OBEDIENCE CLASSES
- Classes must be pre-registered and pre-paid
- Pet’s need be up to date with their vaccinations and free of parasites
- Dogs adopted form shelters must wait fourteen days post adoption to begin classes
- All classes are one hour long and are held during the evening on weekdays and during the -day on weekends
- Class size is restricted to around eight pets to provide an optimum teacher-pet training ratio
- Please plan your enrollment when you can complete all the successive weeks in a row.
For more information, call:
913.362.2512
These classes are for basic training, not for modifying problems like aggression. If your dog (or cat) has a serious behavior problem such as aggression, separation anxiety, thunderstorm phobia or a long standing housesoiling problem, please call the number above and ask for Dr. Wayne Hunthausen. Click here for more information, behavior forms and fee schedules .
PUPPY CLASSES For puppies 10 weeks to 5 months
Puppy class registration: Please call our trainer, Donna Lane to enroll – 913 638 6363
These classes are designed to help you maximize your pet’s potential and make puppy raising easier than you ever imagined. Training takes place in a relaxed and positive atmosphere. You’ll learn to teach your puppy basic obedience commands such as come, sit, down, stay and heel on lead. Important behavior topics include how to housetraining, destructive chewing, socialization and handling tolerance. You will learn how to control play biting, barking, jumping on people, getting on furniture and digging. Short play sessions provide an opportunity to socialize with other puppies and other families. Without a doubt, these are our most popular classes for the family and most important for the young pet One hour each week for 7 weeks.
PETITE PUPPY CLASSES For puppies 10 weeks to 5 months of age, under 10 pounds body weight
Same as above, but for the little guys.
One hour each week for 7 weeks.
ADVANCED PUPPY CLASSES Enrollment is limited to puppy class graduates under 7 months of age
If you want to go beyond basic puppy training, this class is for you. It involves confidence-building sessions that are fun for both the pet and family. Puppies learn to navigate obstacles and do simple agility exercises. You’ll also work on developing a dependable stay, wait at the door, recall, and heel on lead.
One hour each week for 4 weeks.
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BASIC OBEDIENCE CLASSES For dogs 5 months and up
This is a basic class designed for the adolescent and older dogs with little or no previous training. It will also appeal to the family and pet who have attended obedience classes but needs a refresher course. Topics will include using your voice as a training tool, controlling minor behavior problems and teaching your dog to come, sit, lie down, walk on a leash and come on command. One hour each week for 7 weeks.
ADVANCED Adult Obedience Must be an adult obedience class graduate
This course is designed for those who have successfully completed a basic obedience course and want to work on control and response dependability, especially for stays and recalls, and relaxed heeling on lead. Emphasis is on advanced hand and voice signals. The class will also include some agility techniques for fun. Outdoors during the spring and fall. One hour each week for 6 weeks
“Max and I just completed Adult Obedience Class
with Mary. I am so thankful to have
received the recommendation from Dr. Kim Firestone!
Mary is such a wonderful trainer!”
AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program
The Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program was started in 1989 by the American Kennel Club. It is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. It is one of the most popular and rapidly growing programs of the American Kennel Club. The program is used by AKC clubs, police, animal control agencies, therapy dog groups, 4-H groups and veterinarians. State legislatures began recognizing the CGC program as a means of advocating responsible dog ownership and 30 states now have Canine Good Citizen resolutions.
The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. Dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
This is the book to buy to excel in the CGC class. More info
TRAINING TOOLS
We carry Gentle Leader® head halters, Sporn No Pull Halters®, Easy Walker® harnesses, collars, leashes, clickers, citronella anti-bark collars, exercise pens and more.
TOYS AND TRAINING TREATS
Our training center has unique and stimulating toys for your dog’s chewing pleasure. We chose toys that are durable, safe and designed to keep your pet busy for hours. Many of the toys are designed to hold food in such a way that they have to be manipulated by the pet to gain access to it.
TRAINING STAFF
The training staff at WestwoodAnimalHospital is dedicated to empowering you to fully realize your pet’s potential and create the best possible bond between you. Our teaching techniques concentrate on the use of positive reinforcement without the use of harsh corrections. This positive approach to training contributes to a comfortable training environment where you and your pet will have fun and learn quickly.
Dr. Wayne Hunthausen – Director. Dr. Hunthausen received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 1979, and has been a pet behavior consultant since 1982. He has authored numerous articles on pet behavior, co-authored two books on canine and feline behavior, and had edited over thirty other books and chapters. A well known TV and radio personality, he frequently lectures to veterinarians and other animal interest groups about pet behavior.
Mary Kline – Instructor. Mary is a veterinary technician and has been teaching dog obedience classes since 1985 through many city wide organizations, veterinary clinics and individual training programs. She has CPDT-KA (Certified professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed) certification. Mary is also a certified evaluator for the Canine Good Citizen certification program. “My goal to improve communication between families and their dogs by using positive reinforcement techniques to encourage desired behavior.” – M Kline
Donna Lane – Instructor. Donna is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. She began teaching classes in 2000 and focuses mainly on teaching puppies at our training center. Her goal is to provide guidance to pet owners and assist families in maintaining a happy home with an educated canine companion.