We offer five, 8-week sessions per year. Each session we offer approximately 30 classes. Foundation level classes are limited to an average size of ten dogs with two instructors. Advanced classes have fewer dogs and one instructor. Group classes are $120 per session for the first class and $110 for each additional class taken that same session.
Class times are available weekdays, during both the daytime and evening hours, and also on Saturday mornings. Private lessons are also available during the day for an hourly rate.Group classes provide a valuable opportunity to work with your dog in an environment with mild distractions by other dogs. Group classes also provide you with the opportunity to learn from other students, create friendships, and share training accomplishments as well as challenges. For your dog’s success in a group class you need to consider the following guidelines:
(Note: Not all classes are available every session.)
IMPORTANT: A group class may not be suitable for all dogs:
If your dog is dog aggressive, you should not register for a group class. Aggression issues are serious and need to be dealt with in a more controlled environment both for the safety of your dog and others. Please call to discuss options.
If your dog becomes agitated by fast movement of other dogs, you should not register for Agility or Flyball Classes. Continue with obedience classes until a comfortable level of control is attained.
We try to insure a safe and positive experience for all dogs and people in our classes. Dogs which exhibit inappropriate and/or aggressive behavior in a class may be expelled.
If you have any questions about which class your dog will benefit from most, please call our office to discuss further.
Obedience
Obedience classes aren’t just for people interested in competitive obedience! There are classes for all ages, breeds, and levels of experience. For those with a new puppy in the house, a puppy socialization class is vital to help teach your puppy how to relate to you, the world around them, and to other puppies. Basic obedience classes provide a positive environment for your adult dog to learn proper manners and to become a well behaved member of the family. For those who enjoy the challenge of advanced training and competition we can help you be successful in the trial ring. Obedience training should be a fun activity that brings you and your dog closer together.
Puppy 1
For puppies from 8 to 18 weeks at the start of class. Emphasis will be on proper socialization with people and other puppies during this vital period in your puppy’s life. We will also introduce basic obedience including leash walking, come, sit, and down and address common puppy problems such as biting, housetraining, and jumping up.
back to top
Puppy 2
For puppies that have completed a full session of Puppy 1. We build on behaviors learned in that class adding degrees of difficulty and distractions. It is an opportunity to keep working with the adolescent dog in a group of similar aged dogs.
Basic 1 Obedience
For adult and adolescent dogs over 5 months of age that do not qualify for Puppy 2. Understanding positive motivation & learning how to train your dog. Obedience behaviors include sit, down, come, stay, walking on a loose leash, and meeting strangers. Dogs that may be uncomfortable in a group class environment must be evaluated by our staff prior to admission to class.
Basic 2 Obedience – Canine Good Citizen
Prerequisite: Dogs should have a solid understanding of basic obedience skills (walking on leash, sit, down, come, stay). Improving walking on a loose leash, coming when called, stay, greeting strangers and other dogs. Applying these behaviors to real life situations with distractions, and having fun doing it. Most graduates of this class take and pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test at the end of the session.
back to top
Intermediate Obedience
Intermediate Obedience introduces formal obedience exercises such as heel position, fronts, finishes, sit stays, down stays. This class is geared toward anyone interested in getting started with AKC or UKC competition obedience. We will also cover basic skills required for Rally. If you have completed Basic 2 but have no interest in competition but wish to continue training and working with your dog this may also be an appropriate class for you and your dog.
Advanced Obedience
Advanced Obedience is for those who have interest in competing in AKC or UKC Novice Obedience or Rally. It is also for those who would just like to work on advanced obedience skills for their dog. This class offers the foundation work needed for heeling, fronts, finishes, recalls and stays. The AKC offers the Novice class for purebred dogs to earn their CD (Companion Dog Title) and UKC offers the Novice class for purebred and mix breed dogs to earn their U-CD (United Companion Dog title). This class is open to purebred and mix breed dogs as both AKC and UKC requirements will be addressed. Prerequisite: successful completion of a Basic obedience class. Dog must be able to work off leash around other dogs.
back to top
Novice Obedience
Structured for those interested in earning formal obedience titles in AKC and/or UKC obedience trials. Students will learn skills necessary for novice, open and utility levels of obedience. Exercises including heelwork, fronts, finishes, recalls, stand for exam, stay, jumping and retrieving. Dogs must already walk well on a leash and have a reliable stay. Instructor approval required.
Open Obedience
Teaching the AKC required exercises for earning the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title. Exercises include: drop on recall, retrieve on the flat, retrieve over the high jump and the broad jump. Must have successfully completed Advanced Obedience.
Utility Obedience
Teaching the AKC required exercises for earning the Utility Dog (UD) Title. Exercises include hand signals, directed retrieve, scent discrimination, and directed jumping. Must have successfully completed Advanced Obedience.
back to top
Rally Obedience 1
Newly recognized by AKC as a titling event, Rally is an obedience sport in which the dog and handler complete a course of designated stations. Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed. Communication between the dog and handler is encouraged with talking, clapping and praise allowed in competition. Less rigorous than traditional obedience, Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to formal obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. In addition, rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition. Prerequisite: Intermediate level obedience class. Dog and handler must have an understanding of heel position.
