Group Classes
Why choose Puppy Adept classes?
- We are veterinarian-recommended! Veterinarians in Hall, Barrow, Gwinnett and Jackson counties recommend Puppy Adept classes.
- Our small class sizes (no more than six registrants per class) allow for much more personal attention for you and your dog.
- At our Humane Society of Hall County and Puppy Adept facility near Chestnut Mountain our classes are held inside a dedicated training area where you and your dog can best focus on learning new behaviors. You'll have very few extra distractions here.
- Your instructor has at least eight years of experience instructing others to train their dogs. You are getting the best.
- You and your dog will be taught in a kind, nonjudgemental and respectful manner. When we say our training methods are positive, we mean for your dog and for you.
- You can expect to have fun! We know how reluctantly folks give up their time and how little they have to spare. We want to make sure you not only get the best training in exchange for your time, but that you actually enjoy it, as well.
- So many of our graduates sing our praises. Check out our Testimonials page to see for yourself. We can also supply references if you like.
The classes we offer are listed below. Click on the classes you are interested in to get detailed information about each. Your questions are always welcome, as well.
Now you can use PayPal to pay on-line if you wish. Please call or e-mail to request a registration form.
Any of our classes, including Romp n Roll can be purchased as a gift certificate for someone else. What a great gift for a dog lover!
Also, ask about our "shelter-dog" discount!
Mind Your Pees and Cues (Puppy Prep Class)
This "class" is for puppies 8 to 18 weeks old only.
 You have a new puppy--congratulations!
If your puppy is less than 18 weeks old, you need to immediately begin her socialization and training process. Most of us just don't have time to get our puppies out there on a regular basis to show them that the world is really not such a scary place, and training often takes place when it's convenient.
Puppy Adept's Mind Your Pees and Cues program will get you started with these processes. We will discuss:
- socialization and how to play it safe during this critical stage in your puppy's life
- housetraining
- crate-training
- bite-inhibition
- preventing inappropriate chewing and biting
- teaching your pup to accept handling
- many other critical topics
You'll also teach your puppy:
- to come when called
- sit
- lie down
- accept and walk nicely on a leash
- polite greetings
- how to exercise a little will-power
In this class, we strive to help you create a foundation for your pup to grow to be a fun, happy and self-assured companion. You can join this 5-week class at any time, as it continuously loops through the 5 classes. Classes take place on Monday evenings at 6:15 p.m.
for a registration form to get started or click here for a registration form you can print out and fax. We must have your registration form before you attend the class--you can fax the one above or request a form via e-mail that you can complete and e-mail back to us.
Cost: $87($85 cash discount if paying by cash or check) - If you choose to sign up for a Manners and More class afterwards, you will receive a 10% discount.
Special: Buy a Pees and Cues/Manners and More package for $154!
($150 w/cash discount if paying by cash or check)
Package includes 5-week Mind Your Pees & Cues class and 7-week Manners and More (see below) course.
Manners and More
No, it's not too late to teach your dog some human manners! Both adolescent and mature dogs are invited to attend this class.
This class covers basic behaviors such as: 
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Please note that just because you are attending a training class, your dog is not automatically trained. You are the trainer. You attend class for instruction and guidance, and to gain the tools you'll need to maintain the level of training you desire; we also provide you with the tools to help you train new skills on your own in the future. Our training methods include an emphasis on how to read and communicate with your dog.
Dogs who show aggression towards humans or other dogs should arrange for a behavior consultation before attempting to attend a group class.
The cost for this 7-week class is $112 ($110 w/cash discount if paying by cash or check).See our calendar for start dates.
(click to pay for Manners and More using PayPal)
 You may notice on our calendar of classes that the the next class start date is the only date listed for that class. The remaining classes will be added shortly, but generally consist of the next six consecutive weeks. Please
if you are interested in attending this class (Note: Dogs do not attend the first class.) and we'll send you a registration form or click in the menu above to download one. Your spot in the class will be confirmed as soon as we receive your form and payment.
Now offering day-time, weekday classes! These classes will be offered as demand dictates; if no class is scheduled to start, we have a waiting list for those ready to take these classes. Let us know if you'd like to add your name to the list, and we'll let you know when we have enough interest to start a class. Please
for a registration form if you are interested in attending or you can print out your own and fax or mail it to us with your payment.
