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Small Class Sizes. Great Education. So Much Fun!
*Current COVID restrictions: Masks are now optional, Each registered dog may bring 2 humans.*
Local Dog Summer Camp 2023
Awesome classes, summer-long scavenger hunt, inspiring hikes, tie-dyeable merch for you and your dog, bonfires.
Training with Local Dog is always S’more fun.
Check back for details March 15th!
Train Play Like its Your Job
While Local Dog believes in teaching our dogs great behavior, we don’t think the solution to training success is simply more obedience. Just as you learned valuable skills through sports, arts and music, our dogs can benefit in the same way from dog-centric learning, enrichment and play. At Local Dog, our philosophy is less sit stay and much more grow and play.
You and your dog learn so much more when you’re having fun. Our group dog training classes are very hands-on. Each class includes detailed homework with videos and handouts to help you and your dog with mid-week practice (and it’s expected that you practice!) Because our classes are very small (generally 6 teams or less), you’ll get the individual support you need to confidently practice new skills at home.
Our classes are designed to support you and your dog at every age and stage. Every class provides carefully curated curriculum, a humane, educated and ethical approach, skill building for both ends of the leash and access to bonus learning opportunities.
MANNERS & SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING
Local Dog’s education experiences provide unparalleled support as you embark on your training adventure.
Ideal for: dogs 4 months and older, dogs who are comfortable around other dogs and people.
Real Life Skills Base Camp
Teach the skills that really matter to you and your dog – this course will introduce teams to essential foundation skills like: basic behaviors (sit, down & stand), coming when called, beginning leash walking, self control skills like leave it and drop it as well as discuss the ins and outs of how to most effectively train and live with your growing pup.
This class is appropriate for dogs over 4 months, an entry level class for newly adopted dogs or a refreshed for dogs out of training practice.
Sundays 3/26 – 4/23 (please note, this class meets on Easter) 9 -9:45 am, The Dog Hut McFarland
Real Life Skills Expedition
Let’s hit the trails! It’s time to take your classroom work into the real world – we’ll safely navigate dog-friendly trails and neighborhoods throughout the greater Madison area. This class emphasizes the skills needed to have an awesome time out and about with your dog. This advanced class teaches leash walking skills, polite greetings and settling/relaxing in public. First class is virtual, following classes will leave from dog friendly city or county parks, utilizing city streets and trails as our training ground.
Saturdays 4/29 – 5/27 10 – 10:45 am
Real Life Skills Summit
A continued journey into training, RLS Summit will take teams through more advanced skills bringing you and your dog new challenges and practical training opportunities. Dig into concepts like thinking in arousal, building calmness, disengagement, confidence and optimism, focus and independence.
To most enjoy this course, teams should complete at least one basic, positive reinforcement-based class before joining.
This course can be repeated as desired, as each Summit will have a new theme and activities.
Sundays 4/2 – 4/30 10 – 10:45 am The Dog Hut, McFarland
Please note, this class meets on Easter.
Happy Hunting
Predatory activity is a very natural and rewarding behavior for our dogs to engage in, but it can definitely make outdoor experiences stressful and working with our dogs a challenge. Often behavior struggles like pulling on leash or a less-than-reliable recall are caused by our dog’s predatory desires, whether it’s chasing down those good sniffs or literally chasing the critter!
In this course, you’ll discover how to engage in the safe elements of hunting together with your pup, while teaching satisfying “pseudo-predation” games to allow our dogs the thrill of chasing down, catching, dissecting and consuming….without all the murder!
This is a 6 week, intensive, hybrid course. We will alternate live virtual classes with in person training. This class will be most effective if you have the time to commit to multiple mid-week training sessions. Virtual classes will be recorded.
Virtual Class Sundays 3/26, 4/9, 4/23 7:00 pm
In Person Class Weds 4/5, 4/19, 5/3 6:30 pm Camp K9
Canine Good Citizen (CGC)
Canine Good Citizen test consists of ten skills that tests your team’s good manners and obedience, instills the values of responsible ownership, and strengthens the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community. Join the proud ranks of over 1 million dogs who have earned their Canine Good Citizen award– accomplishment that’s definitely worthy of extra belly rubs!
