Obedience Classes

AKC Puppy S.T.A.R. Class — 6 weeks

Next session: Monday, August 3rd at 7:00 PM · Our Farm location — 2969 Poorhouse Road, Martinsburg · $180 + tax

Would you like your puppy to sit for attention instead of jumping on you? We can help you shape your puppy’s negative behavior into something positive! This 6-week class exposes your puppy to new people, dogs, environments, smells and noises in a safe, stress-free manner. AKC S.T.A.R. is an exciting program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start — it stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility.

Your puppy will learn to welcome new things with a happy, confident attitude instead of being fearful and stressed. The class also covers crate training, housebreaking, walking nicely on a leash, sit, down and recall, plus problem puppy behaviors. For dogs under 6 months of age; weight restrictions may apply for large-breed puppies. Puppies must have their second set of vaccines (distemper/parvo) and be clear of parasites to start; Rabies and Bordetella vaccines are required once they are old enough.

Basic Obedience — 6 weeks

The essentials every dog should know: name recognition, sit, down, come and leash walking, plus basic manners like no jumping. Suitable for dogs over six months old — a great starting point for new students or a refresher for rusty ones. For particularly unruly dogs, private lessons can be added.

Intermediate Obedience — 6 weeks

Building on Basic with more distance, duration and distractions. Dogs learn to send to place, recall from place and perform commands from a distance, while sharpening heeling and preparing for advanced training.

DRAFT — Erin/Jess: please confirm this description of Advanced Obedience.

Advanced Obedience — 6 weeks

The finishing school: heeling through heavy distraction, out-of-sight stays, distance commands and public-manners proofing, working toward off-leash reliability. Graduates leave ready for Canine Good Citizen testing and real-world adventures.