CLASSES

Teaching people and their dogs.

CLASSES

(using the ‘Levels’ system)

Levels Classes are schedule-friendly, on-going group classes focussing on basic manners and obedience. They are open to dogs and puppies of all ages who meet minimum vaccination requirements. You can start at any time by attending a Love 2 Play Dog Sports orientation, or by being a current Love 2 Play client.

Are you one of those people who is frustrated when there are 8 dogs in a class with one instructor and you don't get enough individual instruction? Everything moves too fast and you just can't keep up? Have a busy life and can't commit to 8 weeks of classes? Can't wait for 3 months for the next 'set' of classes to begin? Have LOTS of time now but none in 4 weeks?

Then our Obedience Start Right Course perfect for you.

Unlike other training programs, Love 2 Play offers many choices during a typical week, all for one price. Our Start Right courses are schedule-friendly, ongoing group classes, focusing on basic manners and home obedience. You can come up to three times a week while you are in the program. This is our most frequently offered program with many opportunities during the week to attend (subject to space availibllity).

The Start Right course allow you to:

start as soon as possible (after attending an orientation)
have 1 FREE private lesson
have lots of individual attention in the group class (maximum of 6 dogs with 2 instructors)
commit to only 6 weeks at a time (you can always come longer)
take up to 3 lessons in a week to REALLY jump start your training (that could be 18 classes total)
progress at your own rate--totally individualized

They are open to dogs and puppies of all ages who meet minimum vaccination requirements. You start by attending a Love 2 Play Dog Training orientation, or by being a current Love 2 Play client.

Prices

How does it work? Each behaviour has specific criteria, increasing in difficulty and distraction as you progress. Often you will get almost 1-1 instruction which helps you to move more quickly. Fast learners are not held back and slower ones can take their time without pressure. AND, if you have additional time, you can come twice a week. As you and your dog meet the criteria for one level of behaviour, you move on to the next. As with all Love 2 Play classes, the Start Right Course features positive reinforcement and precision marking.

The Start Right Course is great for busy people because you only have to commit to a few weeks at a time and can come to classes when convenient.

RECREATIONAL AGILITY OR COMPETITIVE AGILITY??????

the choice is yours

OLDER DOG OR YOUNG PUPPY????

we have something for them all (and for you too!!!)

Come join the fun of the fastest growing dog sport. Fun for dogs AND people. Dogs have a blast running over jumps, through tunnels, balancing on teeter totters.

For pups under 10 months, we offer our new "AGILITY START RIGHT" or our JUMPS and TUNNELS class. Easy on their developing bodies and a ton of fun. Both are offered year round (yes, INSIDE in the winter).

For older dogs (over 10 months) we offer JUMPS AND TUNNELS classes and BEGINNER RECREATIONAL AGILITY.

Love 2 Play offers everything in agility from teaching dogs to be aware of their bodies and learning the equipment through to competitive agility at the highest levels. Although most Love 2 Play students just want to have fun in class with their dogs, others have gone on to compete and place at Regional and National competitions.

Contact us and find out what all the fun is about!

Give your puppy its best start. Although your young puppy has a short attention span, its capacity to learn is huge….greater than at any time in its life. Your puppy will be learning 24 / 7. By beginning training early, you can help your puppy learn what YOU want.

Group Puppy Kindergarten classes (8 - 13 weeks old)

Improper or incomplete socialization between 3 and 20 weeks can increase the risk of behaviour problems later. And yet, your puppy is NOT safe to go out and socialize just 'anywhere' until its second vaccinations at 12 or 13 weeks.

We offer SAFE indoor puppy socialization classes for puppies age 8 - 13 weeks who are healthy and have had their first set of vaccinations. Everything possible is done to minimize the risk of disease while puppies benefit from exposure to:

different people
new experiences
new surfaces
unusual sounds
unusual objects
and have some controlled play time together while owners learn the ins and outs of appropriate play.

Each week focuses on a specific problem prevention topic--housetraining, nipping, bite inhibition, chewing, puppy management including grooming and feeding. This course gives you and your puppy a great start to a life together before starting more formal training in the Start Right Course. There is a specific orientation for this class, focusing on safe socialization of young puppies.

Cost is $120 (including taxes) for 6 weeks. Contact us for more details

If you prefer, Love 2 Play also offers IN HOME training for young puppies (8 – 13 weeks).

