Training Classes
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Training classes are open to all. You do not need to be a member to take CRDTC classes.
- Directions: From Route 95/128 (heading north or south) take Exit 26, Route 20 Weston/Waltham. Follow signs to Route 20 West towards Weston. After 1.3 mile, turn left onto School Street at traffic light. After 0.3 mile, turn right onto Alphabet Lane. After 0.2 mile, turn left at the traffic circle. Take 3rd left into side parking area for the Weston Community Center, a large brown-red barn building. Additional parking is in front of the Weston Community Center and at the adjacent Field School parking lot.
Classes are held indoors at the Weston Community Center, 20 Alphabet Ln, Weston MA 02493. Attendees must follow the COVID guidelines for the Town of Weston, www.weston.org/159/Board-of-Health
- The puppy classes are specifically designed for young dogs.
- Topics covered include: handling and environment exposures; targeting, basic positions (sit/down/stand), recall games, leash walking and more.
- Puppies must be on a schedule of routine vaccinations and have had vaccinations appropriate for their age. It is recommended that pups have a series of two vaccinations by the start of class, however, check with your veterinarian.
- Class size is limited to 8 puppies and this course often fills. Pre-registration is required. Fee $165.
Check class schedule for next start dates.
Print a registration form and mail with payment. Online registration is not currently available. - For all classes, please wait outside until the instructor comes to let in the group.
- Please potty your dog before class and pick up after your dog. Buckets will be available to dispose of waste.
- Please be aware that classes will not be held on some Monday holidays.
- Companion obedience training for handlers to learn how to teach their dogs, and for dogs to learn foundation behaviors and life skills that will make them great companions.
- For new dog owners, beginners, veteran dog owners with new dogs, and handlers who want to practice fun, positive teaching techniques with their dogs.
- Meets once per week for 6 weeks.
- The first class is for humans only. Updated learning theory and positive reinforcement techniques to build trust and produce long lasting results will be presented. Methods including use of a clicker or verbal marker will be explained. Shaping will be described and class members will participate in exercises to learn and improve timing.
- Weekly assignments for practice at home.
- Instructor plus an experienced assistant to provide individual attention.
- Limited to 10 dog/handler teams.
- Course fee $165, includes a clicker. You must pre-register for this course.
- Check class schedule for start dates. Print a course application form (PDF format) and mail with payment. Online registration is not currently available.
- Dogs should be at least 1 year old, with all vaccinations up to date.
- Usually for one handler per dog, however, additional family members may attend and work one at a time with the dog. Handlers should be at least 15 years old.
- Please leave your dog at home on the first night of class.
- For all classes, please wait outside until the instructor comes to let in the group.
- Please potty your dog before class and pick up after your dog. Buckets will be available to dispose of waste.
- Each class will focus on two or more of the ten CGC exercises. The exercises include:
- Accepting a friendly stranger, sitting politely for petting, and allowing light grooming
- Walking on a loose leash and through a crowd with distractions
- Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place
- Coming when called
- Behaving politely around other dogs
- Remaining calm with a stranger while the owner is out of sight
- The Advanced CGC (CGCA) and Urban CGC (CGCU) also will be discussed. Some of these additional exercises will be demonstrated and practiced in class.
- You must pre-register for this 5-week course. Class size is limited. Course Fee: $100 for Non-Members, $75 for CRDTC Members.
- Check class schedule for next start date. Print a course registration form (PDF format) and mail with payment. Online registration is not currently available.
- For all classes, please wait outside until the instructor comes to let in the group.
- Please potty your dog before class and pick up after your dog. Buckets will be available to dispose of waste.
- Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited. Course Fee: $120 for members; $150 for non-members.
- Check class schedule for next start date. Print a course registration form (PDF format) and mail with payment. Online registration is not currently available.
- Registration questions to Anne, astoma@comcast.net. Course content or dog specific questions to Ronni, vcdalton.dogs@gmail.com
- For all classes, please wait outside until the instructor comes to let in the group.
- Please potty your dog before class and pick up after your dog. Buckets will be available to dispose of waste.
- For first time handlers and advanced beginner dogs.
- Focus on teaching attention heeling and also the skills needed for novice and advanced obedience.
- Each class includes both active and stationary exercises to keep things lively and dogs are taught using a variety of of engaging activities building on dog-handler physical interactions and relationship, food, and toys.
- Also may include some tricks, heeling to music, play engagement, and proofing.
- The goal is for dog and handler to be able to complete the AKC Novice exercises which include:
- Heel on Leash, Heel Free, and Figure Eight - dog watches its handler and adjusts its pace to walk at the handler's side.
- Stand for Examination - dog allows hands-on touching such as that by a veterinarian or groomer.
- Recall - dog immediately comes when the handler calls.
- Long Sit - dog sits on command and remains in a sit position for 1 minute and until released by the handler.
- Long Down - dog lies down on command and remains in a down position for 1 minute and until released by the handler.
