Pawsitively Fabulous owner Nancy Weller has taught over 3,500 hours of classes. She developed and implemented a premier puppy program for the highly respected daycare-and-training facility A Dog’s Life, where she is the Director of Puppy Programs & Training. She teaches the following classes there.
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PUPPY CLASSES
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SPECIALTY CLASSES
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| Puppy 1Puppy 2 | Clicker Conformation 1 and 2Tricks 1 and 2
Double Trouble (for multi-dog households) |
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE.
Read Selecting a Great Puppy Class
For: Puppies up to 18 weeks
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $165 (includes a copy of “The Puppy Primer,” by Patricia B.McConnell, Ph.D.
Prerequisites: Puppies must have had initial DHPP shot 10 days prior to the first class
The experiences your puppy has during the first 18 weeks of life, known as the “socialization window,” lay the foundation for his future behavior. During this period, you must positively introduce your puppy to a variety of people, dogs, places, sounds, and situations if you want him to develop into a friendly, well-adjusted adult dog. In addition to teaching manners, classes give puppies the chance to develop good dog-to-dog social skills and to learn bite inhibition (the ability to control the force of their bite).
Puppy 1 includes: Sit, down, stay, settle, come, leave it, and leash manners. Additional topics: House-training, alone-training, chewing, biting, and body handling to get your puppy comfortable visiting the vet and groomer.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE.
For: Puppies up to 12 months
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $165
Prerequisites: Completion of Puppy 1 or equivalent. Current proof of vaccinations. Dog- and people-friendly puppy.
The next step as your puppy develops into an adolescent—a challenging time when early training often seems to wane. Sometimes your puppy responds to commands he knows well, sometimes he acts like you don’t exist.
We work on refining and strengthening the behaviors you learned in Puppy 1, with special emphasis on how to motivate your dog for quicker responses to your commands, better recalls, and stays with distractions.
Puppy 2 includes: Refining Puppy 1 behaviors, plus emergency recall, go to your mat, heel variations, distance commands, and fun and games to strengthen your puppy’s existing skills.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE
For: Puppies that have graduated Puppy 2 or equivalent
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $165
Prerequisites: Completion of Puppy 2 and approval of instructor.
Current proof of vaccinations. Dog- and people-friendly puppy.
For graduates of Puppy 2 who want to go further—or who want a chance
to sharpen up Puppy 2 behaviors if it’s been a while.
Puppy 3 includes: Out-of-sight stays, college-level leash manners
and recalls, heel variations, distance commands, and more.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOG’S LIFE
For: Puppies 5 months to 1 year of age
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $165 (includes a copy of “The Puppy Primer,” by Patricia B.McConnell, Ph.D.
Prerequisites: Current proof of vaccinations. Dog- and people-friendly puppy.
A basic class for puppies who missed Puppy 1. Your puppy will learn basic obedience skills and we will address any relevant puppy issues you’re still having.
Older Puppy includes: Sit, down, stay, settle, come, leave it, and leash manners. Additional topics: House-training, alone-training, chewing, biting, and body handling to get your puppy comfortable visiting the vet and groomer.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE
BEGINNING CLICKER TRAINING FOR CONFORMATION
For: All dogs
Length: 5 Weeks (Week 1 without dogs)
Cost: $175
Prerequisites: Level 1 obedience or Puppy class, proof of current
vaccinations
Using a positive, modern approach, you will be coached on how to use
clicker training to achieve a self-stack, gait on a loose lead,
stand for examination, etc. We also cover some of the basic ins and
outs of showing your dog. Week 1 is without dogs.
Clicker Conformation includes: Basic showing information, self-
stack, gait on a loose lead, stand for examination, move at correct
pace, tips for showing your dog.
Read letters from Nancy’s clients and their showstopping — and show winning— dogs.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOG’S LIFE.
ADVANCED CLICKER TRAINING FOR CONFORMATION
For: All dogs
Length: 5 Weeks
Cost: $175
Prerequisites: Beginning Clicker Training for Conformation, proof of current vaccinations
Give your dog the winning edge by continuing to fine tune your skills. You’ll continue to build the bond with your dog so that you will work as a true team to be the best you can be. You will be coached individually on the nuances of your presentation so that your dog’s best qualities are showcased. Class is limited to six participants.
Advanced Clicker Conformation includes: Proofing the behaviors learned in the Beginning Clicker Conformation course. Personal coaching to improve your skills and polish your performance. Class is limited to six students.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOG’S LIFE
Want private instruction? Nancy teaches clicker conformation in private lessons ($95 per session) and semi-private groups ($150 per session for 2 or 3 people). Email Nancy for details.
For: All dogs
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $175
Prerequisites: Completion of a Level 2 basic or Puppy 2 course or equivalent, proof of current vaccinations., dogs must not be leash aggressive or reactive with people or dogs.
We love Tricks class! Teaching your dog tricks is a fun and entertaining way to an even smarter, more focused pet and you will be the life of the party! You’ll learn foundation skills and a variety of easy-to-learn tricks. Your dog will love this class and so will you!
Beginning Tricks includes: Foundation skills for teaching tricks, shake hands, high five, sit pretty, take a bow, play dead, spin, and more!
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOG’S LIFE
ADVANCED TRICKS
For: All dogs
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $175
Prerequisites: Completion of BEGINNING TRICKS, proof of current vaccinations., dogs must not be leash aggressive or reactive with people or dogs.
Once you’ve learned the foundation skills and have some of the basic tricks learned, you and your dog are ready for more advanced tricks! Different dogs are better at certain tricks, so we will explore the tricks at which your dog may excel!
Advanced Tricks includes: Putting away toys, reading signs, turning off lights, and “custom-designed” tricks.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOG’S LIFE
About Rally Obedience
Rally-O, an AKC titling event, is a fun, less formal version of traditional obedience trials and one of the fastest growing dog sports in America. Competitors traverse a course of 10–20 stations, each marking an exercise for the dog-and-handler team to carry out. Unlike in traditional obedience, you can talk to your dog and give multiple commands and signals.
Rally is a fun and enjoyable way to perfect your dog’s responses to you, whether or not you want to compete.
For: All dogs
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $175
Prerequisites: Completion of Puppy 2 or level 2 obedience class. Current proof of vaccinations. Dog- and people-friendly dog.
This class will introduce you to AKC Rally. You and your dog will learn how to complete each of the exercises in Novice. Taking a Rally class is sure to improve your dog’s heeling and attention—it will also greatly improve the communication between the two of you.
Rally Novice includes: Learning all novice signs, like call to front, down-stay, back up three steps, etc. and running through practice courses.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE
For: All dogs
Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $195
Prerequisites: Completion of Puppy 1 or level 1 obedience class. Current proof of vaccinations. Dog- and people-friendly dogs.
Two dogs can be a handful! This class is designed to help you teach your dogs how to respond to you both separately and together. You’ll learn to better manage your dogs so you’ll have a more enjoyable, fun, and harmonious household.
Double Trouble includes: Managing a multi-dog household; manners, walking skills, stays, leave it—take it, waiting at doorways, etc.
For current schedule of classes and to register, visit A DOGS LIFE
