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Save by purchasing both the S.T.A.R. Puppy Class and Basic Skills Class! After completing your 6-week puppy course, immediately continue on to Basic Skills for an additional 8 weeks. We focus on empowering owners, training dogs, and building strong bonds. Our training classes are designed to teach you how to effectively communicate with your puppy and provide a space for socialization with other dogs. Join our classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction to get expert advice on all puppy-raising questions, from housetraining to chewing. Let us help you and your dog create a harmonious and fulfilling relationship. * On line credit card payments will be charged a $3.00 service fee.

Congratulations to both you and your puppy! As a paid graduate of the S.T.A.R Puppy Class / Basic Skills Combo course, you can now register for Basic Skills for an additional 8 weeks. Choose the class that works best for you: 5:00, 6:00, 7:00

This class is offered to members only who are starting with new puppies. Registrants will be placed in the next available class. Contact the club for more information on availability. Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. 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. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program. *If booking online, a $3.00 fee is added.

Therapy dogs are NOT service dogs. Service dogs are dogs who are specifically trained to perform a task or tasks to assist a person with a disability or impairment. A service dog must be with their person at all times and has special access privileges in public places. Therapy Dog is a program which recognizes the necessary therapy work performed by dogs through accepted organizations based on the number of visits. Therapy work involves volunteers who schedule visits to various facilities and locations such a nursing homes, classrooms, libraries, assisted living centers, hospices, funeral homes, schools, shelters even courtrooms. Whether they’re working with a child who is learning to read, visiting a patient in a hospital or a senior in assisted living, therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people. A dog can provide a valuable sense of reassurance, joy, or calmness to people experiencing stressful, lonely or depressing situations or general times in their life. This class is an ongoing program offered at various times throughout the year. For more information about this program, please contact the club.

Orientation is a mandatory requirement to participate in any of our training classes. Welcome to our orientation, which is included with every class registration! Join us April 15 at 7 PM for a comprehensive session where all classes will come together. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and learn about what to expect. This orientation is for the handlers only. Please do not bring your dog to the orientation. ** Please bring proof of vaccinations to Orientation. Starting the following week, you'll attend at your designated class time. We look forward to seeing you there! Location: Berks County 4-H Community Center 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA

If your dog has received the AKC Canine Good Citizen (and perhaps also the AKC CGCA) title, you may have asked “What’s next?” One answer could be the AKC Beginner Novice obedience title. The Beginner Novice class is a great “next step” for CGC dogs since it works on advancing the skills your dog has already learned – Walking nicely on a leash, acting mannerly while being petted, performing a stay and coming when called. This is an ongoing class held every Thursday night of each month at 7:00, except on Member Match night. The prerequisite to joining this class is successfully completing a Basic Skills Class or testing into the class by a club instructor. You must also be a club member in good standing. Please contact the club if you are not sure you are eligible for this class.

For the dog just getting started in obedience that can work on- and off-leash. This is an ongoing class held every Thursday night of each month at 7:00, except on Member Match night. The prerequisite to joining this class: * Successfully completing a Basic Skills Class or testing into the class by a club instructor. * You must also be a club member in good standing. * Must have already earned a CD (Novice) title on a previous dog or must have been recommended to move up to this class by the Beginner Novice Instructor. Please contact the club if you are not sure you are eligible for this class. Exercises include: Heel on Leash and Figure Eight — this exercise is performed the same as in the Beginner Novice class. Stand for Examination — for this off-leash exercise the dog must stay in a standing position as its handler walks about 6 feet away. The judge will then lightly touch the dog on the head, body and hindquarters. Like in the Sit for Exam, the dog must not display any resentment. Heel Free — dogs will heel off-leash doing the same routine as they did on-leash, except they will not perform the Figure Eight. Recall — demonstrates that the dog will come to the handler on command. Sit Stay – Get Your Leash — this exercise is to demonstrate that the dog will remain in the sit position, while the handler goes to get the dog’s leash. Group Exercise – Sit & Down Stay — this exercise will demonstrate the dog’s ability to remain in the sit and down position, with other dogs in the ring and is performed on-leash.

