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Listen to a podcast about our classes Read an article on our holistic approach to training Print a flyer and schedule for our Puppy Headstart & Basic Manners classes We Make Training Fun for You and Your Dog!
Puppy HeadstartWhat Our Students Say “I truly loved the opportunity to socialize my young puppy with other dogs around her age. Seeing her progress from the first class, where all she did was hide underneath me, to the final class, at which point she couldn’t wait to play and run with the other puppies was great! Our instructors were very calm and knowledgeable, which instilled confidence in the safety of the class.” B.R.
“Puppy Headstart was worth every penny! Instructors were excellent in their knowledge, patience and supportive nature. They did not make you feel like bad puppy parents but educated and supported your efforts to raise an excellent pet. Thank you very much!” K.F. “I’ve had four previous dogs during my adult life and have learned so much in this puppy class that I didn’t know before.” L.J. This course is designed to help you and your new puppy keep your relationship on a positive track. It is a four week class that includes time for play with other puppies and discussion of the following topics;
This class has open enrollment with a new class starting every week, so give us a call and join the fun. Puppy Headstart is limited to puppies under 16 weeks of age, unless preapproved by the instructor. Actively and wisely socializing a puppy between 8 and 16 weeks of age is as critical to a puppys behavioral health as vaccinations are to their physical health. Click here to listen to an eight-minute podcast where Dr. David Cloutier and Don Hanson discuss this critical issue. The fee for Puppy Headstart is $60.00. If you enroll in Basic Manners at the same time, you will receive a $20 discount on the Basic Manners class.
Level 1: Basic MannersWhat Our Students Say
“My dog learned so much in this class, but more importantly, we learned a lot about being a trainer! Thank you so much for everything you’ve taught us.” J. R. & J.N. “This class was great! A lot of fun for both us and our dog. We look forward to continuing with the level 2 classes.” B.R. “I was glad we could all go as a family and all work together.” J.G. “I really enjoyed the enthusiastic atmosphere of teaching and learning. I felt the goal of teaching my dog was attainable.” L.Z.
Basic Manners is for puppies that have graduated from Puppy Headstart or dogs older than 16 weeks of age that need to learn the basics. The first class is our “Introduction to Dog Behavior and Clicker Training” seminar, a three-hour orientation session for people only. During this session, we will teach you the fundamentals of canine behavior, how your dog learns and communicates, and the fundamentals of dog training using reward-based methods. Each enrollee will receive our comprehensive course handbook “Best Friends for Life.” The remaining seven sessions are 45 to 50 minutes long. We’ll teach you how to train your dog to respond to visual and audible cues for attention, sit, down, come, walking politely, stay, give, take it, and leave it. As the dogs learn these behaviors, we will begin to put them into real world use such as waiting at the door, calm greetings, waiting for the food bowl, and giving up items when requested. Socialization will be strongly encouraged, and specified areas of concern will be addressed. The fee for Basic Manners is $155. Introduction to Dog Behavior & Clicker TrainingThis class is a three-hour seminar for people only. In this course, we will introduce you to the fundamentals of clicker training, canine behavior, and canine communication. Class book and materials are not included, but may be purchased for an additional charge. The fee for this class is $25 without a copy of Best Friends for Life, or $50 with a copy. Introductory Dog Training Schedule of Classes
Please Note: Group training classes are typically not appropriate for fearful, reactive or aggressive dogs. In this setting, they are unlikely to succeed, and there is a high probability that reactive behavior could get worse. Instead, we can help by offering a behavior consultation and/or private training services. If you enroll in a group class, and we determine your dog is overly reactive or disruptive to the class, we will credit the remaining class fees for a behavior consultation or private training. Please contact us for an evaluation, before registering, if you have concerns about your dog's behavior around other dogs or people. To Register Our small classes fill quickly, so register as soon as possible by stopping in or call 207-945-6841 and we will assist you with registration. You may also go to www.greenacreskennel.com, download a registration form and complete it, indicating first and second choices for class dates/times, and mail it to us with payment. Class payment is required at the time of registration. Registration will be confirmed upon payment. You may withdraw from a class and receive a refund (minus a $15 handling fee) anytime up until 14 days before the first class. After that, your registration fee is non-refundable. If you would like to observe a class before registering, call 207-945-6841. |
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“I learned more in the first week than I did in a number of other training classes I’ve taken.”-M.L.
“Thank you for your wonderful programs available at your facility!” B.R.
“This class was really fun. We quickly realized what we could change to promote a well-mannered puppy, and were delighted when it worked. The trainers were so nice and helpful.” J.W.