Group Classes
Group classes are a great way to introduce your dog to the world around him or continue his education to help him be a healthy and welcome member of your family. Group classes offer the chance to explore the opportunities that exist to have fun, compete, or just get your dog ready to venture out in public as a polite member of society.
Training Spot Mission
I take pride in providing my clients with personalized attention and professional instruction that is based on the most up-to-date science about dog training and behavior. My goal is to help you better understand and teach your dog so he or she can be a valued, lifelong companion.
My training methods are non-force-based, progressive, and very dog friendly. You'll love the simplicity, your dog will love the attention, and you'll both love the results. No more struggling to get your dog's attention and cooperation. You'll be delighted with your dog's progress and will look forward to each lesson.
Guest Trainers - Joining in the Fun at Pappy's Pet Lodge
We are continuing to offer lots of fun activities and classes where you and your dog can learn together in 2013. Welcome to Michelle, T.C., Shannon, and Julie! **NEW FOR 2013 - Pappy's will have a new location in Roanoke - look for lots of exciting classes at that location**
Take a look at all we offer - click on the class for information and schedules. If we don't have the class you are interested in on the schedule, you can let us know you are interested and we will let you know as soon as a class becomes available. If you prefer daytime classes or want us to create a custom class for you and your friends, let us know!
Available Classes
Basic Obedience & Manners
Here’s a chance to work on your dog's obedience and/or issues. Come out and join the fun - yes, fun! - as we work on your pup's skills and manners and solve those training challenges!
Hollywood Dog™ 101
Is your dog just waiting to be discovered? Is he cuter, smarter, and more talented then all those dogs you see in the movies or in ads?
Hollywood Dog™ 201
This is the class for those who want to refine and teach your dogs a whole new set of skills to increase their marketability.
Hollywood Cat™ 101
Cats can be stars too! Come out and learn how to teach your cat to shine!
Puppy Head Start
- This is the most critical learning period of a dog’s life because they learn the fastest and adapt best to new experiences.
- Class will address common puppy issues, including Housebreaking, Crate Training, Play Biting and Dominance, and Nutrition.
- Gives puppies a firm foundation in behavior and socialization by teaching healthy socialization with other dogs and people.
Reactive Dog™
Here’s a chance to work on your reactive dog's obedience and issues. This class will be set up to help your dog succeed while you work on your training goals. Each handler will set specific goals for their work sessions and each dog will have a training path based on these goals and individual progress made.
Intermediate Obedience & Manners
In Intermediate classes, we will continue to work on control, attention and focus, and any throw-your-hands-up problems that you might have, and start your dog on the road to off-lead obedience.
We will work on real-life manners and skills - can your dog walk nicely on a loose leash while you carry in groceries or lay quietly while you set the bag down and put them away? Learn skills to help keep your family sane!
Barn Hunt Practice Session
Want to prepare for the Barn Hunt sanctioned trial on May 19th? Come practice with your dog during these one hour sessions!
Pre-Sports
Are you interested in dog sports, but just can’t decide?
Would you like to know more about activities you and your dog can get involved in?
Shy Dog
- Class is designed for dogs that are a bit overwhelmed by the world around them.
- Designed to help the dog that is afraid to approach everyday items in their environment or are intimidated by people or other dogs.
- Shy Dog Class will show you how to safely manage and support your fearful dog and give you insight into your dog’s fears.
- We will use reward based training and desensitization to help you build your dog's confidence and create a positive environment to ease his fears.
Agility Foundations
- This class teaches dogs and handlers foundation behaviors needed to succeed in the sport of agility.
- This class is for dogs and handlers that have had Basic Obedience or Shaping 101 (or instructor approval). Dog/Handler teams learn basic skills such as crate games, loose leash walking, sit, stay, down, come, nose touch, interacting with objects, circle work (shadow handling), and tug.
- Dogs will also be introduced to beginner agility obstacles such as the tunnel, wobble board, and jumps.
Beginning Agility
- This class is used to teach dogs to confidently perform agility obstacles and the sequencing of obstacles.
- Handlers learn how to properly execute basic handling maneuvers, how to analyze courses and how to choose the best handling method for each course.
Intermediate Puppy Class - AKC S.T.A.R.
