Visit our Home Page for info about a fun class meeting four Sunday afternoons in August!
The KCFA offers a variety of fun and interactive classes. Each class is taught by an experienced instructor (sometimes with the help of an assistant, depending on class size) so you and your dog will get the individual attention you want and need.
Click here for class dates, times and registration information
Puppy Kindergarten
This class is for puppies 2 to 5 months (8 to 20 weeks) of age. Activities focus on socialization with puppies and people, building a foundation for successful basic obedience training. Classes will include confidence-building exercises, social interaction, and the opportunity to learn and practice responses to basic commands. A different discussion topic will be introduced each week and will include a question-and-answer time. Puppies between 5 and 6 months may attend this class with instructor approval, or may be recommended for our Basic Skills/Everyday Manners class.
Virtual Puppies 101
This virtual class is appropriate for puppies from 8 to 24 weeks of age and includeS instruction on puppy nutrition, health, grooming, house-training, and safety. Real-time demonstrations and individual feedback will help students teach their puppies basic commands using principles of positive reinforcement. Each 45-minute class will also include a question-and-answer session.
Why should my puppy go to kindergarten?
Though the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to expose your puppy to many social situations, you can still work on socializing your puppy at home. Here’s an article from the Daily Jefferson County Union where we present specific ways you can work with your puppy.
Puppy Training Daily Union article 04-16-2020
KCFA’s Puppy K Instructors and Training Committee worked together to provide these articles to further help you train your puppy:
Puppy Training – The Human End of the Leash
We hope you find these resources helpful!
Basic Skills and Everyday Manners
This class focuses on establishing a working relationship and rapport between dog and owner, laying the groundwork for future training. Students will learn how to incorporate basic training into everyday life in a fun, positive way. Skills covered will include: loose leash walking, polite greetings, sit, down, stay, and come. Common behavior issues will be addressed. This class may be repeated. Class size is limited and preregistration is required.
Virtual Basic Skills and Everyday Manners
Content will mirror that of KCFA’s in-person class, covering Sit, Down, and Come, along with Loose Leash Walking, Stay, Leave It, and Polite Greeting. This class is appropriate for dogs more than 24 weeks old. The virtual format allows handlers and their dogs to learn in the familiarity and security of their own homes, using a mostly leash-free and hands-off approach to teach handlers how to teach their dogs to work for reinforcement. Students will have the opportunity to practice the skills demonstrated and to receive coaching on individual issues during each 60-minute class meeting. Concepts and skills covered each week will be supplemented with selected materials and links to web-based resources provided by email.
Continuing Basic
This class offers the opportunity for dog-and-handler teams to continue improving their basic skills for solid, reliable responses. More advanced skills will be introduced, with a goal of meeting the requirements for AKC Beginner Novice competition and/or to prepare for Intermediate level training. This class may be repeated. Class size is limited and preregistration is required.
Intermediate Skills
This class is for students who want to strengthen the bond with their dog through positive training or who are considering competition. This class will focus on fine tuning handler skills to achieve reliable responses. Off-leash work and low jumps may be introduced. Dogs in this class must be able to work reliably in a group situation. Successful completion of Basic Skills Criteria or Instructor approval required. This class may be repeated. Class size is limited and preregistration is required.
Advanced Skills
This class is for students who are training for competition in either traditional obedience or rally, or who wish to continue higher level training. Exercises will focus on refining competition skills, both on and off leash. Emphasis will be placed on precision in handler body language and footwork, and on the dog’s focus, attention, and reliable responses to commands. Opportunities will be provided to practice specific competition exercises which may vary depending on the makeup of the class. Instructor approval required.
Junior Handling
Open to children of KCFA members only; for children ages 4-10 years. Dogs must be under reasonable control of the child and must be safe in a group setting. Parent or guardian must be present for each class.
Rally
This class is for students who want to learn the fun sport of Rally as well as those who want to improve their skills for competition. The class will introduce the team concept of Rally and will use AKC exercises, signs and rules. Each class meeting will feature a core obedience skill and will review Rally exercises which focus on that skill. The skills and exercises reviewed over the course of the 7-week class session will become progressively more challenging. By the end of the session, students interested in competition should be ready to prepare for trials. Rally is offered outdoors during the late spring to early summer.
Dogs About Town
This class is open to Intermediate/Advanced handler-dog teams who either wish to continue with higher level training or who are training for competition in either traditional obedience or rally. Exercises will focus on refining competition skills, both on and off leash, as well as team obedience. Emphasis will be placed on precision in handler body language and footwork, and on the dog’s focus, attention, and reliable responses to commands. Opportunities will be provided to practice specific competition exercises which may vary depending on the makeup of the class.
The locations, dates, and times will vary in order to provide the teams with varied environments in which to work on their obedience skills. Handlers should dress appropriately for weather and outdoor conditions. Instructor approval required.
Carting
Carting is a fun activity for dogs of all sizes. Even small dogs can pull a tiny wagon with a doll or stuffed animal or other “cargo.” Larger dogs can give wagon rides to kids, and some can even pull an adult. Carting dogs participate in parades, demos, school and nursing home programs. Not all dogs are receptive to having a cart hooked up behind them. If the instructor determines at the first class that the dog will not accept the cart, class fees will be refunded. This class will be offered occasionally as a special workshop.