Click here for directions to Puppy Adept classes.
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Click here for Recommended Reading and References!
Beyond Manners
Ready to sharpen those cues you learned in Manners and More and add a few additional ones? In this six-week class, you'll work on making loose-leash walking, and recalls more reliable in more difficult situations, and we'll start you on stays, heeling and long-distance cues. We'll also play games to use your new skills in more real life-like situations.
The cost for this 6-week class is $114. (Cash discount! $110 w/cash discount if paying by cash or check.)
(click to pay for Beyond Manners using PayPal)
Please check our calendar for the next Beyond Manners start date.
Please check our calendar for a class schedule or download a or registration form if you are interested in this class.
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Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Preparation Classes and Testing
To help you prepare for Canine Good Citizen certification, we offer a 4-week prep class. The class covers each of the ten exercises in the test. (CGC certification is required for a dog to become a therapy dog in some pet therapy organizations; additionally, a few insurance companies, hotels and other establishments recognize the certification as indication of a "safe" dog). CGC testing will be held at this facility or at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia in Gainesville periodically. Test dates will be posted at a future date. Check our calendar for the latest. Please check our calendar to see when the next class starts.
This prep class is designed for dogs who have already received some basic training such as our Manners and More class.
Please
to indicate your interest in either the class or the certification exam. Check our calendar to see when the next CGC exam takes place.
Many businesses who allow pets at work are requiring CGC certification for those pets. Ask us about holding a special test for your business or coming to your business to conduct a CGC test for your employees!
The cost for the class (including test fee) is $67. ($65 w/cash discount, if paying by cash or check)
(click to pay for CGC Prep class using PayPal)
Please
for the next CGC prep class start date or check our calendar.
The cost for the test only is $10.
Back to Menu Core Competencies
After your manners class, you may find that you and your pup still need a little work on some of the more challenging behaviors or maybe you need a more structured environment to practice them. If so, this is the class for you. In this class, we cover loose-leash walking, coming when called and polite greetings in depth. Other behaviors may be included when possible.
This is a six-week class. Knowledge of clicker-training required to attend. Please check the calendar for the next start date.
The cost is $107 (or $105 with cash/check discount)
(click to pay using PayPal)
Tricks and Treats
In this class we continue to use reward-based training methods to teach you how to teach your dog tricks and capture desirable behaviors on your own. Tricks help to keep training fun, provide a means to re-focus your dog in distracting situations and provide more ways for you and your dog to interact positively. Of course, "it's all tricks" to the dogs, but here is a sample of some of the things you can learn in this class:
- Find
- Retrieve
- Jumping through a hoop
- Spin and twirl
- Answering questions with a particular behavior
- Skateboarding
- Some agility exercises
- Many targeting and shaping exercises
This 4 week class is $62($60 w/cash discount, if paying by cash or check)
Please check our calendar to see when our next class starts
The next class is starting soon! Please contact us to let us know you're interested.
(click to pay for Tricks and Treats using PayPal)
Rally for Fun
Charles L. Kramer is the "innovator of the First American Agility program," and the creator of Rally Obedience; who better to describe Rally Obedience, then? From his book, The Style of Rally Obedience (Kramer, Charles L., 2005; 3rd ed., Fancee Publications, Manhattan, KS):
The name Rally Style Obedience has been adopted for this concept of Obedience training and competition because of the use of directional signs to guide the handler throughout the performance in a manner somewhat similar to the sport of Rally Car Racing.
The exceptional feature of Rally Style Obedience is the allowance of handlers to communicate with their dogs, both verbally and with hand signals, at any time and as often as desired throughout the performance. This may be in the form of praise or various types of commands to aid the dog in performing the exercises.
According to Robert T. Self in the Forward of The Style of Rally Obedience (Kramer, Charles L., 2005; 3rd ed., Fancee Publications, Manhattan, KS):
Heeling is basic to all dog training sports but Rally Obedience goes beyond this by interspersing over forty obedience movements with the sits, turns and paces of traditional heeling. It also requires a brisk pace, positive attitude and happy demeanor," "is not for those who desire an effortless activity that is fun and games. It is not simple or easy, but if you enjoy working with your dog in a challenging partnership that will improve heeling and teamwork, and which develops great control over the dog, then Rally is for you.
