Training
We believe in always using force-free, fear-free scientifically-backed methods.
For most people, it doesn’t require scientific journals to tell us what we seem to know instinctively: it is more humane to reward than to punish. Most people would rather avoid doing anything that will make their dog experience pain or fear if they can prevent it. Using positive reinforcement techniques rewards desirable behavior, lessens a dog’s frustration, and when used consistently, increases wanted behavior. This results in happy dogs and happy people!
So what are science-based methods?
Positive reinforcement is rewarding the dog with something very pleasant, like food, toys and petting, to encourage the dog to repeat the behavior. This works for every animal and every person as well.
When training/teaching using force-free methods, no corrections, choke, prong, or electronic collars are ever used. Instead, we teach the behaviors we want and provide rewards when they are exhibited.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior concluded that confrontational training methods such as hitting, intimidation using punitive force, and techniques of restraint like the “alpha roll” actually do very little to correct dogs’ behavior and in fact increase the likelihood that they will become fearful and defensive, sometimes resulting in biting. For these reasons we employ only positive, force-free, fear-free training methods.
Classes
The following classes are on offer.
Little Paws Puppy Class (Tuesday)
Start your puppy off on the right paw with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. This class combines confidence-building and trust-building exercises in a positive environment with force-free and fear-free instructors. At the end of the six-week class, your puppy will be given the S.T.A.R. test. Once your puppy passes the test, he/she will receive the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Medal, be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records, and you will begin receiving your AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package, which includes a certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC, AKC Puppy Handbook, and an ongoing monthly newsletter. Class Size Limit: 5.
PUPPIES 8 WEEKS TO 1 YEAR. OPEN ENROLLMENT.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks (rolling admission, start anytime), $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Tuesday except around holidays, starting 9/11/2018
Time: 6:30pm – 7:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class has reached its size limit.
Registration: Registration Closed
Little Paws Puppy Class (Thursday)
Start your puppy off on the right paw with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program. This class combines confidence-building and trust-building exercises in a positive environment with force-free and fear-free instructors. At the end of the six-week class, your puppy will be given the S.T.A.R. test. Once your puppy passes the test, he/she will receive the AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Medal, be listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records, and you will begin receiving your AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package, which includes a certificate designating your puppy is in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records at AKC, AKC Puppy Handbook, and an ongoing monthly newsletter. Class Size Limit: 5.
PUPPIES 8 WEEKS TO 1 YEAR. OPEN ENROLLMENT.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks (rolling admission, start anytime), $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Thursday except around holidays, starting 9/13/2018
Time: 6:30pm – 7:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
Supervised Puppy Play (Wednesday)
Are you looking for something fun for your puppy to help burn off that energy? Something that gives your puppy a positive outlet and interaction with other puppies? Come to our 45 minutes of Supervised Puppy Play. Your puppy can come and romp and play, go through tunnels, play in ball pits, and play with other puppies all while being supervised by a positive trainer. Class Size Limit: 5.
PUPPIES 8 WEEKS TO 5 MONTHS. OPEN ENROLLMENT.
Cost: $20 / class (rolling admission, start anytime), $15 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Wednesday except around holidays, starting (not this session)
Time: 11:00am – 11:45am
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Not accepting registrations this session
Registration: Not available
Supervised Puppy Play (Friday)
Are you looking for something fun for your puppy to help burn off that energy? Something that gives your puppy a positive outlet and interaction with other puppies? Come to our 45 minutes of Supervised Puppy Play. Your puppy can come and romp and play, go through tunnels, play in ball pits, and play with other puppies all while being supervised by a positive trainer. Class Size Limit: 5.
PUPPIES 8 WEEKS TO 5 MONTHS. OPEN ENROLLMENT.
Cost: $20 / class (rolling admission, start anytime), $15 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Friday except around holidays, starting (not this session)
Time: 11:00am – 11:45am
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Not accepting registrations this session
Registration: Not available
Manners Matter Level I (Monday)
This class focuses on those all-important basic manners through a variety of obstacle courses designed to strengthen the bond you have with your dog. Learn loose-leash walking skills, directional leading, leave it, sit and down/stays, etc. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 5 MONTHS AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Monday except around holidays, starting 9/17/2018
Time: 6:30pm – 7:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class has reached its size limit.
