My Canine Companion, LLC

Group Class Descriptions

Live group classes are held at Canine Adventure, LLC, 6140 Route 22, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

FACILITY GROUP CLASSES $130+tax / 6-week session

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A.K.C. S.T.A.R. Puppy (pups up to 5 months old)

This class is the pre-Canine Good Citizen class. The class adheres to the “20 Steps to Success” includes Socialization, Training, Activity, & Responsibility (S.T.A.R.). This class is considered a precursor to A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen/Therapy Dog class. The behaviors your pup will learn and be required to master include: petting by a friendly stranger, happily being handled, on-leash follow, walking on-leash past other people (without jumping!), sit on cue, down on cue, come when called, calm and non-reaction to sound and visual distractions, and more. This program welcomes purebreds and mixed breeds. Upon passing the test, you will receive an application for enrollment in the A.K.C. S.T.A.R. Puppy Program, an A.K.C. S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display); a frame-able certificate designating your puppy is in the A.K.C. S.T.A.R. Puppy records; an AKC Puppy Handbook; and an ongoing A.K.C. monthly newsletter with training tips. 

Note:  Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform as Smart Puppy (a more advanced puppy training program). Private Live Virtual training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax.   This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. 

 

Canine Companion Basic (canines 5 months - 5+ years of age)

The goal of this class is to train your canine companion to have better self-control and manners. Class content will include: How to settle your canine companion when excited, come when called (even with environmental distractions); respond reliably to hand signals for sit, down, stand, stay, follow, introduction to verbal cues, attention with eye contact, “Leave It”, “Drop It”, heel on-leash (polite leash walking), polite greeting, door manners and more. Discussions/readings of management techniques at home will include: dog proofing, chewing, housebreaking, barking, jumping, counter-surfing, separation anxiety, reaction to visitors, pulling on leash, health & grooming issues. Note: This class is appropriate for non-reactive, non- aggressive dogs. Please contact us at My Canine Companion, LLC  to help you work through these behavioral issues.  

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform. Private Live Virtual training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax.   This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. 

 

A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen Title &/or Therapy Dog Certification

This class prepares you and your canine for the A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen title and/or Therapy Dog certification. At the end of the 6-week session, you may test for the A.K.C. Good Citizen title. Canines that are at least one year of age may also take the control evaluation test for Therapy Dog certification. Deb DeSilva, an A.K.C. C.G.C. Evaluator and Love on a Leash Therapy Dog Evaluator, will administer both test the last night of class. A.K.C. C.G.C. prepares your dog to: calmly sit by your side as people approach; walk on a loose leash while navigating turns and walking through a crowd; come when called and stay when cued; behave politely around other dogs; ignore environmental distractions and sit calmly with a friendly stranger while you are out of sight. Therapy dog prepares your dog to be relaxed in facility settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, etc. and to provide comfort and affection. If certified as a Therapy Dog team, the local Love on a Leash chapter will assist you and your therapy dog during visitations at a local facility of your choice.

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform only.  Private Live Virtual training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax (appropriate for more advanced canines). This platform offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. Testing will take place in-person at a local public venue during the last week of training. 

 

A.K.C. Trick Dog (earn A.K.C. Titles at Home!)

Are you looking for something fun and interesting to do together with your dog? Join us for trick dog class. A.K.C. Trick Dog class provides a low-impact and unique form of both physical and mental exercise appropriate for dogs of any age, breed, or breed mix. Learning new skills keeps older dogs young and flexible and gives young energetic dogs an outlet for their energy. Trick training not only builds your relationship with your dog, but also provides much needed mental stimulation, while reducing anxiety and stress. When you interact with your dog at this level, you help to build his/her confidence and strengthen the bond you have with him/her. Do you want to do therapy work with your dog? Make your visits even more memorable with tricks that will put a smile on the faces of the people you visit. This class comes with an optional evaluation by Deb DeSilva, a certified A.K.C. Trick Dog Evaluator. This class is multi-level. Which means you can continue earning as many A.K.C. Trick Dog titles as you like (novice, intermediate, advance, performer & elite performer). This is the perfect class for you and your canine to have fun together after completing puppy or basic canine training.

