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ALBANY OBEDIENCE CLUB
Instructors: David DeNoble & Sam Siverman
Sundays 9:00 am - 10:00 am
No Class June 8th
Criteria: Completion of Introduction to Scent Work Part 2 OR have had their dog’s level of scentwork training evaluated by the instructor prior to registering for the class. Dogs must be proficient in birch & anise scents.
Content: This class is a continuation of the Introduction to Scent Work Part 2 class. We will continue to work on sourcing odor and reading the dog. This class will build on independent searching as well as building confidence and tenacity. More complex searches will be introduced. Handlers will learn how best to support their dog while searching. Skills will be developed through fun searches and games. Birch & Anise scents will be used, Clove will be introduced in class searches.
Open to Junior Handlers
Limit: 8, one dog per handler unless class does not fill
Instructors: David DeNoble & Sam Silverman Sundays 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Criteria: Completion of the Intro to SW Part 3 class, OR have had their dog’s level of scent work training evaluated by the instructor prior to registering for the class. Dog should be competent on birch, anise and clove.
Content: Dog and handler should be competent and able to search multiple hides – two to three hides per search area. This class will introduce cypress – the last odor in AKC Scent Work. Students will work on independent searches and sourcing odor. We will have fun games and exercises to build drive and improve skills.
Limit: 8 One dog per handler unless class does not fill.
Instructor: Laurie Danaher
Sundays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Criteria: Dogs must be at least 12 months of age.
Content: This is the third and final class of Introduction to Agility Obstacles. This session will concentrate on introduction to the teeter We will continue to work on safe handling of the other contact obstacles so that the teams can execute these obstacles with confidence. We will continue work on 2x2 weave skills as well as age appropriate jump work. Teams who have not completed Into class I or II may join this class provided that they have some contact obstacle experience and are reliable on recall. The goal at completion of this third class series is to have teams ready to begin stringing obstacles together as mini courses so that the teams will be ready to continue on to beginning handling classes.
Dogs are expected to rest quietly in a crate in the training room (or the kitchen or car) between turns - there are limited numbers of club crates available so be prepared to provide your own crate if necessary. Bring plenty of treats (make sure to have high and normal value as well as light colored treats that are easy for the dog to see on driving forward exercises). Don't forget a water vessel- with lots of food rewards, they can get rather thirsty! If your pup is not food motivated, please bring a variety of high value toys.
Class limit: 6
Junior Handlers welcome
Instructor: Lauri Jenkins
Sundays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Criteria: This class will mainly be using jumps and tunnels though your dog should be comfortable (safe) on contact equipment, including teeter. You should have completed a foundation and beginner agility class and have a reliable recall and start line stay. I can adapt to beginning team (non-competitive) to team already in Novice or Open level competition
Content: We will be using short sequences and exercises to develop handling skills and strategies from basic handling (front cross, rear cross, blind cross) to wraps, backsides, 180’s, boxes, serps and threadles. We will not be focusing on weaves.
Please bring treats & toys as appropriate to your dog. Be prepared to crate your dog in the kitchen or in your vehicle as I don’t like crating on the agility floor as it creates unnecessary pressure on the dogs. Please be prepared to start on-time.
Limit: 6
Instructor: Joan Pivorun-Wehrle
Mondays 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Criteria: Handlers/dogs should be running at the Open or Excellent level.
Content: This session will include full courses, including Masters level Jumpers with Weaves and Standard, as well as Time to Beat. Some weeks may use shorter sequences to focus on specific skill improvement. Participants will have the opportunity to suggest the specific skills on which they wish to focus.
Limited to one dog per handler unless class does not fill. Registration of a second dog requires instructor permission.
Limit: 10
Instructor: Spencer Wohlers
Mondays 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Criteria: Class is open to any dog who either has earned a Rally Excellent title or who has been in the Advanced /Excellent Run through classes and are proficient with Excellent level exercises.
