Advanced Dog Obedience

AKC Community Canine (CGC-Advanced)

This 7-week class extends the skills learned in the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGCA) class out and into the community. Those that pass are eligible for the AKC Community Canine title, CGCA (Advanced-CGC). Test items include:

Dog waits under control while owner does something at a table
Walks on a loose leash in a natural setting
Walk on a busy sidewalk, park, or busy hallway
Walk past dogs on a sidewalk or in a hallway
Sit and stay in a small group of people and dogs
Dog allows human with an object to approach and pet it
Dog leaves food placed on the floor
Dog remains in stay while owner leaves and retrieves an object
Recall with distractions
Walk politely through a doorway

Prerequisites: AKC CGC Certification

Rally

Intro to Rally

This 6-week class will introduce you and your dog to the competition sport of Rally. The two of you will learn all 42 Novice signs and working together to build leash and communication skills. Whether you want to compete or are just looking for a challenge, you will work on:

- On leash skills
- Stay while human walks around the dog
- Teamwork
- Relaxing around other dogs
- Prepare for AKC Rally trials

Prerequisites: AKC STAR Puppy, Diamonds in the Woof, Consult and/or Trainer Approval

Continuing Rally

This 6-week class will build on your Rally skills by covering the Intermediate level signs. Your dog will learn to shift their weight for appropriate position changes. Other skills include:

- Pivots
- Backup
- Leave it

Prerequisites: Novice Title, Intro to Rally, Consult and/or Trainer Approval

Intro to Competition Obedience

Want to have fun with your dog, and love obedience? Do you have a dog that has the basics of sit, down, stay – and wonder how to get ready for competing in AKC Obedience games? Carolina Ranch has the answer: the Intro to Competition Obedience class.

This 4-week class will introduce you and your dog to basic skills required for AKC Beginner Novice & Novice Obedience. Did you know AKC Obedience tests can be done virtually? In this class:

Your dog knows how to sit, down & stay at home; however, going to new places and performing them is hard!
Other dogs: Your dog will practice basic obedience games with other dogs present
Beginner novice tasks:
- Heel on leash, figure eight; stand for exam, sit stay, recall
Novice tasks:
- Heel on leash, heel off leash, figure eight, stand for exam, stay, recall

Prerequisites: Dogs need to be comfortable in a group class setting and not reactive with dogs & people.

Therapy

This 7-week class is for graduates from the AKC Canine Good Citizen Class whose guardians desire to volunteer with their dog and visit schools, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and other venues to help our community and its citizens. A therapy dog is not an emotional support dog or service dog (performs tasks defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act); however, all service dogs benefit from Therapy Dog training.

Therapy Dog Certification is offered through Pet Partners, TDI (Therapy Dog International), and Alliance of Therapy Dogs periodically. The cost of testing varies depending on the certifying agency. Please be aware that Pet Partners requires you to pass their online Pet Partners Handler Course prior to in-person testing with your animal.

Prerequisite: AKC CGC Certification

Cooperative Care "Life Skills"

Canine Confidence

Does your dog run & hide when you turn on the vacuum, move the trash can, or when a loud vehicle goes by? Does your dog move away, drop their ears/tail or bark when a person or dog walks by? This 4-week module is for dogs that are a bit nervous with new people, dogs, or our complicated world but can still take food and work together with their human, if provided with enough distance from the scary “things”. Not feeling safe is tricky for dogs and people! This class will focus on confidence building games and team building for the dog and handler. This is not a manners class, but instead uses a combination or exercises including tricks, basic fitness equipment, games, and puzzles to help the dog see that the work is not so scary. Dogs who are very fearful generally benefit from private lessons first.

The Willing Participant

How wonderful it can be for your dog to participate willingly and allow you to trim their nails, treat their ears, wipe their eyes, towel feet, brush their teeth, and relax at station just to name a few possibilities! This 4-week module is to help you and your dog move from a “do it TO your dog” to a “do it WITH your dog” perspective.

Happy Veterinary Visits

The focus of this 4-week module is to help lessen the fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) associated with veterinary visits for both you and your dog by preparing your dog at home for what is to come (car ride, lobby, exam room, veterinary exam, etc) and then practicing those skills here at The Ranch.

Happy Grooming

Some dogs need more grooming than others; however, all of our dogs need grooming specific skills (stand relaxed on a table, step into a bathing tub/space, trim hair on feet/ears, brush fur, wiping feet, etc). In this 4-week module, the goal is to have these tasks be pleasant for both the dog and handler.

Cooperative Care Sampler

Not sure which cooperative care class to start with? Dealing with multiple issues and need a high-level introduction? This 6-week sampler (Canine Confidence, The Willing Participant, Happy Veterinary Visits, and Grooming) is for both puppies and dogs plus their owners who want to help prepare them for the big life ahead. In this class, you and your canine will be able to sample each of the four categories above. Week 1 is an orientation for humans only, and we pull it all together in week 6, compiling and practicing the learned skills. Please complete the online questionnaire at least 24 hours prior to the first class.

What is advanced obedience training for dogs?

Advanced dog obedience builds off of the intermediate skills learned from the AKC Canine Good Citizen class. With AKC Community Canine (CGCA), your dog will learn new skills in a busy, public setting. Some of what your dog will learn with CGCA are patience, impulse control, and ignoring distractions. Not only can advanced obedience training help your dog to become more obedient, but it can also help to strengthen the bond between you and your dog and can help to prepare them for therapy training.

What is the average cost of obedience training for dogs?

Obedience training for dogs typically costs between $45-$120 per one-on-one session. The main factors that can affect the cost for training are where you sign up for obedience training, the level of obedience your dog currently has, your training goals, and if your dog is in need of behavioral modification.

Is it too late to obedience train my dog?

When it comes to obedience training, dogs are never too old to start. Although dogs that are older may take a bit longer to learn new skills or commands or to unlearn bad behavior, every dog can benefit from obedience training regardless of their age. With much older dogs, you’ll also have to keep in mind that certain physical tasks may be difficult for them.