Our special classes were designed with puppy and dog's unique needs. Sometimes they need a little extra TLC and there's nothing wrong with that!
These classes are by invite only. If you think you and your pup could benefit from one of these, please talk to an instructor or the training director at trainingdirector@occdogtraining.org.
Therapeutic Puppy Preschool |
Cost: $90 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week) This class is by instructor invite only. It is for dogs who are having issues with shyness. It is part of the Puppy Preschool learning curriculum and we are offering it to older dogs who may need some reassurance and stress relief guidance. |
Therapy Dog |
Cost: $90 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week)
This class prepares those dogs at least one year of age to be evaluated for certification as a therapy dog. Your dog needs to know basic commands, follow directions, and stand quietly. The dog must like to interact with lots of different people, individually or in a group. This class will build on the relationship and trust between the dog and handler and how to handle various situations they may face in medical facilities, nursing homes, schools, etc. |
Tricks Training |
Prerequisites: Beginner Obedience Cost: $90 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week) This class is designed to teach you how to train your dog skills beyond the traditional obedience repertoire. This class is particularly helpful for those dogs and handlers who have already mastered some basic obedience skills and who would like to enhance further their relationship and mutual learning. As we go, we will be specifically training the skills that are a part of AKC’s trick dog program. Consequently, if handlers would like, they may also obtain the AKC’s titles that go along with the trick dog program. Regardless, developing these skills with your dog will enhance your dog’s fitness, communication skills, resilience in the face of new challenges, and his relationship with his handler. For more information on AKC’s program, you may check out these links: akc.org/trick-dog/ and akc.org/trick-Dog/trick-dog-applications/. |
Reactivity Beginner |
Prerequisite: Beyond Intermediate Cost: $180 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week)
BY INSTRUCTOR INVITATION ONLY. Due to the highly specialized skills the class requires, there is a class charge is $180.00. No discounts can be used. If volunteer hours are utilized 8 hours will result in a $50 discount off the class price. This class is for dogs who are reactive (displaying aggressive or noisy displays towards other dogs) while on leash. Dogs must not be uncontrollable nor have a bite history. This session includes one group orientation (humans only) and three counter-conditioning and desensitization sessions set by appointment times - the first appointments will be right after the orientation. The reactive dogs will never be in the same room together and care will be taken to ensure no accidental sight-lines to other dogs during these session times. Enrolled dogs will be kept in secured vehicles until it is their turn to work. Appointment times should only be on the days that the class is scheduled. Enrolled students should take the time to observe other student's sessions to get the most out of the instruction offered. True aggression will not be covered in these sessions. Student-dog teams must be referred by a current OCC Instructor. An Evaluation form will be provided and must be filled out prior to acceptance into the class. Payment will not be accepted until the Instructor has received and read each team's Evaluation form. On the first session, the Orientation will run an hour and appointment times will start after a short break. On the other two class days, appointments will be between 12:00-2:00. The “classes” will focus on shaping a new behavior to the dog’s trigger and then flirting with each dog’s threshold while teaching the dog to control space with negotiation language (instead of confrontation language) creating a controlled and restrained response. This class is intensive in instruction and action. |
Reactivity Intermediate |
Prerequisite: Reactivity Beginner Cost: $150 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week)
BY INSTRUCTOR INVITATION ONLY. Due to the highly specialized skills the class requires, there is a class charge is $150.00. No discounts can be used. If volunteer hours are utilized 8 hours will result in a $50 discount off the class price. This class will be made up of students that have completed Reactivity Beginner and have a reliable shaped response upon presentation of the trigger. In these sessions, we will work towards more realistic class settings with multiple triggers and dogs that move and interact naturally. The Intermediate Class may be merged with the Beginner Class depending upon enrollment numbers but the goals will remain appropriate to the dog’s level of understanding. |
Reactivity Advanced (Growl Class) |
Prerequisite: Reactivity Intermediate Cost: $150 Minimum Age: 1 year Duration: 6 weeks (1 class/week) BY INSTRUCTOR INVITATION ONLY. Due to the highly specialized skills the class requires, there is a class charge is $150.00. No discounts can be used. If volunteer hours are utilized 8 hours will result in a $50 discount off the class price. This class will be made up of students that have graduated from Reactivity and are slowly working their way into group class. All students in this class will have had a reactive dog and neutral dogs will also be present to help moderate the tone. Students will learn how to handle their dog in a group setting while actually teaching commands. Use of all the skills learned in prior Reactivity classes will be required. have a reliable shaped response upon presentation of the trigger. In these sessions we will work toward more realistic class settings with multiple triggers and dogs that move and interact naturally. The intermediate Class may be merged with the Beginner Cass depending upon enrollment numbers but the goals will remian appropriate to the dogs leel of understanding. This class will be made up of students that have graduated from Reactivity and are slowly working their way into group classes. All students in this class will have had a reactive dog. This is formed so we are assured all students know how to handle the situation in a group setting. Instructor permission is required. |