AnimalSense Classes

We strive to provide a variety of classes to rival the number of breeds, ages and temperaments of dogs who take them! Do you have a dog that tends to shy away more often than not? Don’t miss “Confidence Building”. Do you want your Boston Terrier to meet some fellow Bostonians? Consider our exclusive “Boston Terriers Only” class. Check out our class schedule below for more specifics and to find the one that best fits you and your dog’s unique needs. No matter which you select, you’ll benefit from our limited class size that enables you and your dog to get a great deal of one-on-one attention.

Questions? Contact Us

Summer II 2009

August 8th - September 21st
As you may already know, we love the opportunity to meet and greet all new and returning clients before classes begin. To make that possible, we are hosting our All-Class Open House Orientation. The Open House Orientation this session will take place before classes start at our Home Studio in Oak Park on Thursday, August 6th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Whether this is your first or fiftieth AnimalSense class experience, it is a do not miss. Refreshments and humor guaranteed. Reminder that the Open House Orientation is for our clients of the two-legged variety only.

We will send you a confirmation via e-mail within 1-2 business days upon receiving your class registration. Our Summer II Session is priced at $225.00 for the six-week course unless otherwise noted.

Class	Time	Location	Trainer
Sundays: August 9th - September 20th (no class September 6th)
Shy Dogs: Confidence Building	10:15am - 11:15am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sarah Rothberger
Is your dog a little more timid than most? Spooked by common things? Unsure about new people or new dogs? We can help. This class is designed to increase your dogs confidence levels with games, activities, relaxation techniques and more. Taught by our expert staff, we will guide and support you all the way! All ages welcome and a great 2nd class if you are the parent of a shy puppy.
Puppy Play and Train	11:30am - 12:30pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sarah Rothberger
For puppies up to 6 months old. More than a class, more than a play group. Start teaching your puppy how to pay attention to you while engaging in appropriate social interactions with other puppies. Learn training skills while you allow your pup burn off some of that puppy energy too through games and activities. A perfect solo class or a great addition to our Puppy Pre-School or Puppy Grade School classes. Puppies enrolled in Puppy Play and Train must get along well with other dogs.
Canine Good Citizen	12:45pm - 1:15pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sarah Rothberger
Ah, finally a test that your DOG has to study for! CGC class teaches the skills necessary to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Highly recommended for people interested in animal-assisted therapy or for dogs that love to work for titles. Class concludes with the actual CGC exam (test fee is included in the cost of the class). Open to dogs over one year; please contact us at office@animalsense.com if you have any questions about your dogs readiness for this class. A great follow up to our Focus or Fido Foundations class!
Mondays: August 10th - September 21st (no class September 7th)
Leash Walking 101	6:30pm - 7:30pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sally Bushwaller, CPDT
This awesome class is all about, well, leash walking! Does your dog pull or need some help greeting strangers and other dogs? You have come to the right place! This class will have Fido prancing along at your side, footloose and fancy free, oblivious to lifes little distractions. Please note that this class is not intended for dogs with aggression towards people or other dogs. (see Doggone Issues if you need to address on-leash aggression behaviors)
Field Trip with Jamie	7:45pm - 8:45pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Jamie L. Damato, CPDT
Come along with Jamie as she escorts you and your dog around town to "field test" your handling and obedience skills while enjoying some fresh summer air with lots of other dog lovers. This class meets at our Oak Park training location the first week, then at a different location each week thereafter to train, practice and have tons of fun! Dogs age 8 months and up welcome.
