Fairfax County obedience classes...

Classes will no longer be held at the Frying Pan Park site after September 16, 2010.  Information will be posted when a new location is found for Fairfax County classes.

Training semesters are held in January, April, July and October at Frying Pan Park (FPP) on Thursday nights only.  Each class is an hour long and take place between 7 and 9 pm. No weekend classes are offered.

Classes posted are for the current semester. Descriptions are listed below outlining the specifics of each class. DGOTC rents Frying Pan Farm Park to hold the classes; depending on the season, classes are held outdoors on the grass or indoors in the Equestrian Barn.

Winter registration has begun. Click here to see what's offered.

Introduction

Obedience is excellent for helping to build a positive handler-dog bond and confidence in dogs. It is also a great way to raise a happy dog welcomed by the community; a well trained dog is a happy dog. Our strong belief and philosophy is that obedience training should be accomplished using exclusively positive reinforcement techniques. You will need plenty of motivational treats or toys for the dog!

Expectations To Be Held During Class

Dogs enrolled in obedience classes must be on a flat collar. It is the responsibility of handlers to ensure that their dog does not enter the space of another dog. During class, only flat collars and leads, or slip leashes, are acceptable (no choke or other training collars, and no tags). Reckless or unsafe handling of dogs as well as excessively harsh treatment of dogs is prohibited and may result in dismissal from class.

Bitches in season are not allowed in obedience classes; and it is recommended that they not be on the premises.

Junior Handlers

Children under age 18 may handle a dog in class at the discretion of the instructors, but a parent or guardian must be present at all times. Children not in the class are not allowed in the training area and must be supervised by an adult. Children under the age of 13 are not permitted to handle a dog in Puppy K and are to watch only.

Day of Class

We advise you to bring fresh water for your dog, a towel to wipe off dusty dog feet after class, and bags to pick up after your dog.

The barn is unheated and dusty. Please dress appropriately. Please walk your dog in the grassy areas outside the barn prior to class and dispose of the waste properly in one of the trash receptacles.

To register, submit a Registration Packet to include items 1-3:

1. Complete a DGOTC class registration form (You will need Adobe Acrobat to download this form. To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat, click here)
2. Enclose a copy of the dog's current shot records (required each semester)
3. Enclose a check made out to DGOTC for the amount indicated for your selected class.
4. Mail complete Registration Packet to be rostered to: 

DGOTC Fairfax Field Secretary - FPP
157 Lambert Drive
Manassas Park, Va 20111
571-292-2446

Questions about getting into a class? Ask April at dgotclub@yahoo.com.

DGOTC Members always take preference. For all others, registration is first come, first rostered, and is processed once items 1-3 are received.

Summer 2010 - Obedience Classes
Frying Pan Park

Class Dates: July 15, 22, 29, August 12, 19, 26, September 2, 9, 16
(Classes will start on July 15 and continue until their 6- or 8-week session is completed. Make-ups for cancellations will be held subsequently on the dates indicated, as needed.)

Click on class title for a description of the class

All classes subject to instructor availability.

DGOTC Class Descriptions

Note that not all classes are offered in all quarters.

Puppy Kindergarten

When course begins, puppies must be 2-6 months of age. Puppy must have had second DHLPP vaccine before attending class. Focus on positive training methods and socialization of puppies with dogs, children and adults. Class covers teaching "Good Doggee Manners" and introduction to basic commands as well as discussion of prevention and solutions to common problems. Training includes use of treats as lures and rewards. All family/household members are encouraged to attend. Children are not permitted to handle dog during class; they may watch only. Only flat buckle/quick release collars are to be used in class and all dogs must be on a 6 foot leash. First class is without puppies.

Advanced Puppy Good Manners

This class is for puppies/young dogs ages 5 to 10 months who would like to continue with human and canine socialization training as well as learn basic obedience using positive motivation.  Training methods include use of treats as lures and rewards. All dogs must be on a 6 foot leash, and non-aggressive toward dogs.

Basic Obedience

For puppies/dogs 6 months or older who have had little or no previous formal training other than a puppy class (puppy class is not a prerequisite.) This class is a great start to building a stronger relationship between dogs and handlers. Exercises taught include walk/heel on a loose lead, come, sit, stand, lie down, and stay. All exercises are performed in a group situation training dogs to work among people and other dogs. Prevention and solutions to common problems will be discussed. Positive reinforcement training methods encouraged. Instructors advise handlers on proper use of various types of collars.

Basic Clicker Obedience

Do you wish there was a better way to communicate with your dog and make training fun? This class will teach you to use clicker training, a totally positive method, to build and reinforce good behaviors. Using these simple techniques, you will teach your dog to enjoy learning and to enthusiastically offer desired behaviors. This is a class for dogs 6 months or older at any level of training. This class is strongly recommended for anyone interested in pursuing performance sports such as agility. Daily practice is recommended for success.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

This class is for dogs of any age (puppy or mature dogs) and is geared to prepare handler/dog teams for AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Test.  Focus will be on the following exercises: walking on a loose lead, recalls, stays, manners while being petted/ groomed and during a supervised separation from the handler, and reaction to both human and canine distractions. The Canine Good Citizen Test will be offered at the conclusion of the session. This class is recommended for puppies or dogs that have previously successfully completed puppy kindergarten or basic obedience, or with approval by the instructor.
See the AKC site for more info on their Canine Good Citizen program.

Introduction to Competitive Dog Training (Rally & Sub-Novice/Novice)

This class is for handler/dog teams that have successfully completed basic obedience and would like to move on to learn new skills, improve obedience in terms of duration, accuracy, focus around distractions, and enhance handler/dog bonding.  With use of positive/reward-based training methods, handler/dog teams will be introduced to criteria for the competitive AKC Companion Dog title and the AKC Rally-O title.  Dogs entering this class should be able to maintain short sit-stays and down-stays at the end of a six foot lead, perform a long distance on-lead recall, on-lead stand or sit for examination, and be controllable while heeling that includes regularly performing automatic sits. Recommended that a single handler work with the dog through the entire session.

Intermediate Competitive Dog Training (Novice & Open)

This class is geared for handler/dog teams that are familiar with the AKC Companion Dog title exercises and are in the process of proofing or preparing for trial. Dogs should be able to maintain focus on their handler throughout and have a strong stay. Depending on proficiency levels, exercises for the AKC Companion Dog Excellent title will also be introduced include dumbbell retrieving, broad jump, drop-on-recall, and three minute and five minute stays. It is expected that handler/dog teams may stay at this level for several sessions.

Advanced Competitive Dog Training (Utility)

This class is for dog/handler teams preparing for the AKC Utility Dog title.

Rally-O

Rally is a relatively new and fun sport in which the handler and dog completed a course comprised of 10 to 20 stations - each station has a sign indicating the exercise to be performed. The team move at their own pace through the course. Dogs entering Rally Obedience should have successfully completed a Basic Obedience or Sub-Novice Class, being able to maintain short sit-stays, down-stays, and recalls on-lead. Dog should be controllable and able to focus while heeling and regularly performing automatic sits. Introduction to criteria for competitive AKC Rally will be discussed.

Conformation Handling

Conformation handling is the art of making your purebred look its best in the breed ring. Topics covered include ring procedure, hand stacking, free stacking, gaiting, how to present YOUR dog to its best advantage, and tools for conformation.