To generate an up to date list of start dates:
Click here: https://headoftheclassdogtrainingllc.dogbizpro.com/Public/Registration/Index.aspx
Classes are filtered by:
CATEGORY: Fun and Games (Scent Work, Treibball, Rally, Musical Freestyle, Fit Dog, etc.), Manners Classes (Polite Pooch 1, 2, 3, Puppy K) Puppy Classes (Puppy Kindergarten, Fit & Focused Puppy) or Cognition
From the list you can click the blue button corresponding to the class you are interested in to see upcoming sessions: start dates, times, and instructors, class pre-requisites, – and how many spots remain in the class
Click on the session you want to go to the sign-up page for that class
Fitness Classes Are Fun with Your Dogs
Most dogs need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and live a calm, anxiety-free life. A tired dog is a good dog! You can improve your pet's overall well-being and manners by providing them with plenty of engaging mental and physical challenges.
Have a portly pooch? Would you like your dog to reach more optimal health and fitness? Sign up for AKC FitDog classes!
This isn’t your old school gym class! The AKC FitDog program is a series of three classes that build general health and fitness in your dog. Each class level ends with a physical assessment and if the dog completes all the activities successfully you can apply for the corresponding Fitness Title from AKC!
Each class includes flexibility, balance, coordination and strength exercises with warmup and cool down.
Find out more about AKC FitDog here! https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-family-dog-program/akc-fit-dog/akc-fit-dog-titles/
Canine Open Gym
Open Gym will be available to dog / owner teams who have successfully passed at least one level of AKC Fit Dog class. A varie ety of fitness stations will be set out for teams to work on their own in a quick paced circuit type fashion where you encourage your dog – performing exercises to build strength, flexibility, body awareness, and balance. We use a combination of balance trainers, jumps, platforms to engage your dog’s mind and muscles and prepare him for more traditional dog sports or activities, help him stave off boredom, and maintain general condition.
Benefits of Physical Ed classes for the family dog
Puppies: builds confidence and encourages exploration
Desensitizes puppies to movement and unstable surfaces
Adolescents: tires your dog physically and mentally, so he does not engage in destructive behavior
Seniors: maintains strength and prevents muscular atrophy
Keeps senior dogs active with low impact exercise
Cross training can help prevent “weekend warrior” type overuse injuries
Bonding time with your pet
Portable: Can be done indoors or out!
Benefits of Physical Ed classes for the performance dog
Prevent performance related injuries
Shore up weak areas and muscle imbalances
Teach proprioception (body awareness) to avoid dropped bars in agility or slipping on contacts
Develop core strength to protect spine
Increase range of motion and flexibility
How to Join the Gym
Visit the Class Calendar page to find AKC Fit Dog classes
Note: Only Level 1 is currently active and open for enrollments at this time
AKC Fit Dog Level 1 - (Bronze)
AKC Fit Dog Level 2 - (Silver)
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of FD Level 1
AKC Fit Dog Level 3+ - (Gold)
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of FD Level 2
Phy Ed for Fido - Canine Open Gym
Prerequisite: Successful Completion of FD Level 1 or more
Phy Ed participants must be good with other dogs and with people. Pooches also need to have nails clipped short to participate.
Bring treats, or treat sticks for low calorie encouragement, water, bowl, water, regular 6ft leash, plain buckle collar and harness.
AKC FitDog is a class for general fitness and is no way prescriptive. If your dog has a physical condition or preexisting injury, please consult your veterinarian before engaging in any activity, including FitDog.
AKC Fit Dog Level 1+ - (Bronze) - Online Home Gym
This class is similar to the AKC Fit Dog Level 1 Bronze Level class - only taught through an online format using Zoom / Google Classroom. Students must attend all classes to earn the Level 1 certificate to apply for the AKC Bronze Level Title.
Next class TBD
Levels 2 and 3 will be added as students become eligible by completing the first program
AKC Fit Dog Level 2 + - (Silver) - Online Home Gym
This class is similar to the AKC Fit Dog Level 2 Silver Level class - only taught through an online format using Zoom / Google Classroom. Students must attend all classes to earn the Level 2 certificate to apply for the AKC Silver Level Title.
Next class TBD
Level 3 will be added as students become eligible by completing the first and second program
AKC Fit Dog Level 3 + - (Gold) - Online Home Gym
This class is similar to the AKC Fit Dog Level 3 Gold Level class - only taught through an online format using Zoom / Google Classroom. Students must attend all classes to earn the Level 2 certificate to apply for the AKC Gold Level Title.
Next class TBD
Get Fit With Fido
Get Fit With Fido® Classes! (Coming in 2024)
Taught by Get Fit With Fido® accredited instructor, Lisa Marino CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, PMCT, CSAT, SDC and ACE certified Group Exercise Instructor
Want to get healthier and do a fitness class, but feel guilty leaving your dog at home? OR do you want to spend more time with your dog, then regret skipping your exercise session?
