AOC follows NYS Covid guidance.
Member Log in
ALBANY OBEDIENCE CLUB
Instructor: Joan Pivorun-Wehrle
Mondays 10:45 am - 12:15 pm
Class starts August 4th, then meets August 11th, August 18th, September 1st, September 22nd, September 29th
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: Lauri Jenkins
Sundays 8:30 am - 9:30 am
No class August 31st
Criteria: Must have completed foundations and novice obstacles class.
Content: This class will focus on teaching weaved using 2x2 method.
Limit: 6 teams
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: Marjorie Johnson & Joan Healy
Mondays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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
Limit: 6, handler can enroll 2nd dog is class does not fill
Instructors: 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.
Limit: 6
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.
Limit: 8
Instructors: Caroline Mosca & Chris Danker
Tuesdays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Criteria: Must have completed Sequencing Part 1 or the permission of instructor.
Content: Emphasis will be on discussing which cross when and why. Sequences will be longer, and the goal of 2x2 weaves is to have them closed by the end of the session. All dogs must be proficient with end behavior on all contacts.
Instructors: Joann Boomhower and Cathy Hodor
Wednesdays 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Criteria: Dogs must have a basic knowledge of heeling, recall and stay
Let’s train together! All levels of obedience are welcome. We will offer as much help, coaching or distractions as you and your dog are ready for. Two rings will be available and we will be there to do a run thru or help to work through any exercises that you’d like. When you’re not in the ring, you can use your time to work on the outside of the ring. Be prepared to help one another in this class. It will be a great opportunity for those new to obedience and for experienced people to offer suggestions.
Instructor: Deb Janssen
Wednesdays 3:00 pm - 4:30 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: Lois Fricke
Wednesdays 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.
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: Kate Harding
Thursdays 6:00 pm - 7:00 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 routine. We’ll lay a foundation for the various BN and Novice 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 a 4-6 foot leash, water, delicious treats, a favorite toy and a hungry dog.
Limit: 6, one dog per handler
Instructor: Caitlin Monjeau
Thursdays 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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 and ATD handling test 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. For those interested, the Alliance of Therapy Dogs handling test will also be offered at the end of the course.
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.
Must bring your own crate or mat.
Limit: 8 teams; more than one handler can come with the dog.
Instructor: Elaine Humphrey
Fridays 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Criteria: Previous completion of Introduction to Agility Class or Obstacles Class or with permission of Instructor. Only jumps and tunnels will be used. Weave pole exercises might be included depending on student interest. Dogs will work off leash and will be crated while other dogs work.
Content: Class will focus on learning basic handling techniques; serpentines, threadles, pinwheels, circles, backsides, and tunnels.
These are fundamental handling techniques needed in all jumpers and standard courses. Basic exercises will follow Clean Runs Ready to Run book. A following course, Agility Skills and Drills 2, will utilize these techniques in basic courses.
Juniors welcome
Instructors: David DeNoble & Peter Shawhan
Fridays 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
No class on September 12th
Criteria: Completion of Introduction to Scent Work OR have had their dog’s level of scent work training evaluated by the instructor prior to registering for the class. Dogs must be proficient in birch scent.
Content: This class continues building on the scent work foundation of the Introduction to Scent Work class. Emphasis is on scent sourcing and developing a strong indication of scent hides through a correct and timely delivery of the reward. Multiple known hides, simple distractions and trial procedures will be introduced and begin to be used in container, interior, exterior and buried searches. Birch scent will be used in class searches. Anise scent will be introduced and also used in searches as the class progresses. Class is appropriate for beginning competition training or as a fun activity for your dog.
Open to Junior Handlers
Limit: 8, one dog per handler unless class does not fill
Fridays 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Criteria: Must be proficient in birch and anise odors, must be competing or be ready to compete at novice level and working toward advanced level.
Content: This is a run thru class. Participants must set one novice or advanced level hide each class. This would include accessible hides and use of non-food distractions. This is not an instructional class.
Instructors: Becky Broussard & Sharon Breisch
Saturdays 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
No class August 30th
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.
Instructor: Laurie Danaher
Sundays 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm
No Class August 10th, August 31st, or September 21st
Content: This class is the first in a three-part series, designed to follow the Introduction to Agility Obstacles class series. The goal is to prepare green agility handling teams to compete at the novice level. Each class will revolve around learning to complete a selected novice level standard agility course, adjusting runs individually to accommodate the dogs’ age and the teams’ abilities. Class content will include advice on entering trials, learning the best way to walk a course, and other beginner basics for handlers new to the sport or with an interest in learning more.
Criteria: Dogs must be 15 months of age. Preference given to teams that have successfully completed Intro to Agility Obstacles III. Dogs must have begun to learn all contact obstacles and weaves, but do not need to be proficient. This is a skills building class meant to bridge the gap between introduction to the obstacles and being competition ready - this is not an introduction class. This is meant for teams intending to compete in agility. Bring a variety of treats - lots of small soft treats and some light-colored treats that show up well on the mats (charlee bears, cheese balls, etc).
Dogs must be able to rest (reasonably) quietly in the training room crates or alternatively in the kitchen or in your car. THERE ARE MORE SPOTS THAN CLUB CRATES: please bring your own crate in case you need it. No dog will be allowed to be loose while other dogs are working.
One dog per handler unless class does not fill.
Junior handlers welcome.
Sundays 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Content: This class is the first in a three-part series designed for beginner teams and dogs new to agility. It is recommended that teams participate in all three 6-week sessions. This will be a conservative class where the dog will learn obstacles in a slow and confidence building environment. Understanding that dogs may not compete until they are 15 months of age, this class will take a safety-first approach for all dogs, but in particular for any young dog teams (age appropriate introduction to jumps, contacts). If your goal is to be able to run an agility course at the end of this first 6 week program- this is not the class/pace for you.
Criteria: Dogs must be at least 6 months of age and have completed a basic obedience class or an agility foundations series, have a solid recall, and a beginning understanding of sit or down stay. Bring a variety of treats - lots of small soft treats and some light-colored treats that show up well on the mats (charlee bears, cheese balls, etc).
Albany Obedience Club, Inc
535 Wemple Road
Glenmont, NY 12077
Copyright 2022 Albany Obedience Club, Inc.
ALBANY OBEDIENCE CLUB