AnimalSense Canine Training and Behavior - Dog Obedience Classes in Chicago and Oak Park Illinois
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Classes and Schedules

Summer 2004 Session Classes

Our 2004 Summer Session Schedule has arrived!! 

Orientaion for new students will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2004 at 7:00 PM at Oak Park Canine Learning Center!

Click here for more information about our Orientation

At AnimalSense, we think dogs and handlers benefit from small classes and individual attention.  Unlike other training programs that allow many dogs per class, we strive to maintain small, intimate classes.  By keeping our enrollments low, we are able to provide the highest quality instruction for each dog.  Most of our classes close at ten dogs, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible.  Classes fill early!

Almost all classes close for enrollment one week following the first class. If  you have missed our Summer Session enrollment deadlines, please let us know so we can place you on the waiting list for our Fall session, which begins in early September.

Puppy Pre-School, All Puppy-Oak Park, and All Puppy-City are always open to puppies up to 16 weeks old.  You can start taking these classes at any point during the session.

Our fee for most group classes is $180.00 for a six (6) week session.  Some classes have a slightly higher fee and/or require instructor permission to enroll.  Rescue dogs receive a 15% discount off most group classes. Please see the bottom of this page for more pricing information.  Fees are payable by cash or check at Orientation or the first class.  We do require a $30.00 non-refundable deposit to hold a space in class for you and your dog. 

And don't forget. . . private lessons are always available to help you and your dog prepare for classes!

 
Instructor
Location
Saturdays, July 10-August 14
8:00 - 9:00 AM Puppy Pre-SchoolJamieOPCLC
9:15 - 10:15 AM Puppy First Step *Class FullJamieOPCLC
10:30 - 11:30 AM Puppy First Step JamieOPCLC
12:00 - 1:00 PMIntroduction to Agility KellyOPCLC
12:00 - 1:00 PMAll Ages Field Trip - Oak Park *Class FullJamieOPCLC
1:00 - 2:00 PM Small Dogs Only TBAOPCLC
Mondays,  July 12-August 16
6:30 - 7:30 PMMiddle Management Kelly OPCLC
7:45 - 9:00 PMOpen Play GroupKellyOPCLC
7:30 - 8:30 PMAll Ages Field Trip - City  *Only 2 spaces leftJamieBWL
Tuesdays,  July 13-August 17
6:30 - 7:30 PMAll Puppy - Oak Park KellyOPCLC
7:45 - 8:45 PM Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Kelly/SarahOPCLC
6:30 - 7:30 PMAll Puppy - City JamieBWL
7:45 - 8:45 PMDog Gone Issues JamieBWL
Wednesdays,  July 14-August 18
6:30 - 7:30 PMRecall & Leash Manners - Oak Park KellyOPCLC
7:45 - 8:45 PMTricks & Games *Only 2 spaces leftKellyOPCLC
6:30 - 7:30 PM Basic Manners - CityJamieBWL
7:45 - 8:45 PMRecall & Leash Manners - City JamieBWL
Thursdays,  July 15-August 19
11:00 AM - 12:30 PMOpen Play GroupKellyOPCLC
6:00 - 7:00 PM Basic Manners- Oak Park  *Only 3 spaces leftJamieOPCLC
7:10 - 8:10 PMMiddle Management *Only 2 spaces leftJamieOPCLC
8:15 - 9:15 PMWelcome HomeJamieOPCLC

 


Class Offerings

All Ages Field Trip (summer only)

"Field test" your handling and obedience skills with this class! Every week we meet at a new location to train, practice and have tons of fun. First week meets at Training Center. Instructor permission required to enroll.
All Ages Advanced
Is your dog ready for the "next step"? If so, this class is for you. Along with review of basic skills, we will focus on off-lead training, stays with heavy distractions, as well as introduce a few advanced tricks to add to your dog's growing repertoire of skills. Dog must be well versed in basic obedience including a reliable sit, down and come. Class concludes with a prize-filled competition! It should be great fun for everyone!!
All Puppy-City
All Puppy-City is a beginner puppy class. Socialization happens naturally during class as your puppy is exposed to many new dogs and people while focusing on the basics of manners and control.  We cover many elements of puppy-raising and address owner questions and concerns.  This class serves puppies up to 1 year old.
All Puppy-Oak Park
See All Puppy-City description.  However, All Puppy-Oak Park only serves puppies 7 weeks to 6 months old.
Basic Manners

