Class Descriptions

Basic Classes

• Junior Puppy Kindergarten
  PUPPIES 8 WEEKS TO 16 WEEKS OLD AT THE START OF CLASS (7 weeks/1 hour) This special class gives young puppies and their owners a head start on their new life together. Introduces basic skills and the importance of proper management of mouthing, housetraining, and socialization. Basic skills such as paying attention, sit, down, coming when called, and how to walk on leash are introduced. A great class for "first time" puppy parents.
• Senior Puppy Kindergarten
  PUPPIES 4 MONTHS TO 7 MONTHS OLD (7 weeks/1 hour) An introductory class for positive training and behavior management for older puppies. This class introduces the basic skills of paying attention, sit, down, stay, come and how to walk on a leash. Emphasis is placed on proper management of problem behaviors such as mouthing, housetraining, and socialization.
• Family Dog 1
  FOR DOGS 7 MONTHS OF AGE OR OLDER WITH NO FORMAL TRAINING, OR GRADUATES OF JUNIOR/SENIOR PUPPY KINDERGARTEN. (7 weeks/1 hour) An introductory class for positive training and behavior management for any dog. Handlers will learn the basics of learning theory and proper use of training techniques. We will show you how to teach your dog to pay attention, sit, down, stay, come, and walk on a leash.
• Family Dog 2
  FOR GRADUATES OF JUNIOR OR SENIOR PUPPY OR FAMILY DOG 1. (7 weeks/1 hour) Family Dog 2 will expand on the exercises of Puppy classes and Family Dog 1, and introduce new elements such as wait, leave it, place, stand, catch, recalls and loose leash walking with distractions.
• Family Dog 3 
  PRERQUISITE:  MUST HAVE TAKEN FAMILY DOG 2.  This class will continue to work on and strengthen obedience work with special attention on focus and heeling.  Some Pre-agility and Rally-O excercise will be incorporated.
• Canine Good Citizen
  PREREQUISITE: MUST HAVE TAKEN FAMILY DOG 2. (7 weeks/1 hour) This class prepares
  the companion and family dog to take the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test.   This test requires that your dog can be approached by a friendly stranger; be left alone with a friendly stranger; be able to sit, down, stay, recall, and leash walk in a distracting environment; and calmly meet a person with a strange dog.
• Tricks and Games
  For graduates of Family Dog 1 or Senior Puppy. This class is
  designed to help you and your dog continue to build a positive relationship! We
  will describe methods including luring, targeting, and shaping to train tricks
  such as spin, shake, gimme ten, and find my keys! We will also discuss ways to
  teach your dog how to play fetch and tug. This class is perfect for anyone who
  wants to learn fun ways to exercise their dog’s mind and body!

