Having Fun, Agility and Rally Obedience

*If your dog has harmed or is a threat to people or other dogs, do not register for a group class. Please contact us at 412-321-4625 x 224 about private lessons.*

Doga- Yoga with your dog

People

Age appropriate: 18 years or older

Course Duration: One time hour long session
Tuition: $15.00 for Public/WPHS Member
Prerequisite: No previous yoga experience is needed. Please bring your own yoga mat.

Dogs

Age appropriate: 8 weeks old or older
Prerequisite: None, Dog must be people and dog friendly.

Summary

Put some literal meaning to downward dog and attend out "Doga" class! Learn how to relax and meditate with your furry friend while practicing basic yoga moves.

The instructor, Joanie Barr, has many certifications including STOTT Reformer Pilates, Physical Minds Institute-Pilates Mat 1, YogaFIT, and A.F.A.A. Joanie and her dog Chachi recently passed their Therapy Dog International Test and are planning on making their volunteering debut very soon!

Sports & Games For Dogs

Want to try a sport or game with your dog but are unsure which one your dog would like or that you'd like to try? Join us for a 6 week adventure into dog sports and games--learn about some sports and games you may not have known about and have fun playing with your dog! Dogs and handlers will be introduced to Agility, Rally-O, and nose games. Additional sports / games may include freestyle dancing, canine flying discs, and other training games.

Prerequisites: Prior obedience class--Adult Basic or Teen Time (or a solid foundation in basic obedience behaviors including loose leash walking.) Dogs should be comfortable working in an enclosed area with other dogs and people.

This is a drop-in style class which means you will get a ticket that allows for 6 visits within three (3) months.

Small Dog Social Hour

This one hour play session is for dogs under 30 lbs and their owners to burn off some of that excess energy without having to worry about getting run over by a dog four times your size. Limited to small breeds under 30 lbs; no puppies under 6 months of age. Dogs that are friendly towards dogs and people in enclosed spaces only.

Treibball

Welcome to Treibball! Dogs learn to herd large balls (surrogate sheep) into a pen, handlers learn distance work, directing the dog to go out and around the balls, wait for directions, go left or right and drive the ball into the pen. Treibball is for all breeds, mixes and types of dogs, especially dogs that need a job. Dogs must have good basic skills to participate.

Prerequisite: Dogs can be as young as 5 months, assuming they have their basic commands (sit, down, come, heel & stay) with duration and are safe and reliable around other dogs.

Sources of Treibballs....

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gold-s-Gym-Fitness-Ball-65-cm/12167837

Agility I

This 6 week class will introduce you and your dog to the conditioning required for Agility. Low impact agility skills will be introduced. In agility we will learn about start line stays, targeting, contact equipment contact zones, dogs accepting movement under their feet, foot work, understanding rear end movement, and flatwork handling. Foundations of Agility class working with various exercises to build muscle tone and handler-focus, while introducing the dog to several agility obstacles with safety as a primary goal; all the while building confidence in both dog and handler. Class size is limited.

Prerequisite: Basic level obedience course, and a good response to the basic commands of sit, down, stay, and come.

Agility II

This advanced class will continue the work you learned in Agility I. Low impact agility skills will be practiced, focusing on off-leash work as a goal.

Class size is limited. Prerequisite: Agility I course, and instructor's recommendation.

Rally-O

Age appropriate: 7 months or older
Course Duration: 6 sessions (one hour per week)
Tuition: $90.00 / $75.00 with current Western PA Humane Society membership
Prerequisite: This class is suitable for those with a strong foundation in basic behaviors and that are comfortable working in a classroom with other dogs and people.

This class is about teaching the individual skills and signs that are necessary for Level 1 Rally-O. The skills, rules, criteria and signs will all be based off APDT Rally but will mention some of the other venues. Each week will cover how to teach and improve various behaviors that can be found on a rally-o course.

The class will cover:

Heel position
Heeling in motion
Front position
Sit/down in heel
Finish Left/Right
Forward Left/Right
Sit/Down Walk-around
Left/Right Pivots
About Turn Left/Right
How to perform individual Rally sign

Freestyle: Dogs With Rhythm

Freestyle is all about building a better relationship and building confidence. You REALLY can create a routine and perform in front of people with your dog! Start now and you'll be able to WOW your friends at that summer picnic. FREESTYLE - Dancing with your dog is easier than you think!

Pre-Requisite: Basic training experience for dog and person. Dogs that are friendly towards dogs and people in enclosed spaces only. 4 sessions.

Performing Pooches

Does your dog love to be the center of attention? Performing Pooches is a fun two session class that will be fun and enriching for you and your pup! You'll teach your dog a few different spins, back-up, walk sideways, weave though legs, crawl under a chair, bring an item back and, of course, a bow at the end! Designed for all age groups, this class will be most beneficial for dogs with at least basic obedience skills.

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