Our clicker training classes are for dogs of all ages.

Basic obedience is a necessity, especially for teenage pups, who can be challenging and taxing as well as delightful and sweet! Adolescent pups have boundless energy and a way to test all the rules.
Adult dogs are settled and know the ropes. Some retain the energy of the teenager, whereas others need reminded that exercise is good. Not only can adult dogs of any age learn new behaviors --- they thrive when their minds are actively engaged.

Positive reinforcement training enhances the bond with your dog and accelerates your dog’s learning. In six weeks, you graduate from TEENS & BEGINNERS with skills and information to better traverse your dog’s life. Then continue your training with our finishing class, Real World Obedience.

TEENS & BEGINNERS teaches:
How Dogs Learn
Leadership Principles
Energy Outlets & Mental Games
Basic Obedience Skills
Look at me
Sit
Come
Down
Targeting
Walk at my side
Stay until released
Greeting Etiquette
Approaches to Common "Problems"
Barking
Chewing & Destructiveness
Jumping Up
Leash Pulling
Others You Bring Up

BASIC INFORMATION
Registration: Call 451-4772 or enroll in person at the hospital front desk.
Cost: $90 fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of registration.
Class: Six sessions, 1 hour each, 5-8 dogs.
Where: Northwest Animal Hospital, outside in the back yard or inside in the lobby.
When: Weekday evening classes --- Call for dates and times or visit our calendar.
New classes start each month.
Lower age limit: 18 weeks
Upper age limit: never too old to train
Vaccination Requirements:
Proof of current vaccination can be faxed to 451-8999 or mailed in,
before the first class, for:
Distemper-parvovirus
Bordetella
Rabies
What Should I Bring to the First Class?
Hungry dog (no meal before class)
Buckle Collar or Gentle Leader Leash or rope, 6-8’ long
Lots of tasty soft treats, cut into small pieces. At least 3 types, such as hotdog slices, cheese, cheerios, chicken cubes.
Interested family members
High energy dogs benefit from a good run prior to class.

Don’t bring these --- they interfere with training:
No chokers or pinch collars
No retractable leashes
No kibble or dry biscuit type treats

YOUR INSTRUCTOR: RACHEL GREEN

Rachel prefers to call herself a family coach in dog training, rather than a dog trainer. Her desire is to help families train their dogs to be a pleasure in the home. Especially for the energetic teenage dog, Rachel recognizes the time and patience required to reach this goal.

“Dogs are my passion,” Rachel happily proclaims. Rescue work at Columbus Dog Connection was the start of her dog training. Besides adopting one of her fosters, Raven, a Border Collie mix, she provided help to foster families adjusting to the special needs of the rescued dog.

A member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Rachel teaches both dogs and people through positive reinforcement. For those interested in the science behind the training, Rachel uses the principles of operant conditioning. When a clicker is used as a tool in the learning process, we call that clicker training.

Rachel attends the canine behavior seminars at the annual Midwest Veterinary Conference. Most recently, she attended the 2007 Clicker Exposition in Cleveland, with attention to the newest methods in puppy training and clicker shaping. Committed to her students, Rachel is completing Pia Silvani’s class, Becoming a Great Dog Training Instructor.

In the Teens and Beginners class, Rachel integrates the ideas and techniques of noted trainers Karen Pryor, Gary Wilkes, Jean Donaldson, Terry Ryan, and Cathy Sdoa, and Ted Turner, to name a few.