BEYOND BASICS is a class for dogs who have had some training and know the basics (sit, down, beginning stay). We take what the dog knows, polish it up, strengthen it and add to it. We work on distance, duration and distractions. We also learn some new things–shaping behaviors, increasing your dog’s enthusiasm for learning,
better leash manners, tricks. Each dog works at his own level. Some will be more experienced, some less experienced but no matter, each will work at his own ability level.
If working toward your Canine Good Citizen’s Test is one of your goals, this class will head you in that direction. And you can take the CGC test at no extra cost when you are ready to.
Dogs being trained as Therapy or Service Dogs will also find this class valuable. Dogs who are already Therapy or Service Dogs can keep their skills sharp and improve on them here.
To keep the class fun and upbeat, we often use games as part of the class.
This is an ongoing class–come when you want. No need to commit to a certain number of weeks. Come when you want and it fits your schedule. You only pay for the classes you come to.
Beyond Basics meets once a week. In Kanab at 5 pm on Thursdays, in St. George at 4 pm on Fridays.
If this sounds like something you and your dog would enjoy, email me at leucavorin@yahoo.com or text or call me at 540-748-3093.
Does your dog need a job? Or do you and your dog want something super fun to do together? Treibball is the answer! Teach your dog to herd balls in place of sheep. Great for high energy dogs, but more sedate dogs also love it. Wonderful physical and mental exercise. The foundation skills will be useful in your every day life with your dog, not just in Treibball.
We have a class in progress now and are forming another class in Kanab to start soon (St. George will have one when it is a bit cooler). There is a 3 dog limit, but more classes can easily be added when this one fills. Date and time to be decided (with only 3 dogs, we can schedule it to suit). It will be a 6-week class, meeting once a week.
For more information or to sign up, email me at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com, or call or text 540-748-3093.
Treibball–what is it? Also called Urban Herding, the dog herds balls rather than sheep!
Can My Dog Do It?
Any fairly active dog can do Treibball–small dogs, large dogs, herding breeds, non-herding breeds or mixes. You and your dog will learn many skills, and greatly increase your communication.
What Will My Dog And I Learn?
Your dog will learn to go out to a marker when asked, a super stay, how to orient to your front (so he can push the ball to you), to go different directions when asked, and of course, to push a ball. Your dog will develop great impulse control–he will learn to work with you as a partner, rather than just running around in a frenzy. You will also find your reward system will strengthen–a must for training a dog to work with joy.
Where And When?
We will be scheduling more Treibball classes in St. George this fall, when it cools off a bit. We are hoping to have a Treibball class up and running in Kanab in the near future.
Contact me at Keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com or 540-748-3093 for more information.
A Good Manners Class (basic obedience) will be starting soon in Kanab.
The Good Manners Class meets once a week for 6 weeks. All positive reinforcement, so your dog enjoys learning and becomes a polite and willing family member. Training should always be fun for you and your dog! Topics covered:
How to get and keep your dog’s attention
Polite greetings (without jumping)
Sit
Down
Come
Stay
Walking politely on leash
Leave it
And more. . .
Stay boy!
If you prefer the comfort of your home, private sessions are available. Additional Good Manners classes will be set up soon. Contact me if interested!
For more information, or to sign up, contact me at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com.
This is a chance to get your dog out and about with other dogs and people. We go to different places with our dogs. Depending on the time of year and the weather, we may go to local pet friendly stores (such as CalRanch, Home Depot, etc.), or parks, take a walk through town, or have a snack together. We work on the dogs becoming comfortable in different environments, working with other dogs, and improving their manners. Always fun!
Brunch In Town
We meet Tuesday mornings at 11 o’clock at predetermined locations. I know that is a hard time for many, and may set up an additional day/time in the future.
If you are interested in joining us, or have a suggestion for another time, send me an email at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com.
This is an ongoing class for dogs who have some basic training skills and are ready to go on to the next level. It combines obedience, freestyle, and tricks. The goal is to increase the handler’s training skill while the dog and his person are learning to enjoy training, and add to their many abilities.
Dogs and handlers work at their own level. Even though some dogs may be more advanced, and others less advanced, they all work on variations of the same game or task, but at their own level. This sets them up for success, and builds confidence.
As an ongoing class, it is run on a drop-in basis.
If you would like more information about this class, email me directly at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com.
There are many good articles out there that may be helpful (or fun), and some websites with good information. This area is going to be links to some. It may be sparse now, but check back–it will be a work in progress. You can email me at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com if you have suggestions, or leave a comment at the end of the post. Tell us if you find an article or website particularly helpful.
ARTICLES
HOW TO MOTIVATE YOUR DOG–AND HAVE FUN TRAINING!
This article goes over how dogs differ in what motivates them, what engagement is, and how all this applies to your training. Click here to check out the article.
ON OR OFF LEASH HIKING WITH YOUR DOG
Should you go hiking with your dog on leash or off leash? This article has some helpful hints if you would like to take the leash off, but aren’t sure your dog will stick around. Click here to check out the article.
