Classes
Unless noted otherwise, classes run for 6 Weeks. Class size will be strictly limited.
CLASS FEES:
STAR Puppy/Family Manners/Manners and More Classes are $140 for non-members and $130 for ODTCW club members
ALL OTHER 1-hr class fees are $140 for non-members and $120 for ODTCW club members and are non-refundable/non-transferable after first week of classes.
Note: Fees already include 6.35% CT Sales Tax do not add to class fee.
Schedule subject to change.
Classes canceled due to inclement weather are at the discretion of the instructors, and should be made at least 4 hours prior to class start. Students will be contacted by instructors via email and/or telephone whenever possible if the decision is made to cancel classes. Cancellations will also be posted on our Facebook page.
Click the Title of a Class to Register:
AKC Star Puppy
Monday at 6:30 pm - (Begins: January 6, 2025)
For puppies 10 weeks up to 12 months old, the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. Students learn practical skills such as sit, down, come when called, dealing with strangers. Get information on all your puppy-raising questions like housetraining, chewing, etc. . AKC S.T.A.R. puppy test given at the end of the course. (FMI go to www.akc.org/starpuppy).
Instructor: Frank McKane
If you have questions about this class, contact Frank at FrankM@odtcw.com
Advanced Beginner Agility
Wednesdays at 8:00 pm (Starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025)
Dogs have been introduced to most/all of the equipment and are comfortable with them, though not necessarily at full height depending on age and ability of the individual dog. The Seesaw may still need assistance and weave poles are still a work in progress. Dogs should be able to stay with the handler for short sequences off leash. This class will develop equipment fluency, handling and teamwork and continue to work on longer sequences.
Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience Class or Equivalent
Instructor: Barbara Siegel
If you have questions about this class, contact Barbara at: barbara.siegel2@gmail.com
Foundation/Beginner Agility
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm (Starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025)
Foundation classes cover the introduction of the variety of agility equipment to the dogs. This includes short and simple sequences where handling is also addressed. Obedience skills as needed are covered, sit stays and recalls being the most important. By the end of the session dogs should be confidently performing most of the equipment at some level.
Prerequisite: Beginner Obedience Class or Equivalent
Instructor: Barbara Siegel
If you have questions about this class, contact Barbara at: barbara.siegel2@gmail.com
Improving Your Ring Performance
Tuesdays at 12:00 pm (next session TBD)
Teaching Obedience exercises is the easy part. What about the in between? This class will cover topics such as: Staying connected in the ring, How to read your dog, using food properly, The use of proper markers and timing, Cues, Why obedience in pet life matters in competition obedience, Clear and consistent communication matters, Building motivation and egos in your dogs, and much more. While we may play around with teaching some exercises, this class will focus more on handling skills.
Instructor: Laurie Strimavicius
If you have questions about this class, contact Laurie at LaurieS@odtcw.com
Class is full
Jr Handlers - Family Manners After School Program
Family Manners (Beginner Level I)
Mondays at 7:30pm - (Begins January 6, 2025) Instructor Frank McKane
Tuesdays at 6:00pm - (Begins January 7, 2025) Instructor Frank McKane
Class is for dogs over 6 months of age who have little or no training or puppy class graduates. Students use positive reinforcement methods to teach basic commands (sit, down, stay, etc.). Curriculum includes segments on leash pulling, barking and correcting basic household problems
For the convenience of our students we offer two 6 week sessions. Choose your session above.
Instructor: Frank McKane
If you have questions about Mon/Tues class, contact Frank at FrankM@odtcw.com
Agility Intermediate 1
Wednesdays at 9:00 pm (Starting Wednesday, January 8, 2025)
Dogs should be fluent most equipment, may still need work on weaves but the dog should be working in channel weaves and full height contacts. Dogs must be able to work short sequences-off-leash and have a reliable recall. This is a “pre-competition” level class, regardless of whether they plan on competing or not. This class will continue to build teamwork and enable handlers to develop basic handling and course strategy skills.
Pre-requisite Advanced Beginner Agility.
Instructor: Barbara Siegel
If you have questions about this class, contact Barbara at: barbara.siegel2@gmail.com
Manners & More (Beginner Level II)
Tuesdays at 7:00pm - (Starts January 7, 2025)
In this lively, energetic class students train their dogs to cope with "real-world" situations, such as outside distractions, strangers and other dogs.
This course will consist of 5 classes. In week 6, at conclusion of this course, students will take AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test.
