MY
BEST FRIEND works for YOU and your dog....We teach you how to
communicate
with
your dog the way we
do, and with practice, your dog will listen to YOU just as well
as your dog listens to us! If you can learn how to play the
child's game...."Hot & Cold", you know....one person leaves the
room and when they come back the rest of the group tries to
direct the person to do a designated task by saying only, "Your
getting hotter" or "Your getting colder, your freezing", then
you can train your dog! YES dogs can be trained at any age! No,
you do not have to be physically strong....even with a 150 lb.
dog! Yes, even your children over 5 can help train the dog! CALL
US NOW TO GET STARTED!!!!
Training Offerings
Group Classes
click here for class schedules
(see classes section for locations,
dates and times)
prices start at 95 per series:
Locations are:
Woodland
Hills, West Van Nuys, Tarzana, Northridge, Encino & Burbank
Group
classes are affordable and not only help to train your dog but
also aid in socializing your dog with dogs and people.
That is the first choice for many people who then follow up with
private training as needed.
PUPPY
head start
(preschool) – new pups under 6 months
For puppies from 10
weeks to 6 months and will primarily focus on socializing
puppies with other puppies, people, different materials, sights,
sounds, etc. A basic clicker introduction will be included as
well as basics like Sit, Down, and Come. Potty training, crate
training, and puppy manners will be covered. The best way to
set your puppy up for success in the future!
(Woodland Hills - 6 weeks)
Beginning Level
classes cover sit, lay down, stay, loose leash walking, greeting
people on all fours, leave-it, waiting at gates and doorways,
come when called, social obedience and distractions come with
the territory (i.e. class location is usually at a park)...our
dog will learn to obey on leash in public, just where you need
it! Term: 6 weeks Space limit: 8 new dogs class duration: 1
hour (free repeats for life) graduates
under one year old are eligible for free star puppy testing.
Student will learn to use a clicker or a "marker word/signal" at
this level and those techniques will be used throughout all our
courses...if you already have all the skills listed above you
may register for other levels of our classes without taking
beginning!
click here for details on the
AKC STAR PUPPY TEST (Tarzana, Burbank, Northridge
and West Van Nuys)
Intermediate Level
classes cover Heeling
at the left side of the handler, Distance stays (of course with
distraction) and skills needed to pass the Canine Good Citizen
test such as greeting a person and dog without the two dogs
visiting, greeting people without going forward or jumping
unless asked, being touched and handled, being left with a
stranger for a few minutes, being able to handle a loud noise or
bicycle passing, passing by people and dogs without visiting
them, etc.. Term: 6 weeks Space limit: 8 new dogs class duration:
1 hour (free repeats for life) click
here for details on the CGC test (Tarzana,
Burbank, Northridge and West Van Nuys)
Advanced Level
classes cover whatever we want;
retrieve, tricks, going
to public places, etc. (the students decide first week)
primarily the goal is to work the dogs to an "off leash" level
for all commands previously taught...is is not a free repeat
class as the curriculum changes with the students wishes. Term:
6 week Class duration: 1 hour Space limit: 8 new dogs
(Tarzana, and Woodland Hills)
Tricks
level 1(beginning
obedience is prerequisite)
~Paw, Wave, Back-up, Crawl, Bow, Spin Left & Right, Sit Up
(Stick-em Up!), Play Dead (On Your Side), Roll-Over, Sad Puppy
(Head Down), Leg Weaves (Figure Eight), and a caught behavior.
This is a great intro level tricks class, and would also be a
good review for a lot of the dogs as it will be in a different
location! (Woodland Hills 6 weeks)
High
Energy Dog Obedience
– (intermediate obedience is prerequisite) This
is a class specifically created for our especially high energy
K9 friends! Often this class is particularly good for herding
breeds (Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, etc.), but is also
now open to other high energy dogs. Dogs will need to have at
least an Intermediate level education and be social with other
dogs (we will be doing off-leash work, so no reactive dogs).
(Woodland Hills – 6 weeks)
Focus on Agility
classes cover obedience skill as they apply to agility (these
classes are taught in conjunction with jump city agility). Some
of the skills we will "hone" are: Focus/Watch-me, Here/Come
(Toward handler), Turn (away from handler), Targeting (a
particular item), Touch (hand touch), Sit/Down-Stay skills with
distractions, Wait/Stop (on a contact for example), Leave-it
(sniffing treats dropped, etc.), Hand directing, Heel on left or
on right, and whatever else comes up. Term: monthly for 4 weeks
Duration: 1 hour Space limit: 7 dogs class takes place at Balboa
Park in Encino on Burbank, by the agility classes! Monday or
Thursdays (alternates each month)!
AKC Rally Obedience
AKC Rally is the new dog
sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping
stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen(R)
program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both
the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.
The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to
rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional
pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for
those who enjoy higher levels of competition.
-
A rally course includes
10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as
rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler
and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required,
but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and
handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that
have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and
in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect
positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all
conditions.
Term: 6 weeks.
click here for more details
-
looking to
compete or just train basics the fun way - instead of the
drudgery of competition obedience - not free repeat (Woodland
Hills - 6 weeks)
K9 Nose
Work®
classes
are taught by Barbara Schwerdt and Jo Trent, Certified K9®
Nosework Instructors.. for more details on K9 Nosework® Classes
and It's founders go to
www.funnosework.com
. Dogs have an amazing sense of smell
and a natural desire to hunt. This class focuses on teaching you
how to encourage and develop your dog's natural scenting
abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys,
food and exercise. It's a great class for your dog to have fun,
build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy
and to find out just how good is your dog's nose. The
dogs in this class must be crated between turns and must be
quiet in the crate to insure that the instructor can be heard by
all.
