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Classes

Along with running Rescue Behavior Help, I provide a variety of classes, primarily at the Arizona Humane Society.

These classes are for everyone, but exist to meet the goals of rescue dogs and their adopters as well as rescue volunteers, fosters and professionals.

Contact me to determine if a class would meet your needs. A combination of RBH services and classes may be an appropriate plan to meet your needs.

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  • I provide 2 workshops on canine behavior ('Rescue Rover' and 'Resolving Behavior Problems' - see descriptions below) 

 

  • I also provide classes on dog reactivity ('Reactive Rover' - see description below)
     

  • I provide a "dog-less" Basics class, where you may join the class without your dog so you may learn with the students, but your shy dog doesn't need to come.

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  • I am a Certified AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC S.T.A.R Puppy instructor, and APDT C.L.A.S.S. Instructor. These classes are designed to train from puppy to adulthood and provides all the necessary training to accomplish AKC Certifications, Therapy Dog Titles and the groundwork for service dog and sports training.

    CLASS DESCRIPTIONS:

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C.L.A.S.S. FOR ADULT DOGS (Canine Good Citizen Prep Courses) Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S) - For Adult Dogs - 6 week course This course is for adult dogs past 1 year old. The Canine Life and Social Skills course was designed by Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and has 4 levels: PUPPY CLASS = High School or H.S. BASIC = B.A. For Adult Dogs INTERMEDIATE = M.A. For Adult Dogs ADVANCED = Ph.D For Adult Dogs Teaches dogs practical, real-life skills and manners through positive reinforcement. Each level is compatible with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Prep. You’ll earn an APDT C.L.A.S.S. certificate on each level completed and have an opportunity to test for the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification at the end of the Adult Courses.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CERTIFICATION  From the AKC website: ​ What is Canine Good Citizen (CGC)? At the AKC, we believe that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners, all it takes is a little bit of training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise along the way. That’s why we created the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program: an expert-made training program designed to help you and your dog be the best you can be–together. Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners. Benefits of CGC: By training in CGC, you and your dog will deepen your bond and become a more connected team. Not only will you and your dog learn the basics of dog training and master skills like sit, down, and stay, but your dog will become a welcomed community member when out in public. The CGC title is a prerequisite for many therapy dog certifications, as well as a great introduction to more advanced dog sports and activities. ​

C.L.A.S.S. FOR PUPPIES Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S) for Puppies - 6 week course This course is for puppies up to 1 year old. The Canine Life and Social Skills course was designed by Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) and has 4 levels: PUPPY CLASS = High School or H.S. BASIC = B.A. For Adult Dogs INTERMEDIATE = M.A. For Adult Dogs ADVANCED = Ph.D For Adult Dogs Teaches dogs practical, real-life skills and manners through positive reinforcement. Each level is compatible with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Prep. You’ll earn an APDT C.L.A.S.S. certificate on each level completed and have an opportunity to test for the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification at the end of the Adult Courses.

AKC S.T.A.R. PUPPY PROGRAM About AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program: Your instructor will administer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test at the end of the course. Upon passing the test, you’ll get an application to send to AKC for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. All dogs are welcome to participate in the program including purebreds and mixed breeds. Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal. You and your puppy will be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can continue learning, you’ll receive our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that includes: A beautiful, frameable certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC Ongoing Monthly Email Newsletter: Your AKC. This includes training tips and up-to-date information every dog owner needs to know. We want you and your puppy to continue learning beyond puppy classes.

REACTIVE ROVER This 5-week-class is designed to give you tools and techniques to get your dog focused on you rather than barking, pulling or lunging at other dogs. You and your dog will work behind visual barriers to reduce distractions. This class is not appropriate for dogs who only exhibit aggression toward other dogs while off-leash, or who exhibit aggression toward people.

RESCUE ROVER seminar/workshop – 3 weeks -A rescued dog may need special guidance and time to cope with their new surroundings. Some may have been abandoned, seized by authorities for neglect or abuse, or found stray with no known background. This workshop is for the heroes who’ve adopted them. In this workshop, you’ll learn about creating a safe space for your new family member where they can thrive, what type of needs they may have for those first 3 crucial months, and how behavior issues are resolved, such as fearfulness, separation anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity, excessive barking, aggression, destructiveness, counter surfing, jumping up, and biting. We will discuss behavioral enrichment and meeting their physical, social, and cognitive needs. This workshop meets for 1 hour for 3 weeks to give you opportunities to apply and practice at home what you've learned, then come back and discuss as a group

RESOLVING BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS seminar/workshop - 3 weeks This workshop is for dog parents trying to resolve behavior problems such as aggression, fear, separation anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity, excessive barking, destructiveness, counter surfing, jumping up, and biting. We will discuss how a professional behavior specialist investigates behavior issues and determines the best course of action for resolving the problem. Sometimes there are medical issues, husbandry needs, physical, social, or cognitive needs, enrichment, training, or behavior modification requirements. You’ll learn about each of these and discuss as a group. This workshop meets for 1 hour for 3 weeks to give you opportunities to apply and practice at home what you've learned.

ADULT BASICS (with or without your dog) - 4 weeks Dog-less Dog Class If you feel your dog is not a candidate for Adult Basics dog class (too nervous, reactive or rambunctious) and still needs the basics, you can now join the class without him and teach him at home! Learn all of the skills while you watch other students with their dogs, then use your new skills with your own dog at home each week, just like the other students. This is a great class to pair with ‘Reactive Rover’, ‘Resolving Behavior Problems’ or ‘Rescue Rover’. We will learn sit, down, stand, target training, stay, come, leave it, loose leash walking and getting focus.

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