In order to pass the CGC Test, your dog will be required to complete 10 tasks. Before registering for this class, view the video below so that you know what to expect. If you don't believe your dog will be able to "master" these tasks in 5 weeks, consider signing up for our Family Manners class to refine some basic skills before attempting this class.
Click here to view video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iJfwaZkNwE
*Prerequisite: Completion of (Beginner Level I) course or equivalent.
If you have questions about this class, contact Frank at FrankM@odtcw.com
Foundations for Hunting/Field Dogs
Tuesdays at 8:00pm - (Starts January 7, 2025)
This course is designed for dog owners interested in field sports such as hunting/hunt tests and other outdoor activities (hiking, backpacking, tracking). Dogs learn basic whistle commands, directional hand signals, fetch-on-command.
Curriculum is flexible to train dogs of all skill levels.
*Prerequisite: Completion of Family Manners (Beginner Level I) course or equivalent.
If you have questions about this class, contact Frank at FrankM@odtcw.com
AKC/CDSP Novice Competition
Tuesdays at 11:00am - (Begins: December 17, 2024)
Polish your skills for showing in AKC or the more dog and handler friendly CDSP. This class covers Heeling with Attention, Fronts and Finishes, Automatic Sits, Stand for Exam, Reliable Recalls, Recall Over the Bar Jump and Steady Sit/Down Stays. Acquire the skills necessary to become a team. These skills will be needed to progress to the higher obedience levels. Please bring soft, yummy treats such as string cheese or hot dogs.
If you have questions about this class, email LaurieS@odtcw.com
*Prerequisite: Foundation Skills or equivalent or students with previous ring experience in obedience.
AKC/CDSP Open Competition
Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. - (Begins: Tuesday, December 3, 2024) 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
This class is for handlers who are preparing to show or who are currently showing in AKC and/or CDSP
Open. The focus of the class will be to problem solve and break down exercise, proof exercises, and
prepare for a trial setting while maintaining engagement, motivation, and fun.
If you have questions about this class, contact Laurie at LaurieS@odtcw.com
AKC Beginner Novice and CDSP Starter Novice
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. (Starts: Wednesday, January 29, 2025)
AKC Novice & CDSP Novice
AKC/CDSP Utility Competition
Tuesdays at 9:00am (Utility) - (Next session TBD)
This class is for handlers who are preparing to show or who are currently showing in AKC and/or CDSP Utility. The focus of the class will be to problem solve and break down exercises, proof exercises and prepare for a trial setting while maintaining engagement, motivation, and fun.
If you have questions about this class, contact Laurie at LaurieS@odtcw.com
Class is full
Rx For Heeling
Thursdays at 12:00pm - (Begins Thursday, January 23, 2025)
Communication is a key to training your dog. Heeling will be broken down into parts. Topics to be covered include: Learning how to make body language and cues clear to your dog. Keeping your dog's focus. Understanding what heel means for both you and your dog. Diagnosing if you are aiding your dog to the point of lack of performance. The use of food in training. We will also work on transitioning to off leash heeling. This class is designed to make you think.
If you have questions about this class, contact Mindy at MindyC@odtcw.com*Prerequisite: COMPETITION NOVICE OR ABOVE.
Utility
Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. (Starting Thursday, January 23, 2025)
This class will teach and refine the Utility exercises for competition. We will work on signals, scent discrimination, directed retrieve for gloves, moving stand and go outs/directed jumping. Fronts and finishes will also be addressed. Dogs must be trained through the Open level and have a reliable retrieve. Students will provide their own articles and gloves.
Instructor: Mindy Costanza
If you have questions about this class, contact Mindy at MindyC@odtcw.com
Class is full
Club Night
Thursdays from 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Available for club members only.
(NOVICE/OPEN/UTILITY)
Only Obedience/Rally unless everyone in attendance agrees otherwise.
- Everyone must sign in.
- Return all equipment to its original place, turn-down heat, and lock door when last person leaves.
Registration available on Signup Genius.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4AA9AD22A6F9C61-43043009-odtcw#/
Class is full
Drop-In Rally
Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Try out a variety of AKC courses.
No Online Registration Available, Drop In Only.
If you have questions about this class, contact classes@odtcw.com
If you have any questions about classes, please send email to: Class Information
or find us on facebook.
Classes are held at ODTCW, 11 Robinson Lane, Oxford, CT.
AGGRESSIVE DOGS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Mail in Registration form - PDF
