Obedience
You can't live well with a dog unless it's trained. It's that simple. Every dog should know at least five basic commands: heel, sit, down, stay, and come. These basics are essential in making your dog a true companion and best friend.
Classes currently offered by Birmingham Obedience Training Club:
Puppy Class:
This class focuses on socialization and learning acceptable behavior with a puppy's new parents. Basic skills learned: sit, down, stand, come, stay, and walking on a leash. We also provide advice on crate training, housebreaking, etc. . .
Basic Class:
This class is for Puppy graduates and dogs over the age of 6 months. Basic skills learned: sit, down, stand, come, stay, and basic heeling.
Advanced Basic Class:
This class refines skills learned in previous classes and prepares the dog and handler for the initial skills in competitive obedience. Skills learned are heeling, footwork for the handler, front, finish, sit, down, advanced stays, and stand.
Competition Classes (Novice, Open, Utility):
These classes are upper level courses to prepare the dog and handler for the various levels of AKC obedience competition. Prerequisite of successful completion of Advanced Basic or approval of instructor.
Rally Class:
Rally is a fun new dog sport approved as an AKC event in January 2005. In this class, handlers will learn the Rally signs required for AKC competition. Dogs and handlers will enjoy challenging new courses set up each week for practice. Prerequisite of Advanced Basic or approval of instructor.
Conformation Class:
Conformation is the examination of a dog to determine how closely it meets the breed's official standard. This class teaches a handler how to manage a dog in the show ring, so it can be presented at its best to the judge. For more information about Conformation, please contact the instructor, Sharon Rogers, at lakeshrdal@aol.com or (205) 631-1632.
Cost for Obedience and Rally Classes:
$100.00 for the first six-week session, and $60.00 for any additional sessions thereafter with the same dog.
Note: There is a required deposit of $20.00 to reserve your space in an obedience or rally class. You may pay via PayPal (select PayPal option when using our Online Registration Form) or you may pay by check or money order made out to "BOTC" and mail to:
Sale Calhoun / Attn: BOTC / 5535 Rex Ridge Lane / Leeds, AL 35094-3783.
Cost for Conformation Class:
$10.00 per class.
What to bring to class:
Proof of vaccinations, flat leather or nylon collar, 4-6 foot leash, and LOTS of small, soft treats.
Wear something with pockets or bring a "fanny pack" or training pouch. Canvas toolbelts or nail sacks have several easily accessible pockets for carrying treats and are also machine washable. They are very inexpensive and can be purchased at most hardware stores.
For more information, please contact:
(205) ALA-DOGS
(205) 252-3647
