08/11/2024
Registration for September classes at Horses and Hounds is now in full swing. For those who are seeking classes for Younger Puppies (3-6 months), Older Puppies (7-24 months), and Polite Manners (12 months and up, previous training experience), please contact me if you would like to sign up. I will be glad to send you registration paperwork and a waiver.
The fee for a series of five classes is $265.88 (includes CT tax). Payment can be made by check, cash, or Venmo.
Wednesdays 9/11 thru 10/9
Older Puppies (7 mo +)
5:30 to 6:30
Polite Manners (12 mo +)
5:45 to 6:45
Sundays 9/15 thru 10/13
Younger Puppies (3-6 mo)
10:15 to 11:15
Polite Manners (12 mo +)
11:30 to 12:30
Younger Puppies
We start younger puppies off with basic skills and shaping of positive behaviors: sit, down, wait, follow on leash, hand touch, and recall. We practice shaping behaviors with clicker training, helping handlers with timing and treat delivery and helping puppies learn how much fun it is to play and learn with their humans. We discuss common challenges that often come with young dogs and brainstorm solutions. We work on impulse control, learning to do nothing, and learning to be polite and appropriate with other dogs and people.
Older Puppies
Puppies and young dogs come to this class with a variety of backgrounds. We work on developmentally appropriate skills and behaviors and start to refine loose leash walking. We add “leave it,” “walk away,” and “stay” to their repertoire and practice shaping and rewarding with clicker training, one of the most powerful tools for helping a dog learn what is expected and what will be rewarded. We work on “place” and add duration, distance, and distraction to the stay command with practice for dog and handler. We continue to talk about common goals and challenges and possible training solutions.
Polite Manners
This class is for teams who have already done some successful training, either on their own or in other classes. It is an appropriate class for potential therapy dog work, a Canine Good Citizen certificate, or taking your dog everywhere as a polite companion. Handlers in this class. practice skills regularly – walking hiking trails, visiting big box stores that allow dogs, sitting at an outdoor coffee shop patio, or walking the neighborhood. We work on impulse control at a higher level, stay with greater distractions, and recalls under a variety of conditions. This is not a good match for reactive dogs.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are always available and are tailored to the specific needs of the dog and its living situation. Sessions typically last one hour and can be held virtually, at home, or at Horses and Hounds. Cost for a private lesson is $130 per hour (includes CT sales tax). For locations more than 25 minutes from Mary’s West Simsbury home, there is an added travel fee dependent on time and mileage.