Specialty Classes

• Drill Team 1/Freestyle 1
  FOR GRADUATES OF FAMILY DOG 2 OR CGC OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. This class prepares students for Drill Team 2 or Freestyle 2. Handlers and their dogs will learn the basic freestyle moves including spins, parallel moves, and heeling, as well as how to work as a team, through learning basic parade moves and a simple choreographed team freestyle routine. The APS Drill Team performs choreographed routines to music and participates in local parades and national competitions.
• Drill Team 2
  FOR GRADUATES OF DRILL TEAM 1 OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. This class is devoted to advanced team work and preparation for community demonstrations and competitions. Dogs must be able to work easily and happily in close proximity with other dogs. There is no charge for this class, but you must be willing to travel and participate in the majority of demonstrations and parades and purchase a t-shirt.
• Freestyle 2
  PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR IS REQUIRED TO ENTER INTO THIS CLASS. Dogs should heel at the Novice Obedience Level (either on /off leash), know fronts, finishes, have a good recall, and the handler must have good control over the dog off leash. This class introduces the students to the fundamentals of Canine Freestyle, a dynamic new sport that incorporates individual handler/dog team obedience routines to music. The class focuses on perfecting freestyle moves, and heeling. Students learn how to (and are expected to) choreograph their own routine and are encouraged to participate in Canine Freestyle competitions and community demonstrations.
• Flyball
  FOR GRADUATES OF FAMILY DOG 1 OR BY PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. Team relay for the ball-crazy or athletic dog. To learn more, go check out the North American Flyball Association Homepage.
• Breed Handling Class
  If you are new to the world of dog shows, learn how to present your dog for conformation competition. Or if you are an experienced handler, bring your new puppies and dogs for practice and socialization. The class will cover gaiting – with a group and individually, setting your dog up for the judge (stacking), teaching your dog to pose on its own (free baiting), and socializing your dog for the judges’ examination. Dogs must be at least 3 months old and used to a leash. They also must be up to date on vaccinations.
• Introduction to Competition Obedience
  FOR GRADUATES OF PUPPY CLASS, FAMILY DOG 1, OR BY PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. This class introduces the elements of obedience competition and emphasizes relationship building and learning to work as a dog/handler team. The class will include introduction to Novice exercises. Focus will be on motivation and confidence building.
• Competition Obedience
  BY PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. This class will focus on ring preparation for Novice and introduction to Open exercises. It will continue to emphasize relationship building and the development of a competition team.
• Rally-O
  FOR GRADUATES OF FAMILY DOG 2 OR CGC OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. (7 weeks/1 hour) This class is designed for handlers and dogs that want to continue to work on basic skills and incorporate fun, movement, and challenges. Rally-O is an exciting new dog sport that blends elements of obedience and agility in an interactive way. Dog/handler teams complete a series of command obstacles set up in a course. A great way to build teamwork and confidence!
• Really Reliable Recall:
  For graduates of puppy classes or family dog 1. This class is designed for those of us that want our dog to come when called, EVERY TIME! Come to this class to teach your dog this life-saving skill and have a lot of fun besides!
• Really Reliable Recall 2
  The prerequisite for this class is the successfull completion of Really Relaible Recall 1.  Distance, location and distraction work will be emphasized and the class will be working exclusively outdoors (dress accordingly!). Owner/handlers will be responsibe for the safety of their dogs at all times. Instructors will be asking students to purchase their own long lines and they will advise on the type and length at the first class session.
• Therapy Dog Class:
  For dog and handler teams that have achieved their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title and are ready for the next step! This class is designed to prepare dogs and handlers to be evaluated by organizations that facilitate animal assisted therapy and animal assisted activities. Dog-handler teams that pass the evaluation process are then able to help others by visiting places such as hospitals, nursing homes, and long term care facilities.

APS Agility Program

Agility is an exciting sport that requires handlers and dogs to work together as a team to complete courses of obstacles. Dogs in agility classes must be able to work closely with other dogs, be under solid control, and pass an Agility Entrance Skills Test prior to registration. Please call Ali Johnson at 919-304-2300, ext. 233, to make an appointment for testing.

• Preagility
  FOR DOGS 9 MONTHS AND OLDER THAT HAVE PASSED THE AGILITY ENTRANCE SKILLS TEST. This class provides a solid foundation for moving into agility. Skills that are covered include on- and off-leash handling, working on right and left sides, recalls, and targeting. The goal of the class is for the handler and dog to learn to move together as well as independently. Outside work is limited.
• Agility 1
  FOR DOGS OVER 12 MONTHS THAT HAVE PASSED INTRODUCTION TO AGILITY. This class builds on the skills established in Preagility. Dogs are introduced to agility equipment, jumping, and handling basics. Students will work towards safely performing on equipment with proper handling. Class is held indoors and outdoors.
• Agility 2
  FOR DOGS OVER 12 MONTHS THAT HAVE PASSED AGILITY 1. This class continues to introduce dogs to equipment, jumping and handling basics. Students will work towards safely performing on equipment and completing a sequence of obstacles. Class is held indoors and outdoors.
• Agility 3
  FOR DOGS OVER 12 MONTHS THAT HAVE PASSED AGILITY 2. Dogs and handlers experience agility field work while working on handling skills. Students will work towards safely performing on equipment and completing a sequence of obstacles. Class is held outdoors.
• Agility Run-throughs
  A novice NADAC, AKC or USDAA course will be presented each week. Participants will help build the courses and then be given the opportunity to walk the courses and discuss them before running them with their dogs. The instructor will be available for assistance with individual training issues. Minimum requirement: Completion of one session of Agility 3 or equivalent. Teams need not be proficient at full height but should have working experience on all obstacles.

Private lessons are available; Please Call the Dog Training Program Manager at 919-304-2300, ext. 233.

If you have questions about the Dog Training Program, registering for an upcoming class, or the Dog Park , please call Sharon Ashe, APS Dog Training Manager at (919) 304-2300 ext 233, or email dogtraining@animalprotectionsociety.org