Polish up those skills and learn how to have a polite, well-mannered dog who is welcome anywhere. We'll introduce and strengthen basic cues and commands and problem-solve for common issues such as jumping, "counter surfing" and pulling on leash. A great class for all dogs to enhance obedience and be challenged! For dogs 1 year and up. Basic Manners is a good choice for those dogs who have never taken a class.

More Basic Manners (Intermediate)

Never stop working on manners! This class picks up where Basic Manners leaves off. In addition to polishing current skills, we will add new ones such as “go to your place” and long distance and duration stays. This is a good intermediate skill class.

Bowser & Baby: For Expecting Parents
When your baby comes home, your dog’s life will change, too. This class addresses the concerns of dog owners expecting a new baby or child in the home. (A great class for adoptive parents, too.) Learn how to peacefully prepare yourselves and your dog for the adjustment. We will also teach skills directly related to life with a baby, such as walking nicely alongside a stroller and greeting and interacting with many guests.
Canine Communication
Ever wondered what's going on inside that furry little head? This class will give you insight into the incredibly complex world of canine communication, including social and play behavior, body language and calming signals, and typical communication breakdowns between the human and canine species. Class fee includes a copy of Turid Rugaas' seminal book Calming Signals: On Talking Terms with Dogs. To maximize learning, human students only will meet for discussion on classes 1, 3 and 5 and our dogs will join us for classes 2, 4 and 6. Come learn to "talk dog"!
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
This class teaches the skills necessary to pass the AKC's Canine Good Citizen test. It is highly recommended for people interested in animal-assisted therapy or for dogs who would like recognition for their skills! The class concludes with CGC testing and evaluation, included in the cost of the class. Please contact us if you have any questions about your dog's readiness for this class. All ages are welcome. Special Fee Class - $200.00
Dog Gone Issues
This special class is designed for dogs and owners dealing with dog-to-dog aggression and on-leash aggression towards people or other animals.  Don't struggle with these difficult problems alone!  Instructor permission required to enroll. Please contact jamie@animalsense.com.                
Special Fee Class - $200.00
Golden Years (For Senior Citizens Only)
People over 55 and dogs of all ages are invited to join this special class.  We'll have fun while focusing on the training concerns of senior handlers.
Introduction to Agility
Thic classes offers an introduction to various agility obstacles, including jumps, open and closed tunnels, weave poles, and the seesaw.  Great for confidence building!  Dogs must be under good off-leash control and get along well with other dogs. 
Just for Kids
Maybe Mom or Dad know what to do with Fido, but everyone else in the house gets taken advantage of? Well, this class is for you! We have specially designed a class for kids aged 5-15 to learn about and train your dog. Dogs (and kids!) must be free of aggression issues to enroll.
This "survival course" helps you navigate the sometimes difficult adolescent stage of canine development--ages 8-18 months. Hone your handling skills while strengthening your dog's basic cues and commands, enhancing leash walking skills, training through distractions, and continuing socialization to encourage appropriate dog-dog interaction.
Mom & Dog
This class is designed specifically for stay-at-home moms (& dads!). Along with basic obedience and manners training, we will focus on the challenges of raising dogs with children and also talk about the challenges that expectant moms may face as they bring a new baby home to Fido. Young children welcome!
Open Play Group
Join us for supervised play time at OPCLC for you and your dog! Limited to ten dogs per play group session, first come, first served.  Dogs MUST pass temperament screening before attending. Cost is $12.00 per session, or $100.00 for a package of 10 sessions.

