Dogs naturally want to please their owners. The Wolverine Dog Training Club (WDTC) offers classes at all levels, with each class building on the previous level using motivational training and techniques. Learning the basic commands sit, down, walking at heel on leash, come and stay are essential for the dog to become a well mannered and enjoyable pet. These commands are the foundation for advanced obedience training and agility classes offered by WDTC.

OBEDIENCE CLASSES     

Puppy Class   (Seven weeks)
This is the basic developmental course for dogs twelve weeks to six months in age. It focuses on socialization with other puppies and people, and provides an introduction to obedience work with exercises designed for puppies. Puppies are taught to come when called, walk on a loose lead instead of dragging you down the street, sit, stand and lie down on command and to stay. Time is allowed for supervised puppy socialization, as well as addressing individual problems. Owners also learn other useful day-to-day skills and ways to prevent many common problems.

Beginner Class  (Seven weeks)
This is the foundation class in home obedience for dogs that are six months of age and older. It focuses on teaching you to train your dog. The emphasis of this course is on the basics that help your dog to become a better companion. Dogs are taught to walk on a loose lead, sit, stand, down, stay in position, and to come when called by the handler. Information on grooming and problem solving are also discussed in the training sessions.

Beginner Class (Daytime)  (Seven weeks)
Beginner class for dogs four months and over, instruction will include coming when called, basic household manners, walking without pulling you, and problem-solving (not including aggression).

Continuing Basic Obedience Class I  (Seven weeks)
This class reinforces the training techniques learned in either the Beginner or Puppy class. Handlers will continue to develop a positive relationship with their dog while perfecting the dog's performance in the exercises. Handlers will also be introduced to more advanced training techniques and a variety of performance activities available for dog/handler teams, such as obedience, rally and agility.

Continuing Basic Obedience II   (Continuous classes)
This course assists you in advanced obedience work. You will be able to work off-leash with verbal control. You and your canine teammate with experience the thrill of this most unusual relationship. You will be prepared for advanced Rally trials as well as novice obedience trials.

Advanced Obedience/Novice   (Continuous classes)
Your team will learn the core maneuvers required for competition obedience. By the end of this course, you and your canine teammate will be able to enter Novice obedience and/or rally dog trials and earn titles for your dog.

Open/Utility   (Continuous classes)
This class teaches the fundamentals required for the most advanced obedience competition, Open and Utility, including scent work, hand signals, retrieves, targeting, and directed jumping.

Rally Obedience   (Special Sessions)
Your team will learn the core maneuvers required for competition in rally obedience. Including the basic rules, the rally stations, and a course every week, from novice level to excellent level. The focus will be on the AKC style of rally, but a review the APDT rules and stations will also be covered.

AGILITY CLASSES     

Agility is a sporting event in which a dog and its handler work together so that the dog successfully navigates a series of obstacles arranged in a random course. The dog must successfully complete the course within a predefined amount of time and complete the obstacles accurately. Scoring is based on accuracy and time. Agility is meant to be a FUN, non-regimented sport, with a lot of spectator and participant appeal.

At WDTC, agility classes begin at the basic entry level, and progress to an advanced level that requires dogs to demonstrate higher levels of training and interaction with their handlers. We offer beginning and advanced agility classes in a safe learning environment taught by experienced instructors.

Beginners Agility Class   (Seven weeks)
This class introduces the agility obstacles with equipment set to the lowest height possible for beginners. The dog & handler are introduced to basic sequencing of obstacles and off-leash work. All exercises emphasize safe handling techniques and control. Weaves are introduced with angled poles and wires.

Advance Agility Class   (Continuous classes)
These classes build on the handling concepts introduced in the Beginners Class and work on improving the dog's confidence and speed on all the obstacles. We work on broadening a handler's skills with more sequencing, complex movements, distance work and course analysis to prepare each team for competition. Dogs are also required to work off-leash, work with increasing jump heights to full jump height, performance of contact equipment at regulation height and 12 straight weaves.