Introduction to Flyball - Mini-workshop:
Flyball is a dog sport in which two teams of four dogs race against each other and the clock. The race is composed of heats in which each of these four dogs are required to jump four hurdles, trigger a box that deploys a ball, catch the ball and then retrieve the ball over the four hurdles to the start line successfully and in order. The team that performs this "relay" with no errors and the fastest time wins the race. Dogs that excel at this sport are energetic, focused, and have the desire to retrieve, but any dog can play. Any size breed and mixed breeds are welcome.

Come out and see if this is the sport for you - learn what Flyball is and try out the equipment - see if your dog can play Flyball!


Intermediate Flyball - 6 Week Class:
In this class, Traci Murdock continues to  teach the technical aspects of the sport, including sequence jumping, ball retrieval, and proper box turns. Dogs in this class will progress to full runs and box turns, learn passing and handling techniques and be evaluated for inclusion in tournament activities.  This is a 6 week class and dogs will come to all classes.

Visit the 4Dog Flight website at www.flyball.com/4dogflight

Beginning Flyball - 6 Week Class:
In this class, Traci Murdock teaches the principles of motivation without force and technical aspects of the sport, including sequence jumping, ball retrieval, and proper box turns. Dogs should have a working knowledge of the basic obedience commands to participate. This is a 6 week class and dogs will come to all classes.

Visit the 4Dog Flight website at www.flyball.com/4dogflight

Pre-Sports - 6 Week Class:
Are you interested in dog sports, but just can’t decide?

Would you like to know more about activities you and your dog can get involved in?

In her Pre-Sports class, Traci Murdock incorporates foundation skills for the major dog sports – Agility, Flyball, Frisbee, and Freestyle.  Students begin by learning about clicker training, practice control commands, and progress to sports-specific commands.  The goals of the class are to increase and maintain your dog’s focus in high-distraction environments, sample active dog sports, and to have fun.  Students will be taught the meaning of motivation and drive to enhance their dog’s natural strengths of jumping, running, retrieving, and play and get to sample some of the equipment used in dog sports.

Basic Obedience - 6 Week Class:
Here’s a chance to work on your dog's obedience and/or issues.  Come out and join the fun - yes, fun! - as we work on your pup's skills and manners and solve those training challenges!  This will be an upbeat and rocking class that will address the basics - control, attention and focus, and any throw-your-hands-up problems that you might have.  We will also work on mastering the exercises that make up the Canine Good Citizen test.

This is a 6 week class and dogs come to all classes.

Intermediate Obedience - 6 Week Class:
In Intermediate classes we continue to work on your dog's obedience and/or issues. Come out and join the fun - yes, fun! - as we work on your pup's skills and manners and solve those training challenges! This will be an upbeat and rocking class that will continue to work on control, attention and focus, and any throw-your-hands-up problems that you might have, and start your dog on the road to off-lead obedience. Your dog must have graduated from Basic Obedience class at DCTC or be evaluated by the instructor to attend Intermediate Obedience. Contact Traci at TAMIam@training-spot.net for evaluations. This is a 6 week class and dogs come to all classes.

Hollywood Dog 6 Week Class:
Lights, Camera, Action!

So You Think Fido Has What It Takes To Be A Star?

Is your dog just waiting to be discovered? Are you convinced he’s cuter, smarter, and more talented then all those dogs you see in the movies or in ads?

Then meet Traci Murdock, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), photographer, Talent Scout and Wrangler, and much more. Traci uses all these talents to teach dog owners the skills their dogs need to break into show business.
Traci used her own experiences in getting her dogs exposed to the business of canine acting to create Hollywood Dog classes, which teach the most common skills and tricks that producers ask for and how to quickly train your dog for a new trick if it's required on set. Class attendees also learn how to send their dogs to a mark to perform, practice working for others, and learn how to build new tricks from known commands. Traci also provides some talent agent contacts and conducts a photo session at the end of the day so that graduates will have head shots to send out.

Hollywood Dog Workshop:
Lights, Camera, Action!

So You Think Fido Has What It Takes To Be A Star?

Is your dog just waiting to be discovered? Are you convinced he’s cuter, smarter, and more talented then all those dogs you see in the movies or in ads?

Then meet Traci Murdock, a Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT), photographer, Talent Scout and Wrangler, and much more. Traci uses all these talents to teach dog owners the skills their dogs need to break into show business.
Traci used her own experiences in getting her dogs exposed to the business of canine acting to create Hollywood Dog classes, which teach the most common skills and tricks that producers ask for and how to quickly train your dog for a new trick if it's required on set. Class attendees also learn how to send their dogs to a mark to perform, practice working for others, and learn how to build new tricks from known commands. Traci also provides some talent agent contacts and conducts a photo session at the end of the day so that graduates will have head shots to send out.

This is a one-day workshop - 10am - 5pm. The workshop will have 10 working spots and attendees must register and pre-pay. The workshop must have 5 confirmed attendees or it will be cancelled.

