DOG SPORTS & SPECIALTY CLASSES

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN PREP

The American Kennel Club (AKC) created the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification program to reward responsible ownership and canine good manners in the home and in the community. Our five-week class works specifically on teaching you and your canine companion how to have a wonderful relationship and how to present yourselves well in the community. On graduation day, you and your dog will have the opportunity to take the Canine Good Citizen test. All dogs that pass the 10-step CGC test qualify to receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, 50-55 minutes each week, and your dog should attend all classes with you. Includes the opportunity to take the CGC test on the final day of class.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2)
  • Dog must be dog and people friendly
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

FOUNDATION SKILLS FOR DOG SPORTS

Designed for the dogs preparing for dog sports, including agility, flyball, canine freestyle, disk dogs and others, this course will emphasize working and remaining focused through high level distractions. Behaviors that will be practiced will include: Appropriate play ~ Stays with distractions ~ Come away from distractions ~ Come past distractions ~ Go away from me ("go on") ~ Left Turn/Right Turn.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Dog must be at least 6 months of age
  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2)
  • Proof of current vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

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AGILITY OPEN HOUSE

Agility offers people and their dogs the opportunity to build a stronger bond, reduce problem behaviors by providing an outlet for energy, stay fit, and keep training fun and interesting! Join us for a one-hour lecture/demonstration to see what this popular dog sport is all about.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a FREE DEMO for HUMANS ONLY. Please DO NOT bring your dog with you.

FREE!

 

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BEGINNING AGILITY

You've learned to sit and stay, now it's time to run! In this 5-week session we will introduce obstacles and handling skills that will lay the foundation for navigating agility courses with your dog. Whether your goal is to compete, or just to have a blast training with your four-legged teammate, this class is for you! Both treats and toys will be used in this class to reward your dog.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Dog must be over 1 year old (all ages over 1 year are welcome, as are all sizes of dogs)
  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2) or equivalent
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

INTERMEDIATE AGILITY

Building on the foundation skills introduced in Beginning Agility, in this 5-week session your dog will begin to jump, tunnel, and climb their way through longer sequences of obstacles. Handling skills such as front crosses and serpentines will be introduced and refined. Come ready to run! Both treats and toys will be used in this class to reward your dog.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Dog must be over 1 year old (all ages over 1 year are welcome, as are all sizes of dogs)
  • Completion of Beginning Agility training course at A Dog's Life or permission of instructor
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

ADVANCED AGILITY

Building on the skills you learned in Intermediate Agility, Advanced Agility is a 5-week course where you and your dog continue to hone your skills as you work as a team through longer sequences of obstacles. Handling skills will be refined. Come ready to run! Both treats and toys will be used in this class to reward your dog.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Dog must be over 1 year old (all ages over 1 year are welcome, as are all sizes of dogs)
  • Completion of Intermediate Agility training course at A DOG'S LIFE or permission of instructor
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

DROP-IN AGILITY

For students who have completed A DOG'S LIFE beginning and intermediate agility classes, drop-in sessions allow you to continue to improve handling and sequencing on the equipment under instructor supervision.

PLEASE NOTE: This class is on-going and is arranged by reservation with the instructor only.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Dog must be over 1 year old (all ages over 1 year are welcome, as are all sizes of dogs)
  • Dog has completed ADL Beginning or Intermediate Agility class or equivalent classes, or is currently competing or has competed in Agility trials in the past
  • Proof of vaccinations

$15 walk-in per dog, per session. Payable to instructor at the door.
NO NEED TO REGISTER, HOWEVER, BY RESERVATION ONLY.

DROP-IN AGILITY SCHEDULE:

  • In PALO ALTO, ongoing every Saturday, at 3:30 PM with Joyce Hao instructing, by reservation only.

 

 

 

 

CANINE NOSE WORK DEMO

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt. This demonstration will introduce you to the sport of K9 Nose Work, and how to encourage and develop your dog's natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. Our K9 Nose Work classes are a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy. High food or toy motivation is beneficial for K9 Nose Work. K9 Nose work is a new urban detection style sport where your dog learns to search for three specific odors in various environments.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS FREE DEMO IS FOR HUMANS ONLY. Please DO NOT bring your dog with you.

FREE!