(foundation obedience skills)

The criteria for this level build on the behaviours from Level 1. The level includes new exercises such as:

Sit – your dog will sit on the first cue

Down – your dog will lie down on the first cue

Leash manners – your dog will walk for longer on a loose leash

Recall – your dog will come to you from when minimally distracted

On the Road – your dog will be able to perform the behaviours from Level 1 in different locations

Training concepts – you will learn additional information around play and signs of stress

Graduates of Level 2 are ready to participate in Tricks or Shaping class with Love 2 Play.

Has your dog got C.L.A.S.S.?? ("Canine Life and Social Skills")

Ready for a bit more? Can your dog sit, down, come, and walk nicely on leash when there are no distractions but can't quite do it 'in public'? Then this class is for you.

The C.L.A.S.S. program, developed by the Asssociation of Pet Dog Trainers, focuses on useful life skills that well mannered family pets need. We work on:

Wait at the door
Come
Polite Walking in distractions
Meeting people and dogs
Ignoring distractions
Waiting politely for food
Stay
Settle
Give and Take
Table Manners (home and out and about)
And a few tricks

This course is taught almost entirely through games and is a FUN program with behaviours directly transferable to real life. Graduates of the 3rd level (called PhD by C.L.A.S.S.) are well prepared to take the therapy dog evaluation or to take the Canine Good Neighbour test.

Can your dog perform these at a B.A., M.A. or PhD level???? There are 3 levels of increasing difficulty. The last class is a evaluation by a C.L.A.S.S evaluator. Teams who pass are issued a C.L.A.S.S certificate from APDT (registration is part of the course fees)

This class runs for 6 weeks consecutively and is open to graduates of Obedience Start Right or by permission of the instructor.

ALL students must attend an orientation to dog training.

You will learn a bit about how animals learn and what 'training' is all about.

You have an opportunity to practice the mechanics of clicker training and to discover its fun!

Smiles and laughter are the hallmark of this two hour, one-time, people-only class. All family members are welcome to attend. Orientations are scheduled at convenient times for new students.

(relationship building and impulse control)

The criteria for this level include:

No mugging (doggie zen) – your dog will choose to stay away from treats in your open hand

Crate training – your dog will choose to enter the crate and remain inside, with the door open

Mat training – your dog will choose to go to a mat from a distance of 3 feet

Name recognition – your dog will look towards you when you call his/her name

Leash Manners – your dog will begin to walk on a loose leash

Eye Contact – your dog will choose to look at your eyes

Sits/Downs – your dog will choose to sit and lie down

Target training – your dog will deliberately touch his/her nose to your hand

Clicker training – you will learn when to click and how to deliver a food reward to effectively reinforce correct behaviour

Start Right and build a great relationship with your dog

Teach him to control himself! Teach her to control herself!

Wouldn't it be nice to have a dog that seemed to think 'if I'm good, maybe you'll give me what I want'? THAT is the goal of this level.

We teach you, not just your dog. You and your dog will learn to establish a system of lifelong communication.

Start Right lessons may be taken in a linear fashion (same day and time for six weeks) or in a flexible modular fashion where you pick the days and times that work for your schedule.

Your Start Right Course includes:

Orientation session to give you the right start to teach your dog PLUS
45 minute private lesson PLUS
Attend 6 Start Right lessons on the same day and time each week, AND, if you want
Attend other Start Right lessons (up to 3 a week) that fit your schedule

And, if all you can fit into your busy life is that one time a week, that's fine too! Whatever works for you.

No waiting for the next class to start - just pick an orientation or lesson that fits your schedule.

Price of classes

"Dr. Seuss" Class

(foundation obedience skills)

The criteria for this level build on the behaviours from Level 1. The level includes new exercises such as:

Sit – your dog will sit on the first cue

Down – your dog will lie down on the first cue

Leash manners – your dog will walk for longer on a loose leash

Recall – your dog will come to you from when minimally distracted

On the Road – your dog will be able to perform the behaviours from Level 1 in different locations

Training concepts – you will learn additional information around play and signs of stress

Graduates of Level 2 are ready to participate in Tricks or Shaping class with Love 2 Play.

Want even better self control in real life?

Join our 'Dr. Seuss' class...

.(apologies to Dr. Seuss) but can your dog:

"do a sit in a box
do a sit with a fox
do a sit in a house
do a sit with a mouse
do a sit here or there.
do a sit anywhere?"

OR lie down when balls are flying or dogs are running....

Well, you get the picture....

This is a fun class, incorporating games, movement and laughter. Your dog learns that all those 'distractions' are just opportunities for him to show you that he DOES know his stuff...you can't fool HIM (or HER)!

Prerequisities: Intermediate (C.L.A.S.S MA) or permission of instructor

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