Updated 05/07/2008

Does your dog…

Pull on the leash? Not come when called? Jump on guest? Need basic manners?

Family Dog Classes 2008

Puppy Socialization Class

Beginning socialization, management, handling and manners class for puppies between 10-16 weeks. Drop-in class on Wednesday evenings, 6:15-7:30pm at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, 18501 Sonoma Hwy. $10.00 fee. Proof of vaccines are required.

Family Dog Level I

For dogs 4 months and older. A beginning-level class teaching the fundamentals of good manners - sit, down, stay, come, polite greetings and walking, wait at doors, and leave it.  Six week class, FIRST CLASS IS MANDATORY AND FOR PEOPLE ONLY, NO DOGS PLEASE  Proof of vaccinations required.

Small Dog Level I

For dogs 4 months and older, 25 lbs. and under. A beginning-level class teaching the fundamentals of good manners - sit, down, stay, come, polite greetings and walking, wait at doors, and leave it - with attention to small-breed training issues. FIRST CLASS IS MANDATORY AND FOR PEOPLE ONLY, NO DOGS PLEASE  Proof of vaccinations required.

Family Dog Level II

Graduates of FD1 or equivalent. An intermediate-level class that adds distance, duration, and distractions to the Family Dog I exercises as well as introducing additional exercises.  Proof of vaccinations required.

Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) 

Graduates of FD1 or equivalent. An intermediate-level class that prepares dog-handler teams for certification. The award of Canine Good Citizen is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. Proof of vaccinations required.

 Agility Basics

Graduates of FD1 or equivalent. An intermediate-level class to improve fundamentals while also learning basic agility skills. Dogs are introduced to the agility equipment while handlers learn to use voice, hands, and body to improve communication. Proof of vaccinations required.

Therapy Dog

Family Dog Classes 2008

Level I and II

Classes 6 weeks, proof of vaccines required, no dogs first class

Small Breed Classes 2008

For Small breeds, 25lbs and under

Agillity Basics

Completion of Level I or equivalent required

Canine Good Citizen

Completion of Level I or equivalent required

Therapy Dog

Completion of Level I or equivalent required

Classes are held at PetsLifeline Animal Shelter in small groups

(5-6 dogs)

Proof of vaccines required - No Dog the first class for all Level !

Puppy Socialization Classes

(at Arroyo Vet)

Drop-in Class Wednesday nights 6:15 - 7:30 PM

Class fee - $10

at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital, 18501 Sonoma Hwy   

For puppies ages 10 – 16 weeks old   

Proof of vaccinations required: Distemper and Rabies

"Dog training classes have been a need in this community for years!" said Susan Simons, Shelter Manager for PLL. "It is a tool for people to bond with their dogs and to help their dogs develop appropriate beehaviors for home and community living. Behavioral issues are the leading reason for animals being surrendered to shelters so if we can mold these into good behaviors we can keep dogs in their homes."

Obedience Class Trainers 

Anita Ziebe is a certified pet dog trainer and has been involved in dog training, “training people to train their dogs,” for nine years.  She started at Jump Start Dog Sports in Yorba Linda.  She has attended numerous animal behavior classes and dog training seminars that focus on clicker training including Terry Ryan’s “Chicken Camp”, the instructors training and advanced instructor training at Sue Sternberg’s animal shelter in Accord, New York.  Anita has taught Puppy Socialization, Family Dog, Level I, Family Dog, Level II and Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation and certification.  She is certified as a CGC and Delta Society evaluator and is a member of Pet Partners. Anita is a member of the Assoc. of Pet Dog Trainer and the Parson Russell Terrier Assoc of America. 

Annie Humphrey is on staff as the shelter dog trainer and teaches family dog classes.  As shelter trainer, she is responsible for evaluating shelter dogs, working with the volunteers who train the dogs during their stay at the shelter, and establishing and maintaining the dog training class schedule.  Annie has been teaching classes with PLL since the fall of 2005.  She teaches Family Dog, Level I, Agility Basics, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) preparation and Puppy Socialization, which is held every Wednesday evening at Arroyo Veterinary Hospital.  Annie is a graduate of the Marin Humane Society’s Canine Behavior Academy and the advanced academy.  She is a certified CGC evaluator and a member of the Assoc. of Pet Dog Trainers.  She is owner of Good Dog: Professional Dog Walker, which provides daily walks, private obedience training and behavior consultations.

Dina Mitchell is the owner of CanineStein, a dog training service in the Napa Valley.  She is a certified dog trainer and behavioral counselor, and a graduate of the San Francisco SPCA’s Academy for Dog Trainers.  As well as teaching Family Dog classes for PLL, Dina provides private training using positive methods.  Dina believes that “your dog can be the canine Einstein.”

Patty Gable is a graduate of the Marin Humane Society’s Canine Behavior Academy I and II.  She served as a volunteer Dog Training Assistant for many years before taking on instructor duties.  Patty teaches Family Dog Level I, II and III, Small Dog classes, a tricks class, puppy classes, freestyle and classes for seniors.  Patty recently completed a video entitled “Teaching Tricks”.  She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and has additional training in Rally-Obedience and Freestyle.  A firm believer in positive training methods, Patty especially enjoys working with multiple-dog households. “With four dogs, a cat, a 6-foot-five-inch husband and me all sleeping in the same bed,” she says, “everyone has to get along.”

For more information call 707-996-4577.