Canine Prep School

01/01/2024

12/30/2023

Attention all dog owners!
Did you adopt your dog in the past 15 years? If so, click here to help an ACVB resident with their research: https://forms.gle/TUhiPSCWw1GP4YQx5

12/28/2023

Did you bring a new puppy or dog into your home this holiday? Have you decided 2024 is a good year to begin training with your four-footed best friend?
We have a Primary Puppy class that starts at 12:30 on Tuesday, Jan 6. Start your puppy off on the right foot with positive socialization and training.
Elementary School starts at 6:45pm on Thursday, January 11. This is also a basic manners class for all ages
We even have an Intro to Tricks class starting on Feb 3rd and Rally Fundamentals starting January 8th.
Go to www.CaninePrepSchool.com for more information and to register.

11/18/2023

Bring your puppy to class!

11/16/2023

Come join us this weekend! We have spaces open for our Primary Puppy beginning training class on Saturdays at 8:30 and our Puppy Playschool session at 10:00
Primary Puppy is for puppies 8 - 18weeks to register
Puppy Playschool play sessions are for puppies 8 weeks - 5 months.
Go to
www.canineprepschool.com/puppy-playschool to register for puppy play & www.canineprepschool.com/primary-puppy-class for the beginning training class

11/09/2023

Do you want to train with your dog but don't want to just work on manners training? Or have you already had manners training and want more fun things to do? We have the answer!
Intro To Tricks class starts this Saturday at 10:00am. In this class you' can teach your pups to shake, rollover, back up, crawl, sit pretty, and more...
https://www.canineprepschool.com/trick-classes

11/06/2023

We'd like to thank everyone who participated in our Paint Your Pet event yesterday.
All of the portraits turned out amazing!
A special thank you to co-owner & lead trainer Beth Joy for her artistic talent. She not only drew all of the portrait sketches but also instructed the session.
A good time was had by all. If you missed this one, we've got another one scheduled ! New Date is December 3 at 2! https://fb.me/e/6AJzrSPAZ

10/27/2023

Do you have a puppy under 6 months old? Would you like to meet playmates for your puppy? Join us at Puppy Playschool Saturdays at 10:00am.
https://www.canineprepschool.com/puppy-playschool

10/27/2023

We have a bunch of new classes starting next month.
For beginning training is Elementary School for dogs of all ages, starting Nov 16
Primary Puppy is for puppies 8wks to 18wks on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
Intro to Tricks - Learn how to teach your dog to shake & wave, sit pretty, crawl, roll over, leg weaves, and more. Class starts Nov 11
Dogs Around Town - Explore new sights, sounds, smells, and experiences with your pup by visting a different location each class. Class starts Nov 12
Reactive Dog - A great opportunity to get experience working with your reactive dog in a controlled, safe environment while being exposed to real-life situations and working on desensitizing him to the “triggers” that make him react. Class starts Nov 4
And more! Go to www.canineprepschool.com/group-classes for more information

Canine Prep School's group dog training classes are held in Damascus, MD. Dog training classes offered are puppy socialization, puppy basics, adult dog basic good manners, trick classes, reactive dog classes and more.

10/26/2023

🤣🤣

It’s that time of the year again where our dogs provide us with enrichment.

10/25/2023

A couple of pups from our Brewery Foundations class posing with our Halloween props!

10/24/2023

All of our students will get a chance to have their pups picture taken with our Halloween setup. Stayed tuned for more cute pictures!!!

10/21/2023

Look who passed their AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy test today!
Congratulations to Katie, Karen, and Molly!
Contact us if you're interested in learning how your puppy can be a S.T A.R. puppy too

10/04/2023

Does your pup flatten at the sound of a truck coming by or an unexpected noise? Is he afraid when something new suddenly appears in the home or along his usual walk?
Are you struggling with how to help your dog learn that the world is not such a scary place?
In Let’s Be Brave you’ll learn how to read your dog’s body language, and how scent work, teaching tricks, and interacting with obstacles, will build your dogs confidence. You’ll learn how using gentle encouragement, and yummy rewards will help him when he takes those steps, no matter how small, towards being brave.
In Let’s Be Brave your dog will learn that that you’ve got his back and being brave makes good things happen. You'll also learn elements of cooperative care which is teaching dogs to actively participate in their own care, such as grooming, handling, and veterinary procedures.
Let’s Be Brave starts Monday, October 9th, at 7:00. Click on the following link to register and begin helping your anxious dog feel brave.
https://www.canineprepschool.com/let-s-be-brave

