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Training Calendar

Canine Crime Scene Investigation Course   more info

Dog Training
At the Paws4Ever Learning Center, Dog Training Manager Julie Jenkins, and more than 55 experienced and committed volunteers, teach group classes and occasional one-on-one training in everything from basic lifeskills to agility. Our courses are taught at the Paws4Ever Learning Center at 6311-B Nicks Road. Many of our group classes are taught in 7 weeks and we have 4 sessions a year

  • Winter (starting in mid January)
  • Spring (starting in mid March)
  • Summer (starting in mid June)
  • Fall (starting in mid September)

Paws4Ever offers ongoing classes such as Adult and Puppy Lifeskills on Saturday, Breed Handling on Wednesday, and Disc Dog on Thursday. We also offer intersession bonus workshops, classes, and events.

  • Contact:
  • Julie Jenkins, Dog Training Manager
  • 919-304-2300 x 233
  • email: dogtraining at paws4ever dot org

Summer 2010
Classes start the week of June 7 unless otherwise indicated.
All Obedience classes are $90 for 7 weeks (ongoing classes have different prices). For Jr. Puppy, Senior Puppy, Family Dog 1, Family Dog Sampler & Finding Focus please come to the first night of class without your dog.


Junior Puppy Tuesday   6:00 pm Suzy Armstrong
Senior Puppy Monday   6:00 pm Sylvana Smith
Senior Puppy Wednesday   6:30 pm Judy Ortiz
Family Dog 1 Tuesday   11:00 am Amanda Liston
Family Dog 1 Thursday   7:45 pm Dean Edwards
Really Reliable Recall Monday   6:45 pm Cindy Lee
Family Dog 2 Tuesday   7:30 pm Lisa Rowden
Family Dog 2 Thursday   11:15 am Jenn Merritt
Family Dog Sampler Thursday   10:00 am Chris O’Connor
Canine Good Citizen Thursday   6:30 pm Penny Leigh
Happy Heeling Tuesday   7:15 pm Jeanine Brown
Finding Fido's Focus * Wednesday   7:15 pm Julie Jenkins / Eric Fish
Loose Leash Walking ** Wednesday   7:15 pm Eric Fish
Breed Handling (ongoing) Wednesday   8:00 pm Dale McElrath
Lifeskills Adult (ongoing) Saturday   9:30 am Eric Fish & Dan Nerl
Lifeskills Puppy (ongoing) Saturday   11:00 am Eric Fish & Dan Nerl
Agility Classes
Foundation Agility Thursday   6:15 pm Julie Jenkins
Obstacle Skills Thursday   6:30 pm Dean Edwards
Contacts & Weaves 1 Monday   6:15 pm Julie Jenkins
Contacts & Weaves 2 Monday   7:15 pm Julie Jenkins
Handling Skills Thursday   7:45 pm Penny Leigh
CPE Games Wednesday   7:30 pm Jennie & Jay Jones
Novice Competition Tuesday   6:15 pm Julie Jenkins
Novice Competition Wednesday   6:15 pm Julie Jenkins
Advanced Competition Tuesday   7:30 pm Julie Jenkins

* 90 minute class, June 2, June 16, June 30, July 7, July 21
** 90 minute class, June 9, June 23, July 14, July 28

Lifeskills Classes with Eric Fish
Lifeskills is an ongoing class given on Saturdays that is offered FREE for anyone adopting a dog from the APS of Orange County. The class is open to all other dogs if room is available. The classes are ongoing so that new adopters do not have to wait 4 to 12 weeks for a new class session to start. Paws4Ever recognizes the need to get dogs into classes as soon as possible to help them transition into their new homes. We want to provide dogs and their new owners with as much support as possible.

  • $50 for 4 classes plus an orientation
  • Lifeskills Orientation Saturdays before class starts, please come without your dog
  • Adult Lifeskills (older than 5 months) 9:30am-10:30am ORIENTATION 9:15
  • Puppy Lifeskills (younger than 5 months) 11:00am-12:00pm ORIENTATION 10:45
  • to reserve a spot, call or email Julie Jenkins at (919) 304-2300 ext 233 or dogtraining at paws4ever dot org

Breed Handling with Dale McElrath
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00pm $5 per class

A drop-in style class appropriate for dogs with show ring aspirations. Our instructor, Dale McElrath has over 20 years experience exhibiting dogs in AKC and UKC conformation with great success. Learn how to present your dog to his best advantage in the show ring. Teach your dog to bait, stack and gait properly and also accept examinations by a judge.
Please bring proof of rabies, puppies must have at least 2 rounds of parvo/distemper to attend class


Course Descriptions: Basic Classes

Basic JUNIOR PUPPY KINDERGARTEN
For puppies 8-16 weeks at the time that classes start(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
For puppies 4-7 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 old or older with no formal training or graduates of puppy kindergarten classes (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 Kindergarten 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 Sampler
This is a course where dogs and their handlers will have the   opportunity to try out in a fun, non-competitive environment, some dog   sports.  The first class will teach you how to begin shaping your   dog's behavior.  Then two weeks will be spent on Agility, two on Tricks, one on Nose Work, and one on Rally Obedience.  This is a wonderful way   to build on your relationship with your dog and have a great time in   the process.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN
For graduates of 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.


