Wide Variety of Classes
Spokane Dog Training Club offers an integrated curriculum that will take you and your dog from Home Companion Pet Classes, into and through Obedience, Agility, Scent Work and Rally. Conformation classes may be offered in Session 1. All dogs entering the building/property must have proof of shots.
Each class, taught by an instructor and assistants who are extremely knowledgeable and committed to positive training methods, is 8 weeks long and lasts for approximately an hour each week. SDTC does not offer classes in tracking but does have many very active members who are very willing to assist others.
Many of our classes require a dog to have completed an Advanced Home Companion class and passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test.
Here is a tutorial which explains the test and offers training tips:
CGC Test Tutorial (Powerpoint) CGC Test Tutorial (PDF)
Each class session lasts 8 weeks and the schedule for the next session is usually available in the 7th week. View our Class Schedule
Class Descriptions
Star Puppy 3-4 Months
For puppies 12 weeks to 4 months of age when class begins. This class teaches the puppy how to behave around adults, children, and other dogs. It is an on-leash class covering basic manners, grooming, pet care, socialization, and some pre-obedience training using toys or food.
Star Puppy 4-6 Months
For puppies 4 to 6 months old when class begins. This class teaches pet care, basic manners, socialization and beginning on-lead obedience exercises that are suitable for puppies in this age group.
Beginning Home Companion
Open to dogs at least 6 months of age. This class teaches you how to train your dog to walk on a loose leash, lie down, sit, stay in position and come when called. Basic health, grooming, manners and socializing techniques are also covered. This class is beneficial for those who want their dog to be a good companion and for those who want to continue training and eventually compete.
Advanced Home Companion
Open to dogs that have completed a Beginning Home Companion class. This class graduates using the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. The CGC program rewards dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. It stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. Dogs must pass the CGC test in order to take agility, Scent Work, rally or novice obedience classes at SDTC. Here is a tutorial which explains the test and offers training tips: CGC Test Tutorial (Powerpoint) CGC Test Tutorial (PDF). Our CGC Test video takes you through the 10 step test.
Obedience Foundation
Open to dogs and handlers that have completed an Advanced Home Companion class and passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. This class introduces the basic competition obedience exercises, focusing on getting and keeping the dog's attention. Emphasis is placed on working together as a team.
Intermediate/Advanced Novice
Open to dogs that have previously completed an Obedience Foundation class and meet certain skill requirements. The Advanced Novice class continues with the novice exercises, begins the off-lead work and focuses on preparing the dog and handler to compete for the AKC Companion Dog (CD) Obedience Title.
Open
Open to dogs that have completed the Novice Classes and are working off-lead. Dogs learn to retrieve a dumbbell, jump and do a drop on recall. The goal is to prepare for the AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) Obedience Title.
Utility
Open to dogs that have completed the Open Classes. Dogs learn hand signals, directed retrieving, directed jumping and scent discrimination. The goal is to prepare for an AKC Utility (UD) Obedience Title.
Rally classes are open to dogs that have completed an Advanced Home Companion class and passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Rally is a sport in which the handler and dog follow a course with signs telling the team which exercise to perform prior to moving on to the next sign. Created out of components from traditional obedience exercises, rally classes are designed to teach the exercises and prepare the student teams for competition at the various levels.
Rally Foundation: (Prerequisite: CGC)
Rally Foundations is a class designed to introduce the skills necessary to complete a rally course, prior to learning the signs. Emphasis will be on increasing our dog's focus and engagement with us while learning to move together as a team. Basic handling skills such as heeling, position changes and proofing stays will be covered, as well as fronts and finishes. Students will also be introduced to more complex skills such as pivots, backing up and ring entry.
Novice Rally (RN)
Novice Rally, the beginning level, introduces teams to signs 1-42 and provides teams the opportunity to practice with the dogs on leash.
Intermediate Rally (RI)
Open to dogs that have previously completed a Novice Rally class and meet certain skill requirements. Intermediate Rally adds signs 101-123 to the class. Teams perform exercises with the dogs on leash.
Advanced Rally (RA)
Open to dogs that have completed the Intermediate Rally class. Advanced Rally (RA) incorporates signs 1-42 and 101-123 with the dogs off leash and includes one jump.
Excellent Rally (RE)
Open to dogs that have completed the Advanced Rally class. Excellent Rally adds signs 201-299 to the class and includes an additional jump.
Masters Rally (RM)
Open to dogs that have completed the Excellent Rally class. Masters Rally (RM), the highest level, introduces signs 301-322. Teams work on exercises that incorporate all signs.
Agility classes are open to dogs that have completed the Advanced Home Companion Class and passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. They need to be under control while working off-lead around other dogs and people. Dogs learn to work through obstacle courses that include tunnels, jumps, A-frame, teeter-totter and dog walk. Several class levels are available as you progress.
Agility Foundation - entry level class
Dogs and handlers learn teamwork and beginning handling. Dogs are introduced to hoops, tunnels, tire, table and two weave poles, and work on rear end awareness and contact zone behavior. Offered in Sessions 1, 2 and 3.
Agility 1 - prerequisite is Agility Foundation
Includes jumps, contact obstacles (A-frame, dog walk, teeter) at low height and progression to a set of 6 weave poles. Teams run short sequences that include side changes. Offered in Sessions 2, 3 and 4.
Agility 2, 3, 4, 5 and Premier
Develop skills required for competition in agility trials. Each level has specific prerequisites; contact the club for details.
Agility Handling - several different levels are offered
Classes are indoors and include jumps, tunnels and weave poles but no contact obstacles. Offered in session 1.
AKC scent work classes are open to dogs that have completed the Advanced Home Companion Class and passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Classes are based on skill level: Foundation, Novice, Advanced, Superior and Master.
Scent Work Foundation
Scent Work Foundation is for dogs who have earned their CGC. Dogs will learn how to "tell" their owner that they have located the target scent. Learning those skills in Foundation will prepare the dog/handler teams to move on to Novice Scent Work.
Novice Scent Work
Prerequisite for the Novice Scent Work class: Dogs must have completed SDTC's Scent Work Foundation class or have taken Scent Work classes elsewhere.
Advanced Scent Work
Prerequisite for Advanced Scent Work class: The handler/dog team has been successfully trialling in the Novice elements at trials.
Superior Scent Work
Prerequisite for Superior Scent Work class: The handler/dog team has been successfully trialling in the Advanced elements at trials.
Master Scent Work
Prerequisite for Master Scent Work class: The handler/dog teams who are trialling in the more advanced elements at trials.
Tricks Class: Prerequisite: CGC
The primary goal of this class is to have fun with your dog while building communication skills and improving your relationship together as a team. The level of tricks introduced helps to build bonding, confidence and trust between you and your dog. Trick training encourage owners and handlers to teach their dogs skills in a positive and fun environment. Many of the Novice and Intermediate Tricks taught in this class are considered groundwork for Obedience, Rally, Agility, Scent Work and other dog activities.