AKC Rally® is all about teamwork. You and your dog navigate a course together, side-by-side, at your own brisk pace. You move him through a course with signs where he performs different exercises. The courses are designed by the Rally judge (10-20 signs per course, depending on the class level) that include various turns and commands such as sit, down, stay, etc. Unlimited communication from the handler to the dog is to be encouraged and not penalized. While touching isn’t allowed, you can use verbal commands, clap your hands, pat your legs and use hand signals to praise and encourage your dog. Scoring in Rally is less rigorous than in other competitions like traditional obedience. You begin with a perfect score of 100, with points deducted along with way. If you retain a score of at least 70 points, you will qualify toward earning a title. As you qualify the required number of times, you will move onto the next level. The prerequisite to joining this class is having successfully completed a Basic Skills class and be a member in good standing. Please contact the club if you are not sure you are eligible for this class.

Our Basic Skills class begins April 22, 2025 Choose a class time that works best for you Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Welcome to our Basic Skills refresher class, designed to equip you with tools to teach your dog essential commands for good behavior. Over the 8-week training period, you will learn to instruct your dog in commands such as sit, down, and stay, as well as important skills like heeling and coming when called. Join us to enhance your relationship with your canine companion and ensure they exhibit exemplary behavior in various situations. Basic Skills Class includes: * 8 weeks of basic skills * Covering: Come when called, Heeling, Sit, Down, Stay, and more. * Berks County Dog Training Club Membership for the balance of the year. Classes are held Tuesdays ​at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m. *If booking online, a $3.00 service fee is added

Unlike other dog sports, Scent Work puts the dog in control, following their nose to locate hidden odors. With our training, your dog becomes the star of the show, leading the way to success. Trust in the power of your canine partner and embark on a journey of collaboration and communication like never before. Join us in fostering a stronger bond and deeper connection with your four-legged friend through the exciting world of Scent Work. Dogs are trained to search for scents like Birch, Anise, Clove, and Cypress hidden in specific areas. Through this method, dogs hone their natural abilities and strengthen their bond with their owners. Experience the thrill of watching your dog communicate with you through scent detection. These classes are offered at various intervals throughout the year. Please contact the club for more information.

Canine Good Citizen - an AKC title you earn with your dog: ...helps develop a long-lasting trust between you and your dog. ...indicates you took the time and effort to teach your dog the skills needed to be a reliable family and community member. ...lays the groundwork for other fun and fulfilling dog activities such as dog sports, therapy dog work. ...preparing for the test provides important socialization, physical exercise, and mental stimulation for your dog. Trick Dog - a fun activity that earns an AKC title while increasing the bond you have with your dog. ...many tricks have practical applications, build confidence, and increase your dog's body awareness. Thursday evening...5/1/25 (training night) 7:00 - 8:00 behind Sinking Spring Fire Co. Thursday evening...5/8/25 (training night) 7:00 - 8:00 behind Sinking Spring Fire Co. Thursday evening...5/22/25 (training night) 7:00 - 8:00 behind Sinking Spring Fire Co. Thursday evening...5/29/25 (training night) 7:00 - 8:00 behind Sinking Spring Fire Co. Cost - $45.00 for members ($55.00 for non-members) $20.00 for test only Register by calling Stephanie Mays @ 610-775-0457

Our Basic Skills class begins April 22, 2025 Choose a class time that works best for you Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Welcome to our Basic Skills class, designed to equip you with tools to teach your dog essential commands for good behavior. Over the 8-week training period, you will learn to instruct your dog in commands such as sit, down, and stay, as well as important skills like heeling and coming when called. Enrollment includes a membership that provides access to advanced member training for the remainder of the year. Join us to enhance your relationship with your canine companion and ensure they exhibit exemplary behavior in various situations. Basic Skills Class includes: * 8 weeks of basic skills * Covering: Come when called, Heeling, Sit, Down, Stay, and more. * Berks County Dog Training Club Membership for the balance of the year. Classes are held Tuesdays ​at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m. * If booking online, a $3.00 service fee is added.