Course Descriptions: Specialty Classes

Specialty DRILL TEAM
FOR GRADUATES OF FAMILY DOG 2 OR CGC OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. This class prepares students for Drill Team 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. The drill team accepts new members in January (winter session) and September (Fall Session).

BEGINNING CANINE FREESTYLE
PREREQUISITE: MUST HAVE TAKEN FAMILY DOG 2. Dogs must also have good off leash heeling skills. Canine Freestyle is doing heeling and obedience work with your dog as a routine to music. This class will teach Canine Freestyle Federation style of Freestyle. For more information please visit: www.canine-freestyle.org

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!

Intro to Rally
For graduates of Family Dog 2. Dog and Handler teams will learn to navigate courses with numbered signs indicating different obedience exercises to perform, including combinations of heeling, sit, down, stand, various turns, spirals and more. The goals of the class are to promote positive relationships between dogs and owners based on trust and mutual respect, and for both dog and handler to have fun in the ring!

Intermediate Rally
This class will expand on student’s knowledge and skill with Rally Obedience. Sharpen your dog’s skills and your own at executing the different rally stations individually and in sequences. Intro to Rally or the equivalent is a prerequisite.

Family Dog 2/TTouch
[Spring Session '09: Tues 11-12 with instructor Jenn Merritt]
(Class will be filmed.) This class will work at the Family Dog 2 level on many of the same skills that are taught in our traditional Family Dog 2 classes: Heeling, Stay, Go to Your Mat, Attention, Leave it. TTouch methods will be incorporated into the training and the instructor will be filming the class. For more information on TTouch, please visit www.TTouch.com or attend the TTouch demonstration and fundraiser here at the Paws4Ever Learning Center on Sat Feb 28th from 9-11:00am.

All-Star Tricks
PREREQUISITE: For graduates of Junior Puppy, Senior Puppy, or Family Dog 1. One of the best ways to strengthen the bond between owner and dog is continuing to train new behaviors. Our tricks class will focus on understanding positive training techniques like shaping, targeting and capturing. Learning tricks helps your dog learn body control and keeps their mind actively engaged. Go beyond the basics like roll-over and teach unique tricks that will keep you and your dog totally entertained.

Disc Dog
For dogs who love to retrieve! Learn the basics of canine disc play including building retrieve drive, dropping on command, and speedy returns. Humans will learn the rules of safe disc play, proper throwing technique, and the foundations for freestyle disc work.

Finding Fido's Focus
PREREQUISITE: The book Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt is required reading before starting this class. The purpose of this class is to teach dogs and handlers relaxation and confidence in the face of distractions. This program is perfect for dogs who are easily distracted, become overly aroused, become anxious and shut down, or have trouble controlling their impulses. Pre-approval from instructor is required to take this class.

Finding Focus 2
This class is for teams well versed the principles of the Control Unleashed® training program. Handlers should be comfortable using CU training games and dogs should be able to perform “go to place,” “look at that,” and conditioned relaxation exercises. This class provides a safe, structured environment to build on CU fundamentals with the goal of making dogs more confident and focused in the midst of stressors and distractions. Bring a mat to class. Required reading Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt (available at our dog training store)

Happy Heeling
For graduates of Family Dog 2 and/or Canine Good Citizen. The instructor will teach you the basics of heeling with your dog in a fun and supportive atmosphere with plenty of individual attention. Heeling is defined as dog walking next to you with attention. Loose leash heeling is also covered (dog walks on leash without pulling, but to a lesser extent). Once heeling is taught, other moves (turns, etc) are incorporated and the heeling and other moves are then done with music. This class is a good foundation class for almost all dog sports, including obedience, rally, freestyle, etc. The class is taught using clicker training/choose to heelˇ method, so a good working knowledge of using a clicker/or a word to mark behavior is required. All dogs must be able to work off leash (one at a time), and not have aggression issues with other people or dogs.

Therapy Dog
PREREQUISITE: Dogs must have passed the CGC test.  This class will introduce handlers to the requirements for registration with recognized therapy dog organizations and types of therapeutic modalities with visiting dogs. Emphasis will be on helping the handler/dog team learn to work together successfully in a social setting (with role playing in class), develop effective visiting skills, recognizing signs of stress (in human and dog), and understanding the ethical and relational obligations to our dogs while engaged in animal-enhanced programs. Instructors will help class members prepare for an evaluation with Delta Society or Therapy Dogs International. First two weeks of class are without dogs (lecture, video and discussion). Fee for this class does not include any fees associated with evaluation or registration with a therapy dog organization.