So, are you looking for something else to do with your dog? Now that you know a little about Rally Obedience or Rally-O, you can see that it is the next logical progression for you and your dog. (For more info. on Rally Obedience, click here.)
Our Rally for Fun classes will introduce you to the concept of Rally Obedience and walk you through many of the 28 exercises in Level 1 or AKC's Novice level.
Requirements: Dogs entering this class should be able to walk on-leash without pulling, sit, down, come, stay, and stand (all covered in our Manners & More class) reasonably well.
This is an 8-week course--approx. one hour per week. The cost is $112 ($110 w/cash discount if paying with cash or check).
Please check our calendar for the next class start date.
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Romp n Roll
 Existing and previous clients are invited to participate in supervised play sessions up to twice per month. The sessions last approximately one and a half hours. A supervised play session provides excellent opportunities for your dog or puppy to get adequate exercise and to learn how to interact appropriately with other dogs and people she doesn't know. Dogs are not allowed to practice inappropriate behaviors here, as sometimes occurs in dog parks. Dogs who have not attended a Puppy Adept class must be evaluated before participating in Romp n Roll. Please
for an evaluation time.
The cost is $5 per dog per session (or $8 if you bring two of your own dogs). Additionally, you may purchase six one-dog visits for $25. Ask us about other multiple-dog discounts.
Please if you are interested. The two RnR sessions will typically be offered on one Saturday and one Sunday morning or afternoon each month.
Please check our calendar for days/times they will be offered. If you are interested in a RnR session during the week, please let us know.
All dogs should be current on vaccinations or titres, worming and flea and tick prevention unless otherwise discussed with your trainer.
To register, request an application for any
of these classes or for further information or questions,
please click
.
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Behavior Modification and Private Lessons
Do you and your dog simply have a misunderstanding about the "rules of the house," or do you have a more serious problem which may be aggression- or anxiety-based? Puppy Adept can help you resolve most behavior problems. Because not every problem can be treated with group obedience-type training, we can arrange for private consultations with you and your dog.
Behavior consultations and private lessons can be held at your home or at our facility.
Who should have private consultations or lessons? Clients who need or want:
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- a customized training course,
- more flexible session times
- to work on a behavior which occurs predominantly in the home
and, clients
- who have dogs with behavioral issues that would make it difficult or dangerous to participate in a class setting, or
- those who simply prefer individualized attention.
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You pick the time!
Interested in finding out more?Send us an e-mail by clicking here.We'll send you our very affordable hourly rates and find a time that's convenient for you.
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Daycare Training
At Puppy Adept, we believe that the owner should be an integral part of the training process. However, we also strive to offer services to benefit as many human-canine relationships as possible. We understand that long-term illnesses and special situations may make it extremely difficult for you to train your own dog. Thus, we offer a service we call Daycare Training.
With Daycare Training, you bring your dog to us between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. We will provide at least three training sessions, three play sessions and all the potty breaks your dog needs. You then pick up your dog between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m., plenty pooped and on his way to learning new behaviors.
You will sign up and pay for at least one week at a time. You may choose to bring your dog four or five days that week, depending on your needs. On his final day of the week (must be Thursday or Friday) you will be given a 30-45 minute "turnover" lesson where you learn how to give your dog the proper cues for what he is learning. The number of weeks your dog will need to stay with us for day-care training depends upon what it is you want him to learn.
The cost is $65 per dog per day for one week, and $55 per dog per day for two or more weeks paid in advance. As we have a limited number of openings, we unfortunately will not be able to offer multiple-dog discounts.
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Home Training
If you like the idea of someone else training your dog for you, but don't want to be without your dog for two weeks we've got another plan for designed especially for you! We've added a new training service here at Puppy Adept that will satisfy your needs quite nicely! A professional trainer will come to your home for a half hour and work with your dog while you watch or while you are away. At the end of each week, you'll get an extra half hour added to your last lesson where we show you how to use the behaviors we've taught.
You can choose to have the home visits 3, 4 or 5 times per week depending on how much time you want to spend working with your dog yourself or how quickly you want your dog trained.
For most behaviors, you need a minimum of two weeks of training. Others will take more. How much training your dog needs depends on what behaviors you want taught and to what degree you want compliance before the training ends.
Please
to discuss your needs, pricing and if you have questions.
Just remember--the sooner you start, the sooner you'll have a well trained dog sharing your home. Call or e-mail us today to get started! |
