Training
Dogstar Academy uses primarily clicker training. We feel strongly that is the most humane, effective way to communicate with a dog in order to effect changes in normal household behavior. We specialize in helping you get off on the right foot, whether it's with a new-to-you rescue dog or a brand-new puppy. While our classes emphasize both having fun and practical skills, we aim to arm you with the skill every dog owner really needs- the ability to train their own dog.
Classes
Dogstar Academy offers small group classes with a very low
student to teacher ratio, flexible scheduling, and multiple locations
to best fit YOUR schedule. We emphasize socialization and positive
reinforcement as appropriate training for dogs of all ages
and sizes. Most importantly, we'll teach YOU to train your dog.
NEW! Two CONTROL UNLEASHED classes
coming this fall - sessions starting September 22nd, 2008
(Monday, 7PM classes) and November 3rd (Monday, 2PM classes)
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available by appointment only. Please email for details. Whether you need help fixing a specific issue or just can't find time in your schedule for a commited class time, privates may be an option for you.
Walk & Train
We understand that your life is busy. We'll help you to get the most out of every single training session with your dog, keeping it fun, interesting, and productive. In addition to classes and private lessons, we also offer walk and train packages for the days when you can't work with your dog yourself, and limited board-and-training.
Dog Sports
Rally Obedience is a sport for dog and handler teams in which the team navigates a numbered course made up of 12-24 numbered stations. Each station is an exercise, and the exercises lead from one to the next. The obstacles in this sport range from fancy heeling patterns, to jumps, to variations on fronts and finishes and sits, downs, stands, and stays. It was created out of obedience 'doodles' that obedience trainers have used for years in order to perfect a dog's obedience skills for competition - now it is a sport in its own right, and a great first step to getting involved in the wonderful world of dog sports. For more information about rally and upcoming rally classes, click here.
Dogstar Academy plans to offer two ADPT Rally Trials in 2008. Please email us for more information. ADPT Rally is open to all dogs regardless of breed or mix and is a great introduction to the world of dogsports.
Flyball is a relay race for dogs in which four dogs compete as a team. In each race, two teams compete in side-by-side lanes with one dog running at a time for each team. The dogs must run down a 50-odd foot lane, jumping over 4 evenly spaced jumps and retrieving a ball out of a spring-loaded box at the end. The height of the jumps is deteremined by the shoulder height of the smallest dog on the team, so most teams choose to have a mix of small and large dogs on each team. Fast teams complete the course in under 20 seconds, but teams go into speed divisions and competition is fierce at every level. All breeds and mixes can compete in flyball! Dogstar Academy is not offering a flyball course at this time but hopes to in the fall.