10/02/2023

It's not too late to sign up for tomorrow's Intro To Tricks class starting at 2:00.
In this class we teach easy/novice tricks so there's no prerequisite. You can even earn your AKC Novice Tricks certification.
https://canineprepschool.dogbizpro.com/public/registration/index.aspx?schedule=46

09/22/2023

Intro to Scent Games will introduce fun games to teach your dog to use their powerful sense of smell! Scent games are a great way to prevent boredom, build confidence and improve dog/handler relationship - not to mention, they can fit into anyone’s busy schedule! Great for dogs of all ages and experience levels.
Class starts Oct 14th and is taught by Jessica Lamb of Urban Canine
https://www.canineprepschool.com/scent-games

09/16/2023

The only thing cuter than watching a sleeping puppy is watching puppies play!
We still have room in this morning's Puppy Playschool session at 10:00.
Bring your puppy for some fun and socialization.
https://www.canineprepschool.com/puppy-playschool

09/07/2023

Fall is back to school time! Why not bring your dog to school too? We have a variety of new classes starting this month
Help Your Fearful Dog is an online class so your dog can stay in the comfort of his own home and you can join from anywhere.
Class starts Monday Sept 11 www.canineprepschool.com/helpyourfearfuldog
AKC Canine Good Citizen class will help you and your dog get ready to take the AKC CGC certification test. Class starts Sunday Sept 10. www.canineprepschool.com/cgc-class
Rally FUNdamentals focuses on practicing and proofing the core skills to compete in Rally, or just for fun. Class starts Monday Sept 11 https://www.canineprepschool.com/rally
Reactive Dog class will help you better understand what is going on with your dog and give you the tools to work with it. Class starts Sept 16 www.canineprepschool.com/reactive-dog-class

08/27/2023

If you are new to having a reactive dog....or even if you have been on a long reactive journey, then this is a graphic for you.
There is SO much information out there for reactivity and some of it may be the opposite to what others believe, and it may challenge your own beliefs too.
For those that are struggling....I get it....I absolutely know how clients feel with their own reactive dogs.
There IS a way forward....it isn't hopeless.
but.....it isn't particularly easy...but you CAN do it.

I cannot tell you how many clients just want to know what to do in a reaction.....
Flip that thinking on its head and start training so reactions are as limited as possible.
Start being proactive....and start to change your reactive journey from just dealing with your dogs reactions to looking how to limit and eventually stop them (or stop the vast majority of them) from occurring.

That should be the goal....not reacting to their own reaction.

If your dog reacts again and again when you leave your home, at a park or at the beach.....then they WILL react like this again and again.
Only taking action when they have already barked at or lunged... will change very little for your dog.....and it will take a very long time to make a true and lasting difference, if ever.

You need to be proactive.

It isn't about distraction....(though sometimes that is needed).
It isn't all about knowing what to do in the height of a reaction (though you do need to know what to do).
It is about limiting reactions.
Stopping the reactions from the same triggers again and again.
Lowering stress hormones.
Reading your dogs own body language...and others.
Limiting the reactions while showing them a much calmer way to view a dog.
Letting them start to see that triggers aren't so bad after all.

There is a way forward and you CAN make a huge difference.
Try being proactive instead of reactive to your dogs own reactivity.

All the best on this journey.
Reactivity is a beast, but you CAN do this !

08/26/2023

Playtime in Primary Puppy class! Play started with the puppies forming a sniffing circle.
Thanks for sharing the video with us Katie G!

08/24/2023

Thank you Hallie Wells Middle School for inviting us to join your Wells Welcome event yesterday. We had a wonderful time talking to the students and their parents that came by.

08/23/2023

Our AKC Canine Good Citizen prep class starts Sunday, Sept 10 @4:30pm .
In this class we’ll help you and your dog fine tune your skills to pass the 10 items of the Canine Good Citizen certification test.
-Accepting a friendly stranger
-Sitting politely for petting
-Appearance and grooming
-Out for a walk (walking on a loose leash)
-Walking through a crowd
-Sit and down on cue and stay in place
-Coming when called
-Reaction to another dog
-Reaction to a distraction
-Supervised separation.
The CGC certification is a good training goal to have with your dog. It's especially important if you wish to do therapy work since most organizations require it.
A test will be offered after the class is finished.
https://www.canineprepschool.com/cgc-class

08/21/2023

NEW CLASS ANNOUNCEMENT!
Help Your Fearful Dog is an online class focusing on giving you the tools needed to help your dog learn the world isn't such a scary place afterall.
It's online so you can join from anywhere and your pup gets to stay in the comfort of their own home. It's also great for anyone who doesn't live in the area.
If you have a puppy or dog that is fearful this class is for you.
https://www.canineprepschool.com/helpyourfearfuldog