 

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INTRODUCTION TO NOSE WORK

This class teaches your dog the game of searching and teaches you the abilities to recognize and reward your dog's searching behavior, keeping the game fun for you and your dog.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, approximately 1 hour per class, and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2)
  • Dog must be capable of handling confinement, being crated in class and away from their handlers
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

CONTINUING NOSE WORK

This class continues to build searching skills, drive and enthusiasm while honing your handling skills. This class covers exterior and vehicle searches along with increasingly difficult searches.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, approximately 1 hour per class, and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Introduction To Nose Work, or upon evaluation of the dog by instructor
  • Dogs must be capable of handling confinement, being crated in class and away from their handlers
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO ODOR

This class blends the dog's scent discrimination skills, taught in the Introduction to Nose Work classes, with odor. All dogs are taught to identify the first target odor, Birch, a natural essential oil. Additionally, we introduce techniques and tactics for building better dog/ handler teamwork.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, approximately 1 hour per class, and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Introduction To Nose Work and Continuing Nose Work, or with instructor approval
  • Dogs must be capable of handling confinement, being crated in class and away from their handlers
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

CONTINUING ODOR

This class advances the dog's scent discrimination skills taught in the Introduction to Odor class. Dog will learn the two additional odors, Anise and Clove. We will work on more difficult searches, in all elements, (interior, exterior, vehicle, containers) and work on handler skills, as preparation for the Odor Recognition Test and trials.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours per class, and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Introduction To Nose Work, Continuing Nose Work and Introduction To Odor, or with instructor approval
  • Dogs must be capable of handling confinement, being crated in class and away from their handlers
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

ADVANCED ODOR

This class advances the dog's scent discrimination skills taught in the Continuing Odor class. We will work on more difficult searches, pattern training, odor and wind, honing the skills and building stamina, work on handler leash skills, and how to cover a room in three minutes or less, trial preparation, converging odor, etc.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, approximately 1 to 1.5 hours per class, and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Introduction To Nose Work, Continuing Nose Work and Introduction To Odor, Continuing Odor. Dog should be on all three odors or with instructor approval
  • Dogs must be capable of handling confinement, being crated in class and away from their handlers
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

DOUBLE TROUBLE

No doubt about it, two dogs can be a handful! This course is designed to help you teach your dogs how to respond to you, both separately & together, and how to better manage your dogs so you will have a more enjoyable, fun and harmonious household!.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dogs should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of either Puppy 1, Adolescent/Adult 1, Older Puppy, Small Dog Manners, or equivalent basic obedience class or have approval of instructor
  • Dogs must not be dog or people aggressive
  • Dogs must have proof of vaccinations

$195*
$180* (ADL members)
*Rate includes both dogs

 

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BEGINNING TRICKS

We love Tricks class! Teaching your dog tricks is a fun and entertaining way to an even smarter, more focused pet and you will be the life of the party! You'll learn foundation skills for teaching tricks such as shake hands, high five, sit pretty, take a bow, play dead, spin, etc. Your dog will love learning new tricks!

SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT BEGINNING TRICKS!

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2) or equivalent
  • Dog must not be leash aggressive/reactive with people or dogs
  • Proof of current vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

REGISTER FOR THIS CLASS:

 

 

 

 

ADVANCED TRICKS

Once you've learned the foundation skills and have some of the basic tricks learned, you and your dog are ready for more advanced tricks! You'll learn tricks such as putting away toys, reading signs and turning off lights. Different dogs are better at certain tricks, so we will explore the tricks at which your dog may excel!

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of BEGINNING TRICKS training course at A DOG'S LIFE
  • Dog must not be leash aggressive/reactive with people or dogs
  • Proof of current vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

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CLICKER TRAINING FOR CONFORMATION

For beginners as well as seasoned handlers. You will learn a fresh new approach to bring out the best in your dog using positive, modern methods. You'll enjoy an enhanced level of communication with your dog as you learn how to use a clicker to achieve behaviors needed in the ring, such as a self-stack, gait on a loose lead, and stand for exam. You'll also learn some insider tips and the basic ins and outs of showing your dog.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of either Puppy 1, Adolescent/Adult 1, Older Puppy, Small Dog Manners, or equivalent basic obedience class or have approval of instructor
  • Proof of age-approriate vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

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CONTINUING CONFORMATION

This course will help you fine-tune your performance for the Show Ring. You will practice as if you are in a show, while being coached on how to get the best from your dog. Only progressive, modern training methods will be used. Class is limited to eight participants to ensure that you receive plenty of practice.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of a level one basic manners/obedience class
  • Handler should be familiar with showing in Conformation
  • Dog must not be reactive and must not object to handling by strangers
  • Proof of age-approriate vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

