Synapse Canine Learning Center has partnered with Equuvation in Statesville, NC to host Paws with Purpose; a comprehensive five-week basic obedience program running from September 6 to October 4. This class will take place every Saturday morning between these dates from 9:30am-10:30am.
Paws with Purpose isn’t just an obedience class! It is an opportunity to expose your puppy, adolescent or adult dog to a variety of enriching environmental stimuli while generating positive experiences around these new things.
What will my dog learn?
During the five weeks of Paws with Purpose, your dog will learn all of their basic obedience cues, alongside several other important and useful dog training topics. The exact curriculum is as follows:
Week 1
- Lecture: The basics of operant conditioning, reinforcer selection and how to teach new behaviors
- Focus cue
- Sit
Week 2
- Lecture: Behavioral generalization
- Down
- Stay
Week 3
- Recall
- Heel and loose leash walking
- Positive exposure to obstacles
Week 4
- Lecture: Reinforcement schedules and establishing practical training sessions
- Leave-it
- Place
Week 5
- Fundamentals of trick training: Basics of classical conditioning, capturing behaviors and marker training
- Spin
- Back up
What to expect
Since this is a basic obedience class, all behaviors will be taught on-leash in a controlled environment. When you first arrive, you will sign in and be directed to the class location. Please keep approximately 15 feet between yourself and other students with dogs. Since many dogs will be excited or uncomfortable being very close to other dogs, it is important that all students respect the space of other students. Making sure to keep distance from other students will also help ensure that dogs remain focused on their handler instead of attempting to play with other dogs during class.
Once everyone has found their spot, class will begin. We will begin with an introduction, which will lead into the class content. The class structure is as follows:
- Teaching topic
- Introduction to a behavior
- Explanation on how to teach the behavior and troubleshooting tips.
- Demonstration on how to teach the behavior
- Hands-on practice
- Questions
If multiple behaviors are being taught, the process will repeat for each behavior. Once class has concluded, there will be time to socialize and allow dogs to explore.
Family is welcome to attend the classes, and this can be beneficial for keeping everyone at home on the same page with training. All students are welcome (and encouraged) to contact the instructor throughout the week with training questions.
What to bring
There are several items required for this class:
- A standard, 5-6 foot leash. Please do not bring a retractable or bungee leash to class.
- A standard, well fitting flat or martingale collar. It is important that your dog cannot slip out of their collar. Well fitting harnesses are also acceptable.
- High value treats. These can be any food that your dog absolutely loves, including human food! Remember that group class environments can be overstimulating and oftentimes contain many distractions. Bringing a high value treat that your dog does not often get will give you the best chance at maintaining their attention through class. If you would like help figuring out which treats you should bring to class, please reach out to us beforehand.
- Water for your dog (and yourself).
- Waste disposal bags.
- Closed toe shoes. We recommend wearing closed toe shoes for each session of the class.
Optional items:
- A high value tug toy
- A training treat pouch
- A clicker for Week 5
- A long line (10-20 feet) for week 3
Class Prerequisites
Basic obedience is a fantastic bridge into many other dog related disciplines, and will provide you with the foundational dog training knowledge you need to pursue specialized training.
There are no educational prerequisites for this class; however, there are some basic prerequisites which have been put in place to help promote the safest possible environment for all learners.
- Puppies under four months must have one set of core vaccinations. Puppies and dogs older than four months must have an updated rabies vaccine.
- All handlers must be over the age of 12, with any individuals under 16 being accompanied by a parent.
- The group class setting is meant to provide positive experiences and a safe learning environment for all participants. For this reason, dogs demonstrating overt aggression towards other dogs or humans are not suitable for this class.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding this class, or are wondering it’s the right fit for you and your pup, please reach out to us at stasia@synapsecanine.com.
Directions to Equuvation
Use the following address for your GPS – 196 Old Stagecoach Lane, Statesville NC 28625 – but please note, sometimes your GPS may want to take you to the wrong entrance! Use the directions below once you are on Snow Creek Road. There will be signage at the Main Gate that says “Closed to the Public” (main gate is a large metal gate between stone columns) and it will be open. There are also signs that say “EQUUVATION Therapy + Education Center” and “Home of The Discovery Trail.” The name of the farm on the stone columns is ROCKY CREEK RANCH.
From I-77 {South or North} — Take I-77 to exit 59 [Tomlin Mill Road]; turn West on Tomlin Mill Road [L off 77N; R off 77S]. Follow ~ 0.75 mile to a stop sign, turn LEFT onto Jennings Rd. Follow Jennings for ~ 0.50 mile, take your 2nd RIGHT onto Snow Creek Rd. In ~ 0.50 mile, you will notice a fence on the RIGHT that has stacked stone columns with brown wooden fencing. Start to slow down! About 500ft after that fencing starts is a large stacked stone entrance with a metal gate, on the right. TAKE THIS ENTRANCE, which is about 0.75 mile before your GPS will tell you to turn.
From the West / Rte 115 — Take 115 N [from I-40] or 115 S [from 421] to Snow Creek Road. Follow for ~ 2.75 miles, you will notice a fence on the LEFT that has stacked stone columns with brown wooden fencing. At this point, your GPS may want you to turn LEFT onto Old Stagecoach Lane (this gate will be closed), but KEEP GOING! This is our service entrance and is ONLY for staff, vendors and full-size school busses. Continue to follow Snow Creek (and the brown fencing) for about another 0.75 mile to a large stacked stone entrance with a metal gate. Turn LEFT into the driveway.
Follow the driveway for about 3/4 mile until you see a gravel parking area on the right (sign will say “Client and Guest Parking”, near Station M) — *PARK HERE! We will be there to meet you and sign-in.
If you arrive at a closed metal gate with mailboxes on your right, please go back down Snow Creek Road towards I-77 (East) and enter by way of our large metal Main Gate (between large stone columns).