Breeze Thru Class Descriptions

Agility

Current Class Schedules

Breeze Thru Agility Class levels

Beginners: This class covers introduction to agility obstacles along with valuable training and handling skills such as attention practice, running and turning, recalls, downs, stays, target training and other exercises to get you on your way to a stronger working relationship with your dog. Breeze Thru Agility advocates a dog training program based on positive reinforcement and clear communication.

Advanced Beginners: Picks up where beginners left off. We will continue to work on obstacle performance skills, work toward running short sequences and introduce some agility handling skills such as front crosses. PRE-REQUISITE: Satisfactory completion of Beginner class.

Intermediate: At this level dogs continue to build confidence on obstacles including the see-saw and weave poles and begin to perform longer sequences. More handling techniques are introduced. Dogs and handler teams will stay in Intermediate for multiple sessions before moving to the Advanced/Competition class. PRE-REQUISITE: Satisfactory completion of Advanced Beginner class.

Advanced/Competition: Dogs are performing all obstacles reliably at full height and comfortable running long sequences and short courses. Most dog and handler teams in this class are preparing to or already competing at the Novice level.

Obedience

Current Class Schedules

The Big 3

Coming when called, loose leash walking and heel work. Long the bane of many a dog owner, the elusive ‘recall’ is one of the most important things our dogs need to know! If you are a dog sports enthusiast or simply want to be able to allow your dog to enjoy a little off leash freedom , this class will break the recall down into small, fun and tasty steps for your dog, trouble shoot and help you teach your dog to come away from distractions when called. Leash walking and heeling are central to our relationships with our dogs. Walking your dog should be a pleasure for both of you, not a struggle. Through games and play this class will help both you and your dog develop the right communication for loose leash and heeling skills.

Cabin Fever Wednesdays!

Focusing on tricks and games that translate into daily life skills and dog sports this class is all about having fun, using targeting, and building behavior chains to teach your dog some impressive tricks and chase away the winter blues. Dogs should be comfortable in a class environment and have some basic Obedience skills. We’d like you to use a clicker in this class, but it’s not required.

Dog Tricks

Dog Tricks: Teach your dog some cute new tricks. Using all positive methods, you can train your dog to do cool stuff like spin, bow, back up, get your slippers, dance, wave, and much more. Dogs must have done at least one previous class, such as Puppy K or basic Manners.

Get Along Little Doggies

If your dog lacks greeting skills, is uncomfortable meeting new dogs or is not getting along well with others, this class will help your dog change his or her mind about making friends using Classical Conditioning and Desensitization methods. Humans will learn about reading their dogs, reading the situation and acting appropriately. Instructor approval necessary.

Grace Under Pressure

Based on the wonderful book, Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt, Breeze Thru Agility's Grace Under Pressure (GUP) class is for sport/performance dogs that exhibit signs of stress in training or performance contexts and for pet dogs that have some difficulty in public, on walks or when there is company in the home.

Dogs showing full blown aggressive displays are not appropriate for GUP, nor are dogs who are hyper vigilant, dogs that bark/lunge and pull on leash at other dogs/people/unfamiliar things and who cannot recover from stressful events or arousal readily.

GUP dogs are dogs who get sniffy or wander off on course, who become concerned/worried about things/dogs/people in the environment, who are prone to mentally drift off or fog out but who can be interrupted and are able to return to work.

GUP is about communication, learning to read your dog and developing your own unique ways of improving behavior and performance. Every team is different and GUP takes that very much into consideration. There is nothing cooky-cutter about this method of teaching. Everyone will get out of it whatever they bring to it.

If you are not sure if GUP is a good fit for you and your dog, please contact the instructor, Debra Theriault at 802-368-7660 or email bowser@sover.net.

Intro to Control Unleashed Class

Based on the wonderful book by Leslie McDevitt, this four week course will introduce you and your dog to some of the foundation exercises and games that make up the Control Unleashed (CU) program for developing focus and confidence in your dog. Excellent for both the pet owner and the dog sports enthusiast! Taught by Debra Theriault, certified Association of Pet Dog Trainers instructor.

Pet Manners

Dogs must be 4 months or older, and cleared by veterinarian to start a group class. The session covers basic manners skills such as walking on leash, not jumping up, how to behave at the Vets, sit, stay, and the ever-popular recall.

PVKC Classes

PVKC Obedience, Rally, and Breed Handling Class Descriptions

Rally Obedience

This is Obedience with a twist! Rally O adds some new and interesting moves to traditional obedience. All Rally training is upbeat and reward based. Dogs must have some basic obedience training and have a reliable sit, stay and recall. This is a mixed/open Rally class. Two APDT level 1 courses with a few level 2 exercises will be set each night. Students preparing to compete at Level 2 are welcome to work off leash and we will be happy to provide distractions. Level 1 students and total beginners are also welcome!

Ready for Off Leash

In many dog sports and in real life, dogs and their people often have difficulty transitioning from on-leash to off-leash. If your dog scampers off at every opportunity to visit other dogs or to check out the environment, this class will help you discover alternative rewards and strategies to keep your dog working and playing with you.

Shy Dog Social Hour Class

The "Shy Dog Social Hour" is for dogs that are not comfortable with people, other dogs or social pressure. This four week class will help you learn to read your shy dog, teach you exercises for safe interactions and introductions. With nervous, shy or fearful dogs, developing confidence and teaching your dog skills that he or she can use when the world gets scary is key. Enrollment is strictly limited to four dog and owner teams. Dogs must be handled by their primary caretaker, but other family members who may have to handle the dog are welcome to attend. Taught by Debra Theriault, certified Association of Pet Dog Trainers instructor.

Shy Dog/Just-For-Fun Agility Class

For dogs that find busy agility classes to be too much! A gentle introduction to the obstacles. Great for confidence building! Taught by Debra Theriault, certified Association of Pet Dog Trainers instructor.

Current Class Schedules