Content: This class is a Rally Master Run Through class. Emphasis will be placed on becoming familiar with the signs for the Master level. There will be a different course each week to practice Rally Master Level Rally skills and guidance will be available.
Limit: 8 working teams; quiet auditors are welcome.
Instructors: Joann Boomhower and Cathy Hodor
Mondays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Criteria: This class is intended to be a bridge from Beginner Novice to Novice. Handlers and dogs should have a basic knowledge of Beginner Novice/Novice exercises.
Content: This is a continuation from Session 2. We’ll practice Beginner Novice exercises and start focusing more on Novice exercises for dogs and handlers who are ready to progress to that level. We will work on heeling with attention, recall, stand or sit for exam and Novice and Beginner Novice stationary exercises.
Limit 6 dogs (one dog per handler)
Instructor: Marjorie Johnson
Criteria: have taken the Rally Novice Class or be evaluated by the instructor, and are familiar with the Rally signs.
Content: This is a RUN THRU class. Practice Rally courses for Advanced and Excellent will be set up. Each team will have a chance to walk and practice the course.
Instructors: Lauren Bachner & Angie Proper
Mondays 6:45 pm - 7:45 pm
Criteria: Dog should have some basic obedience skills-sit, down. Must be comfortable being in a crate.
Content: Rally is a fun approach to obedience. Courses are set up using directional signs very similar to beginner novice obedience. Handler is allowed to talk to the dog. A different course will be set each week and different skills will be addressed. There may be games to learn skills but always there will be an opportunity to have fun with your dog. It doesn't matter if you plan on competing in rally with your dog or just want to have fun.
Junior Handlers are welcome
Class size is limited to 6. Handler can enroll second dog if class is not full.
Instructors: John O’Hanlon and Elaine Humphrey
Mondays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Criteria: Dogs of any age are welcome
Content: Dogs will learn to come when called, walk at owner’s side, sit, down, stay, along with various “send-aways”, plus many other useful training ideas.
Junior Handlers Welcome
CGC Test will be included at the end for those interested.
Mondays 8:15 pm - 9:15 pm
Criteria: dogs aged 6 months or older
Content: thru-out the session, we will be working on; send-aways, weave poles, jumps, stationary positions and Speedway (a sport primarily involving tunnels and send-aways). This is a combination class and class members will work on what they feel like working on. The class will include games theory and fun teaching methods.
Limit: 8
Coordinators: Joan McMaster & Peter Shawhan
Tuesdays 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Description: Handler Discrimination is an AKC and UKC scent work/nosework element using items with the handler’s scent for searches. This element is one of the elements at trials and is a fun challenge for teams. Teams will learn to search various scenarios they may encounter from Novice through Master levels depending on the size of the class and the level of the competitors. This class has been able to accommodate all levels and has students who participate for fun and/or hone skills for competition.
Please contact the instructors if you have any questions.
Coordinators: Dave De Noble & Joan McMaster
Tuesdays 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Criteria: Must be proficient in all 4 odors; must be competing at advanced level and working toward excellent or master.
Content: This is a run through class. Participants must set one excellent/master level hide each class.
This would include blind and inaccessible hides. This is not an instructional class.
Instructors: Caroline Mosca & Chris Danker
Tuesdays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm No class June 10th
Criteria: Dogs must be able to reliably work 4-5 obstacles off leash at the start of the session and have completed an agility foundations class.
Content: This class will build on previous classes where all obstacles were taught. Short courses, with sometimes just 4-5 obstacles will be set up. The goal will be to discuss options on how to run the sequences including front, rear, and blind crosses, 180 and 270 degree turns, and other various handling strategies. Sending the dog ahead as well as lateral distance will be covered.
Limit: 8 One Dog per Handler
Instructor: Kate Harding
Tuesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Criteria: Open to teams planning to trial in Rally Novice, Beginner Novice or Novice Obedience. Dogs must be at least nine months old (at the start of the session), and have had a foundational class. The class is suited for teams just starting out, through almost ready to trial in Novice Obedience (or Rally Novice).