Rally Obedience 2
This class is for dogs and handlers who know the Rally signs. In this class, handlers will practice courses and get handling feedback. Courses will range from the Novice level through the Excellent level.
Nose Scent Work
Nose work involves teaching your dog to indicate when they have found a particular scent. It is great brainwork for your dog. Once they understand seeking out a particular scent and indicating they have found it, the possibilities are endless. You can play indoors or over a large area outdoors. Good toy drive produces the best results in teaching nose work.
back to top
Introduction to Flyball
Flyball is a fast paced relay sport. It consists of a team of 4 dogs. Each dog runs down over four hurdles, hits a box that ejects a tennis ball then back over the hurdles. Once that dog has returned, the next dog goes. In our Introduction to Flyball Class, your dog will learn the foundation work of retrieving the ball, jumping the hurdles and using the box safely and correctly. Flyball is a VERY high arousal sport. It is not suitable for dogs who are over aroused or reactive to other dogs. It is also not suitable for dogs who have anxiety or stress in a hectic atmosphere. Ball/toy drive is important and dogs must be able to work off leash around other dogs.
back to top
Agility
Agility is a fun sport for both the dog and handler. You learn team work and communication with your dog through performing particular obstacles. For many dogs it is a forum for developing self confidence, learning to perform the agility obstacles confidently and successfully. These obstacles include tunnels, different types of jumps, a variety of ramps, and weave poles.
We offer many agility classes, ranging from Puppy Agility through Advanced Competition classes. We also offer the opportunity to further fine tune skills by providing workshops which focus on particular aspects of training.
Our program is designed for dog/handler teams to train at the appropriate level and not feel rushed to move up too quickly. It is very important to have solid foundation skills before increasing difficulty of coursework – both for the handler and dog. To provide a quality training experience, our classes will focus on different handling issues and skills so that a team can continue to learn new skills and fine-tune their performance while continuing at their appropriate level. This also allows classes to move at a comfortable yet challenging pace for all enrolled.
Agility 1
This class will introduce your dog to the foundations of agility. Dogs in this class must be at least 5 months old. Completion of a basic obedience class is encouraged and the dog should have a reliable recall. Obstacles are introduced at low heights and in a safe manner. Most work will be on leash.
Agility 2
The class continues the foundation skills learned in Agility 1. Obstacles are performed at low heights with an emphasis on continuing to build a good foundation and gaining confidence on the agility obstacles. Dogs must have successfully completed Agility 1.
Agility 3
This class follows successful completion of Agility 2. Dogs must be confident on the agility equipment at low heights. Dogs will be introduced to short obstacle sequences and handlers will begin to learn specific handling skills.
Agility 4
This class follows successful completion of Agility 3. Dogs must be confident on all obstacles at 3/4 height. Emphasis is on more specific handling skills and learning to perform more intricate obstacle sequences.
Agility 5
Successful completion of Agility 4 and instructor approval is required. This class focuses on advanced handling techniques. Teams must be able to work confidently on all obstacles at full height.
back to top
This is not a training course to prepare you and your dog for testing or registration with Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program; Therapy Dogs International; or Therapy Dogs, Inc. The instructors have developed this basic course specifically for Mad City Dog Training. It does not include materials from any other organizations the instructors may be affiliated with. The instructors represent Mad City exclusively and will not be discussing the 3 organizations referenced above.
This course is intended for two groups of handlers and their dogs: 1) those interested in finding out more about animal assisted activity/therapy and in determining whether or not they and their dogs have the temperament and aptitude to do this type of work; and 2) those who have recently registered as therapy dog teams with a national/international organization and want experience working with the equipment and types of situations they are likely to encounter when volunteering in assisted living centers, nursing homes and schools.
Each class consists of a presentation for handlers, practical exercises for handler/dog teams and a homework assignment. Your dog must be at least 1 year old, enjoy being with other people and dogs and have solid, basic obedience skills (sit, down, come, stay).
Some of the topics covered are: a) identifying the characteristics of a great therapy dog; b) recognizing and handling stress (human and canine); c) ‘brightening a senior’s day’ and reassuring apprehensive children; d) developing a better awareness of cultural differences and how they may affect reactions to your dog; e) understanding potential health risks to you and your dog; and f) handling your dog while visiting people with different medical conditions.
Some of the practical exercises include: a) learning wheel chair etiquette; b) desensitizing dogs to strange noises, smells, gaits and other distractions; c) tolerating rough touching and handling; d) backing out of tight spaces; e) leaving items that you don’t want your dog to touch; f) playing the part of a resident in a nursing home.
back to top
Private Instruction
Private instruction is available in obedience, agility and flyball with one of our qualified instructors.
This is a good option if:
Group classes just don’t fit into your schedule
You feel you learn better in a one-to-one setting.
You want to focus on specific skills or challenges.
You’d like to fine-tune your pre-trial performance