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Our Classes
Scent Work - Skills for Excellent & Master Teams (ES) (Members Only)
with Elizabeth Staley
Note: There is no class 1/12 to accomodate the Membership Meeting.
This class is for teams working at the Excellent or Master level in AKC - or a comparable level in another organization. Dog must have been introduced to and successfully searching for all 4 AKC odors. Classes will work skills and challenges appropriate for these classes including but not limited to off leash searching, elevated hides, inaccessible hides, converging odor, blank spaces and calling finish when your dog is done working, and increasingly challenging distractors.
Class will primarily focus on interior and exterior searches (weather and light permitting) but may also include containers. Buried searches will not be covered in this class.
Dogs are expected to be crated when it is not their turn. Handlers are encouraged to watch other teams work.
Scent Work - Skills for Excellent & Master Teams (ES) (Non-Members)
with Elizabeth Staley
Note: There is no class 1/12 to accomodate the Membership Meeting.
This class is for teams working at the Excellent or Master level in AKC - or a comparable level in another organization. Dog must have been introduced to and successfully searching for all 4 AKC odors. Classes will work skills and challenges appropriate for these classes including but not limited to off leash searching, elevated hides, inaccessible hides, converging odor, blank spaces and calling finish when your dog is done working, and increasingly challenging distractors.
Class will primarily focus on interior and exterior searches (weather and light permitting) but may also include containers. Buried searches will not be covered in this class.
Dogs are expected to be crated when it is not their turn. Handlers are encouraged to watch other teams work.
AKC Rally - Novice, Intermediate/Advanced (SP) (Members Only)
with Sandra Platt
Note: There will be no class Monday 1/12, to accommodate the Membership Meeting.
This class will introduce Rally Novice & Intermediate/Advanced signs giving the skills to prepare you to excel in Novice & prepare to move up to Intermediate/Advanced. The class will be instructional and set up with a nested Novice course & a new Intermediate/Advanced course to practice each week. We will work on learning the signs and their proper execution, some precision in right and left turns, circles, about turns, etc. along with teaching the jump and broad jump.
Prerequisites: It is recommended that you be familiar with the Rally Novice signs. Dogs must crate between runs.
AKC Rally - Novice, Intermediate/Advanced (SP) (Non-Members)
with Sandra Platt
Note: There will be no class Monday 1/12, to accommodate the Membership Meeting.
This class will introduce Rally Novice & Intermediate/Advanced signs giving the skills to prepare you to excel in Novice & prepare to move up to Intermediate/Advanced. The class will be instructional and set up with a nested Novice course & a new Intermediate/Advanced course to practice each week. We will work on learning the signs and their proper execution, some precision in right and left turns, circles, about turns, etc. along with teaching the jump and broad jump.
Prerequisites: It is recommended that you be familiar with the Rally Novice signs. Dogs must crate between runs.
Puppy Obedience (PC) (Members Only)
with Paula Cole
This class is for puppies 3-11 months old. This class will focus on the foundations of dog training for puppies as well as providing proper socialization for your young pups. We'll also cover teaching handlers the best methods and practices for communicating with your puppy.
Students for the class are invited to attend a FREE "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Sat, 1/3/25 at 1pm. Click here for additional details: (LINK)
Note: Handlers are required to bring the puppy's current vaccination records to the first class. All puppies MUST have received at least the 2nd round of DHPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) before attending the 1st class. Rabies vaccination is MANDATORY for all puppies 16 weeks or older per Virginia State Law. Leptospirosis (Lepto), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and Giardia vaccinations are not required to attend class. Please consult your licensed Veterinarian for additional questions or concerns.
Puppy Obedience (PC) (Non-Members)
with Paula Cole
This class is for puppies 3-11 months old. This class will focus on the foundations of dog training for puppies as well as providing proper socialization for your young pups. We'll also cover teaching handlers the best methods and practices for communicating with your puppy.
Students for the class are invited to attend a FREE "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Sat, 1/3/25 at 1pm. Click here for additional details: (LINK)
Note: Handlers are required to bring the puppy's current vaccination records to the first class. All puppies MUST have received at least the 2nd round of DHPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) before attending the 1st class. Rabies vaccination is MANDATORY for all puppies 16 weeks or older per Virginia State Law. Leptospirosis (Lepto), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and Giardia vaccinations are not required to attend class. Please consult your licensed Veterinarian for additional questions or concerns.
Basic Obedience (PC) (Members Only)
with Paula Cole
This fun class is open to beginner dogs and handlers. Dogs must be at least six months of age - older dogs are welcome, too! Subjects covered include introducing the dog and handler teams to proper heel position when walking, the "sit", "down", "come" (recall), and "stay" commands, and how to meet and greet another person. Other fun and foundational activities will include focus and touch games, how to properly promote and reward desirable behavior, some novice rally signs, and a few trick dog activities.
If this is your dog's first time attending a class at MDTC, owners/handlers are required to bring the dog's current vaccination records to the first class. All puppies MUST have received at least the 2nd round of DHPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) before attending the 1st class. Rabies vaccination is MANDATORY for all puppies 16 weeks or older per Virginia State Law. Leptospirosis (Lepto), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and Giardia vaccinations are not required to attend class. Please consult your licensed veterinarian for additional questions or concerns.
Students for the class are invited to attend a free "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Sat, 1/3/25 at 1pm. Click here for additional details: (LINK)
Handlers are required to wear close-toed, well-fitting shoes for safety purposes.
In addition to your dog's vaccination records, please:
- bring a supply of small, chewy treats that your dog loves
- use a 6-foot leather, synthetic, or fabric lead (no retractable leads and no chain leashes)
- dog should have a well-fitted collar - no harnesses
- dogs will be in the ring for the entire class; crates are not used for basic obedience
Basic Obedience (PC) (Non-Members)
with Paula Cole
This fun class is open to beginner dogs and handlers. Dogs must be at least six months of age - older dogs are welcome, too! Subjects covered include introducing the dog and handler teams to proper heel position when walking, the "sit", "down", "come" (recall), and "stay" commands, and how to meet and greet another person. Other fun and foundational activities will include focus and touch games, how to properly promote and reward desirable behavior, some novice rally signs, and a few trick dog activities.
If this is your dog's first time attending a class at MDTC, owners/handlers are required to bring the dog's current vaccination records to the first class. All puppies MUST have received at least the 2nd round of DHPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) before attending the 1st class. Rabies vaccination is MANDATORY for all puppies 16 weeks or older per Virginia State Law. Leptospirosis (Lepto), Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and Giardia vaccinations are not required to attend class. Please consult your licensed veterinarian for additional questions or concerns.
Students for the class are invited to attend a free "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Sat, 1/3/25 at 1pm. Click here for additional details: (LINK)
Handlers are required to wear close-toed, well-fitting shoes for safety purposes.
In addition to your dog's vaccination records, please:
- bring a supply of small, chewy treats that your dog loves
- use a 6-foot leather, synthetic, or fabric lead (no retractable leads and no chain leashes)
- dog should have a well-fitted collar - no harnesses
- dogs will be in the ring for the entire class; crates are not used for basic obedience