Supplemental Reading
Dog & Puppy Training Classes
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We offer a variety of dog training classes that are available to everyone from the puppy to engaging dog sports. Family Dog 1
Perfect for all ages over 4 months or newly adopted dogs. Want a well mannered dog who listens, doesn't jump on guests or drag you around? We teach you how to get control so you can enjoy living with your dog. This class teaches you how to get your dog's attention, train sit, down, come, loose leash walking, leave it, wait, impulse control the first time you ask for it in a world full of new dogs, people and distractions. Learn how and when to reward and when to increase distractions, duration and distance with training games. Follow Puppy Preschool or start an adult or rescue dog in training. Choose sequenced classes (6 weeks, 1 hour per week) or start now with the Open Enrollment flexible option (8 weeks of 1+ hour long classes over 90 days) with many topic based classes. Visit our Class Calendar for details and to sign up.. Small group classes, human family members are welcome. Puppy Preschoolers excel in this new environment with new challenges increasing as the dogs mature. Keeping up with your puppy's education during the adolescent phase will keep them on track to being the well socialized dog you and your family can enjoy. Your place in the class is confirmed (unless the class fills) when the completed registration form and payment in full are received, walk-ins wll be taken on a space available basis. Please exercise and potty your dog before you arrive at class. |
CLASS MENU |
 Class Calendar |
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| Family
Dog 1 - Beginning |
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| Family
Dog 2 - Intermed. |
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| Ball Herding, Treibball |
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| Building
a Reliable Recall |
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| Canine Good Citizen |
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| Foundations for Dog Sport |
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| Agility
I |
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| Flyball |
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| Socialization
Sessions |
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| Trail
& Beach Manners |
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| Treibball - Ball Herding |
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| Doggie
Door & Greeting Etiquette |
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| Private
Lessons |
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| Policies |
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| Shelter Dog Discount Program (pdf file) |
Rolling Enrollment - start any weekend and attend any or all classes held each week. Classes are held in Soquel.
Setting
your puppy up to be a successful well-mannered dog with Puppy Preschool
class is an important step in their development. Early imprinting and
socialization plays a major role in raising your puppy the right way. Socialization means being well mannered in society. Puppies need exposure to new things, new dogs and new people to become resilient and relaxed. Classes are given In a safe,
clean and private environment where only healthy dogs with
vaccines are allowed. we will cover basic obedience, socialization off-leash
with other puppies, and topics such as housetraining, nipping, chewing,
impulse control, body language, grooming & handling, living with children and management
of the puppy's environment. This class is taught in group format. Human family members are welcome. Healthy puppies
ages 10 weeks up to 5 months who have at least two Distemper/Parvo combination
vaccines and a worming are welcome to attend.
Puppy
Preschool prepares your pup for Family Dog Manners 1 class.
Click here for details on class &
puppy safety.
$95 (advance registration) for access to all sessions held until your pup is 5 months
old. Clicker, puppy packet and handouts included.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Family Dog - Level 2
(Intermediate Manners & Obedience)
This
class is part two of our popular Family Dog Manners series. For those handlers who want to go beyond the basics and have a dog that is really well trained and easy to live with continuing their education is a must! We consider this our Junior High School level class.
Group classes
start regularly, see our Class Calendar to Reserve
your spot!
If your dog already knows the basic exercises -- sit, down, come, stay, walking on leash or heeling -- but needs more proofing on distractions or handling at a distance, around new dogs, or while your dog is moving - this class is for you. Often people will say that their dogs know how to obey at home, but when they are out in public, in the veterinarian's office, the park, the competition ring, near new dogs or out on a walk around the neighborhood, it’s a different story.
The objective of this class is to take your skills to the next level of fluency by improving reliability and responsiveness in more distracting situations. We will use Canine Good Citizen exercises and weekly homework to prepare your dog to be well-mannered in the world. Follow the class by registering for the Canine Good Citizen Test, the first step towards becoming a Therapy Dog.. Family Dog II is designed to give the handler/dog team more confidence in different settings with a variety of structured exercises and fun games. .
Read more about the Class Goals
6 - 50 minute group lessons given once a week. Your place in the class is confirmed (unless the class fills) when the completed registration form and payment in full are received, walk-ins may be taken on a space available basis. Online training manual included. Please exercise, potty and socialize your dog before you arrive at class.
You might also be interested in Fun Foundations for Agility.
Fun Foundations for Agility & Dog Sports
Fun Foundations for Dog Sports is a great class for those dogs who already have mastered beginning
obedience and want more of a challenge. These are our "pre-agility" classes, and are suitable for those dogs who have completed Family Dog Manners 1 or Family Dog Manners 2. Dogs learn to navigate wobbly boards, are taught to walk through ladders and other objects that help develop body awareness, and also learn lots of other fun games that help lay a solid foundation for obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving or rally obedience.Dog sports emphasize fun and excitement for the dog/handler
team. Classes
are held at the Field of Dreams, Soquel High School Veterinary Science
Center.
