K9 Manners & More programs focus on establishing good routines and habits, along with confidence building for people and their dogs. You and your dog will master techniques and skills that lay the groundwork for a wonderful life together. You’ll have fun and get lots of socialization. Our classes are family-friendly; wherever possible we include family members in the class experience.

You are about to invest your time and money into your dog’s future. We welcome this class as an opportunity to acquaint you with our program, our philosophy, and our facility. This class is free to prospective students prior to attending any of our classes. There is no cost or obligation. You are required to attend this class, without dogs, before beginning a class. You will leave knowing some foundation skills to teach your dog right away! Please call 451-8446 for reservations.

Puppy Preschool

Social Hour is a time for young puppies, 7 to 12 weeks of age to socialize with other puppies and their people. Puppies must have had their first set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to attending, and must have been in your home 72 hours before attending social hour. According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (www.avsabonline.org), “enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where risk of illness can be minimized. $20 per visit

Puppy Kindergarten is a wonderful opportunity to socialize your puppy in a small group setting, with other friendly puppies and their people. This popular class covers all the essentials that a well-mannered puppy should know, such as sit, lie down, loose leash walking, come when called, and sit & wait. We cover common puppy problems such as housetraining, mouthing (biting), destructive behavior, crate training, barking and not jumping up on people. We will also discuss grooming, first aid, health & nutrition. Puppy Kindergarten gives you a great foundation to jump into the LEVELS program.

The innovative Levels program allows students to move through the training at their own pace. Each level has a set of skills that you will learn, and master, before you move to the next level. You move up when you’re ready, or repeat a lower level when you need to. Common problems such as jumping up, housebreaking issues, not coming when called, pulling on leash, and destructive behaviors are discussed throughout all levels.

In addition to our regular classes, we offer several fun and informational classes that cover lots of things out of the scope of Family Manners. These short sessions will change frequently. Check the schedule for what’s coming up!

Some of the subjects we will offer are:

For dogs who have completed the Levels Program. This class shapes loose leash walking into heeling with attention. There are lots of distractions in advanced obedience, as dogs learn to keep their attention on their handler. Sit Stay and Down Stay are performed as a group for the required 1 and 3 minutes for the novice level of obedience work. We begin heeling off leash, and learn the snappy "finish" exercise. This is your introduction to earning AKC and UKC obedience titles on your dog!

For dogs who have completed the Levels Program. Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course of designated stations, each of which has a sign providing instructions regarding the skill that is to be performed. Teamwork between the dog and handler is emphasized, however, perfect "heel position" is not required. Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. In addition, rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition.

After becoming proficient in certain advanced obedience skills, you may join this class with the instructor’s recommendation. In this class, heeling off leash is emphasized, as well as proofing the exercises. We work for straight fronts, and finishes, and polishing your handling skills.

After becoming proficient in Novice level competition, you may join with instructor’s recommendation. This class is in preparation for the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.

After becoming proficient in Open Obedience, with the instructor’s recommendation. This class is in preparation for the Utility Dog (UD) title.

For dogs and puppies over 16 weeks. This class will teach you how to show your own dog, or prepare him to be shown by your handler in the breed (conformation) ring. You might just have the next Westminster winner!

Some people are more comfortable working one-on-one with a trainer, or cannot fit group classes into their schedules. Private Lessons allow individuals to focus on their dog and their specific goals. Private lessons may be your option for basic manners, puppy problems, housebreaking, jumping up, loose leash walking, etc. Private lessons are great for getting ready for a competition, too!

Behavior problems such as aggression, separation anxiety, fears and phobias are not addressed in a group setting. We work individually with the owners of dogs with behavior problems to identify the issues and formulate individualized training plans to address behavior changes.

We do a very limited Doggie Day Camp where our clients’ dogs spend their day, or part of their day at the K9 Manners & More training center playing with friends and getting lots of socialization.

If you are going on vacation and boarding your dog, he might benefit from some one-on-one training. We transport your dog from a local kennel to spend the day at K9 Manners. At night we transport him back to the kennel. While here, he is here he is introduced to some basic manners, such as not to jump up, sit, lie down, walk on leash. If you have been in our training program, we will “tune-up” skills that he has learned.