Term: 6 weeks. Class duration: 1
1/2
hours. This class is not a Free Repeat. (Burbank or Tarzana)
Walking
Clubs - For MBFO graduates (see calendar for days or email) FREE
AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing for individuals and
for Events
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Testing and classes - for MBFO
students
Join the mailing list
for My Best Friend Obedience and email us a note that you
want a $10 off Coupon. Tell us when you make your
appointment or pre-register for class that you have a coupon and
present your $10 off coupon at your first session or when you
pre-register for class to receive your discount!
Note: The email coupon only applies to services over $100 and
can only be used one time per dog
and cannot be used with Pay Pal payments!
We have decided to do
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy testing
like we do
Canine Good Citizen CGC
testing, quarterly.
Up Coming Test Event
CGC Testing on Sunday, December 9, 2012
from 9am-11am
This Sunday AKC CGC testing will be held at Tarzana Park and is
free for graduates of My Best Friend Obedience Intermediate
Training Class. If you just need to be tested we can help you as
the testing is open to the public! This is the test that one
takes usually prior to testing with Delta, Therapy Dogs
International or any of the other therapy dog organizations, or
for insurance purposes. The fee for testing is $20.00.
Current Beginning Obedience Class graduates may test for A.K.C
STAR Puppy if your pups are under 1 year! We cannot test pups
that did not do our class, sorry.
Tarzana Park is at 5655 Van Alden St. in Tarzana, CA 91356 near
the corner of Van Alden and Hatteras just East of Tampa (just
North of the 101 freeway). You will find us in the southwest
corner of the park by the basketball courts. Anyone Can Attend
and Take the Test!
My best friend obedience
students who graduated from intermediate level class but did not
yet take the test, or who have not passed the test,
may participate for FREE, please bring your graduation
certificate or email in advance so that we may verify your
eligibility!
all others who want to take the test must pay $20.00.
students PLEASE email in advance and let us know that you are
planning to attend, then we will take all others on a first come
first served basis until 11:00.
CGC Training/Testing
CGC Test Items
Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the
Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog
ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the
pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs,
safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also
agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up
after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs
infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and
their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine
Good Citizen Test include:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly
stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural,
everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and
handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring
the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange
pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or
shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the
evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly
stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the
dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the
evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may
talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may
stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or
resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being
groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a
veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also
demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of
responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if
it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy
condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The
handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the
dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in
a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up
each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a
specific position during the examination, and the handler may
talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the
dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's
position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the
handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes
of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the
handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator
may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team
by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there
should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at
least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler
may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give
commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog
at the halts if desired.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in
pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The
dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at
least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers
but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence
of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk
to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test.
The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the
leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond
to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the
place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever
the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command,
then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the
stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a
line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of
time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and
then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded
to the handler's commands. The handler may not force the dog
into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance.
When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to
stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns
to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place
in which it was left (it may change position) until the
evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may
be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the
handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to
face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use
encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to
tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away,
giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around
other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from
a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange
pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should
show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog
should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times
when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator
will select and present two distractions. Examples of
distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly
past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or
dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest
and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not
panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The
handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it
throughout the exercise.
Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted
person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good
manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would
you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's
leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog
does not have to stay in position but should not continually
bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger
than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the
dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or
management attempts (e.g, "there, there, it's alright").
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear
well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or
chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head
halters, etc. are not permitted in the CGC test. We recognize
that special training collars may be very useful tools for
beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to
take the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to
regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The
owner/handler should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement throughout the
test. The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and
treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys,
squeaky toys, etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize
that food and toys may provide valuable reinforcement or
encouragement during the training process but these items should
not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked failed.
The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable
in test Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts to
attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be
dismissed from the test
For more information see
http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
Private Training and Behavior Modification -
Google
Calendar
If
you are having problems with raising your new puppy and the vet
says puppy is too young still for class, a
single
private session to deal with puppy issues may be
the way to go. Housebreaking (potty training), grooming,
chewing, biting, jumping up...etc usually can be handled in a
single in-home session for a young pup
and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The cost is $120
per session within 30 minutes of Reseda, CA. $10 off
automatically if you pay by cash or check.
If
you are experiencing problem behavior with an adult dog such as
escaping, digging, chewing, excessive fear, fear biting, food
guarding, toy guarding, separation anxiety, or issues handling
multiple dogs or "dog to dog" aggression, we can help you with
that privately. In many cases we can help you in
a single
session (about 1.5 to 2 hours) followed by group
training. If we feel you would need multiple training sessions
we can give you an estimate of how many sessions we think it
will take based on our experience with other dogs that have had
similar issues. The Cost is $120 per session within 30 minutes
of Reseda, CA. $10 off automatically when you pay by cash or
check.
If we
can't help you in a single session, we may suggest a training
package for better value.
You may
choose a four, six or ten session package. And
remember, our 6 and 10 session obedience packages include
"Forever Training"...that means free beginning group class for
life!
($300-800 per package)
If you come to us, we will deduct $20 off of each of your
sessions.
One
last option,
I can come
to you daily and train your dog for 5 weeks... this
includes once a with you and your family, and 4 sessions with
your dog per week, I only do this for people within 10 miles of
my place in Reseda. The cost for this is $1550.00. now you
don't even have to do the practicing, just follow the
maintenance instructions I leave you! Call to set up the first
session.
On Board Training
On Board Training - for owners who just don't have time to
train but can't wait to work with me weekly and practice
what I teach your dog! Or owners off on a lengthy trip...
regular boarding is available for select clients only. On
Board Training packages range from two weeks for $1250.00,
up to a complete 5-6 week package at $2250.00. If you would
like to pay by pay pal for boarding and training call us to
arrange for boarding and we can invoice you, otherwise you
can pay by cash or check at our initial meeting.
Click here to
make PayPal Payment for enrollment in private training and
behavior modification.
How to get started
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