Take advantage of those crucial first weeks of development and learn all about setting up routines and habits that will set the stage for eager and focused learners. Being a “new puppy parent” can feel overwhelming. Your first step is to begin building your relationship together with positive and engaging techniques to welcome your puppy to his new home and routine. This class includes everything you need to know the first weeks with your new puppy, including potty training, puppy routines, at home grooming care, avoiding destructive behaviours, introducing a leash, puppy’s first commands and so much more.
Socializing a puppy is crucial for a confident, polite and social dog later in life. Puppy Socialization refers age appropriate developmental activities that introduce puppies to the complex human world.
This class includes much more playing with other dogs. In Puppy Social we will gently introduce new sights, sounds, objects and experiences to encourage curiosity and confidence. You'll learn how to navigate "fear periods" and positively introduce your pup to alarming things like fireworks, sirens, and construction noises. Puppies attending Polite Puppy and Junior K9 are welcome to attend this class concurrently or consecutively; the three classes build on each other.
The tween and teen months can be a challenge for any puppy parent. This class emphasizes essential commands for a successful and safe transition from puppyhood to the "teen" stage. Learning to navigate new situations, socialization and confidence-building are key concepts explored in this class and can set the foundation for success in future training classes!
Puppies will learn in a safe and guided environment, learning appropriate greeting and play behavior. This class features games and activities for the whole family, designed to help build your teen pup's confidence and guide them through new experiences.
Introductory commands are used for learning manners, meeting new dogs, meeting friendly strangers, ignoring distractions, and building confidence for pup and handler alike!
You pup may know to "sit" at home, but can she do it in a group of her peers? Can she hold that sit even when you're not looking? Can your pup stay still while you meet a stranger?
Our Basic Obedience class teaches all the fundamental commands such as sit, down, wait, stand and recall, while introducing heel work. This class is completed on leash, with an escalating level of distractions intended to help build endurance and patience.
Scent Detection is a dog sport derived from specialty canine units that detect bombs and illegal substances. This course is open to all dogs, is fun, challenging and builds teamwork. During this course your dog will learn to recognize, detect and “find” wintergreen scent and you will learn the strategies to box searching.
Dog Games is a skill building "practice" class intended to increase your dog's focus, patience and endurance. This class builds on your dog's love of play and is designed for adolescent and adult dogs to practice and build fluency of already learned behaviours and is ideal for humans who would like to shake up their training routine with some creative activities.
This can be a maintenance class, a skills reinforcement, and/or a fun activity class to sharpen skills. Dogs who have completed Junior K9 or Basic Obedience are ideally suited for participation. Humans 13+ will also enjoy this class.
NEW for Spring 2023!
K9 Parkour is the hot new dog sport for dogs of ALL ages. Upgrade your walk with your dog with more exercise in less time, increased brain work and lots of fun.
In this class humans and canines work together to explore their environment creatively (and safely). Learn all new commands and build your partnership as you work through new challenges together.
This class will take place indoors and outdoors and is suitable for dogs 9+ months old. Activities are modified for Senior Dogs and juvenile dogs. Low to moderate fitness level required for humans (ability to be on your feet and walking for 45 mins).
Walking as a team is an enjoyable exercise for you and your canine. Learn to deter pulling on the leash, avoid distractions and walk your dog with a loose leash and positive reinforcement.
A treat pouch is encouraged for this class. Treats and treat pouches can be purchased at K-9 Headquarters, if needed. A standard flat collar and a 4 to 6 foot leash is required for this class, no harness, hiking leashes, retractable leashes or prong collars (your instructor will explain this tool choice further!)
Ready to take your pup's obedience to the next level? Intermediate Obedience helps you fine-tune all the core obedience commands in a high distraction environment, while building endurance and patience. Students will begin working off-leash in a safe indoor, group setting.
Practice off-leash skills while ignoring visual, audio and scent distractions. Long duration commands, distance command changes, navigating crowds, leash-free recall and out of sight commands are heavily featured in this advanced level class