Improving Pet/Owner Relationships

Through Personalized Training Programs

Registration for the September/October 2010 session

is open

^† These classes require an evaluation for students who have not completed a prior PBH class and been recommended by a PBH instructor to continue.  The evaluations will be held on 9/1/2010 at 6:30 PM for the Wednesday evening Beginner Agility 1 and 7:15 PM for the Advanced Pet Obedience and Obedience Team Building. The Thursday morning Beginner Agility 1 evaluation will be on 9/2 at 9:00 AM.

A minimum of 4 students are required for a class to be held.  Full refunds will be given to students enrolled in PBH classes that are cancelled due to insufficient registration.    If a client withdraws from class before attending, the client will be refunded the tuition fee minus a $25 processing fee. Refunds for withdrawal after classes begin will be prorated and subject to the $25 processing fee.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

Regular Classes

Puppy Primer  This class is for puppies 9-16 weeks old at the start of the class.  Cost of class includes “Puppy Primer” by Brenda Scidmore and Dr. Patricia McConnell.  Rescue puppies receive a 10% discount.  Puppies do not attend the first class

Senior Puppy  This class is for puppies 16- 24 weeks old at the start of the class.  Students who take the Senior Puppy in the session directly following their completion of the Puppy Primer  receive a $25 discount on enrollment.  Rescue puppies receive a 10% discount.  Puppies do not attend the first week of this class.  

Puppy Class – This class is for any puppy under 7 months at the start of class.  Puppies do not attend the first class. Rescue puppies receive a 10% discount.  

Pet Obedience  For dogs of any age and puppies 6 months and older who have NOT completed a PBH Sr. Puppy class.  Dogs do not attend the first class.  Dog and puppies rescued within 6 months of enrollment receive a 10% discount.

Advanced Pet Obedience  This is an advanced obedience class where dog learn to walk nicely around other dogs and people, work on longer stays and build more self-control in distractions.  Price includes a free PBH CGC evaluation.  Students who have not graduated from a PBH Sr. Puppy or Pet Obedience class must come to a free evaluation on Wednesday, 9/1/2010 at 7:15 PM.  Students who wish to ensure a space in this class should send in their registration, waiver and check prior to the test.  Students who take the Adv. Pet Obed  class  in the session directly following their completion of the Sr. Puppy or Pet Obedience class receive a $20 discount on enrollment.

Therapy Dog:  An introduction to the requirements for registration with recognized therapy dog organizations and the types of visitation available to handler/dog team. The focus of this class is on helping the handler/dog team learn how to work successfully in a visitation setting using role play. You will learn to recognize signs of stress in yourself and your dog, and develop effective visitation and communication skills. We will also discuss ways that our dogs assist in the well-being and improvement of the health in the populations we visit. The goal of the class is to help you and your dog prepare for an evaluation with Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International. The first two weeks of class are without dogs. The fee for this class does not include any fees associated with evaluation or registration with a therapy dog organization. Prereq:: Dogs must have passed the CGC test.

Recall Class:  This class will focus on getting a reliable recall in increasing distractions and using many different methods for rewarding your dog.  Prereq:  PBH Sr. Puppy, Pet Obedience or equivalent group obedience class.  Class will meet on 10/2,10/23 and 10/30.

Control Unleashed®:  Developing Focus and Confidence in your dog.  This class will be based on Leslie McDevitt’s book, Control Unleashed® (CU).  The CU program is an innovative training system based on positive techniques designed to teach dogs to relax, focus and work confidently off-leash.  If your dog becomes too excited to focus, has the “zoomies”, would rather sniff when you are trying to work with her, or  becomes stressed and shut down, then this class is for you.  Through the CU training protocols, we will give you the tools you need to create confidence and focus in your dog while deepening your connection to him. Class is NOT for reactive dogs who can not be in a group environment with other dogs or people without lunging and barking.

Beginner Agility 1:  In this class students will learn how to cue the dog to move and turn off-leash and introduce agility obstacles.   Prereq:  Completion of PBH Advanced Obedience class or comparable skills demonstrated at the free evaluation on Wednesday 9/1/2010 at 6:30 PM.  The Sport Foundation class is highly recommended prior to this class for new dog/handler teams and those with distractible dogs.  Click here for a description of the skills required.

Tricks:  Tricks are a great way to enhance your relationship with your best friend! Become a skillful clicker trainer as you capture and shape a wide variety of tricks that will entertain you, your dog, and your friends.  Trick training will help your dog “learn to learn”, to be creative, and to build confidence.  If you have a competition dog, tricks will provide ringside fun, focus, and stress reduction for dog and handler. The first class will be orientation to clicker techniques without dogs, and you’ll receive a training packet and clicker. Prerequisites: Senior Puppy or Pet Obedience class or equivalent; Basic obedience (Sit, Down, Come, attention to handler). Dogs do not attend the first class. 

