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HOTC's Obedience Classes
Basic Requirements and General Information:
- All handlers must present documentation of age appropriate immunization for their dogs/puppies at the first class of the cycle.
- Handlers are asked to wear comfortable clothing and shoes with backs (ex: tennis shoes).
- All classes are based on a reward system, so handlers are asked to bring a variety of soft treats with which to train (ex. sliced string cheese, sliced microwaved hot dogs, soft commercial treats)
- Puppy and Manners 101 classes conduct orientation on the first night of the class cycle without dogs/puppies present.
- Some equipment is provided in the Puppy and Manners 101 classes. Additional equipment is available for purchase in our Pro Shop.
- All obedience classes last 50 minutes and are 8 weeks in duration
- Clicker based training may be introduced and utilized in some classes.
- All Instructors have a wealth of knowledge in many areas of positive and reward based training
- We do not train dogs. We train you to train your dogs. All classes are taught in a group setting with between 8 and 10 dogs/puppies and a ratio of one assistant per 3 dogs.
- All dogs/puppies must exhibit good health
- Our group setting is not ideal for training every dog/handler team. If you and your dog have issues that are beyond the scope of the class, we may ask that you work with private instructors outside of HOTC to resolve them prior to resuming group lessons.
Class Prices:
- Puppy - $85
- Manners 101 - $85
- Advanced classes - $65
As with all HOTC classes we emphasize the building of a relationship between you and your puppy. This is achieved through positive methods.
Prerequisites: Puppies must be between the ages of 8 weeks (2 months) and 18 weeks (4.5 months) on the first day of class.
In puppy class we will cover the following plus much more:
- Socialization between other puppies and people
- Walking on a leash
- Coming when called
- Name recognition
- Games to build the handler/puppy relationship
- Good health practices. (ex. Clipping nails, grooming)
- Housetraining
- Crate training
- Confidence building by exposing puppy to various situations and objects
This class provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to help their dogs become well-behaved members of the family and community. Instructors will assist you in training your dog through the use of positive training methods, problem-solving techniques, and relationship-building exercises.
Prerequisites: Dogs must be over the age of 18 weeks (4.5 months) on the first day of class.
In Manners 101 we will cover the following plus much more:
- Attention/focus exercises
- Sit, Down, Stay
- Moving recalls
- Walking on a loose leash
- Problem solving (ex. Excessive barking, jumping on people, playful nipping, housetraining, etc.)
- Sitting politely for petting
- Standing for examination (great for the groomer and vet)
- Relationship building games
- Off-leash recalls
- Heeling basics
- Health issues
- Address crates as a positive and useful tool
BEYOND MANNERS
Beyond Manners is just that. This is a progression of the Manners 101 class in that we will refine and improve on what was previously taught as well as prepare you and your dog for the AKC Canine Good Citizenship test. We continue to work on addressing specific unwanted behaviors, often replacing the unwanted behavior with reinforcing a desired behavior.
Prerequisites: Dogs must be over the age of 18 weeks (4.5 months), have completed Manners 101 (or demonstrate skills to fulfill the Manners 101 goals ),
In Beyond Manners we will cover the following plus much more:
- Walking on a loose leash with distractions (ex. other dog/handlers passing, people running)
- Sit and down stay with added, distraction, duration, distance
- Exposure to different types of people, men, women, children, people with umbrellas, hats etc.
- Exposure to various objects in day to day life baby carriages, wheelchairs
- Utilize sounds CDs, baby crying, fireworks, thunder storms
- Advanced problem solving (ex. Ignoring items that are dropped, counter surfing, gaining confidence of the shy dog, calming the over exuberant dog)
- Coming when called in various situations off and on lead
- Emphasize dog's attention to the handler with added distractions both stationary and moving
- Practicing for the Canine Good Citizen Test http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
- Incorporate games to solve behavior issues
Pre Novice is for the dog and handler that have the desire to participate in AKC Obedience Trials.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 18 weeks (4.5 months), Manners 101, or demonstrated skills required to fulfill the Manners 101 class.
In Pre Novice we will cover the following plus much more:
- More refined heeling
- Recalls with Straight sit in front
- Stand and be examined with handler at the end of the leash
- Introduce the finish exercise (dog returns to heel position on command after a recall and sit in front)
- Teaching the figure 8 exercise
- Attention while heeling with minor distractions
- Sit stay (1 minute with distance), down stay (3 Minute with distance)
- Introduction to what is required to enter and show in Novice Obedience.
Novice Class prepares dog and handler teams for competition in AKC obedience trials leading to a Companion Dog (CD) title. HOTC allows mixed breed dogs to train for competition in Fun Matches leading to a Club Companion Dog (CD) title.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 6 months, Pre-Novice, or demonstrated skills required to fulfill the Pre-Novice class.
Competition Novice is for the serious obedience competitor.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 6 months, Pre Novice or Intro to Rally
This will cover everything from:
- Refining each and every Novice Obedience skill to perfection
- Filling out an entry form
- What to wear
- Footwork
- Tricks of the trade
Open Class prepares dog and handler teams for competition in AKC obedience trials leading to a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. HOTC allows mixed breed dogs to train for competition in Fun Matches leading to a Club Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age 1 year , Must have 2 qualifying scores in Novice, CD title or have trained a dog to this level (with permission of Instructor).
Utility Class prepares dog and handler teams for competition in AKC obedience trials leading to Utility Dog (UD), Utility Dog Excellent (UDX), and Obedience Trial Champion (OTCH) titles. HOTC allows mixed breed dogs to train for competition in Fun Matches leading to a Utility Dog (UD) title.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age 1 year , Must have 2 qualifying scores in Open, CDX title or have trained a dog to this level (with permission of Instructor).
INTRODUCTION TO RALLY
Introduction to Rally is for the dog handler team that has the desire to participate in AKC Rally trials.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 18 weeks (4.5 months), Manners 101, or demonstrated skills required to fulfill the Manners 101 class.
- More refined heeling
- Recalls with Straight sit in front
- Introduce the finish exercise (dog returns to heel position on command after a recall and sit in front)
- Attention while heeling with minor distractions
- Introduction to Rally signs and how to perform a basic rally course
- Introduction to what is required to enter and show in Rally
ADVANCED RALLY
Advanced rally classes prepare the dog and handler teams to compete in AKC competition rally trials leading to various rally titles, Rally Novice (RN), Rally Advanced (RA), Rally Excellent (RE), Rally advanced Excellent (RAE).
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 6 months, Introduction to Rally or demonstrated skills required to fulfill the Introduction to Rally Class
FREESTYLE SKILLS
Canine Freestyle is a creative interaction of obedience and trick behaviors combined with music and pulled together with choreography. Beginning freestyle emphasizes teaching creative behaviors to the dogs. The handler is usually in a casual or animated posture while moving with the dog. No dance experience expected on the part of the handler.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 18 weeks (4.5 months), Pre Novice, Introduction to Rally and instructor approval.
ADVANCED FREESTYLE
Advanced Freestyle is for the dog handler team that have the desire to compete in canine freestyle.
Prerequisites: Dog over the age of 1 year, Freestyle Skills and Instructor approval.
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