C.L.A.S.S
C.L.A.S.S., or Canine Life and Social Skills, is an educational program to promote training focused on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions. C.L.A.S.S. is a three-level evaluation for dog owners to demonstrate the real-life skills of their dogs, as well as a knowledge assessment of the owners’ understanding of basic dog handling and care.
Developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) based on input from both dog owners and non-dog owners, shelter workers, and professional dog trainers, C.L.A.S.S. benefits pet owners, dogs, and everyone in the community!
The three levels of the program are named after human university degree programs: the B.A. for Dogs™ (Bachelor’s level), the M.A. for Dogs™ (Master’s level), and the Ph.D. for Dogs™ (Doctorate level). The skills in each level vary in the level of difficulty and distractions. For example, at the B.A. level, we allow the use of treats as rewards after the completion of an exercise, and some of the “real life” skills that are assessed are waiting at the door, drop it, and settle. In the M.A. level, dogs are asked to walk past several dogs of different sizes, breeds and genders, to wait in the car before exiting, and to allow the student to handle various parts of their body. And in the Ph.D. level, students must carry everyday objects such as a cardboard box or paper sack while walking their dogs on a loose leash, ask their dogs to back up, and have their dog demonstrate table manners during a simulated dinner session. Each level also allows for two “bonus rounds” that students may elect to try or not with their dog.
The C.L.A.S.S. workshop will help you and your dog prepare and train to take the C.L.A.S.S. evaluations. Evaluations will be offered at the end of the workshop. All three levels can be evaluated, although not all three levels will be covered in detail in the workshop. Some teams will take only the Bachelor's level evaluation; other teams will take all three!
More information is available on the C.L.A.S.S. website: http://www.mydoghasclass.com/
Equipment needed: dog on an appropriate collar/harness (depends on the level you are evaluating), leather or nylon leash (4 -- 6 feet), lots of yummy, soft treats, water bowl, mat for your dog, crate (you may also use your vehicle -- this is to give our dogs some down time), a stuffed Kong or other quiet toy for your dog's down time, signed Veterinarian Certificate (available from instructor or on the C.L.A.S.S. website), and comfort items for yourself. If your dog is used to eating a meal during the workshop time, feel free to bring it along.
This workshop will consist of hands-on training, demonstrations, and discussion. Participants should download and/or print the Student Handbook prior to coming to the workshop (http://www.mydoghasclass.com/students/handbook/default.aspx). Fee includes all testing materials, snacks, and lunch. Cost for one handler/one dog , handlers/auditors only .