Precise pivots, fast fronts, tight turns and finding heel position from a distance. This class is all about the foundation skills to successfully achieve precision heeling. We will also go over marker words to help you communicate clearly to your dog when they are doing the right thing, something that is very important when we talk about precision.

Precision heeling is team work, and we want our dogs to love heeling so we will also learn some fun obedience games so your dog is enthusiastic about heeling.

Prerequisites: Precision Heeling for Obedience - Part 1. 

Supplies needed:  Something to practice pivoting on and some type of platform. During the first class we will discuss platforms, including the proper size for your dog. You can make or purchase a platform but it will be an important part of the class. Dogs will also need a 10 foot leash.

This is an Advanced Basic dog training class that covers all required elements of the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC), AKC Community Canine (CGC-A) evaluations, as well as the most common requirements for a Therapy Dog evaluation. For more information on these tests, see the links below.

Required Equipment: Well-fitting buckle or slip collar (including martingales) made of leather or fabric. (Body harness is OK for training and CGC test.) A 4-6 foot long leash made of leather or fabric (NO retractable leashes are permitted!). A 20 foot long line leash made of fabric or synthetic material. 

Recommended: "Canine Good Citizen, The Official AKC Guide, 2nd Edition", by Mary R. Burch, c. 2021. Available in paperback. 

Note: If this is your dog's first time attending MDTC classes,  owners/handlers are required to bring the dog's current vaccination records to the first class. All dogs MUST have received at least the 2nd round of DHPP (distemper, adenovirus [hepatitis], parainfluenza, and parvovirus) before attend the first 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.

Prerequisites: Dogs must be able to execute all commands (sit, down, come, stay, and heel on leash) at the Intermediate level. The CGC Basic testing at the end of this class is included and optional.  The CGC Basic test will be conducted 1-2 wks after the last day of class. CGC-A will not be tested.

For additional information, enjoy the videos listed below:

• AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC): https://youtu.be/W77DYbZTm2E
• AKC Community Canine (CGC-A): https://youtu.be/_iiCxAeXHc8
• AKC Therapy Dog Program / Recognized Certifying Agencies:  https://www.akc.org/sports/title-recognition-program/therapy-dog-program/therapy-dog-organizations/ 

This class is open to dogs that have successfully completed MDTC Basic Obedience (click this link to view). It will prepare your dog for entry into AKC Competitive Agility, Obedience and Rally classes as well as MDTC's Advanced Obedience/CGC and Therapy Dog Preparation class. Upon graduation, dogs will have learned to perform sit-stays, down-stays, recalls, finishes, loose leash heeling, and work with distractions.

Prerequisites: Reactive dogs are not permitted in this class. Dogs must have successfully graduated from MDTC's Basic Obedience Class and be at least six months of age. If your dog has taken a basic obedience course elsewhere, please contact the MDTC Training Director to schedule a free evaluation/testing session to confirm your dog's ability to take this class.

Students for the class are invited to attend a free "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Thursday, 5/2/26 at 1pm.   Click here for additional details: (LINK)

If this is your dog's first time attending a MDTC class, owners/handlers are required to bring copies of your dog's current vaccination records (including Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, and Kennel Cough) to the first class.

This class is for dogs between 3-12 months of age. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start by laying the foundation training and socialization for your puppy while teaching you how to best communicate with your puppy. Classes will cover all elements needed to pass the requirements for this AKC title. Student puppies enrolled in this class MUST attend all 6 classes in order to pass and be able to apply for the STAR Puppy title certificate. 

Students for the class are invited to attend a free "Dog Training 101" Seminar on Thursday, 2/26/26 at 2pm Click here for additional details: (LINK)

Note: Although the testing and forms are included in the price of this class, the registration/processing fee for the title and medallion (available directly from AKC) is NOT included. For more information about the AKC STAR Puppy program, enjoy this AKC video: https://images.app.goo.gl/fxuAG1AkevixPeH27

This class is for small breed puppies 3-11 and large breed puppies 3-8 months of age. The class is is designed for puppies and handlers to build their relationship by having fun becoming familiar with basic agility equipment used in AKC Agility... all while having tons of FUN! 

Although this should not be considered as an AKC competitive agility skills class, it is great for building a puppy’s confidence and body awareness. All jumps are lowered/used appropriate for your bouncy little puppy.  This is not a competitve Agility class.

NOTE: If this is your puppy's 1st time attending MDTC classes,  owners/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 attend 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.

For more information on the sport of AKC Agility, enjoy this AKC video: https://akc.tv/watch/26/958/subtopic/agility-1?ctx=/watch/26/958/subtopic/agility-1