Dog Training Classes

​Personalized training fits your schedule and budget! Your Trainer will explain what is being taught, demonstrate with your dog, and then guide you until you are training on your own!
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Class structure:
  • one on one trainer instruction
  • visual demonstration
  • hands-on practice
  • scenario practice​

​Courses include:
  • appropriate household behavior
  • dogs interactions 
  • nutrition and grooming
  • exercise outlets
  • canine behavior and body language
  • canine learning and development
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Veterinary Requirements:
  • Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccine
  • Fecal float plus Giardia antigen test
  • Heartworm and flea prevention
Dogs exhibiting biting or dog aggression are referred to our Behavior Training program. Please fully share your dog's behaviors before the start of class so we can help you choose the best class for their successful completion.

Training is scheduled on weekday evenings and each class is one hour. Your Trainer will demonstrate how your dog learns and have you practice until your timing and rewards are producing the target behavior! Your Trainer will assign training tasks for you to complete at home to prepare for the next training session. 

Puppy Head Start

6 weeks, $750

Prevent  problem behaviors such as jumping up, barking, food stealing, mouthing, biting, running away, and potty training. Establish positive behaviors you can reward now!

Practice:
  • clear communication
  • stages of learning 
  • shaping behavior
  • building reliability
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​Obedience Commands:
  • place, sit, and down
  • implied stay (release command)
  • come
  • heel

Implement:
  • "nothing in life is free" 
  • 5 minutes/ 5 X day practice​
Puppy Head Start is an excellent training and socialization course for both you and your puppy. Well socialized puppies and dogs in play group ensure your puppy has positive socialization experiences and the opportunity to learn healthy canine social language and cues. 

On Leash

6 weeks, $750

On Leash is an engaging course for dogs starting their training. You will learn about "everything dog" to enhance your dog's daily routine your relationship with him. 

Practice:
  • agility
  • train near other dogs
  • maintain heel on long walks
  • building a reliable stay

Obedience Commands:
  • place, sit, and down
  • implied stay (release command)
  • come
  • heel

Implement:
  • eye contact
  • response to name
  • building confidence
On Leash is ideal for dogs over 6 months age and is especially helpful for newly adopted rescue dogs. This program will accomplish crate training, potty training, and will reducing moderate fears, anxiety and other behaviors.

​This program is not suitable for dogs with severe behavioral problems such as reactivity and aggression. Please see Behavior Training for more information.

Off Leash

6 weeks, $750
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This program is open to dogs ages 6 months and older who have completed  Puppy Head Start or On Leash training. 

Requirements:
  • 6 months age +
  • review of obedience commands

 ​Stop punishing your dog and start asking them what you want them to do.  Real communication is clear, concise, and requests a positive action. This will work on walks, in the yard, and where you spend your time; at home.

Expectations:
  • ​gained confidence
  • improved social interactions
  • decreased anxiety and calmer behavior
  • control of barking, digging and other behaviors
Allowing your dog the freedom from being tethered to you does magic for the canine mind. Eliminating  physical control (the leash) forces you to master psychological control of your dog. This results in advanced learning for the dog and human. This is a great course for the committed trainer.

Therapy Dog Handler

4 weeks, $450

Upon completion of On Leash training, this course will prepare you to train, test for, and work as a Therapy Dog Team with your dog. 

Requirements:
  • 1 year age +
  • Puppy Head Start or On Leash
  • Review of obedience commands

In this program you will learn common rules and responsibilities of the handler, how to conduct a visit safely and responsibly, and how to certify with a national organization.

Test Item practice:
  • review of obedience commands
  • conduct test items 
  • handler observation (at facility)
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Give back to your community by doing what you love. Animal assisted therapy is proven to benefit people and is very rewarding.

Therapy dog requirements are stringent because of safety involved when volunteering with your pet. We require the completion of obedience training and a naturally  calm and gentle temperament that enjoys receiving affection from others. 

AKC Canine Good Citizen

Free for all Appalachian Dog Training graduates!

Challenge your dog's good citizen manners and your handling skills with the AKC CGC Test.

Skills Needed:
  • obedience
  • friendliness
  • calmness

All breeds and mixed breeds are encouraged to participate. The test evaluates your dog in a variety of public-type settings.

Passing responses:
  • not fearful
  • no barking or growling
  • no lunging or excessive pulling
  • demonstration of sit, down, heel, and come

The test is not overwhelming, it is actually quite fun! The test facilitator will read the description and you will preform that exercise. Your dog's response to each item will be evaluated.

Refresher Training

Private Training, Included
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Your Trainer's expert support is our personal guarantee. We ensure success in achieving and maintaining your training goals for life!

Keep your dog's training reliable in the years to come with Refresher Training. Great for significant life changes such as new baby, new dog, or moving to a new home or just a week away in a familiar place! 

​Private Training
  • obedience commands
  • new/changed behaviors
  • new owner

Review your dog's completed training periodically with a review of your gradation training. Practice obedience commands and  problem solve new challenges.

Private Training is a 1 hour training session.