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2010 TRAINING CLASSES

We have completed our winter 2010 training classes.
Our next scheduled training classes will be in the fall of 2010.
Check back here for the dates of the next classes we plan to offer.

If you have questions or need more information,
contact our Training Coordinator,
Cindy Clark, at cadillacstyle98@yahoo.com or (970) 858-0666.

 

Manners Class

This is a basic obedience class. By the end of the sessions your dog will be able to sit, down, stay on command, and walk on a loose leash. At the last session your dog will have an opportunity to be tested for the Canine Good Citizen certification. This is the first in a series of obedience classes. Minimum of 6 students and a maximum of 15.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Noelle Blair (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Class Information Sheet
Class Enrollment Form
General Instructions for the Class

Building the Training Relationship Class

This is the second in a series of obedience classes. Your dog should understand sit, down, stay, and walking on a leash prior to taking this class. In this class we make training fun. We play a lot of games with our dogs and teach our dogs that we are the most interesting thing around. We work on attention, walking in heeling position, long stays, proper sits, fronts, cookie throws, targeting, and jumping. We teach you how to be unpredictable to keep your dog listening and watching you. You will be amazed at how fast your dogs learn with these techniques. By the end of the sessions, your dog will have the skills needed to go on to a beginning Rally class or a Companion Dog prep class. Minimum of 5 students and a maximum 12.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Deb Murray (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Companion Dog (CD) Prep Class

Your dog should be able to sit, down, walk in heeling position, and be able to do long stays prior to taking this class. This class is for those who wish to enter Obedience competition events; we will focus on ring procedure. By the end of this class, your dog will be ready to compete for the Companion Dog title. Minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 8.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Jan Hamner (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Beginning Rally Class

Dogs must know the basics (sit, down, and walk on a loose leash) prior to taking this class. In this class you will learn all of the signs needed to compete for the Rally Novice title. Minimum of 6 students and a maximum of 15.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Noelle Blair (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 3:15-4:15 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 7:15-8:15 p.m.
Class Information Sheet
Class Enrollment Form
General Instructions for the Class

Advanced/Excellent Rally Class

This class is for those who have completed a Beginning Rally class or who have earned the Rally Novice title. This class will teach you the Advanced and Excellent hand signs, such as back up and jump, and show you how to teach them to your dog. Minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 10.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Christy Armendarez (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Pre-Agility Class

This class is for those who have been through the basic obedience classes. Agility is a great way to build a working relationship with your dog, get exercise, and have a blast doing it. This class will prepare you and your dog for an agility class by teaching you about clicker training, targeting, working at a distance, start line behavior, hand leading, sending around cones, front and rear awareness, and other flat work that will build a foundation of training. We will be working indoors on rubber mats. Please bring a 6-foot leash, water for you and your dog, 2 or 3 different kinds of food treats for your dog, 2 of your dog's favorite toys, a piece of carpet or mat big enough for your dog to lie on, and a small plastic lid that will serve as a target. A clicker will be provided for each one of you. Minimum of 5 students and a maximum 10.

Cost: $80
Instructor: Nancy Schmidt (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sat., Jan. 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  2. Sat., Jan. 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  3. Mon., Jan. 18, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  4. Mon., Feb. 1, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  5. Mon., Feb. 8, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
  6. Mon., Feb. 22, 8:15-9:15 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Beginning/Puppy Conformation Handling Class

This class will teach you how to enter a show and what you need to know about proper show attire, equipment, grooming, patterns, stacking (self and hand), how to move your dog with proper speed, and good sportsmanship. Minimum of 5 students and a maximum of 20.

Cost: $40 for 6 sessions or $10 per session for drop-ins
Instructor: Nanette Loya
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sun., Jan. 3, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  2. Sun., Jan. 10, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  3. Fri., Jan. 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  4. Sun., Jan. 31, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  5. Sun., Feb. 21, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  6. Sun., Feb. 28, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Advanced Conformation Handling Practice – Drop-In

Here is an opportunity for you and your dog to practice your Conformation handling skills. You and your dog should have taken the Beginning Conformation class to have learned the basic ring procedure skills. We have set up a time, a ring, and instructors in a warm indoor environment for you to get ready for your next show. Each week specific skills in the conformation ring will be emphasized. Instructors will be there to help you perfect your techniques.

Cost: $10 per session
Instructors: Kim Giannone and Sandy McFarland (instructor biographies listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sun., Jan 3, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  2. Sun., Jan 10, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  3. Fri., Jan. 22, 7:45-8:45 p.m.
  4. Sun., Jan 31, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  5. Sun., Feb 21, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  6. Sun., Feb 28, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Beginning Rally Practice – Drop-In

Here is an opportunity for you and your dog to practice your Rally skills. Your dog should have taken the Beginning Rally class to have learned the basic ring procedure skills. We have set up a time, a ring, and instructors in a warm indoor environment for you to get ready for your next show. A different course will be set up in the rally rings each week, and the instructors will be there for you to ask questions on signs and techniques.

