TRAINING, EDUCATION & WORKSHOPS
Our lead trainer, Cameo K. Perry CBCC-KA has been working professionally in the training world for nearly a decade. She utilizes science-based, force-free methods to help you best reach your goals in a family & dog-friendly environment. Cameo maintains multiple certifications and memberships, including a specialty as a behavioral consultant. This, plus her passion for continuing education, help to guide you and your dog towards success.
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!
* Pet Connections is proud to offer a 10% discount for veterans
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!
* Pet Connections is proud to offer a 10% discount for veterans
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.
2021 Sessions:
Connecting with Your Puppy - Online Course - TBA
For puppies 16 weeks of age and younger, this online course is designed to prepare you and your puppy for your life together. Throughout this course, handlers will learn about:
Puppies and their handlers that fully participate and successfully complete this course will be better prepared for Level 1: Connecting with your Pet and awarded a diploma. All puppies and their handlers are invited to join us for the next level of training to continue to build on their skill set.
Level One:
Connecting with Your Pet - September 13, 2021 - 6 PM
This 7-week course is recommended for dogs 16 weeks and older. Here, dogs and their handlers will learn how to:
Throughout the course, dogs and their handlers will be coached & observed on success of skills as well as other class content. Individualized recommendations for moving forward will be provided and based on each team’s progress and personal goals.
* Spaces are very limited.
Level Two:
Connecting with Your Pet & Others - By Instructor Permission
This course will build on skills acquired in Level One and prepares handler-dog teams to work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Handlers will learn how to empower other individuals with different levels of abilities to direct their dog, resulting in a deeper human-animal bond. Your dog will become more proficient and acquire the ability to perform in different circumstances.
Dogs and their handlers will gain more complex, advanced skills including:
Upon completion, dogs and their handlers will be provided individualized recommendations for moving forward will be based on each team’s progress and personal goals. Teams will also be offered the opportunity to test for Canine Good Citizen and/or their Pet Connections Certification evaluation.
2021 Sessions:
Connecting with Your Puppy - Online Course - TBA
For puppies 16 weeks of age and younger, this online course is designed to prepare you and your puppy for your life together. Throughout this course, handlers will learn about:
- Socialization – What it is, why it’s important, and how to put it
- Body Handling – Developing a lifelong comfort in being touched, groomed, and vetted
- Brain Games – Increasing enrichment opportunities and confidence
- Relationship-Building Games – Teaching foundation manners through teamwork
- Common Puppy Problems – Weekly discussion of issues such as potty training, mouthing, and jumping.
Puppies and their handlers that fully participate and successfully complete this course will be better prepared for Level 1: Connecting with your Pet and awarded a diploma. All puppies and their handlers are invited to join us for the next level of training to continue to build on their skill set.
Level One:
Connecting with Your Pet - September 13, 2021 - 6 PM
This 7-week course is recommended for dogs 16 weeks and older. Here, dogs and their handlers will learn how to:
- Use basic cues such as “sit”, “down”, and “stay”
- Walk on a loose leash and develop a strong recall
- Utilize science-based, force-free training methods
- Develop their relationship for optimal success
- Identify signs of stress and calming techniques
- Strengthen impulse control & work around distractions
Throughout the course, dogs and their handlers will be coached & observed on success of skills as well as other class content. Individualized recommendations for moving forward will be provided and based on each team’s progress and personal goals.
* Spaces are very limited.
Level Two:
Connecting with Your Pet & Others - By Instructor Permission
This course will build on skills acquired in Level One and prepares handler-dog teams to work with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Handlers will learn how to empower other individuals with different levels of abilities to direct their dog, resulting in a deeper human-animal bond. Your dog 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 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have varying needs
- Interacting with children.
- Working alongside other dogs.
Upon completion, dogs and their handlers will be provided individualized recommendations for moving forward will be based on each team’s progress and personal goals. Teams will also be offered the opportunity to test for Canine Good Citizen and/or their Pet Connections Certification evaluation.
To register for classes, please email Cameo Perry at cperry@ontarioarc.org