Tuesdays: No Tuesday Classes this Session
No classes on Tuesdays this session.
Wednesdays: August 12th - September 16th
Intro to Agility	6:30pm - 7:30pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sally Bushwaller, CPDT
This totally fun class offers an introduction to various agility obstacles including jumps, open and closed tunnels, weave poles, and the seesaw. Great for confidence building and for dogs that love to problem solve. (Ok, you got us! ALL dogs like to problem solve.) Just keep in mind that your pooch needs to be happy around other dogs in order to enroll in this fine class. Dogs age 8 months and up welcome.
Doggone Issues	8:00pm - 9:00pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sally Bushwaller, CPDT
For dogs and owners dealing with aggression towards other dogs or people while on walks. Do not struggle with these difficult problems alone! Instructor permission required to enroll; $400 fee for this class. Please contact our office for enrollment information at office@animalsense.com..
Thursdays: August 13th - September 17th
Come Anytime!	6:30pm - 7:15pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
Missed the start of the session? Have a "fluid" schedule? Need a makeup for a missed class or a refresher on a particular skill? Join us for this drop-in class customized to the needs of those in attendance. Topics may include basic commands, how to put any behavior on cue, safety commands, and door/guest manners. Fee $30 per meeting (free for currently enrolled students needing a makeup class). Think of it as an �open gym� for dog training!
Middle Management	7:30pm - 8:30pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
Have you noticed that your dog has picked up some interesting new behaviors? Not responding to you reliably? What could be going on? It is a case of puppy puberty! Middle Management is a "survival course" to help you navigate the sometimes difficult adolescent stage of canine development � the period between eight months and two years of age. Polish your handling skills while strengthening basic cues and commands, enhancing leash walking skills and training through distractions.
Fridays: No Friday Classes this Session
No classes on Fridays this session.
Saturdays: August 8th - September 19th (no class September 5th)
Puppy Pre-School	9:00am - 10:00am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
For puppies up to 16 weeks old. *This is the single most important class you will ever attend*. Intensive socialization plus an introduction to basic cues such as attention, sit, and down will start you and your puppy off on the right paw. We will also discuss housetraining and crate training, handling, mouthing, chewing and more.
Puppy Grade School CLASS FULL	10:15am - 11:15am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
For puppies 4-8 months old. Your puppy is getting bigger and some behaviors that used to be cute suddenly aren't so cute any more. Come join us to practice basic manners, introduce polite leash walking, and continue socialization. We will also address owner concerns and questions about living harmoniously with a growing puppy. Lay a solid foundation for the rest of your puppy's life!
Middle Management	11:30am - 12:30pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Nicole Stewart
Have you noticed that your dog has picked up some interesting new behaviors? Not responding to you reliably? What could be going on? It is a case of puppy puberty! Middle Management is a "survival course" to help you navigate the sometimes difficult adolescent stage of canine development � the period between eight months and two years of age. Polish your handling skills while strengthening basic cues and commands, enhancing leash walking skills and training through distractions.
Focus! Distraction Training For the Real World	12:45pm - 1:15pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Nicole Stewart
Are squirrels, strangers, noises and other distractions stealing your dogs undivided attention when you need it most? Is there a polite �indoor� and crazy �outdoor� version of your dog? It is time to teach your dog that YOU are the most important thing in their world. Come prepared to work - the results will amaze you! This class is structured for dogs age 8 months and up.

