FitHound offers the following classes:
- Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten
- Level 1 - Basic Manners
- Level 2 - Well on our Way!: Intermediate
- AKC Canine Good Citizen course & certification.
All dogs must have proof of vaccinations before starting any class.
Level 1 - Puppy Kindergarten (for dogs 9-20 weeks old)
A puppy's primary and secondary socialization periods last from approximately 7 to 16 weeks of age. 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
- Coming When Called
- Sit
- Down/Settle Down
- Off/Leave It
- Stay
We will also discuss housetraining, crating, chewing and biting, & good puppy management.
Sessions are six weeks, once a week for 60 minutes, and include puppy playtime during each class. For puppies 9-20 weeks old.
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
-Stay
-Loose Leash Walking
Classes are six weeks, once a week for 60 minutes, and include playtime during each class. For Dogs 5 months and older.
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 ith more challenges and distractions.
Things we will cover in class:
- Duration Sit and Down
- Distance Sit and Down
- Sits and Downs with Distractions
- Loose Lead walking
- Challenging Leave Its
- Duration Stays
- 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.
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.
Out and About! is for dogs who have successfully completed a Basic Manners Level I or a Well on Our Way Level II class and should be considered an advanced level class.
All classes meet for one hour, once a week for six weeks, and may include playtime during each class.