PILOT PROGRAM PART 3 - This workshop is for those teams learning basics skills and training techniques to compete in Open Obedience from the previous Parts 1 & 2 Workshops. We'll cover  Refine skills previously addressed in Part 2: Broad and High jumps, retrieving at greater distance as well as expancding the dogs abilty to follow signal exercises. 

PREREQUISITES: Prior approval required for registration. 1) Dog must be at least 1yr old, 2) have not competed at the Open/Preferred Open level or above, 3) have at least a Beginner Novice (BN) title or one leg toward their Novice (CD) titles. Handlers will bring a good fitting dumbbell. Multiple rings will be used.

NOTE: No 2nd dogs/same handler will be accepted for this workshop.  We do understand many of you may be traveling from quite a distance with multiple dogs training that day.  You're welcome to bring them into the building with you; however, you are only permitted to work the one registered for the workshop. Please contact the Instructor or Training Director, Deanna Bullock, 757-778-7608 or instructor for approvals and questions.

Instructional class covering rules and regulations, ring procedures, and a critiqued run thru of each dog. This class is for dogs getting ready to show in BN or in Novice and dogs will need a reliable recall.

Prerequisites: Dogs should be working on off lead heeling and recall.

Instructional class covering rules and regulations, ring procedures, and a critiqued run thru of each dog. This class is for dogs getting ready to show in BN or in Novice and dogs will need a reliable recall.

Prerequisites: Dogs should be working on off lead heeling and recall.

Practice Advanced/Intermediate/Excellent courses  Performances will be critiqued to aid in practice. Directed practice with individual signs available. Note: Students expected to help in course setup and take down. 

Prerequisites: Handler and dog must be familiar with Advanced (this includes Intermediate) exercises AND have earned at least a Rally Novice title. Exceptions only with permission of Instructor. 

Practice Advanced/Intermediate/Excellent courses  Performances will be critiqued to aid in practice. Directed practice with individual signs available. Note: Students expected to help in course setup and take down. 

Prerequisites: Handler and dog must be familiar with Advanced (this includes Intermediate) exercises AND have earned at least a Rally Novice title. Exceptions only with permission of Instructor. 

Note: this is a four-week class, schedule follows:

• Classes: September 9 and 16 12p - 1:30p (1.5 hours) Novice Trial Preparations
• No Class:  September 23 and 30
• Classes:  October 7 and 14  12p-1:30p (1.5 hours) Advanced Trial Preparations

This is an instructional class. Handlers and dogs will put their training of Scentwork skills into action. The class will include the four elements and the trial searches in both Novice and Advanced levels. All searches will be paired. The instructor will share strategies on utilizing handler & dog skills to be more successful during a trial. The AKC Trial Elements worksheet will be provided to the handlers in order to familiarize them with the trial aspects. 

Handlers will be asked to practice with their dogs during the time between classes.  

Prerequisites: Dogs must be familiar with the odors of Birch and Anise. All dogs must be crated between their turn to run. Dogs must have a collar or harness and an 8'-10' leash. If you are not sure if this class is for you, contact Deanna Bullock, Training Director, for more information.

Note: this is a four-week class, schedule follows:

• Classes: September 9 and 16 12p - 1:30p (1.5 hours) Novice Trial Preparations
• No Class:  September 23 and 30
• Classes:  October 7 and 14  12p-1:30p (1.5 hours) Advanced Trial Preparations

This is an instructional class. Handlers and dogs will put their training of Scentwork skills into action. The class will include the four elements and the trial searches in both Novice and Advanced levels. All searches will be paired. The instructor will share strategies on utilizing handler & dog skills to be more successful during a trial. The AKC Trial Elements worksheet will be provided to the handlers in order to familiarize them with the trial aspects. 

Handlers will be asked to practice with their dogs during the time between classes.  

Prerequisites: Dogs must be familiar with the odors of Birch and Anise. All dogs must be crated between their turn to run. Dogs must have a collar or harness and an 8'-10' leash. If you are not sure if this class is for you, contact Deanna Bullock, Training Director, for more information.

This class includes abbreviated Excellent/Master level Standard and Jumpers with Weaves courses with emphasis on the performance requirements of each obstacle and the handling necessary to move between them.

Note: Students are expected to help setup and break down equipment at the beginning and end of each class.

Prerequisites: Dogs/handlers must have successfully completed MDTC’S Intermediate Obedience classes, Foundations & Groundwork (Intro to Agility) 101-104, and Improving Handler & Dog Skills (Intermediate) or be evaluated by instructor/training director before signing up for class.