Here's your chance to work with your puppy to earn the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction! AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is the AKC program designed to get puppies and their owners off to a great start. All dogs need the necessary components of the program including Socialization, Training, Activity, and a Responsible owner.
See upcoming Intermediate Puppy Class - AKC S.T.A.R. classes »
Hound Around Town™
- See how well your dog functions in real-life situations! Class provides a mix of class and real world instruction to teach your dog how to behave in public and take his/her skills to a whole new level.
- The Field Trip will be at an off-site venue (dog park, public park, dog-friendly event, dog parties, dog-friendly restaurants or store, etc.). Each month a different venue will be selected so you can continue this program as part of your life-long pet development.
Week One - Class to prepare for field trip
Week Two - Field Trip
Week Three - Debrief and problem-solve
So You Think Your Dog Can Dance
Want to spend some quality time with your dog where both of you will have a chance to boogie down? Freestyle Dancing is a fun class for both the handler and the dog.
Big, little, young, and old - all handlers and dogs can learn - no dancing skills required!
Therapy Dog Primer
Do you and your dog have the potential to make a good therapy dog team? If your dog loves people, then you might have a dog with the gift to be a therapy dog.
Circus Dog 101
Earn Trick Dog titles with your dog and have skills to entertain your friends and family!
During the last session of Circus Dog classes, you will show off tricks and skills your dog has learned and the instructor will be your witness as you work towards a trick dog title. There are lots of skills and tricks to choose from so you can tailor your performance to suit your dog’s abilities. Then submit your application to www.domorewithyourdog.com to finalize your title requirements.
Circus Dog 201
Earn Trick Dog titles with your dog and have skills to entertain your friends and family!
During the last session of Circus Dog classes, you will show off tricks and skills your dog has learned and the instructor will be your witness as you work towards a trick dog title. There are lots of skills and tricks to choose from so you can tailor your performance to suit your dog’s abilities. Then submit your application to www.domorewithyourdog.com to finalize your title requirements.
K9 Nose Work® - Detection Classes
National Association of Canine Scent Work - K9 Nose Work®
Detection Classes for Fun and Trial
Need something new for your dog that is easy, portable, and highly enjoyable, which you can play and play now? Want to get out and explore and pursue with your dog? Just what is this K9 Nose Work® all about?
The activity and sport of K9 Nose Work® is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise. It’s a phenomenal way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, overcome environmental challenges, and use more critical thinking while burning lots of mental and physical energy, and it all starts with a box!
Agility Fundamentals
Want to get on board with one of the most exciting dog sports ?
Agility Fundamentals will get you started - bring your four-legged athlete out and see if this is a sport you and your dog might excel in.
Family Manners
Do you want to gain control of your dog at home and out in public ? Here’s a chance to work on basic manners and have fun doing so.
This class is for any dog and handler that need to work on the basics for having a well mannered dog in any setting.
Shaping 101
- Shaping 101 introduces you and your dog to the art of shaping behaviors using a clicker. Shaping teaches your dog to think and will encourage them to offer behaviors.
- We will work through different exercises in class each week and then you will go home and practice shaping behaviors.
- This class is for dogs and handlers of all skill levels.
Shaping 201
- Shaping 201 is for experienced shapers and builds on your and your dog’s knowledge of shaping behaviors.
- We will work through different exercises in class each week and then you will go home and practice shaping behaviors.
- This class is for dogs and handlers that have been through Shaping 101 or have instructor approval.
2 x 2 Weaves
- This class will teach your dog how to weave using Susan Garrett’s famous 2x2 weaves method.
- You will be expected to practice at home every day, so it is recommended that you have at least three sets of 2x2 weave poles (total of 6 poles) to practice with at home.
- This class is for dogs and handlers that have been through Shaping 101 or have instructor approval.
Beginning Flyball
Flyball is a dog sport in which two teams of four dogs race against each other and the clock. The race is composed of heats in which each of these four dogs are required to jump four hurdles, trigger a box that deploys a ball, catch the ball and then retrieve the ball over the hurdles to the start line successfully and in order.
Rally Obedience - Novice
Rally is a numbered "obstacle" course that you follow with your dog.
At each number there is a sign for you and your dog to complete one command, then on to the next.
It's fun and challenging.
Training with Training Spot
Available Classes
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