Class Descriptions

Young Puppy Obedience

For puppies 2 months to 6 months on first night of class.  This class is for our youngest puppies!  All pups must be up to date on their vaccination schedules to begin classes.  The basic obedience exercises of Sit, Down, Stay, Come When Called and Controlled Walking will be taught.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) STAR Puppy Test will be given at Week 6.

Older Puppy  Obedience

This class is for pups from 6 to 12 months of age. Basic obedience such as walking on a loose leash, sit, down and come will be covered.

Obedience 1

This class is for dogs 6 months and up that have not had any prior obedience training. “Life skills” such as; walking on a leash without pulling, coming when called and sitting calmly to be pet will be emphasized. Class may be repeated as necessary.

Sampler Class

This class is designed as a brief introduction to many courses that Azalea Dog Training Club offers.  We will spend each of the 6 weeks briefly learning about Basic Beginner Obedience, Canine Good Citizen, Nose Work, Pre-Agility, Tricks, Rally, and more.  This course is not a full review of any class, but instead a small glimpse to show what classes you and your dog may enjoy in the future.  Each week will have an instructor who has an AKC title in the area he/she will be teaching.  Dogs must be 4 months and older with proof of all required vaccinations to join.

Canine Good Citizen

This class will prepare you and your dog for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.  Dog and owner must have completed some previous obedience training.

Obedience 2

This class is for dogs 6 months or older who have completed Obedience 1 class and can walk on a loose leash, sit for 1 minute, and lie down for 3 minutes in the presence of other dogs. It is the beginning of formal obedience training to acquire the skills to pass the Canine Good Citizen test or fine-tune basic skills to create a well-rounded companion. This class may be taken as often as necessary to acquire the desired skills.

Obedience 3

This class is open to dogs and handlers who have completed at least one session of Obedience 2. The skills needed to begin competition in AKC Beginner Novice will be taught at this level. Class may be repeated as necessary.

Competition Obedience

This class is open to dogs and handlers who have completed at least one session of  Obedience 3 training. Good off lead skills are a must. Teams must be currently competing or ready to compete in the near future. This class may be repeated as needed

Pre-Agility

This class teaches focus that is needed to ignore distractions in and out of the ring.The dog is taught that the handler is always the best choice in many situations. Some agility obstacles and jumps are introduced along with foundation work and rear end awareness.

Agility Beginner

This class is open to dogs that are at least 1 year old . The dog must have taken at least 1 session of Obedience 1 or have a CGC, and MUST have a solid sit, stay and come command. Footwork, foundations along with jumps, tunnel and some contact obstacles will be introduced.

Agility 1 (Foundations)

This class is open to dogs who have completed at least one session of Obedience 2 or Pre-Agility. It addresses skills necessary to be successful in agility such as attention, listening, coming when called, following the body language of the handler, learning to follow verbal commands both on lead and off lead, targeting, work with cones, learning to come to side, and working on and off lead in situations with distractions.  Handlers also work on some basic agility footwork. Dog must be over 12 months old.

Agility 2 (Obstacles)

This class is open to dogs who  have completed at least one session Agility 1 or have permission from the instructor. Dog/handler teams learn to successfully perform all the agility obstacles including weave poles and the teeter and begin work in sequencing.  This course is generally repeated until dogs are competent on all obstacles.

Agility 3
(Skills and Handling)

This class is open to dogs who  have completed at least one session Agility 2 or have permission from the instructor. This class addresses teaching dogs the skills they need to negotiate all obstacles correctly under varying conditions and providing handlers with the skills to look at more than one handling option and make the best decision for their team. 

Agility 4 (Sequences)

This class is open to dogs who  have completed at least one session Agility 3 or have permission from the instructor. To enter this class dogs should be competent on all agility obstacles including the teeter and weave poles.  Sequencing skills are developed through the use of sequences and full courses.

Competition Agility 1
(Novice)

This class is open to dogs that are preparing to compete in Agility for the first time. They should have completed at least one session Agility 4 or have permission from the instructor. This class covers skills needed for success in AKC Novice classes. Dogs should be proficient on all obstacles and able to preform sequences of 10 obstacles.

Competition Agility 2 (Open and above)

Dogs in this class should be actively competing in agility. They should have completed at least one session Competition Agility 1 or have permission from the instructor. This class covers skills needed for success in AKC  Open, Excellent and Premier classes.

Intro to Rally

This class is open to dogs and handlers who have completed at least one session of Obedience 1 training AND who have good heeling skills (tight leashes are a big ‘no no’ in Rally!) and have reliable sits, downs and recalls. This class may be repeated as needed.

Intermediate / Competition Rally

This class is open to dogs and handlers who have completed at least one session of Introduction to Rally class. Good off lead skills are a must. Teams must be currently competing or ready to compete in the near future. This class may be repeated as needed.

Rally Obedience

This class is open to dogs of ALL levels, Novice through Advanced. We will offer nested courses to cover your appropriate level.

Breed Handling (Conformation)

upon demand – Prepare dogs and owners for the conformation ring. Sessions will be positive with a high rate of reinforcement. Topics include: Pick the right lead, practice gaiting, hand stacking, free stacking, to bait, or not to bait, teaching dog to tolerate the hand examination and ring etiquette.

Trick Dog 

upon demand – This class is open to dogs of any age who have completed at least one session of Intro. to Obedience. Dogs will be introduced to tricks from the AKC Trick Dog Novice checklist with the goal of earning the AKC Novice Trick Dog Title (TKN). Dogs are not required to be AKC registered.

Intro to Nosework

Nosework enhances the dogs natural instinct to hunt. It harnesses the dogs ability to detect scent and find the source. It was modeled after bomb and detection dogs. It is fun to watch your dog work with the instincts he was given. Dogs ages 4 mos and up can benefit. It is not physically taxing and has helped reactive/shy dogs. Each dog works individually in a gated area. If your dog can look for food in a cardboard box, he is ready for Nosework.

Therapy Dog

This class prepares you and your dog to become a therapy dog team. You will learn the skills to become certified with The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. Once certified, you will be able to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and schools as a therapy dog team. **Please note that The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. certification test will not be given during this class, but you will receive information on where to get tested.