About Our Classes

Session Structure

GSDOC offers five sessions of training classes during the calendar year. Each session includes six to eight weeks of various training classes that last about 50 minutes each. We hold two yearly breaks: one mid-summer around the month of July and the other in December.

Our sessions offer beginning classes for puppies and dogs with little obedience training. We have designed these classes to help owners learn how to train their dogs and to assist in socializing dogs in a manner that creates canine good citizens.

GSDOC also offers advanced classes in obedience, agility, and rally. These courses help dog and handler teams polish their handling skills, learn tricks, and provide a strong foundation for those teams who would like to go further or compete.

GSDOC does not allow dog-aggressive or people-aggressive dogs. We also do not allow intact females in heat in class or on the grounds.

Class Tier System

Our goal is for dog and handler teams to progress through a structured curriculum of classes that are grouped in levels of ability. Before students may progress from Tier A to Tier B, we strongly recommend teams pass all Tier A level classes. For Tier B through Tier D, progression depends on student ability.

• Tier A classes (beginner): STAR Puppy, Canine Good Citizen (CGC), Focus and Impulse Control (FIC), and Obedience I (Ob I).
• Tier B classes (novice to intermediate): Tricks Novice/Intermediate, Agility Foundations, and Obedience II.
• Tier C classes (intermediate): Agility I and Rally I.
• Tier D classes (advanced): Agility II, Rally II, and Show N Go.
• Specialty classes (conditional).

We adapted the AKC STAR Puppy and CGC classes to fit our club needs. We offer AKC testing for these two classes at the end of every session. We suggest that teams first progress from STAR to CGC, which follows the AKC program design. Tier A level teams may then take FIC and Ob I to finish off Tier A class progression. Please talk with instructors or the Director of Training if you have questions about class progression or availability.

Scroll down to take a look at all our classes below.  Not every class type will be offered each class session, so check our Class Registration page to see current class schedule.

Advanced Puppy

Class Tier

Tier A

This is a class for puppies six to twelve months of age who have taken STAR Puppy or already taught their puppies the basics. Instructors will focus on sharpening skills learned in STAR and introduce new experiences and exercises.

Advanced Scent Work

Class Tier

Tier C

*This class will be held on Monday nights @ Various locations in Davis County from 6:00 to 7:00 PM*

This class mimics the trialing environment and will have a mix of Interior, Buried, Container and Exterior searches with locations changing each week – Your dog must be close to Novice trial ready and recognize Birch odor to sign up for this class (Clove, Anise and Cyprus will also be available to search for our more advanced dogs).

 

Important Information:

1. Location of the practice will change each week. Search areas may have uneven terrains and many of the classes will be outdoors.
2. The running order will be emailed 24 hours prior to the class.
3. Dogs will begin approximately every 3 minutes and will get multiple searches each class.
4. Dogs shall be crated in vehicles when not searching.

 

AGILITY OBSTACLE SEQUENCING

Class Tier

Tier C

This class held on Thursdays at Versa Dog Training in Layton!

This class is designed for handlers who have completed Foundations of Agility Handling and Contacts and Weave Pole Foundations. However, more experienced teams can take this class with instructor approval.  Sequences will have at least 16 obstacles, but teams can opt to handle a smaller portion of the sequence.  Courses will include either weave poles, dog walk, teeter, aframe, and/or the table.  Handlers will need to bring a crate for their dog and arrive to class 30 minutes early to help set up equipment. Dogs will work off leash, and therefore, must exhibit a strong recall and good basic obedience skills.

Agility Practice (Experienced Handlers)

Class Tier

Tier C

There is no instructor for this class, but still requires registration. All human participants will assist in breaking down the course and fencing at the end of the evening. This will offer a practice course and will include all levels of agility obstacles, including jumps, weaves, tunnels, and contacts. This class is for teams who have completed Agility foundations and Agility 1/2 and require no agility handling instructions.

AKC Fit Dog Lvl 1

Class Tier

Tier B

As we humans do, our dogs get the same health benefits from having proper/consistent fitness plans. This course has been designed to be able to help you get started with a plan like this. It will teach you the foundation skills for a fitness program while building confidence, reducing boredom, and helping to eliminate problem behaviors. Throughout this six-week course you will learn ways to increase your dog’s: Strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility, balance, and coordination.