Cost: $10 per session
Instructor: Kelly Davidson (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sun., Jan 3, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  2. Sun., Jan 10, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  3. Fri., Jan. 22, 7:45-8:45 p.m.
  4. Sun., Jan 31, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  5. Sun., Feb 21, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
  6. Sun., Feb 28, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

Advanced/Excellent Rally Practice – Drop-In

Here is an opportunity for you and your dog to practice your Rally skills. Your dog should have taken the Advanced/Excellent Rally class and have learned the Advanced and Excellent hand signs, such as back up and jump. We have set up a time, ring, and instructors in a warm indoor environment for you to get ready for your next show. A different course will be set up in the rally rings each week, and the instructors will be there for you to ask questions on signs and techniques.

Cost: $10 per session
Instructor: Christy Armendarez (instructor biography listed below)
Class meeting dates and times:

  1. Sun., Jan 3, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  2. Sun., Jan 10, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  3. Fri., Jan. 22, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
  4. Sun., Jan 31, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  5. Sun., Feb 21, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
  6. Sun., Feb 28, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Class Enrollment Form

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES

Christy Armendarez: Christy has been competing in Rally and Obedience for six years and has earned multiple obedience and rally titles. It is not unusual to see Christy take first place in the rally ring. Christy uses positive rewards and focusing as a teaching tool.

Noelle Blair: Noelle has been training in the Grand Valley for 20 years. For the past 10 years she has taught children in the Mesa County 4-H Dog Program. She has been competing in Obedience and Rally for the past 25 years and has multiple titles on her own dogs. She prefers to use positive reinforcement and believes that obedience training can be a great way to strengthen the bond between owner and dog when the experience is enjoyable. She hopes you will come play with us!

Kelly Davidson: Kelly has taught dog training classes in 4-H for the past 4 years and for the Grand Valley Kennel Club for 1 year. She competes in AKC Rally, Conformation, and Obedience, earning multiple titles with her dogs. Her students have also earned multiple titles in Conformation, Rally, and Obedience in AKC, as well as Reserve and Grand Champion at the local and state level in 4-H. Kelly's teaching philosophy is to use positive reinforcement to make the training process a fun and rewarding experience for the dog and his handler.

Kim Giannone: Although her Conformation show handling experience consists of the past three years, Kim Giannone has a lifetime of animal training skills. Kim began working with dogs and horses at a very young age. She was an accomplished junior handler in 4-H and successfully trained and competed show jumpers for decades. For the past three years, Kim has been showing her Bernese Mountain Dog, Narsil. Together, they have received numerous group placements, awards of merit, and an All-breed Best in Show. Kim believes animals learn in steps or stages. They can be taught any task with the right series of exercises and rewards.

Sandy McFarland: Sandy has helped people train their dogs to be Mannerly Pets for more years then she cares to admit...(at least 40 years). She believes that Obedience is not something you do to your dog, but rather what you do with and for your dog. Her approach is to show him what to do, then praise him for doing it. Her key words are be consistent, firm, fair, and fun. The majority of people she has worked with (be it privately or in a group) just want a well-behaved puppy or dog. Sandy says she loves puppy classes; it's amazing what a 12-week-old puppy can do when training is begun at nine weeks. Many a dog has come to her class as a last chance before heading to the pound because of behavior problems. Those owners have graduated from class with tears. Those moments are just some of the wonderful rewards that sustain Sandy as a teacher. Over the years Sandy has titled to the Utility level five of her Timberee Goldens. She has also earned CDX titles on at least a dozen Goldens and Novice on multiple Goldens and a Labrador. Sandy loves the precision of competition obedience. Her Timberee Goldens have earned 18 High In Trial ribbons and one of her Novice A students earned a High In Trial last year.

Deb Murray: Deb has been teaching children and adults for 25 years. For the last nine years she has been involved with teaching dogs. She has earned multiple titles on her dogs. In the last year she has had an opportunity to attend a couple of seminars that focus on the training relationship. Her mentors are Kay Bedeau and Jeannie Dennard. Deb has a positive approach to training and believes that if you can teach your dog that you are the best thing around, you can teach them just about anything. Deb has found that when the dogs are having fun, they learn quickly. She also believes that you tell your dog once, and then you make it happen. Deb invites you to come and have fun with us!

Nancy Schmidt: Nancy Schmidt taught elementary school in District 51 for 32 years. She has taken numerous classes and participated in many seminars about agility. Nancy trained her Australian Shepherd, Luke, in Obedience and Agility and is presently training her Aussie, Dakota. Luke earned two titles during his Agility career and Dakota has earned three beginner titles in DOCNA and is one leg away from earning two novice titles in AKC Agility. Nancy and Dakota have been competing for one year. They participated in 3 DOCNA trials and one AKC trial. Nancy believes in positive reinforcement and having fun with your doggy companion. She is looking forward to teaching and learning with you.