Required Text: "Flatwork for Agility" - 77 pages
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Focusing on obstacle recognition and performance, developing fun, speed and accuracy, handling skills and sequencing this 6 week class. Every six weeks the class continues increasing in skill level.Classes are held at the Field of Dreams, Soquel High School Veterinary Science Center. Detailed Beginning Agility description.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Onging class. Competition courses & equipment. Continuing students who have met all prerequisites including Fun Foundations for Agility, Beginning Agility or equivalents. This class is open to students who have been taking lessons at another facility as well as LWD continuing agility students. Classes
are held at the Field of Dreams, Soquel High School Veterinary Science
Center.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
(photo by K. Dettman)
Doggy Door & Greeting Etiquette
Does your dog jump on visitors or family members at the door or in greeting? Door etiquette
is one of the more common problems we dog owners are faced with. Enthusiastic
dogs can knock children and the elderly down, they can tear skin with
long nails and leave dirty paw marks all over your boss's freshly cleaned
silk suit. If you've had enough of jumping and you would like to know
how to positively change your dog's behavior without using force, then
this workshop is for you. Please exercise, potty and socialize your dog
before you arrive at class.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Building a Reliable Recall (Come When Called)
Coming when called is the most important command to teach your dog – it could save his life someday. In this course, we will focus on teaching your dog to come when called, even when faced with distractions. You will also learn how to get – and keep – your dog’s attention and build a recall training plan. We will train in a safe, enclosed area, and some dogs may progress to working off-leash within the workshop. We'll discuss techniques and recall games, and do some serious training.
Requirements: Family Dog Level 1 or equivalent. Dogs must be current on their vaccines, and have no aggression issues. Clicker and educational handouts included.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Learn techniques to teach your
dog to walk politely on a leash, without pulling, lunging, dragging, or
tangling. In this hands-on workshop we'll discuss equipment and training
methods, and we'll practice techniques for keeping dogs focused on you.
Class size limited to 10 friendly dogs.
Requirements: dogs must be current on their vaccines, and have
no aggression issues. No choke chains or flexi-leashes in the seminar.
Please exercise and socialize your dog before you arrive at class.
Date & Location: TBA Reserve
your spot on our free waiting list!
Designed to help dogs learn how to play constructively and to focus on their owners in the face of distractions. Interactions are controlled, free play may occur but it depends on the dogs. Reactive dogs must be evaluated at the first class. Call for details. 831-476-9065
We will hit the trails in this fun class to practice control, safety, courtesy, the commands necessary to work toward off-leash control, From getting out of the car to recalls, passing dogs and trail safety. This course will alternate between the beach, shoreline walks or in wooded parks. Family Manners I or equivalent suggested (we assume you have done the focused attention, impulse control and basic commands), No aggressive dogs in group classes please.
Two-hour hikes.
Locations: Nisene Marks, Henry Cowell, Pogonip, Seascape, private trails
& more.
Date & Location: Reserve
your spot!
LWD
Policies
Private Lessons, Evaluations
and Problem Solving
Note: Our private lessons are currently booked out to 3 to 4 weeks ahead. Please check our Class Calendar if you would like something sooner. We have special classes for Reactive Rovers as well as our Family Manners and Puppy classes.
Private lessons - $80 per hour.
Private lessons are available for people with hectic schedules who cannot make the scheduled classes or who want more time with the trainer, advanced instruction or less distractions. Problem Solving private sessions are for resolving behavior issues which may prohibit the dog from entering a group class environment. In our private consultations, we can help dog owners deal with issues such as:
- leash aggression
- pulling on leash
- coming when called
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barking
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excessive shyness
-
fearfulness
- multiple dog households
-
destructive behavior
- housetraining
- sibling rivalry
- nipping
- chewing
- escaping
Availability
We are available
for private appointments on Fridays and usually run one to two to four weeks out please email us so we can look at our calendars together and find a mutually agreeable time. Appointments are on a first come, first served basis.
Phone
Consultations
Phone consultations
are available for a minimum of one half hour for $45 paid by credit
card in advance for some simpler behavioral issues. A visit to your
home may be suggested if there are environmental factors.
Cell
Phones
Please turn your cell phones off during consultations.
Welcome
Human
family members are welcome providing they are not disruptive.
Private sessions are available for $80 per hour or a package of four lessons for $280 ($70 per hour) plus travel. An additional fee of $100 per dog will be charged for multiple dog households.
Please
give us a call at 476-9065 to schedule an appointment.
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