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform only.  Private Live Virtual training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax. This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households.  

 

Canine Freestyle: Tricks Performed to Music or Story

Appropriate for any age dog that is well-socialized to people and other dogs and has basic obedience skills. Dancing isn’t required! Canine Freestyle is taking a dog and handler, adding some music, a little creativity and having a whole lot of fun. For pups and younger dogs, learning freestyle skills is a great way to “learn how to learn”. For older dogs, it is a great activity to help maintain strength and flexibility. Enjoy moving to music with your dog and building routines with performance heeling, direction and side changes while incorporating simple tricks such as weave, bow and spin. The skills taught in this class are applicable for all competition venues (MDSA, WCFO & CFF). Prerequisite: A.K.C. Trick Dog 

 

Dogs Can Dance 

Appropriate for any age dog (yes even puppies and older dogs with arthritis).  Perfect for beginners who desire to do more than obedience with their dogs.  Learn how to teach your dog to move with you across the floor in a number of creative ways.   Create an easy freestyle routine moving with your dog as a team to any type of music.  No need for a large training area - most moves can be taught within a 6' x 8' space. 

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform only.  Private Virtual Live training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax. This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. 

 

Treibball (pronounced “Try-ball” and also known as “Drive Ball”)

Treibball is a terrific new way to play with your dog. The game consists of “herding” a number of large inflatable exercise balls into a soccer-like net. Of course, the herding breeds come to mind, but this class is also great for many of the prey-oriented sporting dogs and terriers, and any dogs who just likes to chase things. It is a recognized competitive sport for dogs of all ages and sizes. It promotes better teamwork and communication between you and your dog. But more importantly, it’s great fun and a mental challenge for any energetic dogs who works well off-leash and needs a job.

 

Canine Scent Work

This class will put you and your canine companion on the road to a popular recreational as well as competitive sport. The goal is for your dog to find a hidden “scent” and direct you to where it is. Handlers in turn learn to read their dog's body cues and behaviors as they guide you on the invisible scent trail. For those dogs that are too shy, nervous, distracted, barky or reactive to other dogs for training in a group setting, this is the perfect class to build their focus, confidence, and concentration. Prerequisite: Dogs must be non-aggressive towards people, must tolerate being crated or able to stay in vehicle for short periods of time.

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform only.  Private Live Virtual training package: 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax. This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. 

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Virtual Home Manners (A.K.C. Title)  

Virtual Home Manners is the answer when you want to train your dog at home. When you get a puppy or new adult dog, Virtual Home Manners can get you started on practical skills before you attend a training class. Two levels of Home Manners are offered – Virtual Home Manners Puppy (VHMP) and Virtual Home Manners Adult (VHMA). Dogs that pass the tests will be awarded these titles. The Virtual Home Manners tests assess ten skills that well-mannered pet dogs need in the home setting.  The skills relate to the dog owner having control over the dog, being able to walk the dog (which is one of the most frequently cited activities that owners want to do with their dogs) and developing a bond with the dog during playtime. The Virtual Home Manners tests are evaluated online by CGC Evaluators in the same manner that is currently used for Virtual Tricks. There is not an in-person VHM testing process. Virtual Home Manners is natural lead-in for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) in-person training.

Note: Available as in-home private instruction or on the live virtual training platform only.  Private Live Virtual training packages: 6 weeks (twice weekly) $325.00+tax or 3 weeks (twice weekly) $180.00+tax. This platform is advantageous for reactive or shy dogs, and offers more scheduling flexibility for busy households. 

 

Busy schedule? 

All class offerings are available at the facility as private one-on-one training @ $130.00+tax/hour