FitHound offers the following classes:
All classes meet for one hour, once a week for seven weeks. The first night is owner orientation and owners come without their dogs.
Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten (for dogs 8-20 weeks old)
A puppy's primary and secondary socialization periods last from approximately 3 to 16 weeks of age. This is the best time to expose your puppy to new people, other dogs and new environments. During this time, a puppy develops the blueprint he will use for the rest of his life when encountering new things. This class focuses on socializing your puppy and includes exercises to help him build his confidence and social skills. We will also get him started on basic manners:
Puppies will learn the foundations for:
- Name Recognition
- Watch Me
- Touch
- Coming When Called
- Sit
- Down/Settle Down
- Off/Leave It
- Polite Greetings
- Loose Leash Walking
We will also discuss housetraining, crating, chewing and biting, & good puppy management.
Classes are seven weeks, once a week for 60 minutes, and include puppy playtime during each class. For puppies 9-20 weeks old. We accept a maximum of 6-8 puppies per class (depending on location).
Level 1 - Basic Manners (for dogs 5 months and older)
Basic Manners is designed for dog's that have not yet taken a training class, or for puppies who have completed Puppy Kindergarten or dogs that just need a refresher on the basics. Dogs willl learn the foundations for:
- Coming When Called
- Sit / Down /Settle Down
- Off/Leave It
- Polite People Greetings
- Loose Leash Walking
- Watch Me / Touch
Classes are seven weeks, once a week for 60 minutes. For dogs 5 months and older. We accept a maximum of 6-7 dogs per class (depending on location).
Level 2 - Well on our Way!
A Level 2 class is for dogs that have successfully completed Level 1 or Puppy Kindergarten, or an equivalent Beginner level class emphasizing improvement on good behaviors learned in Level 1 with more challenges and distractions as well as new behaviors. We accept a maximum of 6-7 dogs per class (depending on location).
Things we will cover in class:
- Stay
- Sits and Downs for Duration and Distance
- Sits and Downs with Distractions
- Loose Lead walking
- Challenging Leave Its
- Polite People Greetings
- Passing Another Dog on Lead
- Recalls with distraction
AKC Canine Good Citizen® Course & Certification
The AKC's Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program started in 1989. CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Class will be 6 weeks where we will practice fundamentals to pass the 10-step test. Test will be given at the end of the 6 week course. The CGC class should be considered an intermediate or advanced level manners class. We accept a maximum of 6-7 dogs per class (depending on location).
Out and About!
Is your dog better behaved at home than he is in public? Would you like to be able to take your dog with you when you’re out and about? This is the class for you! We’ll meet at public locations every week and work on common, everyday situations. Get real-time feedback and advice on how to improve your dog’s public social skills. Class locations will be in downtown Frederick in public areas. We co-teach this class with Laurie Luck of SmartDog University. Since there will be two certified trainers teaching this class, you and your dog will get more individual attention and we get to know each of you, your dogs, and what specific problems you're facing.
This class is for dogs and people who would like to spend more time in public together, but need to brush up on basic manners. This course is not for dogs who are afraid of or aggressive toward people or other dogs. During the course, we will meet a variety of distractions and real-life situations such as: strollers, skateboarders, joggers, baby strollers, children running, other dogs (who aren’t in class and may or may not be under the control of their owner), strangers who want to pet your dog (and might not ask you first), loud noises, and weather fluctuations. If you think your dog will be afraid or aggressive in any of these situations, Out + About is not the course for you or your dog. Contact Cari Messick or Laurie Luck for a more appropriate course. We accept a maximum of 8 dogs in this class.