Family Dog Training Center

Family Dog Training Center offers a range of programs starting with Manners and Obedience, which includes a detailed lesson booklet and a reference guide covering behavior, nutrition, and grooming. Puppy Manners is for pups under 5 months (or toy breeds under 9 months), focusing on socialization, basic obedience (leash walking, sit, down, come), and confidence building with puppy-sized agility equipment. The first week of Puppy Manners is for humans only.

Beginning Home Obedience is for dogs over 5 months with little to no formal training or those inconsistent around distractions. This class covers basic obedience and control, including loose leash walking, sit, down, stand stay, come, sit for greeting, and going to a rug. It also addresses common behavior problems like barking, chewing, digging, and jumping. The first week is an orientation without dogs.

Advanced Home Obedience builds on Beginning Home Obedience skills, focusing on duration, distraction, and distance, introducing new exercises for problem-solving and off-leash reliability. This class is a prerequisite for Agility. Continued Advanced Home Obedience further develops skills from Advanced Home Obedience, working on stronger behaviors with distractions, introducing drop on recall, finishes, out-of-sight stays, Figure 8, and heeling.

CGC Preparation practices basic exercises for the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation and introduces dogs to situations encountered in therapy work, as the CGC title is a basis for therapy dog training. Therapy Dog Preparation covers skills needed to pass tests for organizations like Pet Partners, Reading with Rover, Therapy Dogs International, and Alliance of Therapy Dogs, with a focus on controlled behavior in sensitive environments.

Performance classes include Agility, which teaches dogs to safely maneuver obstacles like A-frames, dog walks, teeter-totters, weave poles, tunnels, and jumps, while handlers learn to guide with safety and control. Off-leash control is necessary for intermediate and advanced agility. Breed Ring Handling classes are for first-time and seasoned exhibitors, teaching basic skills like gaiting, stacking, baiting, and presenting dogs in the conformation ring, as well as advanced techniques like free-stacking and minimizing ring stress. Problem Solving sessions are available for specific show ring challenges. Nosework, Rally Obedience, and Trick Dog Training are also offered.

Pricing Summary

Information on fee schedule, gift certificates, and packages is available.

Policies

Class cancellations due to bad weather or unsafe driving conditions are posted on their Facebook page and website at least 2 hours prior to class start. If conditions are unsafe, clients are encouraged to stay home, and makeup classes can be arranged. If a client enrolls in a class that is not the proper level for their dog, Family Dog Training Center will work with them to find the best fit.

Family Dog Training Center offers a variety of dog training programs focused on building a strong bond between dogs and their owners. They provide action-packed classes covering basic obedience commands and household manners for dogs of all breeds, ages, and goals. Their philosophy emphasizes a proactive, positive approach to training, aiming to anticipate and prevent problem behaviors while being fair to the dog and addressing the root of issues.

The center offers group classes and private lessons to cater to different training needs and behavioral challenges. They operate from a 5,800 square foot Kent facility, which features a full-sized, lighted, heated, indoor area with professionally made and regularly inspected agility equipment.

Their curriculum includes a detailed Lesson Booklet and an extensive reference tool, “Training your Family Dog,” covering behavior problems, nutrition, grooming, and common questions. They encourage the entire family to attend classes.

Family Dog Training Center also prepares dogs and handlers for various certifications and competitions. Many of their students have achieved notable accomplishments, including conformation championships, advanced obedience titles, group placements, and Best in Show. Their Therapy Dog classes are approved by the Reading with Rover program, and instructors are certified Therapy Dog handlers.

Accomplishments

Many students of Family Dog Training Center have owner-handled their dogs to conformation championships, advanced obedience titles, group placements, and Best in Show. Some have competed in top shows like Westminster and Eukanuba. Their Therapy Dog classes, taught by certified Therapy Dog handlers, meet the requirements and are on the approved list of the Reading with Rover program.

How to Get Started!

New clients typically start with Puppy Manners for pups under 5 months or Beginning Home Obedience for dogs over 5 months. For those unsure where to start or looking to expand their dog’s skills, they can email Office@familydogonline.com for assistance. Clients can create an account and view upcoming classes or all available classes on their registration page. A wait list is available for classes not currently on the schedule, and those on the list are notified first when new classes become available.