Content: The focus of this class is to help you develop an animated, engaged Obedience (or Rally) routine. We’ll lay a foundation for the various BN and Novice exercises by using Novice Rally exercises as guides. We’ll teach the exercises through games and well-timed rewards. Dogs will be out on the floor only one or two at a time; when not working, dogs must be either crated in the Meeting Room, or hanging out in their cars.
Equipment: Dogs should wear a properly fitted flat collar, prong collar or fur saver. Handlers should have a4-6 foot leash, water, delicious treats, a favorite toy and a hungry dog.
Limit: 6, one dog per handler
Instructors: Elaine Humphrey & Deb Longtin
Wednesdays 2:00pm - 3:00 pm
Criteria: Class is for dogs that can work off leash. Class is suitable for Junior Handlers.
Content: Speedway is a new competitive dog sport that consists of a number of fun games that use tunnels, hoops and barrels. There are no jumps or contact equipment so it is ideal for young dogs and senior dogs but all dogs enjoy the games.
The Speedway run thru class will present one game per week that can be run in different patterns.
Instructor: Deb Janssen
Wednesdays 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Criteria: Experienced handlers with dogs in Open/Ex/Master levels.
Content: Each week we will work on specific short sequence challenges only found in current agility courses. Mostly jumps, tunnels and weaves with 1 contact equipment when the course calls for it.
Instructor: Joan Curcio
Wednesdays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Criteria: For dogs that have completed both sections of Agility Foundations or equivalent courses. More advanced dogs that need additional work on specific equipment are also welcome. Dogs must be able to work off-leash and have a reliable recall. Handlers must be able to use a food-stuffable toy or target or another method of rewarding their dog away from the handler. Dogs are not expected to jump full competition height.
Content: This class is designed to transition your dog from the tippy boards and jump bumps of foundations to exercises on competition-size equipment. It is also appropriate for dogs who need more confidence on contacts, weaves and/or tunnels. The focus will be on performing obstacles safely and independently and not on sequencing. We will cover 2-on, 2-off contact and running contact exercises, including Rachel Sander’s jump grid for running A-frames. We’ll practice start-line stays and forward focus and apply these skills to performing the dog walk, teeter and A-frame at lowered heights. In addition, we’ll practice 2x2’s in preparation for weaving, tunnel and table sends and jump skills. Please plan on arriving to class early to help with equipment set-up, if possible.
Junior handlers are welcome.
Instructor: Meryl Winnie
Wednesdays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Criteria: Open to those looking to build focus and motivation inside and outside the competition ring.
Content: Will be strengthening focus and motivation to the Handler. For Puppies and Dogs that haven’t started competing will learn the foundations and Dogs competing will learn to recapture attention.
Instructor: Mary Hofelich
Thursdays 9:15 am - 10:15 am
Criteria: This class is for those working towards a CDX.
Content: We will work on the individual exercises, trouble shooting or proofing, moving towards doing the entire routine.
Limit: 5
Instructors: Kate Harding & Sue Sample Brown
Thursdays 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm
Criteria: This class is open to dog/handler teams that plan to continue past the Novice level in competitive obedience. Dogs must be at least a year old, and teams can be at any level from almost-ready-to-trial in Novice through trialling in Open. The class is not suited for teams already trialling in Utility.
Content: The goal of the class is to give you some of the tools you’ll need to work with your dog at home. We will work on developing animated, engaged routines through games and well-timed rewards. Our focus will be on engaged heeling, as well as exercises from Novice and Open. We will start to lay a foundation for the Utility exercises. Dogs will be out on the floor one or two at a time.
Equipment: Dogs must wear a properly fitted flat collar, prong collar or fur saver. Handlers should have a 3-4 foot leash, water, delicious treats, a favorite toy and a hungry dog. All handlers should have a dumbbell. Teams who already have a solid retrieve will need utility articles and/or a set of gloves. When not working, dogs must be able to rest quietly in a crate, or hang out in the car.
