Whatever your interest or expertise, we have a class which can benefit both you and your dog.
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Check the Current Schedule to see what is available now!
Classes are held in the club's training building at Penn State's Ag Progress Days grounds, off Rt. 45 in Rock Springs, PA. Click HERE for Directions and a Map. |
 graduates from a recent KPT class |
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Our instructors have years of experience training and teaching all breeds of dogs. They participate in a wide variety of canine sports, and actively promote responsible dog ownership. The Mt. Nittany Dog Training Club encourages families and children to participate in class and in training their dog. |
Obedience Classes
Our obedience classes are offered in the spring and fall, one night a week for eight weeks, and are open to both mixed breed and purebred dogs. We emphasize general obedience and manners through positive motivation techniques. Instruction is on come, sit, down, stay and loose leash walking. Informational talks are given throughout the class on such topics as house training, common medical disorders, and common behavior problems.
The Kindergarten Puppy Training (KPT) class is designed for puppies under the age of 4 months at the start of the class. Emphasis is on learning early intervention to prevent bad habits (jumping, chewing etc.), beginning training, and socialization to other dogs, people, and unusual situations.
The Beginners class is designed for dogs of all ages who have not had previous training, or need to review the basics. We will show you effective methods for dealing with typical dog training issues. Emphasis is on basic obedience - walking on a leash, sitting and downing on command, coming when called, etc. It is never too late to train your dog!
The Intermediate/Canine Good Citizen is designed for individuals who have previously taken an obedience class such as Kindergarten or Beginners and would like to continue working on heeling, stays, basic obedience and practice towards the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. Depending on class enrollment, may include beginning retrieving and jumping.
The Obedience for Agility class is designed for individuals who have previously taken an obedience class such as Kindergarten or Beginners and would like to work on the basic commands needed for the sport of agility. The class will cover attention, recalls, stays, beginning handling commands, and beginning jumping
Conformation Handling is a class is designed for individuals interested in showing in breed competition. Basic skills, strategy, and understanding of the rules will be included.
Show Obedience is designed for individuals who would like to prepare for obedience competition. Emphasis is on attention, handling, ring readiness (rules), and overall obedience competition skills.
Rally Obedience is a class designed to familiarize individuals to the new AKC "Rally-O" program which teams can use as a stepping stone between the Canine Good Citizen program and traditional Obedience. Teams negotiate a course consisting of stations that describe the exercise that must be performed. Things like left turns, right turns, 270 turns, left about turns, call to front and finish left or right, are just a few of the exercises that teams will perform. The main emphasis is on having fun and developing teamwork. For additional information you can visit the AKC's website.
Competition Run-thrus are for folks preparing to, or already competing in the indicated sport. Coordinators will be available to call ring commands. These are practice sessions, not classes, and are on a pay as you go basis.
Rescue 101 will focus on dogs that have been adopted through either a shelter or a rescue group and have specific behavior or training issues. These will be workshop sessions on a pay as you go basis.
Flyball --Learn how to get your dog started in this fast moving, fun, relay event. In this class, the focus will be on teaching the dog and handler the basics of flyball. Dogs will learn how to trip the box to release the ball, and to bring it back over jumps. The main emphasis is on having fun and developing teamwork. Dogs should have basic obedience training and must get along well with other dogs.
Tracking is a sport where dogs are trained by bringing out their natural ability to recognize and follow human scent. Dogs possess an extremely high level of scent capability and owners who do tracking with their dogs find joy in seeing the dogs at work using their innate scenting skills. Our Beginning Tracking class gets you started! The Intermediate Class is for dogs who are already doing turns.
Agility classes
Agility classes are also offered on a regular basis. Dog agility is a sport in which a handler is given a set amount of time in which to direct a dog, through a series of obstacles, which include tunnels, jumps, see-saw, A-frame, dog-walk, tire jump and weave poles. Agility is an exciting fast-paced sport, which requires a confident dog that also knows how to come, sit, down and stay.
Beginners Agility This class is introduces the dog and handler to the agility equipment and sets the stage for further work. In order to qualify for this class, you must be able to answer YES to all of the following questions. If you cannot answer YES to all of these, please work on obedience first.
- Will your dog sit or go down with a verbal command. (No leash jerk or hands used to push dog down.)
- With dog on leash, can you move out to the end of the leash, call "come" and the dog will obey your command?
- Will your dog come to strangers and allow them to pet or hold it?
- Will your dog allow other handlers and dogs to walk by it without growling or lunging?
- Can you run and play with your dog off lead? Will your dog come to you when off lead?
Intermediate Agility is designed for individuals who have completed Beginning Agility and whose dogs are comfortable with the agility equipment. Emphasis will be on simple sequencing and introduction to basic handling techniques.
Jumping FUNdamentals is for any dog over the age of 6 months who will be participating in any activity requiring jumping skills. Dogs need either a puppy class or a beginning obedience class as a prerequisite. Class is limited to 6 dogs.
Handling is designed for individuals who have successfully completed an intermediate agility class or its equivalent. Emphasis is on handling techniques, course strategy, and preparation for actual competitions.
Competition Run-thrus are for folks preparing to, or already competing in Agility. Coordinators will be available to help set up equipment and call ring commands. These are practice sessions, not classes, and are on a pay as you go basis.
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