOSE LEASH WALKING
Review of Heel, Stay & Wait
Humans will learn how to teach a strong RECALL
Humans will learn the difference between Loose Leash Walking and Heel
Humans will learn how to begin to teach proper leash walking
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 5 – LOOSE LEASH WALKING with Auto Sit
Review of Recall
Humans will learn how to teach LOOSE LEASH WALKING with Auto Sit
Humans and Dogs will practice Loose Leash Walking
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 6 – LEAVE IT & DROP IT
Review of Loose Leash Walking with Auto Sits
Humans will learn how to teach LEAVE IT & DROP IT
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 7 – GRADUATION
Review of Leave It and Drop It
Final review and notes
Parade of Graduates! Each human/dog pair “struts their stuff” for the class!
Group & Individual Photos
Friendly dogs will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
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5-Week Puppy Kindergarten, 60-90 Minutes Weekly Course Outline
Week 1 – Introduction to Clicker Training and How Dogs Learn
HUMANS ONLY – NO DOGS
Completion of paperwork
Humans will be instructed on class safety rules
Humans will be instructed on how dogs learn, their drives and motivations
Humans will be introduced to the power of the Clicker
Humans will practice Clicker skills
Week 2 - Let's Start Shaping!
Humans will learn how to shape wanted behaviors
Discussion & Tips – Potty Training
Friendly puppies will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
Week 3 – I Know My Name...and I Like It!
Review of Shaping
Humans will learn how to teach puppies Name Response
Humans will learn how to teach puppies Focus
Discussion & Tips – Puppy Nipping
Friendly puppies will be allowed to play and interact
Week 4 - How to Meet & Greet
Introduction to Leash Walking
Review of Focus
Humans and puppies will begin to learn how to properly
“Meet & Greet” people and other dogs
Puppies will begin to learn how to walk nicely on leash
Discussion & Tips - Jumping
Friendly puppies will be allowed to play and interact
Week 5 – Introduction to Sit
Review of Meet & Greet
Practice Loose Leash Walking
Humans will learn how to teach puppies the Sit cue
Friendly puppies will be allowed to play and interact at the end of class
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5-Week Better Basics, 60-90 Minutes Weekly Course Information
Each week we will practice the basics to improve your dog's abilities. Typically, practice focuses on the following commonly weak areas:
Focus
Stay
Recall
Leave-It
Loose Leash Walking
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5-Week Beyond Basics, 60-90 Minutes Weekly Course Information
This course is only for dogs that KNOW & COMPLY with Basic Obedience cues
Each week we will work to prepare your dog for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test. We will take your dog’s basic abilities to the next level by increasing Distractions, Duration and Distance.
Long Down-Stays with distractions
Out-of-Sight Stays
Using Leave-it with other dogs
Heeling
Some off-leash work
Optional - CGC Test given immediately after the last class.
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2011 Group Class Schedules
The 2011 Group Class Season Has Come to a Close! |
Thank you to all our students for joining us this year and |
CONGRATULATIONS to all our Graduates! |
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New Group Classes Will Start Again in Spring 2012 |
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Please check back with us in February for the 2012 schedule |