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RING READY

This class will help problem-solve, proof and polish you and your dog for competition Beginner Novice and Novice Obedience class before you head into the ring. Add enthusiasm to your dog's performance with games to enhance your relationship with your dog while still training the required exercises. Includes handling and training tips for common mistakes in each exercise, proofing and distraction work.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course, 50 minutes each week, and your dog should attend all classes with you. Includes the opportunity to do an actual run-through at Beginner Novice or Novice Competition Level on the final day of class.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2) and a strong desire to train at the beginner competition level
  • Must have strong loose-lead walking and attention skills
  • Dog must be dog and people friendly
  • Proof of age-approriate vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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RALLY NOVICE (level 1)

Rally Obedience is an AKC titling event. But, it is so much more than that. It is also a fun and enjoyable way to perfect your dog's responses to you, whether or not you ever compete! By using modern, positive training methods, you'll experience a mutual respect and enhanced level of communication between you and your dog. This makes it possible to tap into your dog's true potential.

You and your dog move as a team continuously through a Rally course of 10-20 signs. At each numbered sign you perform the indicated exercise then move to the next sign. Unlimited communication is encouraged - the handler can talk to the dog and give multiple commands and signals. It is fun and relaxed!

This class will introduce you to AKC Rally. You and your dog will learn how to complete each of the exercises in Novice. Taking a Rally class is sure to improve your dog's heeling and attention!

SEE WHAT OUR CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT RALLY NOVICE!

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of either Puppy 1, Adolescent/Adult 1, Older Puppy, Small Dog Manners, or equivalent basic obedience class
  • Proof of age-approriate vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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CONTINUING RALLY NOVICE

This class will practice full rally courses. It will include techniques for improving accuracy and enthusiam with your dog and problem solving for the show ring.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Rally Novice
  • Dog must not be aggressive towards other dogs on leash
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

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RALLY ADVANCED (level 2)

This class will build on the exercises learned in Novice and move you on to learning the Excellent exercises.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Rally Novice
  • Dog must not be aggressive towards other dogs on leash
  • Proof of vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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RALLY EXCELLENT (level 3)

This class will build on the exercises learned in Rally Advanced class and will cover the Rally Excellent level exercises. The class will also focus on the skills needed: confidence, timing and footwork to compete, while fine-tuning the basic skills you have already learned. Special focus will be building teamwork between the dog and handler.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • Completion of Rally Advanced or Approval of Instructor
  • Proof of age-approriate vaccinations

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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HOUNDS ON THE TOWN!

This five-week course consists of field trips to a different location every week where we will be practicing good dog manners on crowded streets, town squares, visiting stores, vet offices, coffee shops, etc. We will be visiting dog-friendly locations like Stanford Shopping Center, down town Los Gatos and Santana Row. This is the perfect transition from the classroom to the real world, where you will get to work with your dog in real-life situations, but with the support of two instructors!

PLEASE NOTE: This is a five-week course and your dog should attend all classes with you.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • This class is by INSTRUCTOR INVITATION/APPROVAL ONLY
  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2) or equivalent
  • Dog must not be leash aggressive/reactive with people or other animals

$175
$160 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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HOUNDS BY THE SEA!

For graduates of Hounds on the Town, this one-day field trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea will give you an extended opportunity to take your dog out and about under the guidance of two instructors. We will visit a variety of dog-friendly establishments, and end the day with a group meal at a local dog-friendly restaurant (price of meal not included in cost of class). Field trip is approximately 3.5 hours long, including the meal.

COURSE PREREQUISITES:

  • This class is by INSTRUCTOR INVITATION/APPROVAL ONLY
  • Completion of two levels of obedience classes (for example, Adolescent/Adult 1 and Adolescent/Adult 2, or Puppy 1 and Puppy 2) or equivalent
  • Dog must not be leash aggressive/reactive with people or other animals

$55
$50 (ADL members)

 

NO CLASSES SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME.
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All dogs that come to A DOG'S LIFE for daycare, boarding or training that are recovering from and/or taking antibiotics for an illness or infection must also have written clearance from their vet stating that the dog is safe to be around other dogs (i.e. is not contagious).

 

 

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