Classes
Relationship Building Fundamentals (RBF) [*note: to sign up, click on the night of the week you want, below]
A non-traditional obedience class focused on building a strong relationship between you and your dog. Using creative positive reinforcement techniques developed by Leslie McDevitt (author of Control Unleashed: Creating a confident and focused dog), the class will focus on developing your dog’s attention and interest in you.
The following cues will be worked on: prolonged sit and down with attention, emergency recall, go to place cue, settle cue, leave it, sit to greet politely, leash walking, and stay.
Work outside of the class will be necessary in order to achieve class goals.
Cost: $120/ 6 week session
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA
Dates:
Mondays 6-7 p.m. May 7 - June 25 (skip 5/28 & 6/18) -- CLOSED
Tuesdays 7:45-8:45 p.m. May 22 - June 26 (skip 6/19) $100 for 5 weeks
Thursdays 6-7 p.m. May 10 - June 14 -- CLOSED
Location: Indoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US
Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
C.L.A.S.S. (Canine Life and Social Skills) via APDT
C.L.A.S.S. is about teaching and appreciating real-life, practical skills such as walking nicely on a leash, settling down, meeting strangers, table manners, attention, and coming when called just to name a few of the skills we will be teaching. There are three levels of certification which students can train and choose to be tested for: BA (Bachelor’s), MA (Master’s), and PhD (Doctorate). Each level is more challenging than the one before and real life tasks are incorporated into the tests. For example, at the Masters level, your dog must wait in the car after the door is opened until it is released and at the Doctorate level, your dog walks on a loose leash while you carry a big unwieldy bag in your arms.
There are so many reasons to continue your dog’s reward based education with C.L.A.S.S.:
•Training redirects your dog’s natural behaviors to acceptable outlets
•Training builds your dog’s behavioral repertoire
•The more acceptable behaviors a dog learns, the less room there is for undesirable behaviors
•Training is fun for you and your dog
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•Training increases the odds that a dog will stay in the family for his lifetime rather than be given up due to behavior issues
Having a well-trained dog makes it possible to engage in many more activities such as:
•Earning C.L.A.S.S. B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. Certificates
•Ongoing training classes
•Dog sports and games
•Animal-assisted therapy work
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•Outings and travel with your dog
Check out the official C.L.A.S.S. website and download the student handbook.
Cost: $120/6 week session
B.A. Level C.L.A.S.S. - CLOSED
Dates: Wednesdays 6 - 7 p.m., May 9 - June 13, 2012
Dates: Wednesdays 7:15 - 8:15 p.m., May 9 - June 13, 2012
Dates: Wednesdays 8:30-9:30 p.m., May 9 - June 13, 2012
Instructor: Jenn Merritt, CPDT
Location: Indoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US
Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
For individuals who are interested in obtaining the AKC Canine Good Citizen award, this class will help you develop the necessary skills and arrange for testing when you and your dog are ready. The CGC test is a first step for individuals who are interested in having their dog certified as a therapy dog.
Cost: $120/6 week class
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA
Dates: Not being held this session
Location: Indoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922
US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Sign up: by clicking on the name of the class you want to enroll in. This will take you to the online sign up.
**Refund policy: If you withdraw from class before the first week of class, you will receive a full refund minus a $20 administrative fee. If you withdraw from class after the first week, you will receive no refund.
Email Sue at sue@dogfunforever.com for more information.
Weather: Outdoor classes will be held in all weather conditions except in stormy conditions (thunder and lightening or severe downpours) and ice/snow. Indoor classes will be held unless road conditions are dangerous. Please email Sue if you are unsure if class will be held.
Puppy Relationship Building (PRB) curriculum Level 1 (for puppies 10-20 weeks old) -- Limit: 6 teams
This is a different kind of puppy class. We will be focusing on building a relationship with your puppy based on trust and respect. Students will learn to recognize the signals that their dog is offering to them and to send signals that make sense to the dog. While you will learn how to teach your dog basic cues such as sit, down, and come, more importantly, you and your dog will begin a lifelong dialogue which will create a solid foundation for students who want a nice family pet, as well as, students interested in more advanced training with their dog in sports such as agility, obedience (formal and rally), flyball, and freestyle. (See description of RBF class for more details about the theoretical foundation for this class.)