Limit: 8, one dog per handler
Instructor: Lois Fricke
Thursdays 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Criteria: Novice dogs welcome-dogs must be able to do all contact equipment safely.
Content: Class will alternate between AKC Open Jumpers and AKC Open Standard courses.
Limit: 10 with one dog per handler unless you are alternating dogs each run.
Instructor: Caitlin Monjeau
Thursdays 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Criteria: For dog (6 months and older) and human teams who would like to have a stronger relationship and possibly complete the CGC assessment at the end of the course. No prior classwork is necessary. One puppy/dog per one or more handlers.
Content: Learn or sharpen basic training skills and prepare for the Canine Good Citizen evaluation. Skills taught will include the ten items on the AKC CGC test and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs handling test. If there is enough interest, we may be able to arrange for an ATD tester/observer for the class.
Materials needed: A flat buckle or martingale/greyhound/limited slip collar, a six foot leash, water bowl and water, high and low value rewards, a toy your dog likes (optional), a mat for the dog (optional but recommended), a clicker (optional but recommended). I will have clickers to borrow.
Limit: 8 teams; more than one handler can come with the dog. Must have access to your own crate.
Coordinators: Lauren Bachner and Joan McMaster
Fridays 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Criteria: Dog must be competent on birch, anise and clove If needed we will introduce Cypress. Dog should have been exposed to container, buried, interior and exterior searches. Should be ready to compete or competing at the novice level. Searches will be at advanced/ excellent level.
Content: Dog and handler should be competent and able to search multiple hides. Students may experience searches that simulate a trial situation. Students will be active participants in class. Participants are asked to bring their Scent Work Kits to class and will learn to set hides for the class to run. Discussion on hide placement and scent movement will be held. Students will practice blind searches and blank areas. If requested searches will be videotaped.
Limit 8
One dog per handler unless class does not fill
Fridays 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Criteria: Open to pups 5 months of age or older. Dogs will be worked on a buckle collar or harness. Dogs will be crated during class when not working. Lots of small, soft treats are required for rewards in each class.
Content: This class introduces the dog and handler team to scent work – finding odor. This can be pursued just for fun or for competition. Dogs will begin by learning to find one odor - birch. Skills that will be developed include having the dog learn to source the odor, the handler learning to read their dog. Handlers will begin to learn how to help their dog develop a strong indication of odor through rewards. Scent work helps to build confidence and burns mental and physical energy in your dog while having fun.
Saturdays 8:45 am - 9:45 am
No Class 6/7/2025
Criteria: For dog (6 months and older) and human teams who would like to progress to the next level and add more challenging life skills. Teams will have the opportunity to complete the CGCA assessment at the end of the course. Teams should have completed a previous CGC class or have earned a CGC with the working dog. One puppy/dog per one or more handlers.
Content: Add more advanced training skills and prepare for the Canine Good Citizen Advanced (Community Canine Title) evaluation. Skills taught will include the items on the AKC CGCA test. Skills will be useful for those looking to become working therapy dog teams. If there is enough interest, we may be able to arrange for an ATD tester/observer for the class or individuals.
Limit: 6 teams; more than one handler can come with the dog. Must Bring your own crate
Instructors: Becky Broussard & Sharon Breisch
Saturdays 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Criteria: Class is for Junior handlers only.
Content: Class is designed for dogs 4 months of age and older and youth handlers 8-17 years of age. Classwork, or rather class fun, will include a variety of activities designed to build a stronger bond between dog and handler, while learning skills for every day or for the show ring. Whether you are a returning student, or you and your dog are new to dog training, this class offers something for you and your dog. Practice exercises to help your dog become a great partner and a welcome member of your community. Exercises also include rally obedience coursework, attention exercises, as well as other fun activities.
Albany Obedience Club, Inc
535 Wemple Road
Glenmont, NY 12077
Copyright 2022 Albany Obedience Club, Inc.
ALBANY OBEDIENCE CLUB