Summer I 2009

June 13th - July 30th
As you may already know, we love the opportunity to meet and greet all new and returning clients before classes begin. To make that possible, we are hosting our All-Class Open House Orientation. The Open House Orientation this session will take place before classes start at our Home Studio in Oak Park on Thursday, June 11th from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Whether this is your first or fiftieth AnimalSense class experience, it is a do not miss. Refreshments and humor guaranteed. Reminder that the Open House Orientation is for our clients of the two-legged variety only.

We will send you a confirmation via e-mail within 1-2 business days upon receiving your class registration. Our Spring II Session is priced at $225.00 for the six-week course unless otherwise noted.

Class	Time	Location	Trainer
Sundays: June 14th - July 26th (no classes June 21st)
Focus! Distraction Training For the Real World	10:15 am - 11:15 am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sarah Rothberger
Are squirrels, strangers, noises and other distractions stealing your dogs undivided attention when you need it most? Is there a polite �indoor� and crazy �outdoor� version of your dog? It is time to teach your dog that YOU are the most important thing in their world. Come prepared to work - the results will amaze you! This class is structured for dogs age 8 months and up.
Come Anytime!	11:30 am - 12:30 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sarah Rothberger
Missed the start of the session? Have a "fluid" schedule? Need a makeup for a missed class or a refresher on a particular skill? Join us for this drop-in class customized to the needs of those in attendance. Topics may include basic commands, how to put any behavior on cue, safety commands, and door/guest manners. Fee $30 per meeting (free for currently enrolled students needing a makeup class). Think of it as an �open gym� for dog training!
Mondays: June 15th - July 20th
No classes on Mondays this session.
Tuesdays: No Tuesday Classes this Session
No classes on Tuesdays this session.
Wednesdays: June 17th - July 22nd
Doggone Issues CLASS FULL	6:00 pm - 7:00 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sally Bushwaller, CPDT
For dogs and owners dealing with aggression towards other dogs or people while on walks. Do not struggle with these difficult problems alone! Instructor permission required to enroll; $400 fee for this class. Please contact our office for enrollment information at office@animalsense.com..
Rally-O!	7:30 pm - 8:30 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Sally Bushwaller, CPDT
We are proud to bring back our popular Rally-O class once again! This class introduces you and your dog to Rally-style competitive obedience, which incorporates both traditional and new skills into a smoothly-flowing performance. An enjoyable and challenging way to build skills for your dog! Rally-O is for dogs with intermediate level obedience skills who can sit, down, stay and recall on cue. See http://www.apdt.com/po/rally for more details.
Thursdays: June 25th - July 30th
Middle Management CLASS FULL	6:30 pm - 7:30 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
Have you noticed that your dog has picked up some interesting new behaviors? Not responding to you reliably? What could be going on? It is a case of puppy puberty! Middle Management is a "survival course" to help you navigate the sometimes difficult adolescent stage of canine development � the period between eight months and two years of age. Polish your handling skills while strengthening basic cues and commands, enhancing leash walking skills and training through distractions.
Shy Dogs: Confidence Building	7:45 pm - 8:45 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Terri Klimek
Is your dog a little more timid than most? Spooked by common things? Unsure about new people or new dogs? We can help. This class is designed to increase your dogs confidence levels with games, activities, relaxation techniques and more. Taught by our expert staff, we will guide and support you all the way! All ages welcome and a great 2nd class if you are the parent of a shy puppy.
Puppy Pre-School	6:30 pm - 7:30 pm	Soggy Paws - Uptown	Sarah Rothberger
For puppies up to 16 weeks old. *This is the single most important class you will ever attend*. Intensive socialization plus an introduction to basic cues such as attention, sit, and down will start you and your puppy off on the right paw. We will also discuss housetraining and crate training, handling, mouthing, chewing and more.
Puppy Grade School	7:45 pm - 8:30 pm	Soggy Paws - Uptown	Sarah Rothberger
For puppies 4-8 months old. Your puppy is getting bigger and some behaviors that used to be cute suddenly aren't so cute any more. Come join us to practice basic manners, introduce polite leash walking, and continue socialization. We will also address owner concerns and questions about living harmoniously with a growing puppy. Lay a solid foundation for the rest of your puppy's life!
Fridays: No Friday Classes this Session
No classes on Fridays this session.
Saturdays: June 13th - July 25th (no classes July 4th)
Puppy Pre-School CLASS FULL	9:00 am - 10:00 am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Jamie L. Damato, CPDT
For puppies up to 16 weeks old. *This is the single most important class you will ever attend*. Intensive socialization plus an introduction to basic cues such as attention, sit, and down will start you and your puppy off on the right paw. We will also discuss housetraining and crate training, handling, mouthing, chewing and more.
Puppy Grade School CLASS FULL	10:15 am - 11:15 am	AnimalSense Oak Park	Jamie L. Damato, CPDT
For puppies 4-8 months old. Your puppy is getting bigger and some behaviors that used to be cute suddenly aren't so cute any more. Come join us to practice basic manners, introduce polite leash walking, and continue socialization. We will also address owner concerns and questions about living harmoniously with a growing puppy. Lay a solid foundation for the rest of your puppy's life!
Fido Foundations	11:30 am - 12:30 pm	AnimalSense Oak Park	Nicole Stewart
Not sure where to begin? How about with the basics! In Fido Foundation we will help you lay a basic foundation of skills. This class focuses on 4 specific skills: SIT, DOWN, STAY and GO TO PLACE. All great dog training begins from these 4 basic skills. We'll also address common issues such as jumping, "counter surfing�. This class is structured for dogs over 8 months old who have never taken a class or need a refresher on basic skills.