Cost: $120/6 week session
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA
Dates: Thursdays 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. May 10- June 14
ALSO: Ongoing classes... contact Sue at sue@dogfunforever.com to sign up for next class
Location: Indoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Sport Puppy FUNdamentals (puppies 5 mo to 1 year)
For handlers who want to continue their puppy’s education and/or deepen their relationship with their puppy, this is a class that will take puppies out on the field and begin challenging them with environmental distractions. Puppies will learn long recalls, stays, increasing attention and focus (even while moving), and crate games. Handlers will learn how to play with their puppy with and without toys, how to increase the value of the crate and use it as a training aid, and how to use the environment to help and not hinder in the puppy’s training and development. This is a fun class where smiles and the ability to laugh are key!
Prerequisite: Puppy Relationship Building or equivalent
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
When: Combined with Sport Dog FUNdamentals (see below)
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Puppy Socials: play time for puppies!
Led by: Sue McKinney and Judi Young
Junior puppy socials (for puppies 8-16 weeks old)
Puppy socials offer puppy owners an opportunity to properly socialize their puppy with other puppies of similar age. Until 12 weeks of age, puppies are in a critical developmental stage and need to have as many positive interactions with other puppies as possible. The second phase of this developmental stage occurs between 12 and 16 weeks. It is important that puppy-puppy interactions be positive experiences for all the puppies so DFF socials are carefully supervised and puppy play is frequently interrupted with brief training exercises so that puppies learn to go in and out of play with other puppies easily. You can be certain that at Dog Fun Forever, your puppy will have a fun, enjoyable experience and will learn critical dog communication skills that only other puppies can teach him.
Cost: $10/45 minute session
Day & time: Saturdays 10 - 10:45 a.m.
Dates: Check calendar to see which Saturdays we will be meeting.
Senior puppy socials (for puppies 4-6 months old)
Older puppies can benefit from continued social interaction with other puppies. Social skills must be continually practiced to be mastered. In addition, puppies cannot do prolonged walking or running exercise at this age, so puppy play is a great way to give your active puppy a physical outlet. Another wonderful benefit to this class, is teaching your puppy that you are worth coming too even with the distraction of other puppies. We will work on basic obedience cues throughout the class so your puppy will learn to go in and out of play without hesitation. This will be a fun way to build rapport with your puppy.
Cost: $10/45 minute session
Day and time: Saturdays 11 - 11:45 a.m.
Dates: Check calendar to see which Saturdays we will be meeting.
Location: Indoors and outdoors at the Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Rally Obedience (Novice level)
Rally is a fun way to introduce your dog and yourself to the sport of “obedience.” In rally, we train your dog to respond quickly to cues such as sit, down, and stand at side; stay; right and left turns; and serpentines (around cones). Dogs learn to respond to these cues on and off leash. We use food, toys, and our voices to make Rally fun for the dogs and their handlers. Everyone will leave this class with a smile on their face (dogs included!)
Prerequisite: RBF, CGC, or equivalent class
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Thursdays 6-7 pm
Instructor: Michelle Lennon
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field #2, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Therapy dog
A class for individuals hoping to volunteer with their dog in local hospitals, rest homes, or libraries. We work with class members to carefully introduce their dogs to all the skills required to work in healthcare and educational environments. Field trips will hopefully be undertaken to help dogs build the confidence and experience needed to gracefully handle a variety of environments and all variety of people. We want to do more than prepare our students to pass the “test” for a therapy dog, we want your dog to be a confident and trusting therapy dog for folks who can benefit from the loving kindness our canine companions can offer.
For individuals interested in Therapy Dog class, contact Jenn Merritt at http://www.bluedogk9.com/dog-training-durham-nc/
Non-competitive Agility class
Puppy Classes
Control Unleashed®
Obedience Classes
We will continue to advance the skills of both handler and dog. Skills will include serpentines, threadles, 270s and increasingly complex sequences. Dogs will work on all equipment including contact equipment and weave poles (should be able to weave 12 closed poles by end of class) and will begin to develop independent performance on all pieces of equipment.
Prerequisite: Pre-Novice Agility 1 (or instructor’s permission)
Requirement: Students must bring a crate or X-pen to class
Instructor: Sue McKinney
Cost: $120/6 weeks
When: Thursdays 8:30-9:30 pm May 10-June 14, 2012
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Sport Dog/Puppy FUNdamentals -- CLOSED
Handlers that want to teach their dogs the advanced skills required in agility, obedience, flyball, and freestyle (among others) need time and structure to build foundation skills that will prepare their dogs to be successful in these sports. Come and learn the essential skills to help your dog become successful at whatever sport you choose to do together.
