This class uses "nested" courses (multiple level signs) designed to provide experience and confidence for handler/dog teams preparing to compete in Rally Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or Excellent. Performances will be critiqued to aid in practice and instruction will be provided on any sign the class is having trouble with and on ring procedures. 

Prerequisites: Dogs must have successfully completed Intermediate Obedience and have a reliable loose-leash heel, sit, down, and recall.  Teams should be familiar with all signs for the level they are working on. All dogs must crate between runs.

Note: Some dogs in this class may have reactivity issues.

Exceptions to prerequisites are only allowed with permission of Instructor and Training Director.

This class uses "nested" courses (multiple level signs) designed to provide experience and confidence for handler/dog teams preparing to compete in Rally Novice, Intermediate, Advanced or Excellent. Performances will be critiqued to aid in practice and instruction will be provided on any sign the class is having trouble with and on ring procedures. 

Prerequisites: Dogs must have successfully completed Intermediate Obedience and have a reliable loose-leash heel, sit, down, and recall.  Teams should be familiar with all signs for the level they are working on. All dogs must crate between runs.

Note: Some dogs in this class may have reactivity issues.

Exceptions to prerequisites are only allowed with permission of Instructor and Training Director.

Note: Class will not be held on Thursday November 12th, a make up class will be offered on Tuesday November the 10th at 2:30 pm. 

Description: Success in dog sports is all about foundations and clear communication. Each lesson is tailored to the dog and handler's skill level for the lesson we are working on. If you have a specific issue you are struggling with I will tailor your time in class to address those specific issues. Teaching will focus on handler skills and mechanics, getting and maintaining engagement from your dog, the use of marker words, the use of platforms for teaching precise positions, pivoting into heel and pivoting in heel. 

Prerequisites: Intermediate Obedience or permission from the instructor

Supplies Needed: Platforms will be used in class, and it is highly encouraged that you build or purchase your own for practicing at home. Pivoting bowls will be supplied in class but to practice at home I recommend you have one at home as well, 4-6 foot leash, 10 foot leash, and LOTS of small (pea size) and easy to eat treats or kibble that your dog enjoys. (Heeling is hard; precision heeling is really hard. We want to have a very high rate of reinforcement when practicing these skills so that the dogs love heelwork! 

This class is for the dog and handler who have met the Intermediate Obedience evaluation goals and who are interested in preparing to compete in obedience or rally. In addition to covering heeling patterns, long stays and recalls, Intermediate Obedience 2 will help develop proper positioning for heel, sits, downs and stands needed for competition. Dogs will learn right and left finishes, call fronts, hind-leg awareness with pivots, straight back-ups, kick-back stands, tuck sits, and folding straight into a down.

Some Rally signs will be used to assist in preparation for Rally and Competition Obedience. Each class will also include a one-minute sit-stay and down-stay with all dogs lined up in the ring to help proof the stays and provide socialization around other dogs.

This class will also allow for off-leash work, and for this reason, crates will be required for dogs when not working in the ring. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Intermediate Obedience 1 or the equivalent with permission of the Instructor and Training Director. 

Note: This class is not only open to those beginning to train for competition, but also for handler/dog teams who are already competing and would like additional proofing of their stays and/or socialization around other dogs.

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 Thursday, 5/2/26 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

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   

Join us for an introduction to the AKC Family Dog program! This combination class will build relationship, add skills, and build fun into your life with your dog. We'll be training/talking through virtual and in-person programming to make this class super-accessible. An introduction to the class will be held virtually, Thursday, November 5 at 7pm.

Note: Dogs must be at least 5 months old at start of class.

Click these links for more on each program:

• https://www.akc.org/fetch/
• https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/
• https://www.akc.org/sports/trick-dog/

Schedule: 

• Intro class: Virtual Thursday, November 5 at 7:00 pm
• In-person Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 am
• Virtual Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 am
• In-person Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 am 
• Virtual Saturday, December 5 at 10:00 am
• In-person Saturday, December 12 at 10:00 am
• In-person Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 am

This is not a beginner nor intermediate level Barn Hunt (BH) class.

Prerequisites: Dog/handler teams must be qualifying in Open classes of BH trials. Focus will be on more complex hides and multi-turn tunnels.