Problem Solving 101

No dog is perfect, so we've designed a class to address common behavior issues. Each week we work on a different issue, such as barking, jumping, counter-surfing and mouthing. Class includes special take-home materials and LOTS of Q and A. Humans only; dogs will be invited to some of the classes, dates TBA.
Puppy First Step
Your puppy is getting bigger and some of the behaviors that used to be cute suddenly aren't.  Come join us for Puppy First Step.  This class for puppies 4-8 months old focuses on socialization, basic cues and commands, and walking on a leash.  It also addresses owner concerns and questions about living harmoniously with a growing puppy.  Puppy First Step lays a solid foundation for your puppy's life!  
Puppy Pre-School
This class is for new puppies up to 16 weeks. We think it's the single most important class you will ever attend. We spend six weeks focusing on intensive socialization and introducing basic cues such as attention, sit, and down.  This class also provides information on life with a puppy.  Topics include housetraining and crate training, handling, mouthing, chewing and more. It's a must do for all new puppies and their people! GREAT experience for all!
Rally-O
This class introduces you and your dog to Rally-style obedience, which incorporates both traditional and new skills into a smoothly-flowing performance.  An enjoyable and challenging way to build on your dog's skills!  Rally-O is for dogs with intermediate level obedience skills who can sit, down, stay and recall on cue. See www.apdt.com/rallyo for more details.
Recall & Leash Manners
So you're almost "there" with your canine friend, huh? Just want to work on those two last obstacles of the perfect "come" and better leash manners? Then this class is for you! We will work on all the technical aspects of recall (come) and leash walking, and then we will put our hard work to the test in real life situations. It's a "don't miss" class!
Semi-Private Lessons
Designed as a more affordable alternative to private lessons, this class offers a tailored training program in a setting with built-in distractions. Each student will receive maximized one-on-one time with instructors. Highly recommended for dogs with anxiety issues; however, all dogs will benefit from this type of learning environment. 5 student limit. Special Fee Class - $300.00
Sit 'N Stay!
More than just a trick or a simple obedience command, "sit" is the most useful and powerful behavior your dog will ever possess. We will work towards the perfect sit and apply it to problem behaviors like jumping, counter surfing, and object stealing.  We will also reward your dog for holding a sit or down and incorporate "stay" into real-life situations such as door bolting, meal preparation, and dinner table begging.
Small Dogs Only
So your dog isn't a Labrador Retriever or Great Dane? That's okay because now there's a class specifically designed with your little one in mind! This class will cover all aspects of basic obedience with a focus on small dog skills and issues. All ages, 20 pound weight limit.
Tricks & Clicks
Clicker training is a fun and enjoyable way to introduce new behaviors and enhance already existing ones! Join us in this class as we explore the many uses for clicker training, while we teach you to teach your dogs tons of fancy (and useful) tricks. No prior training required.

Tricks & Games

NEW! Embrace your dog's sense of fun with this stimulating new class.  Learn how to amuse your dog (and yourself!) with fancy tricks and games.  This is a great class for adolescent dogs!  Open to dogs over 8 months.

Did you just adopt an adult dog? Or is this your dog's 5th home in 5 months? We are here for you. Based on our extensive experience and knowledge of shelter dog behavior, we have designed a class specifically for you and your dog. Re-homed and rescued dogs 8 months and older are invited to join us. We will learn basic handling and obedience skills while paying special attention to the needs of recently-adopted dogs by working to enhance communication and trust while creating new and improved behavior.  All rescued dogs receive a 15% discount!

APPLY NOW!

Pricing Information
Group Classes (6 Sessions)$180.00 (or $153.00 for rescue dogs)
CGC Class $200.00 (no rescue discount)
Dog Gone Issues $200.00 (no rescue discount)
Open Play Group$12.00/Session or $100.00 for package of 10 sessions
Semi-Private Lessons Class$300.00 (no rescue discount)
Private Lessons Begin at $75.00/hour
Pre-Pet Consultations Begin at $100.00
Behavior Consultations Begin at $200.00

*Rescued dogs receive a 15% discount off most Group Classes 



AnimalSense Canine Training and Behavior - Dog Obedience Classes in Chicago and Oak Park Illinois
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AnimalSense Canine Training and Behavior - Dog Obedience Classes in Chicago and Oak Park Illinois