This class will help you develop the required skills needed to participate in agility classes successfully. These skills include: attention to handler with distractions while running, running with handler off leash, recall to handler from 30 feet with distractions present, playing with or without toys, and relaxing in a crate while others work on the field.
Prerequisite: PRB, RBF or equivalent class
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 weeks
When: Wednesdays 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., May 9-June 13, 2012
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field #2, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Agility Classes
For folks who may one day want to compete in agility or simply want to play agility off leash, we will build a solid foundation for both the handler and the dog. Agility is much more than simply teaching the dog how to perform obstacles. Agility is a game involving communication, trust, and partnership between the canine and human team. We will have fun while developing the necessary skills to advance and compete in this popular sport.
This is the entry level class for students wanting to begin agility with their dog. We will cover handling basics including crosses, acceleration and deceleration, and the difference between obstacle and handler focus and how to reward properly. Your dog will learn recalls, sends, and turns, as well as, foundation work on contacts and weaves. We will develop a solid foundation for the sport of agility for both you and your dog.
Prerequisite: Sport Puppy/Dog FUNdamentals and permission of instructor
Requirement: Students must bring a crate or X-pen to class
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 weeks
When: Wednesdays 7:15-8:15 p.m. May 9-June 13, 2012
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field #2, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Agility FUNdamentals Level 3 is a continuation of Agility FUNdamentals 2. We will continue to work on building solid fundamentals based on the teachings of Linda Mecklenburg. We will continue to build the dog's confidence in taking jumps, tunnels, and the table; recalling on the flat and over jumps; and building solid contact and weave performance. Short sequences will be introduced.
Prerequisite: Agility FUNdamentals 2
Requirement: Students must bring a crate or X-pen to class
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 weeks
When: Fridays 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. May 11-June 15, 2012
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field #2, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Competition Agility classes
Prerequisite for all agility classes:
To sign up for class, click the name of the class you want to take. It will take you to the online sign-up.
Puppy Classes
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•Junior Puppy Social
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•Senior Puppy Social
Obedience Classes
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•Relationship Building Fundamentals -- Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
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•Canine Good Citizen (not offered this session)
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•Rally Obedience (Novice)
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•Therapy Dog Training
K9 Nose Work™
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•Intermediate
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•Introduction to Odor
Super Spectacular recalls
Agility Foundation classes:
Sport Dog/Puppy FUNdamentals (pre-requisite for all agility classes listed below)
Sport Dog FUNdamentals: Level 2
Agility Classes:
Tracy Hirsch Agility Handling Seminars
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•Excellent/Masters Handling (6:15-7:45 pm and 8-9:30 pm)
Control Unleashed (CU)
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•Advanced CU (not offered this session)
Class Policies
Heated and air-conditioned indoor space for puppy, obedience, rally, and trick classes. Privacy fenced backyard for Control Unleashed class. Well lit fenced agility field for agility classes. Plenty of parking. Convenient to Durham, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Raleigh.
The National Association of Canine Scent Work™ has created a new sport for dogs and handlers based on the methodology and training of working scent detection dogs. All dogs have the ability to excel at K9 Nose Work® since dogs “see” the world through their noses. If you are looking for a way to exercise your dog and drain some excess energy, Nose Work may be just the thing.
Perfect for dogs who are older and looking for something fun to do, dogs who are rehabilitating an injury, or reactive dogs who are not comfortable working around other dogs. Because each dog works one at a time with no other dog present in the room, handlers can relax and enjoy an activity with their dog no matter what their issues are normally! The sport also builds confidence in low confidence/anxious dogs.
This is a sport that celebrates the dog’s natural abilities and teaches humans to recognize and build on those natural talents. Come and learn how to have fun with your dog’s sniffing habits (instead of complaining about them)!!
Requirements:
Students must bring a crate to class for their dog. All dogs must be crate trained. During the winter, crating in the car is encouraged.
Introduction to K9 Nose Work® - CLOSED
Prerequisite: RBF or equivalent
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Mondays 7:15-8:15 p.m., May 7 - June 25 (skipping 5/28 and 6/18)
Location: Indoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Intermediate K9 Nose Work®
This class is for students who have attended Introduction to K9 Nose Work® class. In this class, we will continue to build the dogs drive to hunt and will introduce exterior and vehicle searches.
Prerequisite: Introduction to K9 Nose Work®
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Not offered this session
Location: Indoors & Outdoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70) and other locations in the Durham-Chapel Hill area.
Advanced K9 Nose Work® - CLOSED
This class is for students who have attended Introduction to K9 Nose Work® and Intermediate classes. In this class, we will continue to build the dogs drive to hunt and will begin taking field trips to a variety of locations around the Chapel Hill-Durham area.