Registration: Not available.
Manners Matter Level I (Saturday)
This class focuses on those all-important basic manners through a variety of obstacle courses designed to strengthen the bond you have with your dog. Learn loose-leash walking skills, directional leading, leave it, sit and down/stays, etc. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 5 MONTHS AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Saturday except around holidays, starting 9/15/2018
Time: 10:00am – 10:50am
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
Manners Matter Level II
Really hone your skills from Manners Matter Level I through fun, interactive games. Work as a single dog/handler team or compete against another dog/handler team(s) all while working on honing loose-leash walking, focus of both dog and handler, recall skills, focus through distractions, etc. Come prepared to move! Must have Manners Matter Level I or equivalent. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 6 MONTHS AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Monday except around holidays, starting 9/17/2018
Time: 7:30pm – 8:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
Refine Your Skills
Does your dog have basic manners already but still struggles with a couple behaviors? Jumping, trouble staying in a down/stay, still pulling on the leash? This is a small class where you can come and get hands-on help with some behaviors your dog may be having trouble with. Dogs must be people and dog friendly and have been through a basic manners class. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 6 MONTHS AND UP. 4 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $150 / 4 weeks, $125 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Saturday except around holidays, starting 9/15/2018
Time: 11:00am – 11:50am
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
Sniffer Dog Class
Have a dog who isn’t so confident? Bored and unable to walk your dog? Come to Sniffer Dog class! We take your dog’s natural instinct to use their noses to detect scents. By the end of this six-week class, your dog will be able to distinguish between two scents. Strengthen that bond with your dog and build your dog’s confidence by working your dog through a course to alert to scents. Must be people and dog friendly. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 9 MONTHS AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Tuesday except around holidays, starting 9/11/2018
Time: 7:30pm – 8:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
Intro to Therapy
Focus on teaching the team the basics on how to approach people, how to handle crowds, more focus from dog to handler and handler to dog, in-depth spatial awareness, targeting exercises, etc. This class will prepare the teams for taking the CGC test. Dogs must have excellent loose-leash walking skills, sit/down stays, and solid recall. Class Size Limit: 5.
DOGS 1 YEAR AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Saturday except around holidays, starting (not this session)
Time: 9:00am – 9:50am
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Not accepting registrations this session
Registration: Not Available
Advanced Therapy
Focus on teaching the team the basics on how to approach people, how to handle crowds, more focus from dog to handler and handler to dog, in-depth spatial awareness, targeting exercises, etc. This class will prepare the teams for taking the CGC test. Dogs must have excellent loose-leash walking skills, sit/down stays, and solid recall. Class Size Limit: 6.
DOGS 1 YEAR AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $180 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Thursday except around holidays, starting (not this session)
Time: 6:30pm – 7:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Not accepting registrations this session
Registration: Not Available
CGC Test Prep
Are you interested in your dog obtaining the title of Canine Good Citizen (CGC)? This class focuses on the requirements for passing the CGC. Must have excellent loose-leash walking skills, sit and down stays, and solid recall. Class Size Limit: 4.
DOGS 1 YEAR AND UP. 6 WEEK CLASS.
Cost: $175 / 6 weeks, $150 with CHN discount coupon
Dates: Meets every Thursday except around holidays, starting 9/13/2018
Time: 7:30pm – 8:20pm
Location: 13454 Clarksville Pike, Highland, MD 20777
Status: Class is in session
Registration: Registration Closed
“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated”
-Mahatma Gandhi
What Type of Training Do You Need?
Every dog is different – let us help you help Fido!
Consulting
Do you have a few questions you want answered? Are you not sure if you should take classes? Do you just want some advice for that weird thing your dog is doing? An over the phone consulting session might be for you. For more information click the link below.
Personal Sessions
Do you want some one-on-one training time? Does your dog not do well in a class environment? Would you like a more specialized course? Personal sessions offer focus just on you and your dog! For more information click the link below.