ECHO Club Training
OBEDIENCE TRAINING
Training your dog to be its best
ECHO offers several levels of obedience classes for you and your canine companion. These eight-week sessions last approximately one hour and are taught in an upbeat, relaxed atmosphere. The classes are designed to help you achieve the basic fundamentals all pet owners want from their dog, such as walking on a loose lead, sitting, lying down, and coming when called. While the basics are taught in these classes, your success depends upon how much time you spend working at home and following the weekly homework assignments. Our classes are taught by skilled instructors who have spent many years helping other owners work with their canine companions on becoming welcome members of the community.
We also offer weekly open obedience sessions on Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time), where members and guests may train on obedience equipment for a small fee. Note: Our monthly meetings are held on the last Wednesday of the month, so there is no Open Obedience on that night. Join us at the meeting instead!
AGILITY TRAINING
The most fun you can have with your dog
One of the fastest growing activities in
which to participate with your dog is Agility. Have you
enjoyed watching the dogs dash through a tunnel or jump
through a tire and thought, "MY dog could do that?"
If you want to try agility or are interested in serious
competition, ECHO has an agility class for you.
Our beginning classes offer an introduction to the basics. Our experienced instructors place emphasis on the proper and safe handling of your dog on the equipment (even puppies can begin training, if done correctly). Your dog will be introduced to a variety of obstacles, including jumps, the dog walk, A-Frame and the teeter, as well as various types of tunnels. You will learn to work a basic course sequence and get a taste of what competition might be like. All classes are taught with the safety of the dog and handler in mind and have a fun, positive atmosphere.
For the truly competitive team, our instructors -- knowledgeable in the different agility venues -- will teach you the skills needed to successfully compete at the various levels of agility. Special seminars are offered from time to time.
We also offer weekly open agility sessions on Monday nights from 7:00-8:30 p.m. (Eastern time), where members and guests may train on agility equipment for a small fee.
Please note: All agility students are required to first complete an approved beginning obedience class before beginning our agility classes.Conformation Training
So, you want to show your dog?
ECHO Club also offers conformation classes, for those who would like to learn how to show their dogs or for those who are currently showing. Skills taught range from standing still (for the younger dogs) to stacking (for those more experienced), as well as patterns, handling skills and ring behavior. Prerequisite: Beginning Obedience or instructor approval.
Occasional open conformation sessions will be offered on Sunday afternoons during the showing season, where members and guests may train for a small fee.
SPECIALTY TRAINING
ECHO Club periodically offers other specialty classes and seminars, depending on interest.
Puppy Kindergarten
Puppy Kindergarten is a four week course recommended for puppies up to five months. The goal of this class is to give the puppy and owner a basic foundation for obedience via proper socialization and behavior skills. Owners will learn how to teach their puppies basic commands via structured play. No prerequisites.
Clicker Tricks
Continue your dog’s education and deepen your relationship with your canine friend with our Tricks and Clicker class. This class will develop your dog’s mind and strengthen your communication with each other. Teach your dog to:
- Ring a doorbell
- Roll over
- Say "prayers"
- Shut a door
- Read a book
- Put toys away
- And dozens of other tricks
Learning tricks can help build confidence in timid dogs and add more control to boisterous dogs. Develop a partnership with your dog and become a happy team in future activities. Amaze your family and friends with how clever and confident your dog has become in just a few short weeks. This positive based class is full of laughs and smiles! Prerequisite: Beginning Obedience or instructor approval.
So You Want To Compete?
Learn the basics about competing in conformation, obedience, agility, and tracking. Each week will cover a different type of event. Learn about the different venues (AKC, UKC, CKC, USDAA, CPE), titles, equipment, skills, ring etiquette, etc., before you enter a competition. Cost $35 for all four mini-seminars or $10 per session. No prerequisites.
Carting
Looking for a uniquely entertaining activity for your dog? Try carting. Dogs of all ages, large or small, can pull a cart. Not to be confused with weight pulling, carting is both a useful skill and a fun way to spend time with your dog. From pulling the kids or helping in the garden, to pulling a stuffed animal at Pet Therapy visits or marching in a parade, this one day seminar will cover everything you need to get safely started in carting, from basic fundamentals to training tips for success.No prerequisites.
Canine Musical Freestyle
The Musical Dog Sport Association defines Canine Musical Freestyle as follows: "Canine Freestyle is a dog sport in which training, teamwork, music, and movement combine to create an artistic, choreographed performance highlighting the canine partner in a manner that celebrates the unique qualities of each individual dog. It is built upon the foundation of a positive working relationship between a dog and handler team." Handlers don't have to know how to dance to do Canine Musical Freestyle. Prerequisite: Beginning Obedience or instructor approval.
AKC CGC
For more information on this wonderful program click Here
| Class Schedule | Event Schedule |
Obedience, Agility, and Puppy Kindergarten:
Ellen Gruber, (269) 687-7298or email Ellen
She will assist you in enrolling in the class which meets your needs.