Class Schedule: start date to be determined
- Trick Dog Workshops - Dec 2022
- Training Parties for members and applicants only - ongoing
Held at several different commercial training locations, usually about once per month. Sometimes includes a special workshop on a specific training issue. Generally includes obedience and rally run-thrus. - Introduction to Tracking - May 2023
Instructor: Roseann Mandell.
For Beginners only. Set of three classes on Tuesday evenings.
Classes will be held in the Concord/Sudbury area.
Each class runs 60 - 75 minutes and includes a handout, discussion, and field exercises for the dogs. There is homework assigned each week. Your dog should be comfortable staying alone in your vehicle when not working.
Limited to 5 with preference to CRDTC members. Course fee is $65 for members, $85 for non-members. Registration opens April 15.
Some resources: A Beginner's Guide and information about AKC tracking events.
FMI and a registration form: crdtc@yahoo.com
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Puppy Classes
Mondays 5:00pm: Puppy I (Puppy Kindergarten) - for puppies 8 weeks to 6 months of age
Meets once per week for 6 weeks at the Weston Community Center. Instructor: Ronni Dalton, assisted by Susan Stock
Additional information:
Course questions? Please email Ronni Dalton at vcdalton.dogs@gmail.com
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Companion Obedience Foundation Skills Course
Schedule:
Thursdays, 6:30pm. Meets at the Weston Community Center.
Instructor: Wendy Marcks, assisted by Diane Hagelstein.
Please note: The first class meets for 90 minutes; subsequent classes are 50 minutes. The first class is required to participate in the subsequent classes. No dogs at the first class. Additional information:
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Companion Obedience Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Skills Course
Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30pm. Meets at the Weston Community Center. Instructor: Wendy Marcks, assisted by Diane Hagelstein.
For those who have completed the Obedience Foundation Skills course or Puppy II course at CRDTC, or the equivalent course at another facility.
Course content: Provides review and further work in companion obedience and the AKC Canine Good Citizen exercises.
For detailed descriptions of the CGC exercises, see the AKC Participants Handbook.
Additional information: |
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Beginner Novice Obedience
Schedule: Mondays, 7:00pm. Instructor: Ronni Dalton This 6-week course is for handlers and dogs who have some basic obedience (beginning heeling, recalls, stays), but would like to develop and refine these skills for greater reliability and precision using positive and fun techniques. This class would be a good fit for those who might want to try rally or obedience trials, for teams that have had some novice competition training previously but could use a refresher, and for more experienced handlers with new dogs. It would also be useful for those interested in other canine sports events and activities. Additional information: |
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Novice Competition Obedience
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An Intro To Rally course is scheduled for June 2023.
Rally run-throughs using regulation AKC courses are available at member training parties.
Rally
Trick Dog Workshops will be held in December 2022.
Tricks training is also incorporated into the Foundation Obedience Skills classes. Testing for the AKC Trick Dog titles is offered in conjunction with CGC Testing several times a year. Check the class schedule for the next dates. Additional upcoming tests in the area are posted at crdtc.org/cgc.
Tricks!
Do you have a potential therapy dog? Dogs that do therapy visits must have excellent temperament. They should be calm, relaxed, confident, outgoing, friendly, patient, gentle, and enjoy physical contact with all types of people. They should be tolerant of other dogs and completely non-aggressive. Behaviors can be modified with training, but a dog's basic personality and disposition is unlikely to change.
In addition, therapy dogs should be well trained, obedient, and have good manners. They should work nicely on leash with their handler in new surroundings and remain under good control despite distractions. Dogs should be healthy, current on all vaccinations, clean and well groomed, free of parasites, and have short/smooth nails.
Dog owners and their therapy dogs make a commitment to do regular volunteer visits at a designated nursing home, assisted living or special needs facility, senior daycare center, rehab center, or hospital. These visits can spark conversation, provide comfort and companionship, and renew fond memories of a person's previous pets. Some therapy dogs participate in reading with children programs at libraries and schools.
The specific requirements for certification vary by therapy dog organization but generally include successfully completing a basic obedience dog training course and passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, taken when the dog is at least one year old. Some organizations have additional requirements and their own tests for certification.
The CRDTC Canine Good Citizen Skills Course is based on the CGC exercises. Each class focuses on two or more of the ten CGC exercises, so all ten are covered over a five-week cycle. Training for the Advanced CGC (CGCA) and Urban CGC (CGCU) tests is also discussed in this class. The specific CGC exercises are described in the AKC Participants Handbook.
Please note that therapy dogs are not considered assistance dogs or service dogs and thus do not have the access rights of animals assisting the blind or disabled.
For more information and a partial list of local and national therapy dog organizations see the
CRDTC therapy dog page
Training for Therapy Dogs
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Special Classes/Workshops
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Start January 2023
Foundation Obedience
Starts January 2023
CGC Skills Course
Starts January 2023
