Sidekick Dog Training

Puppy Foundations

For 2-6 Month Old Puppies

Young puppies are like little sponges, constantly soaking up information about their world. This is the optimal time to start teaching basic manners and life skills, before problem behaviors arise. In this class you and your puppy will learn how to communicate with each other, increase focus and build a relationship based on trust and mutual understanding. You will learn how to teach your puppy how to sit, lay down, come when called, walk nicely on leash, drop items willingly, greet people politely, and more!
 

Teen Manners

For 6-18 Month Old Puppies

No one really talks about how difficult adolescent dogs can be! They have more energy and stronger emotions than both puppies and adult dogs. They tend to lean towards independence and even flat out refusal, because they are always choosing what is fun over what is expected of them. They need more exercise, more mental stimulation, more attention and more TRAINING than any other age group! Our Teen Manners class takes all of these things into consideration. We work on teaching you how to work with your dog, instead of working against him. We will work on sit and down stay, come when called, walking nicely on leash, dropping items willingly, polite greetings, leaving items alone when asked, and waiting patiently for food and at doorways. You will also get to explore the wonderful world of enrichment and learn how it can (and will) change your life with your dog! Teen Manners class includes off-leash playtime in compatible groups. 

Back to Basics

For Dogs Over 18 Months

All dogs need some training, and it's never too late to teach an "old" dog new tricks! Whether you have a new-to-you rescue dog, or just never got around to training when your dog was younger, this class is for you! We will work on sit and down stay, come when called, walking nicely on leash, dropping items willingly, polite greetings, leaving items alone when asked, and waiting patiently for food, at doorways and when having their leash attached. You will also get to explore the wonderful world of enrichment and learn how it can (and will) change your life with your dog! 

Beyond Basics

Are you ready to take your skills to the next level? Our Beyond Basics class does just that! We work on increasing the difficulty and fluency of basic behaviors by adding distraction, distance and duration. Skills are improved through a series of fun and sometimes competitive games, including some from the well-known "Control Unleashed" training program. This class is both fun and functional!

For Graduates Of Teen Manners Or Back To Basics. If you have taken a basic class elsewhere, please contact us to receive instructor permission to join.

Off-Leash Manners ("Control Unleashed")

Based on Leslie McDevitt's acclaimed books of the same name, Control Unleashed is a training program for students and dogs who are ready to begin transitioning to off leash work around distractions. This class is a great fit for those planning to participate in dog sports like agility, but also for any handler of a young, easily distracted, impulsive and/or insecure dog. Emphasis is on handler focus, impulse control and coming when called in the presence of other dogs, people and other common distractions. Through a series of progressive exercises and games, dogs are set up to make correct, rewardable choices both on and off the leash. This a positive reinforcement-based clicker training class; food and toy rewards are utilized throughout the course. Students may enroll continuously in this class as they work up to advanced games and exercises with less reliance on leashes and gates. Agility obstacles will be introduced for those dogs interested in participating in dog sports.

For graduates of Beyond Basics. If you have taken an intermediate level class elsewhere please email for instructor permission to join.

Agility

Agility is a fun sport where dog and handler learn to navigate an obstacle course together. It's a great team-building exercise for you and your dog! Agility is a wonderful outlet for high energy dogs and can also be a great confidence builder for shyer dogs. In this course, you will be introduced to basic handling maneuvers and to some of the obstacles including jumps, tunnels, the dog walk and the table. This class is appropriate for those looking to explore agility "just for fun" or those interested in pursuing a future in competition.

Pre-requisites: Teen Manners, Beyond Basic and/or Control Unleashed or instructor permission. Dogs must be at least 8 months of age to participate in this class.

Barn Hunt

Come learn all about Barn Hunt! This sport was created to allow all breeds of dogs to participate in something similar to earth dog trials. Students will spend time training their dogs to seek out (protected) rats*, as well as learning more about the sport, regulations and the volunteer jobs available at trials. Dogs take turns to hunt one at a time, making this the perfect sport for every dog! All male dogs must wear a belly band when working in the hay. *Please note that all rats involved in our Barn Hunt classes are our pets. They are well taken care of and protected during classes and beyond.

For dogs 6 months and up. 

K9 Parkour & Tricks

Description coming soon! 

Scent Games & Tricks

Dogs experience much of the world around them through their sense of smell. On walks, and at home, our dogs constantly take in information with their noses that humans never even notice. Scent games allow dogs to channel their love of sniffing while enriching their minds. Every dog with a nose can participate in this Scent Games class. By starting the games with easy tasks and gradually increasing difficulty, we can raise confidence and optimism in your dog. Sniffing is not only a highly relaxing behavior, it is also extremely mentally stimulating and tiring! Dogs take turns and search one at a time, making this the perfect activity for dogs who are reactive or shy! Fun dog tricks are also introduced between scenting sessions. What are you waiting for? Come join the fun!

For dogs of all ages. 


Sports Sampler

Want to explore the fun world of canine sports? In this class, you will get the chance to learn about and practice a different canine sport each week to see what you and your dog enjoy most. Agility, Barn Hunt, Disc, Parkour, Rally Obedience and Scent Games are explored. A wonderful mental and physical outlet for energetic dogs, and also a good fit for dogs needing confidence. 

Fearful & Frustrated Fido ("Reactive Rover") 

Does your dog bark, growl or lunge when they see other dogs out on walks? If so, this class is for you. Owners learn skills and techniques to help dogs with their social skills, introduce appropriate alternate behaviors, as well as start to change the way they feel about seeing other dogs while on leash. Dogs are kept comfortably under threshold (the point at which they react) to keep stress levels low throughout the class.

 For Dogs 6 Months And Up

Tricks for Clicks

Have you ever wondered what the clicker is all about? Do you want to deepen your communication skills and relationship with your dog? Do you want to show off some fancy tricks to your friends?Then this class is for you! Over the course of six weeks, you and your pup will learn the basics of clicker training, and how to teach fun and exciting tricks! This course will deepen your understanding of how dogs learn and how you can be even clearer with your communication with them. Get ready for some clicker fun - a perfect summer activity!