TRAINING, EDUCATION & WORKSHOPS

​Our lead trainer, Gail Furst CPDT/KA, specializes in pet therapy training as well as general dog training. Using positive, reward based methods, Gail will help you teach your dog to sit, settle, lie-down, walk on loose leash, meet and greet other dogs, say hello to your friends politely, come when you call and much more! Gail is respected nationally for her knowledge, positive training techniques and dedication to the safety and comfort of all canine volunteer teams.
 
We’ve built our program from the ground-up and have several training options whether you’re just getting involved in therapy dog volunteering or just want to have more confidence working with your dog in a variety of environments; we’ve got the training courses for you!

Dog Training

 Pet Connections is a leader in the education of dogs and their handlers. Whether your goal is to have a great family dog or a highly-trained therapy dog to work in the community or in your therapy practice, we will provide you and your dog with the tools to achieve your training goals.

Class Details
​7-week session - Includes training "go-to" mat (handmade by BAD DOG Retail) - Price: $130 
 
Level One: Connecting with Your Pet - Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. See dates offered below.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pet Connections pre-screening process.

This class is recommended for puppies 16 weeks and older. Dog handlers will learn how to:
  • Use basic cues (sit, stay, etc.)
  • Perform canine massages
  • Identify signs of stress and calming techniques
  • Utilize positive reinforcement
  • Use contextual positioning
  • Walking on a loose leash and on-leash recall
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Upon completion, dogs and their handlers will be formally evaluated for basic obedience skills such as, “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and other skills. Dogs will be awarded either a letter of completion or, for promising students, a diploma. Those awarded a diploma are invited to complete a higher level of training required for a greater skill set and for volunteers visiting at public facilities.
 
Level Two: Connecting with Your Pet & Others - Saturdays, 10 – 11 a.m. See dates offered below.
Prerequisite: Graduation from Level I: Connecting with Your Pet and/or successful re-evaluation by the Pet Connections program manager in a novel setting with people who have varying levels of abilities and mobility.

This course will build on skills acquired in Level One and give handler-dog teams the abilities to work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Handlers will learn how to empower people with different levels of abilities to direct their dog, resulting in a deeper human-animal bond. Your canine will become more proficient and acquire the ability to perform in different circumstances.

Dogs and their handlers will gain more complex, advanced skills including:
  • Clicker training and verbal markers
  • Animal welfare and the 5 Freedoms
  • Types of reinforcement
  • Advanced cues such as leave it, go to your mat, release words and stand
  • Intro to working with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have varying needs
  • Interacting with children
  • Working alongside other dogs

Upon completion, dogs and their handlers will be awarded either a letter of completion or a diploma, and offered the opportunity to take the test for Canine Good Citizen as well as their Pet Connections Certification evaluation. Those awarded a diploma are also invited to advance their studies with a higher set of skills to become eligible to work with therapists on specific physical and cognitive interventions.
 
Dog Obedience Workshops
Following are workshops offered by Pet Connections:
  • Connecting With Your Pet and Others Through Education and Therapy
  • Connecting With Your Pet and Others Through Therapy Activities
  • Connecting with Your Pet Through a Common Language
  • Connecting With Your Pet Through Game Playing
  • Connecting With Your Pet Through TAGteach
  • Connecting With Your Pet Through First Aid
  • Connecting With Your Pet Through Scent

CLASS Enrollment FORM (REQUIRED)

Please complete the enrollment form and submit your payment below.
    Level 1 is for handlers and their dogs that have not taken an obedience class. Classes run seven weeks and are held at 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
    Level 2 requires previous obedience work. Canine Good Citizen and/or Therapy Dog International evaluations are offered at class completion. Classes run seven weeks and are held at 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
    Class sizes are limited.

    Handler Information

    Canine Information

    Pet Connections Agreement

    I understand that attendance of a dog obedience class is not without risk to myself, to members of my family or guests who may attend, or to my dog(s). Some of the dogs to which I will be exposed may be difficult to control, and may be the cause of injury, even when handled with the greatest degree and amount of care.

    ​I agree to hold the instructors of Pet Connections     (and Ontario ARC) harmless for any claims for any loss or injury which may be alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly to any person or things by the act of my dog while in or upon the training areas, or near the entrance thereto, and I personally assume all responsibility and liability for any such claim; I further agree to hold the above parties harmless for any claim for damage, or injury to my dog, whether such loss, theft disappearance, damage or injury be caused or alleged to be caused by the negligence of the above parties, or by the negligence of any other person, or any other cause or causes. I further agree that this Agreement is binding for this and any subsequent classes that I attend.

    No refunds of any kind will be made after the session has begun.

Dog Training Class

$130.00
Pet Connections is a leader in the education of dogs and their handlers. Whether your goal is to have a great family dog or a highly-trained therapy dog to work in the community or in your therapy practice, we will provide you and your dog with the tools to achieve your training goals. You must complete the enrollment form.
Purchase Class