ARF’s Dog Training Classes
Thank you for your interest in dog training classes at the William P. Rayner Training Center at ARF Hamptons.
Below are descriptions of our training class offerings to help guide you to the class best suited for you and your dog.
Most of our group training classes are 1 hour long, for 4 consecutive weeks. However, some advanced classes and specialized workshops will run for 2, 3 or 6 consecutive weeks depending on the training topic. All class durations will be specified in the class description on the registration page.
PLEASE NOTE – not all the classes listed here are available every month. Please see the registration page to browse the current classes being offered.
OBEDIENCE TRAINING:
Puppy Kindergarten
Train your puppy early! It will pay off over a lifetime. Classes focus on introductory obedience training using positive reinforcement. The class will also address common puppy behaviors and socialization.
The class is for puppies aged 8 weeks to 5 months.
Basic Obedience
Dogs and their handlers will learn basic obedience skills using positive reinforcement techniques. Curriculum examples include sit, down, and holding those positions, introduction to stay, go to place, leave it, drop, look, and touch. The class also includes introductions to loose-leash walking and recall.
The class is for dogs over 5 months.
Intermediate Obedience
This class is for dogs that have completed basic obedience training and can reliably execute those skills. Dogs and their handlers will continue their obedience training using positive reinforcement techniques. Curriculum includes fine-tuning basic skills and adding increased duration, distance and distractions. It also includes applying attention and redirection skills, loose leash walking, heel, and recall.
The class is for dogs over 6 months.
AGILITY AND ADVANCED CLASSES:
Introduction to Rally Obedience
Rally Obedience, also called Rally O, is a fun and engaging way to apply your obedience skills. Dogs and their owners move through a course following displayed signs. Each sign displays a skill or command to execute and which direction to move next. Moving through the course from sign to sign, dogs and owners are graded on teamwork, accuracy and excitement! Rally O is for everyone including senior dogs and dogs with disabilities.
Dogs must have taken basic obedience training and be able to consistently execute basic commands such as sit, down, stay, touch (hand targeting), and be able to walk on a loose leash.
The class is for dogs over 6 months old.
Recreational Agility
Build trust and teamwork between you and your dog while they get mental and physical exercise and increased confidence. The class includes body awareness exercises designed to focus and prepare your dog for learning basic agility skills and equipment including ramps, jumps, tunnels and weave poles.
Class is for dogs that are 1 year old and over and have completed basic obedience training.
Rally Obedience – Intermediate
This class is for dogs who have taken Introduction to Rally Obedience. Dogs and their handlers will continue to perfect their Rally Obedience skills in courses composed of intermediate level signs not included in the introduction level class. Intermediate level Rally also includes working through the course signs off-leash, further developing teamwork and handling skills between dogs and their handlers.
The class is for dogs over 6 months old who have taken Introduction to Rally Obedience.
Canine Good Citizen Prep Class
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen is a certification program that teaches dogs good manners and responsible dog ownership to their owners.
This advanced training class will cover the ten key skills included in the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test to help dogs and their owners train and prepare for certification. The skills are designed to create a team of owners and dogs who can apply them to real world experiences and situations.
At the end of the training, you will have the option to take the CGC test, conducted by an AKC approved evaluator. An additional fee will be charged to take the CGC test.
Please note – participation in this training class does not guarantee a CGC certification. Certifications are awarded at the discretion of the CGC evaluator.
Dogs must have completed basic and intermediate obedience training at ARF be over 6 months old. If you have questions about qualifications for this class, contact caryl@arfhamptons.org
The class is for dogs over 6 months old.
WORKSHOPS:
Loose Leash Workshop
This workshop will be three – one-hour classes to help you master loose leash walking with your dog. Each class will introduce two to three exercises designed to perfect your loose leash skills. It will also include working with distractions and redirection. Whether you have had loose leash training in a prior class or if you have never trained the technique with your dog, this class is for you.
The workshop is for dogs over 6 months old.
Come/Recall Workshop
This workshop will be four one-hour classes to help you master recall with your dog. The first class will be for owners only and not their dogs. That first class will explain the concepts, training techniques and common pitfalls associated with recall training. The remaining three classes will be hands-on recall training with owners and their dogs and will introduce two to three exercises per class. Recall exercises will start on a short leash, moving to a long training leash and then practicing off leash. The training will also include recall with distractions and rewarding with toys and treats.
The workshop is for dogs over 6 months old.
Leash Confidence and Handling Workshop
This two-class workshop will help you gain important leash skills and understanding of dog behavior when on leash, including how our behavior influences your dog. It will include proper leash handling to maintain control and prevent unwanted incidents, recognizing stress signals and calming behaviors in dogs and how to respond properly. It will also include how to use our body language to help steer and communicate with your dog, and how to put these skills to use in real world situations such as urban environments and other distracting situations. The workshop will also cover the safe use and fitting of equipment such as collars, harnesses and leashes.
The workshop is for dogs over 6 months old and dogs must have basic leash skills and not be overly reactive on leash to other dogs or triggers.
Power of Calm Workshop
Stress affects dogs too. A stressed dog has trouble paying attention and might overreact in challenging situations. In this class we’ll play games and practice protocols that can help your dog relax and focus. Dogs must be able to consistently execute basic skills such as sit and down.
The workshop is for dogs over 6 months old.
SOCIALIZATION:
Puppy Socialization
Socialization is important at any age and especially important for puppies. This class is a great opportunity for controlled social interaction and play with other puppies and new people. The class includes exposure and desensitization exercises designed to build confidence and security in different environments.
The class is for puppies up to 6 months old.
Adolescent Socialization: Small Breed (dogs under 30 pounds, 6 months to 1 year old)
Adolescent Socialization: Large Breed (dogs over 30 pounds, 6 months to 1 year old)
Adult Socialization: Small Breed (dogs under 30 pounds, 1 year old and over)
Adult Socialization: Large Breed (dogs over 30 pounds, 1 year old and over)
These classes are a great opportunity for controlled social interaction and play for your dog. In this supervised environment, dogs can enhance their social skills and enjoy interacting with other dogs and people. Depending on the needs of the dogs enrolled, the class may also include on-leash work such as on-leash greetings, side by side leash walking, as well as attention and confidence building exercises.
Should you have any questions about our classes, please contact Caryl Glaab, Director of Training Programs at caryl@arfhamptons.org
Photos by Kristin L. Gray and Dee is for Dogs.