Dog Training
Heeling House offers a variety of courses to meet your dog training needs, from puppy obedience through therapy prep classes. Whether you are interested in your dog becoming a therapy dog one day, or would just like to have a well behaved family pet, Heeling House can meet your needs.
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All of the classes taught at The Heeling House Training Center are based on Operant Conditioning principals, with the emphasis on positive reinforcement. You can take your pup through our whole series of courses, join us with your older dog, or just try out some of our classes for fun. Our training program is appropriate, enjoyable and effective for all handlers and dogs.
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Group Puppy Obedience
Tuesdays at 6:00pm
This 7-week course is for puppies 6 months and under. The focus of the course is to teach your puppy basic commands, good habits, as well as to work on socialization. The commands taught are: sit, down, stay, come and heel. Common puppy "issues" are also discussed in class, i.e. jumping, mouthing, crate training, potty training, etc. Puppies will have the opportunity to socialize with other puppies as well as other people.
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Basic Obedience
Tuesdays at 7:30pm
This course designed for dogs six months or older that have had either no, or a limited amount of, previous training. This course is also a good place to start with a newly adopted dog.
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The topics covered during this course are: sit, down, stay, come when called, leash walking, leave it, and fundamental behaviors (not jumping, mouthing, excessively barking).
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Intermediate Obedience
Tuesdays at 7:30pm
This course is designed for dogs who have completed some training previously and have a grasp of basic commands. The focus of the course is to refine your dog's basic commands, teach your dog to pay attention around distractions, and to respond when the reward is not visible.
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Dogs should be able to perform the following skills prior to joining:
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sit and down on command without the use of treats
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stay in both a sit and down for 20 seconds
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promptly come when called
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walk on leash without excessive pulling
This course is meant to prepare dogs for the Canine Good Citizen Course.
Canine Good Citizen Course
Mondays at 7:30pm
This is designed for dogs and owners who have completed intermediate obedience and are ready to move to the next level. Emphasis will be placed on learning the ten skills needed to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. These skills include polite greetings, basic obedience skills, and polite behavior around dogs on leash. All of these skills must be performed with no food rewards or 'training' collars present.
At the end of this course, the handler/dog will be given the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test.
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Therapy Prep Class
Thursdays at 6:15pm
This seven week course is an introduction to Animal Assisted Interactions (AAI).
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In order to be successful, therapy dogs should be well trained and prepared for any situation/behaviors their handlers ask of them.
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We have designed this course to introduce dogs and owners to the skills necessary to be a successful therapy animal team, as well as the skills needed to pass an evaluation by a national therapy dog organization. This course gives teams a broad education of the many different ways therapy animals can be used. At the end of the course, the student will be ready to choose whichever type of therapy they are best suited for.
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**This course will prepare you to join the organization of your choice, not necessarily Heeling House.**
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The following topics will be covered:
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Review basic obedience skills
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Introduction to different types of therapy
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How to be your dogs’ advocate
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Facility/client etiquette
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Visit command (Appropriate greeting)
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Walk beside wheel chair/walker
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Introduction to children
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Practice for Pet Partners Evaluation Test
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Before enrolling, your dog must have their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification.
Community Canine
Mondays at 6:15pm
This is designed for dogs and owners who have passed their Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and are ready to practice additional obedience in public. Emphasis will be placed on learning the skills needed to pass the Community Citizen (CGCA) and Urban Canine (CGCU) tests. These skills include polite greetings, basic obedience skills, and polite behavior around common public distractions. All of these skills must be performed with no food rewards or 'training' collars present.
At the end of this course, the handler/dog will be given the Community Canine and Urban Canine Test. Upon passing each test, the dog will receive the AKC CGCA and/or CGCU ribbon.
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Private Lessons
Flexible Schedule
Private lessons are for dogs or puppies that might benefit from a little more one-on-one attention with a certified dog trainer. These lessons run for an hour per session, and there in no minimum or maximum number of lessons required. Private sessions are tailored specifically to your dog's needs or any behaviors you'd like to address. Consultations can either be done in-home or at our center.
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The cost for private lessons is $150 for in-home consultations and $100 at our center.