This is an advanced workshop. Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and people and have a very solid foundation in the skills being tested. If you need more help prepping, reach out for a class recommendation! The CGC test will be administered the final week of class.
Sundays 6/4 – 6/18 9 am The Dog Hut
AKC Community Canine (CGCA)
AKC Community Canine is the advanced level of AKC’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program.
As with CGC, AKC Community Canine has a 10-step test of skills that dogs must pass to earn the official AKC Community Canine title. This is a title that appears on the dog’s title record at AKC.
Teams MUST have their CGC title prior to registering for this class. Send proof of title to jess@mylocaldog.com to access the registration link. This course will include 2 weeks of prep with the test administered on the third week of class. This class and test will take place in downtown Madison.
Sundays 7/9 – 7/23 9 am
FOCUSED & CONFIDENT
Behavior Change & Addressing Reactivity
Ideal for: dogs experiencing overarousal, fear, anxiety or stress on walks or at home.
Focused & Confident Base Camp
Learn to lower stress, build calmness and attention, train alternate behaviors to reactivity and over arousal and build your dog’s confidence and trust. This curriculum is carefully curated to give you exactly what you and your dog need on your training journey to reduce reactivity. This class is ideal for dogs who exhibit stress, fear or anxiety and may bark, growl, lunge, or over-react while on leash, at the front window, in the car, etc. Class is 6 weeks long. First two classes virtual, following classes in person.
Tuesdays 3/28 – 5/2 6:30 – 7:15 pm Camp K9
Mondays 4/17 – 5/22 6:30 – 7:15 pm Camp K9
Focused & Confident Expedition
Graduates of Focused & Confident Base Camp will be invited to join us on Expedition. We will help you work to effectively transition your excellent indoor skills to the outside world with a deeper look at BAT training, working in safe environments, emergency escape plans, improve leash walking skills, focus and attention around distractions. First class is virtual, following classes will meet at various locations throughout Madison.
Saturdays 4/29 – 5/27 9 – 9:45 am
Focused & Confident Summit
A continued journey into training, FC Summit will take Base Camp graduate teams through more advanced training, bringing you and your dog new challenges and practical training opportunities. Continue to dig into concepts like thinking in arousal, building calmness, disengagement, confidence and optimism, focus and independence.
Teams MUST have graduated from Local Dog Focused & Confident. If you’d like to join the next Summit, please contact Jess for the registration link.
This course can be repeated as each Summit with have a different theme and activities.
Tuesdays 4/11 – 5/9 7:30 – 8:15 pm Camp K9
FC Happy Hunting
Predatory activity is a very natural and rewarding behavior for our dogs to engage in, but it can definitely make outdoor experiences stressful and working with our dogs a challenge. Often behavior struggles like overreactivity, pulling on leash or a less-than-reliable recall are caused by our dog’s predatory desires, whether it’s chasing down those good sniffs or literally chasing the critter!
In this course, you’ll discover how to engage in the safe elements of hunting together with your pup, while teaching satisfying “pseudo-predation” games to allow our dogs the thrill of chasing down, catching, dissecting and consuming….without all the murder!
This is a 6 week, intensive, hybrid course. We will alternate live virtual classes with in person training. This class will be most effective if you have the time to commit to multiple mid-week training sessions.
Virtual Class Sundays 3/26, 4/9, 4/23 7:00 pm
In Person Class Weds 4/5, 4/19, 5/3 7:30 pm Camp K9
Fun & Games
Enrichment and fitness
Ideal for: everyone
Canicross
Learn to run or hike with your dog! The sport of Canicross and Cani-hiking are exciting ways to hit the trails for fitness and fun with your best bud. This 5 week class is designed for those new to running with a dog companion. Both hikers and runners are welcome. VERY beginner friendly. First class is humans only at The Dog Hut in McFarland, following classes will meet at various locations on the east side and downtown Madison.
Sundays 4/30 – 5/28 9 am
Join our 2023 Fit Dog Club!
Explore the Madison area with other dog-people and their dogs. Join us for fun, free walks every month throughout our city’s best and dog-friendliest neighborhoods and trails. 2023 Fit Dog will meet March – October, typically on the first Saturday of each month. Sign up today to receive updates on each hike.
Pre-registration required.