NOVICE DOG OBEDIENCE
GIVE YOUR DOG A NEW LEASH ON LIFE!
Novice Dog Obedience Training is a beginning-level course, for dogs of all breeds, ages six months and older.  (Larger breeds are accepted at four months)  Adult or junior handlers (nine years or older) may attend.  Additional family members are welcome to observe the class at no charge. 
The exercises that will be covered in this course include:

·   the proper "heel" (teaching your dog to walk at your side without straining at the leash or tripping you up)

·   the "sit" command, and "automatic sit" (where he'll learn to sit each time you come to a stop, without having to give a command)

·   the "down"  (lying down on command)

·   "sit-stay" and "down-stay" (staying in a specified position while you go a distance away for several minutes)

·   "stand for inspection" (teaching your dog to remain standing in a stationary position while someone touches him … handy for veterinary visits, bathing, etc.)

·   "recall"   (come on command … directly to you … the first time he is called)

·   "finish"  (returning back to heel position)

·   "figure eight exercise" (heeling in a more difficult and distracting pattern)

·   Hand signals, long distance work, and off-leash techniques will also be introduced.

·   Help with correcting behavior problems and bad habits such as destructive chewing, hole-digging, nuisance barking, nipping, house-soiling, jumping on guests, escaping from the yard, and over-exuberance is also included in the weekly class discussions.

In most locations, this class is run as an 8-week session, meeting once each week for one hour.  The class fee is usually between $69 and $79 per dog for the session (depending on the co-sponsoring city).  We offer more than 120 Novice Dog Obedience classes in over 60 locations throughout Orange County and adjacent areas of Los Angeles and Riverside Counties, so we probably have a class conveniently located in or near your neighborhood!  Please take a look at our class schedule to find a class that will suit your needs.  Please pre-register …  Classes often fill quickly!
The first meeting will be an orientation, to be held WITHOUT DOGS.  Please bring current vaccination records with you.  Your instructor will discuss the proper types of equipment (leash, collar, etc.) that we recommend to help you do the best job in your training.  Training equipment will be available at reasonable prices for anyone who may need to purchase it.

Our 8-week Novice Dog Obedience course concludes with a "graduation" on the last meeting.  Each dog will be tested and scored on his Novice obedience exercises, and will be presented with a diploma.  Trophies are awarded to the three top scoring dogs in several divisions.
A list of available classes can be found on our Class Schedule  page.    

OTHER "VARIATIONS" OF OUR STANDARD NOVICE OBEDIENCE COURSE:

"CRASH COURSE IN BASIC CANINE MANNERS"  
If your time is limited and you are not able to commit to attending a group class for eight meetings, and your budget will not allow the expense of private In-home lessons, here is an alternative!  Our "CRASH COURSE" will give you and your dog a good introduction to beginning obedience commands over a period of just four weeks, at a fee of about $62-$72.  Accomplish your training goals quickly and start getting behavior problems under control NOW!  Our Crash Courses are open to dogs of all breeds, who are over five months of age (large breeds, four months of age are accepted), and all vaccinations must be current. 

This six hour session (four 80-minute lessons) of intensive instruction is designed for people who need to accomplish their training goals and get behavior problems under control within a limited period of time.  All four classes meet WITH DOGS, and prior to first meeting, students should call Dog Services at (714) 532-3647 for information regarding training equipment and other important things you'll need to know before attending.  Each week, several new obedience commands will be introduced, and a variety of preventative and corrective measures for a variety of bad habits will be discussed.  Exercises will include:   SIT and DOWN on command, STAY in sit or down position with distractions, (such as guests coming to your door) COME when called, and controlled walking (HEEL) on a leash.  All breeds of dogs ages five months and older may enroll. (large breeds, four months of age are accepted)  A commitment of daily homework (about 30-40 minutes per day) is very important to achieve results in this fast-paced course.  All vaccinations must be current.  Please PRE-REGISTER to assure a place in class ... Space is limited! 

Please click here to find a Crash Course offered at a time and location that will be convenient for you.  

  If you have any questions regarding any of these classes,  please call us at

  (714) 532-DOGS

 (714-532-3647)