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

1. *This class will be held on Monday nights @ Various locations in Davis County from 7:00-8:00 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 Sequencing: Jumps & Tunnels

Class Tier

Tier C

This class starts on Thursday, August 3rd and will be held at Versa Dog Sports.

Time: 7:00 pm-8:30

This class is designed for handlers who have completed Foundation Agility Handling. However, any team that is already competing in agility or almost ready to compete in agility can enroll. Sequences will have at least 16 obstacles, but teams can opt to handle a smaller portion of the sequence.  Courses will only include jumps and tunnels.  Handlers will need to bring a crate for their dog and arrive on time to class to help set up equipment. Dogs will work off leash, and therefore, must exhibit a strong recall and good basic obedience skills.

AKC Fit Dog Lvl 1

Class Tier

Tier B

This class starts on Tuesday, August 1st and will be held at Versa Dog Sports.

Time: 7:15 pm-8:15 pm

Throughout this eight-week course you will learn ways to increase your dog’s strength, cardiovascular health, flexibility, balance, and coordination.  These skills are easy to teach and fun to learn. Focus on building strength, balance and coordination can lengthen the life of your dog, while building confidence and reducing boredom, which can help to eliminate problem behaviors.  Dogs who participate in any dog sport should have a regular fitness program. This class can help you to build your dog’s fitness program.

AKC Trick Dog Evaluation

Class Tier

Specialty Classes

GSDOC will hold an AKC trick dog evaluation. If you have been practicing your tricks and just need to get an evaluation for your title(s) this is your chance! Fee for the evaluation is $5 for members $10 for non-members. You may use your GSDOC Doggie Dollars to pay for this cost.

*All monies go directly to the club to pay for facility usage and equipment etc.