Little League Tricks
PREREQUISITE: Junior Puppy, Senior Puppy or Family Dog 1. Learn fun tricks like Shake, Crawl, Beg, Speak and Spin from start to finish. Handlers will learn to teach new behaviors with a variety of training methods, starting out simply and advancing to more complex training skills as the course continues. Training tricks is a wonderful, fun way to engage your dog’s mind and strengthen his body. Impressing your family and friends is an added bonus!

Positively Fetching
PREREQUISITE: completion of any basic obedience/manners class. Ever wanted to have a dog who would fetch your slippers? Or the remote? Or your keys? Or do you just want your dog to bring the ball to your hand every time? Have fun in this class learning to fetch articles, pick up, and bring items to your hand.  We will be using the clicker to teach these things and will have loads of fun!  Whether you plan to use retrieving for fun or sports come join us to find ways to impress your friends when your dog can fetch things for you!

Competition Obedience Skills
PREREQUISITE: Family Dog 2. Obedience can be fun! Reinforce your dog's basic obedience skills
through games and distraction proofing and learn more advanced obedience
skills, including formal heeling, fronts, finishes, jumping and
retrieving.

Tracking and Trailing
This is a class for those who wish to be outdoors with their dog and learn the basics of tracking and trailing. Your dog naturally tracks and we will get him started following a scent that you present. First we get him to put his nose to the ground and track methodically, then we move to trailing and air scenting to follow a source. Its all about trusting your dogs nose and having fun in the chase. Giving him a job following a scent is what he does best. Your dog will amaze you and he will feel your pride! Most any healthy dog can do this with the exception of very short muzzled dogs. The class is limited to four dogs and it is a six session course. A well fitting tracking harness is required for the dogs comfort (harnesses available at our dog training store). Bring bits of cheese or hot dog and a favorite toy that gets him excited.


Agility Program
Agility Agility is a fun activity for dogs and handlers. P4E agility classes are appropriate for those that want to enhance their training relationship, build confidence and have fun. For teams who aspire to competition, our classes will give you the solid foundation and advanced skills necessary for success.

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 Julie Jenkins at 919-304-2300, ext. 233, to make an appointment for testing.

Agility Foundation
This class emphasizes all component skills needed in agility; self control, motivation, balance/coordination, and handling. Dogs and handlers will learn a foundation of safety and skill which will enable them to continue to more advanced agility training if they wish. This class is geared towards puppies or dogs who have no prior experience with agility training.

Obstacle Skills
Introduce your dog to the agility obstacles in a positive, safe manner. Dogs and handlers must have taken Pre-Agility/Foundation class or have instructor approval. Learn tunnel, jump, table, tire, and contact obstacles and learn to perform them with confidence and speed.

Contacts & Weaves 1 & 2
Contact obstacles (A-frame, dogwalk & see-saw) and weave poles comprise some of the most challenge skills in the sport. This class will focus on teaching and maintaining solid performances of contacts and weaves. C&W 1 is for teams with little to no experience with contacts & weaves. Level 2 is for more advanced teams who need to practice or improve speed and accuracy on contacts & weaves.

Handling Skills
In this class, handlers and dogs will learn the finer points of handling. Skills covered include lead-outs, pushes & pulls, front & rear crosses. Courses will be comprised of jumps and tunnels only, so dogs need only be proficient at those obstacles. More than one level of handling skills may be offered depending on students needs.

Sequencing Skills
Dogs in this class must be able to perform all obstacles at full height and perform sequences up to 5 obstacles long. This class will focus on running increasingly longer sequences while maintaining correct obstacle performance criteria. Learn the strategies of walking the course and planning a good path for both handler and dog.

Novice Competition
This class is geared towards teams who are ready to compete in lower levels of AKC/CPE. Courses will contain all the obstacles (6 weave poles) and will feature challenges appropriate to the level of dog/handler skill. We will run standard courses and probably a few different games as well.

Advanced Competition
For dogs and handlers already competing in mid-level AKC/CPE or USDAA. 12 weave poles, plus all other obstacles. We will work on a new, challenging course each week, focusing on more difficult skills and obstacle discriminations.

Agility Run Thrus
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.

CPE Games
Each week participants will be given a chance to learn one of the CPE classes, including fullhouse, jumpers, wildcard, snooker, standard, colors and jackpot.  Rules and strategies will be covered.  This is a competition level course and students should be already competing in CPE or preparing to do so.  Dogs should be be proficient on all obstacles with the exception of the teeter and weaves (level 1 CPE does not require teeter or weave poles).