Sport Foundations  – (any age over 6 months) In this class we will work on attention exercises in distractions, teaching your dog to play with you, finding what your dog loves and using it for training, switching between drive and relaxation, focus in drive, obstacle/jump training (if appropriate for the dog), handling moves, stays and retrieves, and many more exercises designed to create a great sport dog. Prerequisite: Dog must know, sit, down, come, watch and attention and handler must know how to use a marker word or clicker.

Flyball – This class will cover both beginner and intermediate flyball exercises including jumping and box turns.  No experience required however dogs must be at least 1 year old and have basic obedience training. 

Advanced Flyball – This class will cover intermediate/advanced flyball exercises.  Permission of instructor required. 

Obedience Team Building -  In this class you will learn the basics competition obedience such as attention heeling,  position and turns.  This is also a great class for people who want to work more on getting their dog’s attention in distractions. Students who have not graduated from a PBH CGC or Advanced Pet Obedience class must come to a free evaluation on Wednesday 9/1/2010 at 7:15 PM.   Students who wish to ensure a space in this class should send in their registration, waiver and check prior to the test.

Advanced / Excellent Rally Obedience   In this class you will learn all of the Advanced/Excellent Rally obedience moves and practice courses. Students who have not graduated from a PBH Team Building class or who do not have an RN must come to a free evaluation on Wednesday 9/1/2010 at 7:15 PM.   Students who wish to ensure a space in this class should send in their registration, waiver and check prior to the test. 

Masters Sequences – In this class students will practice the skills needed for successful competition at the highest levels of the sport.  Students should be trialing at the Excellent B or Masters level or have permission of the instructor to take the class.  Note: Melanie may need to travel during the session, so please be aware that class may be cancelled and make-ups scheduled.

Novice/Open Sequences In this class students will practice the skills needed for successful competition at the Advanced level of the sport.  Students should be trialing successfully or have permission of the instructor to take this class.  Note: Melanie may need to travel during the session, so please be aware that class may be cancelled and make-ups scheduled.

Agility Focus and Motivation Stations – Class will focus on improving teamwork and relationship between dog and handler, while sprinkling in bits of agility equipment as well.  Dog/handler teams are paired up at multiple stations working amidst distractions.  Multiple levels of challenges are offered. Appropriate for young dogs early in training and/or seasoned dogs looking to improve. Prerequisite: Familiarity with agility, basic obedience and permission of instructor. Note: Melanie may need to travel during the session, so please be aware that class may be cancelled and make-ups scheduled.  

Agility Training Group – This class is for experienced handlers who are bringing up a new dog in agility.  Class will be designed around the needs of each dog/handler team at the intermediate level.  Prerequisite:  Handler must have a dog with an Excellent, Masters or Elite title and permission of instructor.

Jumping Style:   This class will focus on improving your dog’s jumping technique and will include single jump work and grids.  Practice between classes is required.

Jumps and Tunnels –  Sequences of jumps and tunnels appropriate for all levels.   Note: Melanie may need to travel during the session, so please be aware that class may be cancelled and make-ups scheduled.

New Agility Students:  Any new student with prior agility experience must schedule a free evaluation to be placed into an appropriate class.  Contact Valerie to schedule an appointment.

How to register

Field Practice Application

Students who have completed at least one session of Intermediate Agility 1 or above and are currently enrolled in PBH classes have the option to purchase a field practice pass as follows:

1. Session passes cost $30 per session for PBH students and $15 per session for active PBH Assistants.  Annual passes are available for $150 dollars or $75 for active PBH Assistants. Active PBH instructors have free use of the field for practice during practice hours.  
2. Practice hours are 8:00AM to dusk when the field is not in use for other PBH activities.  Check the PBH Calendar for field availability.
3. If you arrive and someone else is already using the field, they have 30 minutes to finish before turning the field over to you. Sharing the field is done by mutual consent only.  Never enter the field without permission when someone else is using it.
4. If you move equipment during practice, you must put it back how you found it before you leave.  Use extra jump bars to mark the location of jumps or other obstacles so that they can be replaced exactly as you found them when you leave.  Targets should be returned to the basket or under each end of the A-frame and dog walk.  The A-frame should be left at competition height (black marker) and the height of the dog walk should not be changed for practice.  Any equipment that is not in use may be used for practice but should be moved off the field before you leave.    Failure to follow this rule will result in the restriction or elimination of field practice.
5. You must fill out a field pass agreement to be eligible for this privilege.

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Last modified: 09/16/08