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             SPECIALTY CLASSES

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Find-It! Introduction to Sniffing and Searching Techniques

 

This  4-week class that will introduce you and your dog to the game of sniffing and searching for scents and objects as a team.  The class will  cover scent recognition, searching (find-it) and how to develop the alert behavior.    The class is based on fun and games, and is a great class for dogs of all types, ages and behaviors.     

 

This class will,

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• Improve your bond with your dog through teamwork

• Help build confidence in shy and fearful dogs

• Help calm dogs that tend to get excited or nervous 

• Uses your dogs natural ability to sniff

• Lay a foundation for several different nose games/sports

 

Requirements:   Current vaccinations.   

 

You will receive five  1- hour sessions.  Class is limited to 3 students.

 

Registration fee:    $120.00   

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Class Schedule:      November 13, 2021 - December 18 (Saturdays), 3:00 - 4:00 pm

                                           No class December 4th and 11th

 

                                  

 

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Trick Dog Class

 

Tricks are a great way to improve training skills while having fun and building a strong relationship with your dog. This 6-week class teaches you how to encourage some playful dog tricks using props and interactive games that you can use at home.  Using positive training methodology you will learn two new tricks a week such as: roll over, high five, take a bow, and many more. This class is all about fun and can be tailored to fit class interests.

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The class provides instruction and testing for all levels of the AKC Trick Dog titles (novice - advanced).

 

You will receive six 1 hour classes.  Class is limited to 3 students.

 

Registration fee:    $165.00   

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Class Schedule:      Based on interest

 

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Reactive Dog Class Level 1

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Hearts in Harmony and Joyful Dog are pleased to announce Loudoun County's only force-free class for reactive dogs.   Trainers Kim Miller and Marnie Montgomery are joining forces on this class, designed to give you the techniques and tools to help your dog successfully navigate encounters with other dogs.

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In this eight week class, you and your dog will practice skills for managing challenging situations, while at the same time we will work to change your dog's opinion of other dogs.   We will guide you in fun new ways to engage with your dog as you teach him new skills for interacting with his environment.

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Because of the nature of reactive behavior, we request more specific information about your dog's reactivity before class, and may ask to meet with you and your dog.

 

Requirements:   Current vaccinations.

 

You will receive eight 1-1/2 hour classes.  Classes are limited to 2 students each session.

 

Registration fee:    $375.00   

    

Class Schedule:    Contact us for future schedule 

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Walk With Me 

 

This 5-week class that will give you the techniques and skills needed to teach your dog to walk politely on leash.  The class will address a wide range of leash walking problems such as pulling, leash-biting and refusing to walk on a leash.     

 

The class is devoted to helping you and your dog walk in step by teaching positive leash handling skills, improving your dogs focus and attention, and teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash using fun exercises and practical techniques, even with environmental distraction. 

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Teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash not only makes walking your dog enjoyable, it also reduces risk of physical injury to both you and your dog.

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Requirements:   Current vaccinations 

 

You will receive five 1 hour classes.  Class is limited to 4 students.

 

Registration fee:    $130.00   

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Class Schedule:      Contact for upcoming schedule

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Reliable Recall (come when called) 

 

This is a 4-week class that will give you the techniques and skills needed to get a dog to come when called, even with environmental distraction. Having a good recall is one of the most important things you can teach your dog.   Not only is it paramount to your dog's safety, but it also allows your dog more freedom and fun. 

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This class will,

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• Improve your bond so that your dog will want to come to you regardless of the distractions

• Will teach you how to use the environment to get a great recall

• Use games to build a reliable recall

• Help your dog understand what you want

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Requirements:   Current vaccinations 

 

You will receive four 1 hour classes.  Class is limited to 4 students.

 

Registration fee:    $120.00   

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Class Schedule:      Contact for upcoming schedule

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Fear Free Handling Class

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Hearts in Harmony and Joyful Dog are pleased to announce the first Fear Free Handling class.   Trainers Kim Miller and Marnie Montgomery are joining forces on this class, designed to give you the techniques and tools to help your dog have positive experiences with the vet and groomer visits, handling and procedures associated with veterinary and grooming practices.

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Every time your dog has a negative experience with grooming, handling or a vet his anxiety about the experiences grows.   The anxiety contributes  to future negative experiences, creating a vicious cycle.  

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In this hands-on-class you will learn techniques to help your dog to be more comfortable at the vet and with grooming tasks such as cleaning ears and nail trims.   With gentle training you and your dog can be come cooperative partners in his care.

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Taught in collaboration with Joyful Dog.

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Requirements:  Current vaccinations.

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You will receive three 1 hour classes.  Class is limited to 4 students.

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Registration fee:  $120.00

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Class Schedule:     TBD

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Reactive Dog Class Level 2

                                                    

Hearts in Harmony and Joyful Dog are providing this force-free class for students who have successfully completed the 8 week Level 1 Reactive Dog class.    The class is designed to  continue helping reactive dogs build confidence, impulse control, focus, and calm in the presence of dogs and other stressors.

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In this 6-week class, we will continue to work on changing your dog’s emotional state toward other dogs, as well as other stressors that your dog struggles with. We will build on skills and techniques learned in level 1, and introduce new techniques to continue to help reduce reactivity with your dog.

 

We will focus on building skills to improve your experience walking with your dog, and will practice everyday scenarios.  In the real life set-ups you will build and improve techniques for keeping your dog under threshold and thinking in the presence of other dogs.

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Requirements:   Current vaccinations and successful completion of Reactive Dog Level 1 class.

 

You will receive six 1 hour classes.  Class is limited to 4 students.

 

Registration fee:    $280.00   

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Class Schedule:       TBD