This class is designed for the dog with some basic manners (Strart Right Programequivalent is required) and a desire to impress!  You will learn techniques to teach your dog a variety of fun and useful tricks, from “rollover,” “shake,” “wave” and “bow” to “put away your toys,” “fetch,” and even “find my keys”.   If you prefer 'useful tricks' you can teach your dog to "retrieve", "heel" or "find the TV remote".  This class is perfect for anyone interested in learning more about the power of Clicker Training. Many behaviour problems result from bored dogs whose potential awaits a creative release.  Harness your dog’s intelligence and desire to work in a class that will have your dog jumping through hoops!

Does your dog react to other dogs or people?  Does your dog bark to keep them away?  Does your dog hide or lunge at new people or dogs?  Does your dog have trouble paying attention in new situations?  If so, our DINOS (Dogs in Need of Space) class may be the one for you.  Maximum class size is 4 dogs, with 2 instructors.

We will teach you to help your dog relax and perform 'easy' behaviours when nervous or overly aroused.  We will give you skills to get you out of situations when you need to.   We will help your dog learn to pay attention to you. The goal of the class is to integrate the dogs back into a regular dog training class when they are ready.

The techniques used in this class are based on “Control Unleashed” by Leslie McDevitt, "Click to Calm" by Emma Parsons, and "Scaredy Dog" by Ali Brown.   Reading of Scaredy Dog is suggested although not mandatory.  

Instructors have attended “Relaxed and Ready” and “Click to Calm Unleashed” workshops, both based on Control Unleashed as well as workshops by Ali Brown.  We have worked with numerous fearful and reactive dogs and both have DINOS dogs in our family, which we manage on a daily basis. 

The instructors will meet dogs before allowing them in class.  This group class may not be appropriate for every dog; private instruction may be necessary to help some dogs with their behaviour.

A GREAT online resource for those of us with DINOS (Dogs in Need of Space) is http://notesfromadogwalker.com/2011/12/14/dinos-resource-guide/