Fabulous Freestyle:
Do you want an opportunity to spin, twist and dance with your dog.  Join us for our first Freestyle class in 2 years at DCTC.  This class is a wonderful opportunity for dogs of all ages and skill levels, from young puppies learning the ropes, to retired dogs looking for a way to expand their mind and have fun with their owners.  We will teach you a variety of moves and foundation skills you can use to develop your own routine.  This classes is laid back and fun, and encourages you to find your dog's own special skills!

Mary Waugh Swindell has been involved in Freestyle for many years, namely with her Doberman Devon.  Mary and Devon were featured on Animal Planet's Breed All About It (the Doberman edition), and have performed numerous demonstrations at public events and parades throughout the country.  Join her for fabulous Freestyle Fun!

Clicker Levels:
Levels classes are ongoing, and all training is done using positive reinforcement. There are 7 levels in all, and you can do as much or as little as you like. Covers all basic obedience and much more. Move from one level to the next by testing out. Mastering all 7 levels will prove to be a challenge. Who's up for it?  Based on classes by Sue Ailsby.

This class is aimed to increase impulse control for the dogs, create a companion that you can take anywhere, and/or get you and your dog on the road to competing in any dog sport.  As a base for this class, we use Sue Ailsby's Levels.  Levels classes are ongoing, and all training is done using positive reinforcement. There are 7 levels in all, and you can do as much or as little as you like. We go level by level, test out and move on to the next level.  Aside from using Sue's levels, we also concentrate on 'shaping' behavior.  Shaping is done by taking small increments of a behavior to get to a goal end behavior.  Training with positive methods using a marker to 'capture' or 'shape' behavior produces not only well mannered dog, but one that actually thinks!  You can check out Sue's Levels at http://www.dragonflyllama.com/%20DOGS/%20Dog1/levels.html

Rally-O Pre-Novice:
This half hour class will focus on teaching the signs for people who are new to rally, and also teaching the new behaviors needed.

Rally-O is a cool performance sport that combines the elemenets of obedience and agility. Teams navigate a course w/signs telling them what behaviors to perform. Emphasis is on working as a team and having fun, rather than precision.

Class is ongoing and the cost is $9.00 (if purchased in a block of 4 or 8 sessions) OR $10.00 is purchased as a single, or drop-in session.

Rally-O Novice:
Rally-O is a cool performance sport that combines the elements of obedience and agility. Teams navigate a course w/signs telling them what behaviors to perform. Emphasis is on working as a team, and having fun with your dog, rather than precision. 

Rally-O-Advanced:
Rally-O is a cool performance sport that combines the elements of obedience and agility. Teams navigate a course w/signs telling them what behaviors to perform. Emphasis is on working as a team and having fun, rather than precision.

Teams should already be familiar with the novice signs and behaviors prior to coming to this class.

This class will focus on the additional signs and behaviors needed to compete in Rally-O at the Advanced level.

2x2 Weave Poles:
The 2x2 Weave class is based on Susan Garrett’s fabulous method of weave pole training. Dogs learn to weave 2 poles at a time, stressing correct entry from every angle, using just one set of poles, before progressing on.

This is a 4 week class – cost $100.00. Class limit: 3 dog and handler teams. If we have sufficient interest we will start a waiting list.

Dogs should be familiar with “shaping” and/or offering behaviors.

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU HAVE A SET OF 2X2 WEAVE POLES. Dogs will need to practice on a regular basis, not just once a week at class. If you don’t have a set you can purchase them from us.

Bring to class: a hungry dog; a million tiny, yummy treats; and a special toy or tug that your dog loves to play with.

Private Instruction:
For folks that want the extra attention of one-on-one training. Focuses on general clicker work, basic manners, and any problems you might be having.

Reactive Dog Class:
Here’s a chance to work on your reative dog's obedience and issues. 

This class will be set up to help your dog succeed while you work on your training goals.  Each handler will set specific goals for their work sessions and each dog will have a training path based on these goals and individual progress made.

This is a 4 week class and dogs come to all classes. Once the handler and dog have attended the 4 week class session, they may continue on a drop-in class basis ($25 per session).  Drop-in students must RSVP for these drop-in classes. The enrollment for this class is rolling – each student will need to take the 4 weeks in a row to be allowed to continue in the modular classes, so we will have students starting the 4 week portion continually.

Each dog must be privately evaluated by the instructor prior to signing up for this class.  Reactive dogs may not be ready for a group class and may need private instruction to get them prepared for the class environment.  Contact info@dogcitytrainingcenter.com  for details and scheduling of evaluations.

Starter's Agility:
Introduction to handling and obstacles. Starters agility class is for those dogs that have completed Paula's Pre-Agility, or have tested into Starters agility classes.

Intermediate Agility:

Intermediate agility class is for those dogs that have completed Beginners' Agility, or have tested into Intermediate agility classes. This is a full course broken into small sequences/skill sets, with focus on increasing speed and proficiency on obstacles.