Prerequisite: Introduction and Intermediate K9 Nose Work®
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Mondays 8:30-9:45 p.m. May 7 - June 25, 2012 (skipping 5/28 and 6/18)
Location: Indoors & Outdoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70) and other locations in the Durham-Chapel Hill area.
Introduction to Odor
This class is for students who have attended Introduction, Intermediate, and Advanced K9 Nose Work® classes and have received permission of Sue McKinney to move on to Odor. In the Intro to Odor K9 Nose Work® class, dogs will be introduced to Birch odor and will begin searching for this odor paired with food. The class will go back to basics as we introduce odor.
Prerequisite: Introduction, Intermediate, and Advanced K9 Nose Work® and permission of Sue McKinney
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Will not be offered this session
Location: Indoors & Outdoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
This class is for students who have attended Introduction, Intermediate, and Advanced K9 Nose Work® classes and have received permission of Sue McKinney to move on to Odor. In the Intro to Odor K9 Nose Work® class, dogs will be introduced to Birch odor and will begin searching for this odor paired with food. The class will go back to basics as we introduce odor.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Odor®
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 week session
Dates: Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm May 8 - June 12, 2012
Location: Indoors & Outdoors at Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
K9 Nose Work®
May-June 2012 Classes
Super Spectacular Recalls
Do you want your dog to come to you the instant you call her name? Would you like to know that in an emergency your dog would come even with distractions present? Are you hoping to go off leash hiking with your dog but worried that he won’t come back when you call him? If so, this class may be for you. While no six-week course can guarantee you a perfect recall, we will be laying the foundation for spectacular recalls under highly distracting conditions. All kinds of exercises will be employed to develop this elusive skill. Please do put on your running shoes...we will be playing hard!
Prerequisite: PRB, RBF or equivalent class
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Cost: $120/6 weeks
When: Next offered in the July session
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field #2, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Agility Seminars with Tracy Hirsch
Novice, Open & Excellent/Masters level seminars
Tracy brings positive energy and fun to every seminar she teaches. She also brings years of experience and talent to help each team who attends. Tracy's training is grounded in the Awesome Paws Handling System (Linda Mecklenberg's handling system) yet she brings other approaches to the table when it helps the unique needs of the individual dog. Come have lots of fun, get energized, and leave excited to play with your dog in this incredible sport we call agility!
Excellent/Masters Handling Seminars
When: Wednesdays 6:15 - 7:45 pm May 9-June 13, 2012
OR Wednesdays 8-9:30 pm May 9-June 13, 2012
Cost: $160/6 weeks
Open/Advanced Handling Seminars
When: Mondays 6:15 - 7:45 p.m. May 7-June 18 (skipping 5/28)
Cost: $160/6 weeks
Novice/Starters Handling Seminars -- CLOSED
When: Mondays 8:00 - 9:30 p.m. May 7-June 18 (skipping 5/28)
Cost: $160/6 weeks
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field, 5922 US Hwy 70 East, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
A class for dogs and handlers struggling with focus and control. Based on the book by Leslie McDevitt, this class will help handlers learn a variety of creative strategies for increasing their dog’s focus in distracting and exciting environments. Dogs that struggle with anxiety, are easily distracted, or react to environmental triggers, may be appropriate for this class.
Your instructor, Sue McKinney, has attended two seminars with Leslie and has worked with her privately. Sue is also active in a local group of CU practitioners so her skills are constantly developing in this young and dynamic approach to dog behavior and training.
Requirements:
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•Screening form and phone call to insure your dog is appropriate for this class (contact Sue to receive form)
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•Students must purchase and read Control Unleashed by Leslie McDevitt (available at the Sunny Acres Pet Resort office)
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•Students must bring a crate or x-pen to class for their dog.
Cost: $180/6 week session
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Assistant: Irina Evsyukova
Dates: No class this session
Location: Dog Fun Forever Training Center, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
Control Unleashed® for Agility -- CLOSED
Using the games and exercises from Control Unleashed®, we will work with agility dogs to improve their attention and focus and ultimately their performance on the field.
Pre-requisites: Permission of Sue McKinney (please call to discuss)
Cost: $80/6 week session
Instructor: Sue McKinney, MSW, CPDT-KA, CNWI
Dates: Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm May 10 - June 14, 2012
Location: Dog Fun Forever Agility Field, 5922 US Hwy 70 West, Durham (near intersection of 751 & 70)
