Granite State Dog Training Center

Granite State Dog Training Center offers an extensive dog training program with classes limited to eleven dog and handler teams for individualized attention. Classes are built upon one another, progressively adding distractions and increasing the degree of control required.

Training options include:
* **Puppy Development Class:** A five-week course for puppies 12 weeks and older with their 3rd set of shots, focusing on dog psychology, pack theory, problem prevention (chewing, house soiling, barking), and a calming settle exercise. It also provides vital social interaction.
* **Basic Obedience Class:** A six-week course for dogs 5 months and older, including an orientation and five lessons. It covers owner education on pack theory and relationship, and fundamental manners like sit, sit stay, down, down stay, heeling, coming when called, staying back at the door, and an attention exercise. Problem-solving for jumping and barking is also addressed.
* **Intermediate Obedience Class:** A six-week course that is the mid-point between on-lead and off-lead obedience, teaching recall, hand signals, heeling without a hand on the leash, and working closely with other dogs under higher distraction.
* **Advanced Obedience Class:** An eight-week course that brings dogs to off-lead control, including off-lead heeling, sit-stay and down-stay while the owner is out of sight, and hand signals without verbal commands.
* **CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Class:** A five-week class teaching the 10 items for the AKC CGC test, with the final week dedicated to the test itself.
* **Dog Behavior Evaluations:** One-on-one consultations with the training director, Jim, for specific problems like aggression, fear, or anxiety, resulting in a tailored training strategy.
* **In-Kennel Training:** Dogs are boarded for a minimum of one week, receiving training from expert staff. This all-inclusive program includes boarding, daycare (if temperament is suitable), and training, followed by a private lesson for the owner upon pickup.
* **Daycare Training:** Training sessions are available for dogs attending daycare. After five sessions, clients can schedule a private lesson.
* **Private Lessons:** One-on-one lessons with instructors for behavioral issues, obedience brush-ups, competition preparation, recall, or other challenges. A behavior evaluation may be required as a prerequisite.
* **Schutzhund Training:** Referrals to qualified trainers are provided.

Pricing Summary

The In-Kennel Training program has an all-inclusive rate that covers boarding, daycare (for suitable temperaments), and training. Specific pricing for other services is not detailed, but clients are encouraged to call to schedule classes and appointments.

Policies

For boarding, all dogs must be current on rabies, distemper, parvo, and bordetella (canine cough) vaccinations. Daycare requires the same vaccinations, and most male dogs must be neutered by 8 months of age. For training classes, dogs need at least 2 rounds of vaccines, including K9 cough (Bordetella), prior to enrollment. The facility fills quickly for vacations and holidays, so advance reservations are recommended. No vicious or overtly dominant dogs are allowed in daycare.

Granite State Dog Training Center is a full-service facility in Amherst, New Hampshire, offering dog training, boarding, daycare, and grooming services. The center is licensed by the state of New Hampshire as a post-secondary educational facility, also offering grooming courses.

The business is led by Jim, who has extensive experience with dogs since childhood, including early exposure to military security dogs and feral dogs. He began his professional training studies in 1978 and has since trained thousands of dog/handler teams across various disciplines.

Granite State Dog Training Center emphasizes relational training between the dog and handler, focusing on understanding dog psychology, pack theory, and instinctive drives. They cater to all breeds, from toy to giant, and aim to help owners understand their dog’s behavior and prevent problems. The facility provides a safe, clean, heated, and air-conditioned environment for all services, with 24-hour on-site supervision for boarders.

Accomplishments

Jim, the training director, began his professional training studies in 1978 and has since trained thousands of dog/handler teams. His early experience includes living on a high-security air force base in Japan, where he was introduced to security police dogs and service dogs, and spending time with feral dogs in Alabama, gaining insight into their social interaction and pack development. He also befriended and trained an aggressive German Shepherd at age ten, transforming him into an off-leash trained companion.

Jim’s training methods are influenced by military trainers, his observations of feral dogs, and what he describes as a gift for communicating with animals. He has worked in Massachusetts, Arizona, and New Hampshire. In 1991, Jim was one of the first two Schutzhund competitors in New England to receive “Schutzhund Teaching Helper Status” from Deiter Hupp, an official judge from Germany. He raised and trained his dog Zack to Schutzhund III, the Master’s level, and they are one of only two owner-trained pairs to have won the Schutzhund III New England Regional Championships twice. Jim has also been schooled in professional all-breed grooming and managed two grooming shops. He is sought after for seminars, lectures, and demonstrations in tracking, obedience, and protection, and has been a guest on radio talk shows and television interviews.

How to Get Started!

To get started, clients can call Granite State Dog Training Center to schedule a class or appointment. For specific behavioral problems, a one-on-one consultation with the training director, Jim, is available for a behavior evaluation. For In-Kennel Training, dogs are dropped off for a minimum of one week. For Daycare Training, clients can schedule a private lesson after 5 training sessions. Appointments for services like training, boarding, and grooming can also be requested by completing an online form with name, contact information, and desired appointment date and time.