Class Descriptions

Rand Park Dog Training Club (RPDTC) offers a variety of obedience, rally and nosework classes at varying levels. There are six class sessions per year and classes run for 7 weeks which includes orientation and graduation for puppy, beginner and CGC classes. Class offerings vary per session, and classes are open to members and non-members alike. Club membership is extended to participants who complete two sessions with RPDTC. 

Puppy 

FOR: Puppies 8 weeks who are fully vaccinated.

PREQUISITE: Full Vaccination

OBJECTIVES: Puppies learn basic household behaviors such as polite greeting, impulse control, preventing counter surfing, loose leash walking, accepting handling, as well as learning basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay.’ Puppies gain confidence that helps them interact with strangers and other dogs, which is important to keep your dog and others safe and comfortable in challenging situations. Starting your puppy with training at an early age sets them up for success with more advanced training.

Beginners

FOR: Dogs 5 months or older.

PREREQUISITE: Full Vaccination

OBJECTIVES: This class is ideal for dogs with no prior training and dogs who have completed a puppy class. Owners who have completed puppy class can gain more confidence basic skills such as polite leash walking and greeting, come when called, and impulse control. New students learn this as well in addition to introduction of basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and ‘stay.’ Dogs learn basic manners and handlers learn how to address problem behaviors. 

Advanced Beginner/Canine Good Citizen (CGC)

FOR: Dogs and handlers to expand on beginner skills and prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Test

PREREQUISITE:  Beginner class with RPDTC or approval from the director of training.

OBJECTIVES:This class will expand upon the skills learned in the beginner class.  It will also prepare you for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test which is a 10-part test based on everyday life skills. The training will help your dog become a good citizen when out and about in the community.  Skills will include: walking through a crowd, being calm around other dogs, greeting a stranger and not jumping, sitting politely for petting and reacting with confidence to distractions.

Beginner Novice

FOR:  Dogs and handlers to prepare for the Beginner Novice title

PREREQUISITE:  Canine Good Citizen title or approval from the director of training

OBJECTIVES: This class is a great step forward after earning the Canine Good Citizen(CGC) title.  It advances the skills your dog has previously learned in the Canine Good Citizen class. Students will learn to work as a team with the goal of earning the AKC Beginner Novice (BN) title. We will discuss the rules and regulations for this title and obedience trials in general.  All exercises, except for the recall, are on-leash. These exercises include:  heel on leash, figure 8, sit for exam, sit-stay and recall.

Novice

FOR: Dogs and Handlers who expand on beginner skills, or prepare for Novice obedience competition

PREREQUISITE: Beginner Class with Rand Park Dog Training club or approval from the director of training, Rabies vaccination

OBJECTIVES: In addition to finessing skills the dog has already learned, the dog and handler teams fine tune skills necessary for obedience or rally competition. Desired outcomes for the teams include off-leash heeling, formal recalls, extended sits and downs, off-leash stand for exam, and working as a team with additional distractions.

Pre-Open / Open

FOR: Teams who wish to compete in Open obedience

PREREQUISITE: Requires two qualifying scores in Novice obedience or approval by the Director of Training, rabies vaccination

OBJECTIVES: Prepares dog and handler for the Open Obedience ring. Dogs are taught to retrieve a dumbbell on the flat or over a jump, hand and verbal signals and drop on recall. 

Pre-Utility / Utility

FOR: Teams that want to compete in Utility obedience

PREREQUISITE: Requires two qualifying scores in Open obedience or approval by the Director of Training, rabies vaccination

OBJECTIVES: Prepares dog and handler for the Utility obedience ring. Dogs are taught directed jumping, scent articles, hand signals and moving stand. 

Nosework

FOR: All dog and handler teams

PREREQUISITE: Rabies vaccination

OBJECTIVES: In nosework, dog and handler teams learn how to identify a specific odors in a variety of settings. First dogs learn how to search for reward, then reward is used to teach the dog how to identify a specific odor. This class can be just for fun, or nosework competition. This class is open to all dogs, but ideal for senior dogs or dogs with handicaps such as blindness or amputees.

Rally

FOR: All dogs and handlers teams

PREREQUISITE: Completion of a Beginner class, Rabies vaccination

OBJECTIVES: In Rally obedience, teams navigate a numbered course with signs directing them to perform specific behaviors. Behaviors build on skills learned in the Beginner class and teach additional skills. This class is good for teams interested in Rally competition or who wish to provide additional skills for formal obedience competition. Rally encourages unlimited communication between the dog and handler in the ring.