Well, no more excuses!!!
Get Fit With Fido® allows you to share your workout class with your dog! We incorporate strength, balance, and cardio interval exercises for your dog with exercises for you! We can get you both moving.
An additional benefit of Get Fit With Fido®: The challenge of learning new behaviors will tire your dog out mentally as well as physically, leading to calmer behavior at home.
This program is designed to be safe and effective for both canine and human.
Physical activity is a necessary component to a healthy body for dogs and humans
Get Fit w/ Fido single class - TBD
expires after 2 months
Get Fit w/ Fido 3 Pack - TBD
expires after 2 months
Get Fit w/ Fido 6 Pack - TBD
expires after 3 months
Get Fit w/ Fido 9 Pack - TBD
expires after 4 months
DOGA!
Yoga, with dogs!
Yoga poses and stretching for you, and manners and mild stretching exercises for your dog.
This is a gentle, beginner yoga class that incorporates some basic obedience work and stretching for your dog, too. We end with doggy massage and a mindful meditation to calm the canine and human.
Bring treats, water, mat or beach towel for dog, yoga mat, water for you.
Classes for Fun and Enrichment
Intro and Intermediate AKC Scentwork
Scent Games classes are designed to strengthen your dog's most important sense; his nose! You and your dog will learn to work as a team to find hidden odor. Scent classes help build confidence as the dog learns to trust his nose! As a bonus, sniffing mentally tires your dog, and builds confidence!
The odors used in AKC scentwork will be used in these classes: Birch, Anise, Clove
Dog Ball / Treiball Foundations
Treibball is a new, positive-reinforcement sport for dogs of all ages, and sizes, who love to play chase games or who just love to herd. It's great fun for any dog who needs a job, or any herding breed that doesn't have a flock! Playing Treibball uses a combination of classic obedience and herding cues. The game consists of your dog working off-leash and obeying your cues. Your dog uses his nose or shoulders to drive eight balls into a goal within 10 minutes. It is a fantastic way to exercise your dog in a low impact way, and also teaches obedience cues at a distance!
Canine Circus Tricks – 3 levels
Our beginner tricks classes incorporate the Novice and Intermediate level tricks from Do More With Your Dog, (enabling you to earn a Trick Dog Title) along with some creative choreography to develop a little Circus themed routine! The second class teaches tricks from the Intermediate/ Advanced category, and the Expert class uses tricks from the Expert category.
Tricks are taught primarily through capturing and shaping. This class is a super way to build confidence in your dog. You can earn Titles from DMWYD and even AKC!
Fit and Focused Puppy
This class helps build confidence on some of the beginner balance equipment, fitness equipment and is all about fun – dogs get to acclimate to tunnels, platforms, and balance equipment and develp confidence. Safe for developing puppy bodies.
Fit and Focused Puppy
This class helps build confidence on some of the beginner balance equipment, fitness equipment and is all about fun – dogs get to acclimate to tunnels, platforms, and balance equipment and develp confidence. Safe for developing puppy bodies.
Barkour
Barkour is Dog Parkour, a new sport based on human Parkour. It combines running, climbing jumping, and exploring obstacles found in the environment. It is often referred to as "Urban Agility". There are several levels of titling available through the International Dog Parkour Association.
So, You Want to Show?
This class is for anyone brand new to conformation - or "showing". This is for anyone who wants to try showing their own dog successfully in the show ring but feels a little intimidated or nervous about trying it on their own. We will cover how to enter a show, read a schedule, proper grooming tips, equipment and tools, what to expect in judging procedure, how to present your dog in his best light, and how to calculate "points" towards AKC Championship,in addition to training the dog to stack (stand properly) and gait (move around the ring) with confidence, - all taught positively.
Rally Style Classes
RALLY BUILDING BLOCKS
This class teaches the Novice and Intermediate AKC Rally signs and allows time to practice them in short sequences as they may appear in a trial course. A great way to practice heeling and attention!
RALLY FREESTYLE BUILDING BLOCKS
Rally FreeStyle is a new sport which combines trick behaviors of Canine Musical Freestyle with the format of Rally-Obedience. It emphasizes the precision of beginning freestyle and obedience while encouraging creative and novel behaviors on a Rally-Obedience style course. It's a creative class using a Rally format to incorporate tricks and dance moves with your dog. This class teaches the Novice FreeStyle signs and allows time to practice them in short sequences.
RALLY CONDITIONING FOR BEGINNERS
Rally Conditioning utilizes a Rally stations format to incorporate FitPaws exercises and Fitness type moves with traditional Rally Obedience exercises to spice up your Rally stations. Build on your dog's fitness, starting with learning correct and safe execution of the conditioning skills from individual exercises, to practicing in short sequences.