AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting new program designed to get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start; and an incentive program for loving dog owners who commit to a 6 week training class.  S.T.A.R. stands for:  Training, Socialization, Activity and Responsibility - all covered in the 6 week class.  These classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy, and also provide an opportunity for your pup to socialize with other pups. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, you'll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining, chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called.  Once you complete the class, your puppy is eligible to be enrolled in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.  Your instructor will administer the S.T.A.R. Puppy Test at the end of the course; and upon passing the test and sending in the application, your puppy receives:

• AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal and frameable certificate
• AKC Puppy Handbook
• Discount for AKC Companion Animal Recovery
• Ongoing Monthly AKC Email Newsletter

Basic Obedience Training

Education is the key to successful dog training, and the Basic Obedience and Beyond Class is fun and educational for both the dog and owner. Your dog will learn the basics: sit, stay, down, come, walking on a loose leash, etc. Plus you will learn how to shape desirable behaviors while eliminating unwanted ones, by using humane and effective positive reinforcement techniques. Beyond this, you and your dog will learn to understand each other, and work together to build a happy, long-lasting relationship, with you as the natural leader. You can teach an old dog new tricks, and this class is open to all dogs 6 months and older.  

Good Neighbor Training Classes
What could be more convenient than a dog class held right in your neighborhood? Get at least 5 of your fellow dog-owning neighbors together, and A1A trainers will come to your home or neighborhood park, and hold a 6 week group training session. The class will cover basic obedience commands, socialization skills and good manners. This is a great way for neighbors - both human and canine - to meet and greet in a controlled, safe atmosphere.

 PRIVATE TRAINING & CONSULTATIONS:

 Private Obedience Training
A1A Dog Training offers private, personalized obedience training lessons, either on-site, or in the comfort and convenience of your home - and your dog's environment. Why private instruction? A nice aspect of private instruction is that the lessons, the behaviors learned, the instruction techniques, and the pace of learning are all tailored to suit you, your dog, and your dog's particular problems. Private training is also an especially nice option for dogs who may be over-stimulated or intimidated by the commotion of group classes, as well as for busy owners who have trouble fitting a traditional group class into their hectic or unpredictable schedules. Day, evening, and weekend appointments are available in all obedience levels: puppy, basic and advanced. Appointments are scheduled at your convenience, usually one lesson per week. Individual lessons typically last an average of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Inhome Dog Behavior Problem-Solving
If your dog develops behavior problems, please find help immediately - most canine behavior issues can be resolved through training. Don’t wait for the problem to escalate to the point of wanting to relinquish your pet. Behavior problems are the number one reason dogs are given up to shelters - and this is such an avoidable occurrence!! We at A1A take your canine’s behavior problems very seriously, and can provide you with the knowledge, skills and training techniques needed to resolve your dog’s behavior problems. Regardless of your dog's problem, help is available. A1A Dog Training helps owners solve a wide range of canine behavior issues, including but not limited to:

• aggression toward family members, strangers, other animals
• separation anxiety
• shyness, fears, and phobias
• excessive behavior, jumping, biting, destructive chewing
• dog-to-dog and dog-to-cat household issues
• housetraining and other elimination issues

Day, evening, and weekend appointments are available, and scheduled at your convenience, usually one lesson per week at your home. The first lesson lasts approximately 1 ½ hours. During this consultation, we will evaluate the situation, interview family members, observe your dog, and discuss with you the extent and probable causes of the problem. We will start off with some preliminary "homework", then after the appointment, we will provide you with a step-by-step written description of what was discussed. Our goal is to help you safely modify your dog's behavior, in a positive and non-confrontational manner, in order to create a healthy human/canine pack environment, where everyone feels happy, safe and secure.

Personal Trainer

Too busy to train your dog? Or just feeling like you need a little extra training help? A1A Dog Training now offers the Personal Trainer program - professional obedience lessons, in your home, two to three times per week, with an A1A trainer. Please note that this is not a board & train program! Your dog stays at home while receiving lessons, so there is no stress of boarding, the trainer comes to you. You tell the trainer the level of obedience you would like to accomplish, and the trainer takes over from there - working with your dog while you work or play! As your dog gets the basic commands "under his belt", you will participate in private lessons to learn how to get the same behaviors from your dog. Lessons are goal-based, not time-based, but typically last approximately 45 minutes each. As with all A1A training programs, the training process is based on proven positive methods that teach your dog how to succeed, increasing confidence, calmness, and self control along the way.

The American Kennel Club
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test

The Canine Good Citizen certification program is designed to reward dogs who are well-behaved companions at home and in the community. The goals of the Canine Good Citizen program are to 1) teach responsible dog ownership to owners; and 2) provide basic training and good manners to dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC Test receive a certificate from the AKC. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test Rewards Dogs Who:

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

In-house Professional Behavior Workshops
A1A Dog Training will work hand in hand with your clinic or organization, to provide training workshops in canine behavior issues, ranging from housetraining to separation anxiety. We’ll design workshops tailor-made to specific needs – giving your facility an added valuable service to offer your clients or your staff.

In-house Behavior Workshops typically last one hour and cost $100; more indepth workshops can also be arranged.