High-Drive Masters/Excellent Agility:
In this class, dogs & handlers are tested at the highest level, for performance of obstacles and course execution.  We train things in this class that are much more challenging than anything you will ever see at a show, so no matter what course is thrown at you, you will be able to complete it without a problem.   To be eligible for this class, you need not be competing, but competition experience is a plus.  Approval by the instructor is a requirement for entry into this class.

Conformation & Handling Techniques:
This class is not a practice session for the next dog show. This class, which was previously taught at Houn House for several years, is for everyone from the beginner who has never shown a dog to people with many years of experience who want to work on various techniques, solve a problem with a particular dog, or get a dog ready for the ring. Dogs come to all classes. The course curriculum builds on one group of techniques at a time. The class has been heavily influenced by the workshops and seminars of Tom Lams and George Alston.

Week 1 and 2: Using the lead and gaiting your dog in the ring: understanding what your dog needs to learn and what you need to do; ring patterns.

Weeks 3 and 4: Presenting your dog: stacking when you enter the ring, standing for exam, stacking while waiting in line.

Week 5: Putting it all together: Gaiting, ring patterns, stacking, stacking when you return to the judge, and leaving the ring.

Week 6: What the judge sees: Match judged, if possible, by an outside expert (may be a breeder, judge, a handler, or a competitor) to give the class members pointers on what they are doing right and what they could be doing better.

Six-Week Class Fee: For students taking the six-week class: $100

People who have taken the class previously either at Dog City Training Center or at Houn House: $20 a class
Regular classes are by registration only. Graduates of prior classes are always welcome on a drop-in basis.

Orientation:
Orientation Class is for anyone that has not previously trained a dog using a "clicker" as a marker, has not previously used "shaping" as a training tool.  This class will give you the tools and tips to get you training your dog as soon as you get home.  This class is for 'humans' only.

Tiny Pups:
This class is for Toy Breeds and is a basic manners class geared for the needs of small dogs.

Puppy Headstart:
The first class will be Orientation - HUMANS ONLY -   We will learn just what we will be doing in class, what we will cover, and HOW we will train your pup to be a willing training partner and a THINKING dog!  Of course, the pups will come to the remaining 5 classes....We use NO choke chains, NO prong collars, No corrections - they are not necessary when training with positive reinforcement.  Many trainers still use the antiquated punishment/reward method of training.  How confusing is THAT to the dog?  If I do X, am I going to be punished or praised!!  I'm hoping that you got your dog to be a member of your family and want him to be comfortable in your home and to love interacting with you  and with ALL people and dogs.  Socialization is a huge part of our curriculum - both with people and with other nice dogs.  We want your pup to be a confident and friendly dog when he grows up;-)  You will learn to train your puppy to do ANYTHING they are physically able to do.  A prepayment will be required to attend class to make sure that we have enough pups to start the class.  If there is a question about missed classes, please call Paula to discuss.

Agility Foundations:
The most important aspect of agility training is creating a strong, positive working relationship between you and your dog.  By building a strong foundation, you and your dog will be able to excel quickly through the rest of your agility training. 

Agility Foundations is a self-paced class is for dogs and handlers of all ages that are interested in participating in the sport of agility.  Admission is rolling (meaning you can start at any time) and you can take the Final Exam whenever and your dog are ready.   To pass the Final Exam, dogs must be able to enthusiastically demonstrate Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Back Up, Stand, Sit Up (Beg), Tug, Bring (Retrieve), Nose Touch a Target, Doggie Zen, Feet in the Box, Heel, Side, Circle Work, Crate Games, Focus Forward, Head Turn, and 2on2off.

Beginner Agility:
Beginner Agility is used to teach dogs to confidently perform all agility obstacles and the sequencing of obstacles.  Handlers learn how to properly execute basic handling maneuvers, how to analyze courses and how to choose the best handling method for each course.  Those new to agility also learn about the different agility competition types offered in the area, how to enter a trial and what to expect at their first trial.

Ongoing Agility Classes:
Ongoing classes allow dog and handler teams to practice in a weekly class environment and will be faced with new challenging courses and exercises every week. Dogs and handlers will be placed into specific classes based on availability and their current competency level.

Game Night:
What's more fun than activities with your dog?? We think that Game Night with other dog lovers would trail right after that!!! This will be our second HUMANS ONLY GAMES NIGHT!

There will be no charge to attend. If we decide to order pizza or something, we may take up a donation.

This will be from 7pm - midnight! We will be playing games of all kinds...We will start off with the SHAPING GAME! and then will play card games, board games, maybe set up some puzzles....who knows?

It might be a good idea to change "game tables" each hour. You will start out at one table playing something and at the top of the hour....we all switch tables. That way we can all meet new people and have a wider range of friends!!!

Please RSVP if you'd like to come to our SECOND games night.

If you have a fun game, let us know what you will be bringing AND if you can bring a card table, we might need that too.

Come on out, meet new 'dog' people and be ready to have a fun night. If you 'd like to pass the word around, you are welcome to bring other friends. The more the merrier!

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at info@dogcitytrainingcenter.com

Please bring your own DRINKS:-) AND A CHAIR!!!!! and you are welcome to bring some snacks.