Class size is limited, thus giving individual attention to all participants from the Lead Instructor and Assistant Instructor(s). Please call 941-613-DOGS [3647] or click here to register.
Classes are held indoors at the South County Regional Park Gym at 670 Cooper Street in Punta Gorda. Limited classes are also offered at the Harold Avenue Recreation Center at 23400 Harold Avenue in Port Charlotte. Maps & directions to class locations are available. Each class is 50 minutes long and starts at either 6:30 or 7:30, depending upon the class. Classes are weekly for six weeks on Wednesday nights in Punta Gorda and Monday nights in Port Charlotte.
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Classes Available
AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Class
AKC® S.T.A.R. PuppySM Class is for puppies 8 weeks to 1 year. Introduction of basic obedience skills and vocabulary include “Come,” “Sit,” “Down,” and “Off,” and controlled walking on a loose leash. Class is informal with a focus on positive motivation and socialization. Dogs that attend 6 weeks of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program and pass the AKC evaluation may receive a frameable certificate from the American Kennel Club. More information about the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is available by clicking here.
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Basic Obedience/Manners Class
Manners / Beginning Obedience Class emphasizes getting and keeping your dog’s attention and focus so that it can be trained effectively. This class will stress the commands “Come,” “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,” “Off,” “No-Sniff,” “Leave It,” and “Heel” on-leash and introduce non-verbal hand commands. This is a fun class in which to create a stronger bond with your dog and learn various methods of training that work for you and your dog in particular.
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Intermediate Obedience Class
Intermediate Obedience Class reinforces what was learned in Beginning Obedience. This class will continue commands “Come,” “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,” “Off,” “No-Sniff,” “Leave It,” and “Heel” on-leash and non-verbal hand commands. This is a fun class in which to learn different methods of training to make it more exciting for the handler and dog.
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AKC Canine Good Citizen Class
AKC® Canine Good Citizen® (CGC®) Class is designed to reward dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The AKC® CGC® program stresses responsible pet ownership and good manners. All dogs that pass the 10-step CGC® evaluation may receive the AKC® CGC® Certificate from the American Kennel Club. CGC® opens the door to the world of dogs and multitudes of activities for your team from pet therapy visits to competitive showing and trials. More information about the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® (CGC®) program is available by clicking here.
The cost of the CGC® Evaluation is included in the cost of our CGC® class. If you are interested in taking the CGC® Evaluation only, please contact us to attend our next scheduled CGC® Evaluation or to make an individual appointment with an AKC® Approved CGC® Evaluator. The cost of the Canine Good Citizen® Evaluation without taking our course is $20.
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Rally Novice and Rally Advanced/Excellent
Rally Novice & Rally Advanced/Excellent Classes have a course designed by the Rally Instructor or Rally Judge that you and your dog complete. Each course station has a sign providing instruction regarding the obedience skill that is to be performed. It’s a fun time with your dog as you may talk to your dog throughout the course meeting new challenges. Passing the CGC® evaluation is a prerequisite for the Rally Novice Class. See note below*
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Novice Class for more advanced obedience training
Novice Obedience is for people who wish to continue obedience training with more precision and formality, or for those who wish to show their dog. Participants will continue to become skilled at verbal and hand commands on and off leash and more. Passing the CGC® evaluation is a prerequisite for the Novice Class. See note below*
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Trick Class
Trick Class is a fun time for handler and dog. “Roll Over,” “Play Dead”, “Fetch,” “Get the paper,” “Wipe your feet,” ring a bell to go ”out,” “Pray,” “Bow,” “Carry this,” and many more are tricks your dog may learn in this class. This class is only offered once or twice a year. CGC© is a prerequisite for the Trick Class. See note below*
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Fun With Your Dog Equipment Class
Fun With Your Dog is a fun time for handler and dog. This class is mostly off-lead and introduces jumps, a tunnel, a chute, an A-Frame, weave poles, and other types of training equipment. This class is only offered once or twice a year. Depending on your dog’s breed and the advice of your veterinarian, your dog must be 14 to 18 months of age before jumping and leaping is asked of him/her in class to avoid damage to growth plates. CGC© is a prerequisite for the Fun With Your Dog Class. See note below*
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4H classes for youth 8-18
4-H Classes for Youths 8 through 18 Years old are provided by the 4-Paws and A Tail 4-H Club through a partnership with Peace River Dog Fanciers, Inc. for the benefit of Junior Handlers and their dogs. The 4-H Class will cover Showmanship, Canine Good Citizen®, Obedience, Rally-O and Agility. The participant MUST be a member of 4-Paws and A Tail 4-H Club, pre-registered to attend and provide shot records for their dog. Contact 4-Paws and A Tail 4-H Club Leader Lucia Pink at lbpink2@yahoo.com to join and register, as class sizes are limited. Classes usually coincide with the school year.
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Class Rules & Procedures
Handlers are reminded that only tennis shoes or other flat, enclosed, rubber soled shoes are permitted in the training ring during class. No open-toed or high-heel shoes, sandals, crocs or clogs are allowed in the rings.
Anyone wearing other shoes will have to sit outside the training ring to monitor the class.
To participate in these classes with your dog, you MUST present current shot records from your licensed veterinarian. Required vaccinations are Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, and Bordetella. Puppy vaccinations are acceptable as age-appropriate and recommended by your veterinarian. If your adult dog does not currently have these vaccinations or has received them recently and you are waiting for them to become effective, please do not bring your dog to class.
If your dog is in heat, sick, or has some other type of condition (ex: fleas) that could possibly be given to other dogs, to be considerate of others, please do not bring your dog to class.
You are welcome to attend without your dog.
Required Items for Class
*Please note ( for classes marked with asterisk):
These are specialty classes and schedules may vary. A class may not be offered every session. Class size is limited to give you individual attention from the Lead Instructor and Assistant Instructor(s).You must pre-register to reserve a spot, provide proof of shots and pay in advance. This will guarantee your place in the class as we have a 1st Paid 1st Served policy. Please call 941-613-DOGS [3647] to register or click here.
