Puppy Classes
We are proud to be the only school on the East Coast to offer the Sirius Puppy Training Program, long acknowledged as the hallmark of pet dog training. The program was developed in 1981 by English veterinarian, behaviorist and author, Dr. Ian Dunbar. Basically, Sirius classes base as much emphasis on the prevention of common behavior problems and on handling and gentling exercises to create a good temperament as they do on teaching basic household manners. Sirius classes advocate easy, effective and, above all, enjoyable methods which all family members can master-youngsters included. Training is decidedly "dog-friendly" in its endeavor to teach young puppies not only what we want them to do, but to want to do what we want them to do. Sirius puppy classes produce willingly compliant, mannerly, good natured, easily-handled adult dogs. Class topics include:
  • How to prevent and deal with common puppy problems like chewing, nipping, jumping up, and barking.
  • Teaching your puppy to walk nicely on leash, come when called, sit down and stand on request.
  • Socializing your puppy with other dogs and people in a safe environment and, of course,
  • Housetraining!

Puppies under 5 1/2 months old are welcome.

Adolescent/Adult Classes
These Classes are based on the same premise as our Sirius Puppy classes: Dog training should be fast, fun and of course, effective. We cover all of the basic commands and how to apply them in your day-to-day life with your dog, as well as any specific behavioral problems your dog is experiencing (house training, chewing, nipping, excessive barking jumping, sidewalk vacuuming, etc.)

Agility
You've seen it on Animal Planet and ESPN...teach your dog to crawl through tunnels, walk across a see-saw, jump through hoops, leap over hurdles and more! Agility strengthens the bond between you and your dog, teaches you and your dog to work as a team and is a great way for you and your dog to have a blast!



We are now offering agility classes in our new 2,500 square foot training center in Soho! Please click on the subscribe button at the top of this page to join our email list and be kept up to date on the upcoming Agility schedule, or simply check our schedule page. Classes are divided as follows:

Beginner Level I Open to dogs of any age with no prior agility experience. This class will introduce the basics in obstacle performance, foundation jump training, target training, directionals and handling fundamentals. Obedience commands such as sit, down and stay will also be reviewed. This class should be repeated as often as necessary before moving on to the next level per instructor.

Beginner Level II Appropriate for dog/handler teams that have been through Beginner Level I. This class will cover more detailed information regarding obstacle training, contact training, weave poles and handling.  Use of play, toy and food rewards will be covered.

Advanced Beginner
Dog/handler teams must have completed Beginner Level I & II to join this class. Dogs should be comfortable on most equipment. This class will continue to build on the skills that were introduced in beginner agility and will focus on more handling techniques, sequencing and obstacle independence. Techniques on building a working relationship and stronger bond between dog and handler will also be covered.

Intermediate Level
Instructor approval required for participation in this class. Dog/handler teams need to be proficient on all obstacles including weave poles. Advanced level handling and complex sequences will be the focus of this class.

Level II Obedience
This course is designed to build on the foundations established in the Puppy, Small Dog and Basic Adolescent/Adult classes. This course focuses on refining hand signals and improving verbal cues for sit, down, and stand, improving commands from a distance, automatic sit to for appropriate greetings, walking nicely on leash, come when called from a distance and around distractions, stay and impulse control, "leave it" while standing still and while walking with a variety of distractions including: food, toys, strangers, and other dogs, go to your place (blanket, bed, or crate, lay down and stay), retrieve and drop.

Tricks Class
Every dog should have a few tricks up his sleeve! Have a great time with your dog while teaching a variety of tricks in a fun, anxiety free training class. We'll cover spin, paw, take a bow, sit pretty, wave, hi five, wipe your nose and we take requests for additional tricks best suited to your dog! We use clicker training and freeshaping. This course is a great pre-cursor to agility, therapy dog certification and a potential career as a dog star! Teaching tricks is a great way to enhance your relationship with your dog and to improve overall obedience while having a blast!

Small Dog Basic Obedience
for dogs 25lbs and under
This class covers basic household obedience (sit, down, come, walk nicely on leash, stay, etc.) with an emphasis on small dog issues such as being touched, barking, and socialization.

Class is taught mostly 'off leash' with obedience and play intermixed for maximum socialization and learning.


Dogs over 5 1/2 months old are welcome.

Training Seminars
One time training seminars covering common training issues/topics: barking, puppy parenting, coming when called, impulse control, dog body lanuage, walking nicely on leash and more! These are a great supplement to any of our group classes and private lessons.

Please see our special events page for more information and a current list of our scheduled seminars!

Canine Good Citizen:
Your dog can earn an award from the American Kennel Club!

Started in 1989, The Canine Good Citizen® Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. CGC is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club and are automatically recorded in the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Archive.

If you'd like to prepare your dog for the CGC test, our basic obedience classes cover the necessary skills and once you have completed the course you can schedule a time for us to test your dog for the CGC.

Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. We sincerely hope that CGC will be only a beginning for you and your dog and that after passing the CGC test, you'll continue training in obedience agility, and tricks!

CGC testing is scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. The test fee is $20 per dog and 100% of the testing fee is donated to Animal Haven Shelter.

The test covers the following:
Accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, appearance and grooming, walking on a loose leash, walking through a crowd, sit and down on command and stay in place, coming when called, reaction to another dog, reaction to distractions, supervised separation.

If You Want To Come To Class
If you want to join a class please call us to reserve a spot or you can email us at info@AndreaArden.com. Please include:
• Class You Would Like to Join
• Your Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Dog's Name
• Breed or Mix
• Date of Birth (can be approximate)
• Veterinarian
• How You Heard of Us
• Top Three Goals for Class

If you want to audit a class once, you are welcome to do so, but please do not bring your dog.

In preparation for class please do not feed your dog for at least two hours before, bring a 6 foot lead with a buckle collar or head halter, your dog's dinner kibble, treats and/or at least one toy which is stuffed with food. We recommend: Busy Buddy Groove Things, Gimborn white sterilised bones, Molecuballs, and Kongs.


Group Class Fees
Group classes meet once a week for one hour for six weeks. The fee for the six week course is $350.

Click Here for our Class Schedule

PLEASE NOTE THAT CLASS AND PRIVATE-SESSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.


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