MANNERS 1:

This introductory six-week class is designed for all dogs over 14 weeks of age. It introduces the handler to COKC’s “positive, not permissive” training philosophy. Handlers first work on handler focus, or getting their dogs to pay attention to them. This is done by playing games such as “Attention Game”, “Gimme Dat Collar” and “It’s Yer Choice”. This class includes a major focus on having handlers play with their dogs, to build a better relationship and increase the dog’s handler focus. Handlers teach their dogs to sit, and the lifelong importance of the recall (teaching dogs to come on the first call) is emphasized in this class. Another major focus of this class is socialization – exposing dogs to as many different people, sights, and sounds as possible, as well as teaching dogs to accept all types touch and handling from their owners and others. The foundation for “loose leash walking” is laid in this class. House training, bite inhibition and resource guarding are also covered, and dogs learn to “love their crate” as an important part of crate training.

PUPPY:

This introductory six-week class is designed for puppies aged 8 to 14 weeks when they start class. The class content is the same as Manners 1, except there is an additional session of “puppy play” added to the classes.

MANNERS 2:

The prerequisite for this six-week class is Manners 1 or Puppy. Building on the skills learned in the prerequisite class, handlers now teach their dogs to down and stand, and gradually increase the amount of time dogs are expected to hold the all of the static exercises (sit, down and stand). Shaping with a clicker is taught in this class, and this shaping principle is applied to new skills such as “Go to Your Mat” and “Hand Targeting”. The retrieve is taught in this class, and handlers spend lots of time working on two very important skills introduced in the prerequisite class: recall and loose leash walking. Socialization to all kinds of people and things continues in this class.

COMPETITION OBEDIENCE 1:

The prerequisite for this six-week class is Manners 2 or equivalent training from COKC or other positive-based organizations. The focus of this course is to prepare handlers and their dogs for Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) competition at the Pre-Novice and Novice level. Handlers work with their dogs to polish their footwork, their handling skills and their dog’s performance so that the dog is heeling to competition standards, both on and off leash. Building on the three static exercises of sit, down and stand taught in previous classes, dogs learn the formal long sit, long down and sit/stand for exam found in CKC competition. By now dogs who have taken the two prerequisite classes will have a great recall. In this class the formal recall and finish are taught. Proofing exercises are part of this class.

RALLY 1:

Prerequisite for this six-week class is Manners 2 or equivalent training from other positive-based programs. Rally is a program where dog and handler use directional signs to run through a numbered course. Rally goes beyond basic heeling by interspersing different movements with the normal sits, turns and paces of traditional heeling. Examples of some of these movements include 360 degree turn to the right, call front-finish left and sit-down-sit. Rally requires a brisk pace, positive attitude and happy demeanor. It is not simple or easy, but challenges handlers and dogs to perform in a partnership. Unlike traditional obedience, handlers may use extra signals and/or commands throughout their run to encourage their dogs. This feature, along with variability incorporated into course design and format, creates a fast-moving, continuous performance. In this class, students learn all the exercises to compete in Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or Canadian Association of Rally Obedience (CARO) at the Novice level.

RALLY 2:

Prerequisite for this six-week class is Rally 1. In this class handlers and their dogs learn all the exercises to compete in CKC and CARO at the Advanced and Excellent levels. Exercises such as pivots to the left and right, sit-down-stand, and jumps are included at the advanced levels. At these levels, dogs work off leash, but handlers can continue to give extra commands and/or signals to keep their dogs’ attitude positive and happy.

RALLY WORKING GROUP:

Prerequisite for this six-week class is Rally 2. As its name implies, there is no formal instruction in this class. Handlers and their dogs, who by now have learned all of the rally exercises,  practise running through rally courses.  Participants in the class take turns designing a course, and help setting up and taking down the courses at all of the classes.