The foundation of your relationship with your new friend.(12 weeks to 5-1/2 months) You will learn skills to become the focus of your new puppy’s world. The key to training a young puppy is to have attention on you before any thing else. From there we will work with you to teach your puppy to sit, down, come and stay as well as to walk on a loose leash without pulling. The puppies will have the opportunity to meet and play with the other puppies and people. This will help them develop their social skills as well as have a great time. To help develop their confidence, your puppy will also be introduced to an obstacle course with such things as puppy tunnels and ladders. Over all, you and your puppy will learn to have fun together while your puppy is becoming a well-mannered family member (pre-registration required)

The starting point for a dog 6 months and older. You will learn skills to become the center of your dog’s world. We will work on eliminating bad habits that may have been picked in their early months as well as teaching the pups to become model canine citizens. Exercises such as sit/down stay, coming when called and walking politely on a leash without pulling will be the focus of the class. Our aim is for you to enjoy your companion to the fullest and have fun while on the path to it. (pre-registration required)

A second level class for those that have completed either a Puppy Manners or Basic Obedience class and know their dogs have a good foundation but are not solid on the basic exercises. Perfecting basic skills along with meeting and greeting people, leaving objects on command, group stays with distractions and continue to work and address behavioral issues.(pre-registration required)

Prepares your dog to take the ten step test offered by the AKC. It goes over basic obedience as well as putting your dog in a social situation with strangers and different dogs and teaching them to be model canine good citizens. Although the test is not included in the class, it is offered after each class completion at the K-9 Connection and after passing the test, your dog is awarded an official AKC certificate declaring your dog to be a Canine Good Citizen. This is also the first step you need to take if you are thinking of doing any therapy dog work. (pre-registration required)

A therapy dog requires different training than a service dog for the disabled. A therapy dog's goal is to offer comfort and companionship to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, mental centers; or visit libraries and schools to "listen" to young children read. In addition to basic obedience training, therapy dogs need special training to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen® Certificate Test (CGC) and Therapy Dog International requirements before entering a therapy dog program. (pre-registration required).

Pre-agility classes that introduce young dogs to the world of agility. These classes can be for fun or to get ready for competing in the sport. The class will still work with control issues such as come and stay but will move on to jumps, tunnels, seesaws and weaves. It is the start of a good exercise program for both you and your dog. Two Levels of Basic Obedience required prior to agility class (pre-registration required) VOTED #2 AGILITY TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND!

A new dog sport designed for novice dogs and handlers to start off in the sport of obedience. It is set up as a numbered course with signs to follow and exercises to perform at each station. This is done on leash and encouragement of the dog is permitted. In this class, you will learn to interpret the signs and teach your dog the exercises. It is a great foundation for advancement into competition obedience or to have fun with your dog in a non-competitive situation.(pre-registration required) After the six week intro class, Rally is offered on a drop-in basis weekly.

Offered for those dogs that have learned the equipment and some handling skills. This is truly a class for those who are able to enjoy their dogs being off lead. It is required that the dogs have taken a pre-agility class and know a recall and stay. You and your dog will become a team when you are running an agility course. This class may be taken for fun or to prepare for agility competition. VOTED #2 AGILITY TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND!

With Beth - This class is designed for the new agility student aspiring to compete or the experienced handler with a green dog. Lots of individual attention and floor time. The focus of the class will be building precision of each obstacle, jumping skills, sequence work to strengthen your handling technique. Pre-requisite: Dogs should be familiar with all of the obstacles but proficiency is not required. Beth Szczygiel is a multi-MACH handler. Two Levels of Basic Obedience required prior to agility class (pre-registration required) VOTED #2 AGILITY TRAINING IN NEW ENGLAND!

Designed for the serious obedience competitor. It is fast paced heeling class, including all the novice exercises. The class is designed to improve your skills as well as your dogs and to have them expect the unexpected. For those who want or need to fine tune their skills. Novice, Open and Utility run-thrus are offered immediately after the class on a weekly rotating basis. With Chris McCluer (drop-in)

PART I-TEAM WORK
• Learn how to play with your dog • Learn how to get his focused attention – from heel position, front and across the room • Find out what motivates your dog and when
PART 2 – HANDLER SKILLS
• Body Language • Footwork • Head and shoulder cues

Offered for those who want to learn to show their dogs at confirmation all breed shows. Ring procedure is taught as well as how to set up and present your dog while the dog is learning to be handled and examined by a stranger. This class is for the novice person or for the experienced person with a novice.

"Teaching" Novice, Open and Utility Classes. Drop-in heeling classes and run-thrus are always on our calendar.

"The best thing I ever did taking my dog Damon to your puppy manners classes! He is smart as a whip! Its an education for both the dog and the owner...........Thanks again and keep up the great work!"...Lynda