WEBSITES
Clicker Training–http://useyourclicker.com is a fun website showing tricks by a dog, a cat, rats and ferrets. It has some good information on clicker training, also. Those of you who don’t think you can train a cat to do tricks should check it out. Same as with dogs, it is a matter of finding what will motivate them, have them wanting to learn.
Training and Relationship--http://enjoy-your-dog.com has articles on training your dog and your relationship with your dog. It also has a short but helpful book list.
Clarisse, Certified Therapy Dog
Therapy Dogs–http://www.tdi-dog.org is the website for Therapy Dogs International. This group certifies teams (dog and handler) as therapy dog teams. The site has information on requirements, how to get started, what you can do as a therapy dog team. And yes, you can certify in the southern Utah area.
Service Dogs–Service dogs are trained to help an individual with a disability. For some information about them, in a question and answer form, put out by the Department of Justice click on http://ADA.gov. This will take you to the site, then search for service dogs q and a and it will take you to Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA. This is the federal law pertaining to service dogs. And no, there is no required certification. Yes, there are behavior and training requirements. The certifications you can buy on line are a scam.
If you are interested in training for your dog as either a Therapy Dog or a Service Dog, contact me at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com
SOME PROMO CODES FOR SPECIAL DEALS
This is a link to some dog product deals. There are only a few, and they change fairly often, but if it is for something you want it is often up to 60% off. Worth checking out periodically! Click here for link.
BarkBox is a monthly subscription for your dog. You sign up and your dog receives a monthly box with 2 innovative toys, 2 all-natural bags of treats, and a chew. You tell them your dog’s size, allergies (if any), and if you want a monthly, 6 month or 12 month subscription.
It’s a great way to find new treats and toys that your dog likes. Variety is the spice of life, right? Price wise, it is definitely cheaper than if you were buying each item individually. For more information you can go to their site byclicking here.
In session in St. George is the Tricks 4 Class. Yes, these clever dogs have taken Tricks 1, 2, and 3. They have earned their AKC Novice Trick Dog, Intermediate Trick Dog, and Advanced Trick Dog titles! It isn’t required to try for titles, but it is kind of fun! This session, they are working toward their Performer Trick Title.
We will be offering a Tricks 1 class at The Woof Center this fall. This class is for dogs wanting to begin their tricks careers. Great fun, and a great way to build your training skills.
If you would like more information you can leave a comment below, or email me directly at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com.
The name has changed to Red Rock Musical Paws, but the club remains the same.
The Kanab Canine Freestyle Club, started by several Freestyle enthusiasts is, as it says, a club. It meets every Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at the park in the Ranchos. As a club, rather than a class, there is no fee. It is a chance for people to meet with their dogs, learn about Freestyle, and practice dancing with their dogs.
Everyone is welcome! No prior experience needed. You don’t even have to really understand what Freestyle is, we’ll teach you. And no attendance commitment. Feel free to come only when you want.
Freestyle is a great way to make a connection with your dog, and learn to better communicate with each other. For the dogs it’s great mental stimulation (hmmm–for me also!). As you are interacting with your dog in a light-hearted way, many dogs develop a greater interest in being trained!
It is also a chance to make some new friends with a mutual interest in dogs.
There is now a Red Rock Musical Paws Facebook page. Check it out, and ask to join if you are interested.
Good Times Dog Training offers several different classes in Kanab and Saint George. When a class is going to be starting it will be posted in either the Classes in Kanab or Classes in St. George sections, depending on where it is being offered. This post is a basic description of the classes often offered.
Feel free to email me at keith@goodtimesdogtraining.com if you have an interest in one of the classes.
Good Manners (Basic Obedience)–This class focuses on the connection between the dog and his handler. Both you and your dog should be having fun, and working happily with each other. Some of the topics covered will be getting and keeping your dog’s attention, greeting politely without jumping, sit, down, come, stay, walk politely on leash.
4 month old pups practice “stay”
Beyond Basics–This takes what you and your dog learned in Good Manners, and strengthens it. Distractions are added for your dog to work around, and some tricks are introduced.
Heeling off leash.
Canine Good Citizen Prep–The Canine Good Citizen Test was developed by the AKC to encourage dog owners to train their dogs to be polite citizens in public. This class is aimed at being prepared for the test.
Tricks
Tricks–Tricks, tricks, tricks! What fun, and what great training for our dogs. Tricks aren’t just party games, but actually greatly increase communication between the dog and handler.
Nosework–Dogs love sniffing out things. This class takes that love and turns it into a fascinating game for you and your dog. It can be working toward competing in the sport of Nosework, or using it as fun and mental stimulation for your dog.
Search
Down To Indicate
Found it!
Freestyle–Dancing with your dog! You don’t have to dance unless you want to, but you and your dog move to music. It is great fun, and builds solid communication between the dancing partners (you and your dog).
I’ll post classes as they are scheduled. Feel free to leave me a comment on what you would like.
