Top Dog Obedience School

Top Dog Obedience School offers 6-week class sessions across various disciplines. Pet Training includes Puppy Kindergarten (for 8-week to 5-month-old puppies, covering leash walking, basic commands, socialization, housebreaking, and problem behaviors), Beginners (for dogs over 5 months, focusing on controlled walking and basic commands), Advanced Beginners (for graduates, enhancing off-leash recalls and stays, and preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test), Off-Leash Obedience (for advanced graduates, focusing on off-leash control), and Pet Tricks (using motivational methods like clicker training and shaping for various tricks).

Competition Obedience classes include Competition Puppy Class (for 8-week to 5-month-old puppies with competition-experienced handlers, introducing heeling, retrieving, and go-outs), Attention and Handling (foundation for competition, focusing on attention and handler footwork), Novice (heeling, turns, figure eights, distance/distraction work, hand signals, stand, fronts/finishes), Open (retrieve on flat/high jump, drop on recall, broad jump, command discrimination), and Utility (signal exercise, scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand, directed jumping).

Rally classes cover Rally Novice/Advanced (rules and signs) and Rally Excellent/Master (advanced signs and in-ring strategies). Agility classes are offered at Beginners (obstacle performance, basic handling), Advanced Beginners (obstacle focus, contact work, weave poles), Intermediate (applying skills to sequences), and Advanced levels (coursework, handling options, advanced techniques).

Pricing Summary

Classes run for six weeks. Agility and Competition classes are $190 per session. Pet Training classes are $200 per session. No refunds are given under any circumstances. “Drop ins” require prior approval.

Policies

All dogs must be pre-registered for classes, and registration forms and payment must be received before joining a class. Class sizes are limited and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Absolutely no refunds will be given under any circumstances. “Drop ins” require prior approval.

Proof of vaccination, including Bordetella, is required and must be mailed with registration or emailed prior to class start. Students are advised to speak to their veterinarian about the Canine Flu vaccine. Dogs displaying symptoms of illness (coughing, nasal/eye discharge, lethargy) will be asked to leave class to prevent the spread of viruses.

Top Dog Obedience School, owned by Betsy Scapicchio, aims to create a common language between dogs and their owners, fostering harmony and deepening the human-canine bond. They serve over 1200 students and their pets annually, transforming problem dogs into well-behaved companions.

Their training techniques are simple and straightforward, focusing on teaching dogs to respond properly to commands without the use of force. The approach emphasizes positive and enjoyable learning experiences for both dogs and owners.

The school addresses common behavioral problems during a question and answer period at the start of each class, with opportunities for individual discussions. Many behavioral issues are often resolved by channeling a dog’s energy into obedience training.

Top Dog offers a free orientation at the beginning of each six-week session, covering dog behavior and training philosophy, followed by a demonstration by current students. The facility is climate-controlled with air conditioning for summer and heat for winter. In addition to training, Top Dog also offers Doggie Daycare.

Accomplishments

Betsy Scapicchio, the owner and training director at Top Dog Obedience School, has over 40 years of experience teaching and training dogs. She has earned over sixty obedience titles, including nine Obedience Trial Championships, and achieved 52 perfect 200 scores with different breeds. Her personal dogs have earned numerous titles in AKC, U.K.C., Canada, and A.S.C.A. obedience, along with multiple High in Trial and High Combined awards.

Betsy’s specific accomplishments include nine OTCH titles and over 100 other AKC titles, more than 250 High in Trial Awards, over 200 High Combined Awards, and over 5500 OTCH points. She achieved first place in Super Dog at the 1999 Eastern Regional, first in Novice at the 1997 Eastern Regional, and first in Utility at the 1995 Eastern Regional. Her daughters also follow in her footsteps, earning titles in obedience and agility. Betsy began instructing in 1980 and founded Top Dog Obedience School in 1990.

How to Get Started!

To get started, fill out the Class Registration Form and mail it as soon as possible, as class sizes are limited. All dogs must be pre-registered, and you cannot join a class until your registration form and payment are received. Pet class registrations are confirmed by email 1-2 weeks prior to the class start. For more information about any classes, you can contact them by phone at 973-252-3010 or email at topdogobedienceschool@gmail.com.