Continuing Education

Upcoming 2024 Classes

Level 2: Acing Adolescence

Adolescence (6 months to 16 months) can be a VERY challenging time for dogs and dog parents. Just as with human teenagers, adolescent dogs are experiencing a flurry of changes - psychological, social, cognitive and physical. They are growing - fast - yet their brains sometimes seems to be left behind. It is no wonder that most dogs who are surrendered to shelters are adolescents!

But there is a way through this challenging developmental period: patience, education, and a continued commitment to positive training! You’ve got this. And we’ve got you!

Acing Adolescence is a “Level 2” class for all dogs who have graduated from our Level 1 classes - Puppy Kindergarten or Life Skills & Manners. This class, which may be repeated as often as necessary, takes you and your dog through your dog’s adolescence by going deep with all the basics. Everything learned in our Level 1 classes is pushed to a higher level because, even though it might always seem like it when a teen is in the house, consistency, persistence, and practice pay off.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Monday, June 10 at 5:30 pm - taught by Nancy Kerns

Level 2: Leash Manners & More

If your dog pulls you along on walks, or ignores you when out and about, then this class is for you. This class is a refresher of fundamentals of loose leash walking. With a sound protocol and practice, your dog can be a happy, attentive walking partner at your side. We also focus on building a strong “Leave It” when on-leash and off so that you can reign in your dog’s attention to unwanted temptations.

Please note: this class is not for dogs who are “feisty fidos” on leash, those dogs who bark and lunge at other dogs. If that’s your dog, please see us about private training. We can help with that too!

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Monday, June 10 at 7 pm - taught by Nancy Kerns

Level 2: Really Reliable Recall

Does your dog lose his hearing when you shout “Come!”? This class is a refresher on the essentials for building a rapid, reliable recall. Through a variety of games and weekly exercises, your dog will discover that returning to you is better than chasing the proverbial “squirrel!”. Class meets in “real world” locations where you might need to put your really reliable recall to use!

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Saturday, June 1 at 10:30 am - taught by Nancy Kerns

Level 2: Hounds Around Town

In this class, we work to develop the skills our dogs need to politely accompany us in public.. We meet in a different location around Chico each week, working on our dog’s basic leash manners, keeping our dogs “connected” and paying attention to us in various distracting environments, and patiently waiting when we want to chat with a friend or grab a coffee.

This class is for dogs with a solid foundation of “life skills & manners” who want to take those skills into more advanced settings. If you are unsure if this class is for you, please reach out to our Training Coordinator at 530-228-2822 or training@thecaninceonnection.com.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Saturday, June 1 at 9 am - taught by Nancy Kerns

Level 2: Lunch and Learn

BYOL (bring your own lunch!) to this noontime class that's for those who want to work on their dog's polite manners while their humans are enjoying a meal! But wait, there's more....! We'll start with training Q & A while we nourish our bodies and train our dogs to quietly settle, then choose a behavior a week from our Life Skills & Manners program to work on and hone. This class will be casual but goal-orientated, tasty for all, and fun!

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Level and 2: Cooperative Care

Is your dog uncomfortable when being handled by the groomer or veterinarian? This class will help you and your dog develop tools and strategies for reducing his (and your!) stress when handling is a must. The class will focus on three skills: stationing, consent communication using the “bucket game,” and comfort with touch.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Wednesday, June 5 at 5:30 pm - taught by Sarah Richardson

Level 3: The Cognitive Canine

This advanced training class is for dog parents who want to go further and farther with developing their dog’s thinking abilities. In this class, games and other thinking games are used to encourage dogs to become more independent thinkers and problem solvers and their people to become better trainers. This class provides a great foundation for dog sports and other learning and partnership-based activities.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Wednesday, September 4 at 5:30 pm - taught by Sarah Richardson

Level 2: Trick and Treat

Get ready for Halloween - or any chance you have to show off with your dog - with this fun class that teaches tricks.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Wednesday, June 5 at 7 pm - taught by Sarah Richardson

Level 1 and 2: FUNgility

Dogs jump for joy with FUNgility! In this class, we introduce you and your dogs to activities that involve obstacles and games. While some of the activities introduce dogs to competition agility equipment, this class isn’t for those wanting to begin training for competition obedience. It’s for building confidence,teaching body awareness, advancing foundation training, building teamwork and trust between you and your dog, and of course, it’s a class that’s a whole lot of fun! Dogs must have a good level of basic training to get the most out of this class as impulse control and attention to you is important for your dog learning to navigate obstacles safely.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160

Next class begins Wednesday, June 10 at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm (Level 2) - taught by Sarah Richardson

Level 2 and 3: AKC Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Prep

Participating in the volunteer activity of “pet therapy” can be immensely rewarding for you and your dog. This class prepares students (both humans and dogs) for the Pet Partners Therapy Dog evaluation, held in Chico each spring and fall. To get the most out of this class, dogs should have a strong foundation in all behaviors taught as part of our “Life Skills and Manners” program and should be comfortable with strangers approaching them. Handlers should have good skills in communicating with and guiding their dogs. For more information about Pet Partners, the organizations whose standards we use (Dr. Sarah is a licensed evaluator), go to PetPartners.org. Note that this Canine Connection class is NOT required by Pet Partners nor is it associated with Pet Partners. The purpose of this class is solely to assist those who are interested in the Pet Partners program with learning more about and preparing for the evaluation component of the Pet Partners volunteer education and registration process.

4 sessions (meet weekly) - $160 - Please note that there is an additional fee of $25 to take either the Good Citizen or Pet Partner evaluation.

Next class begins Wednesday, September 4 at 7 pm - taught by Sarah Richardson, Licensed Pet Partner evaluator.

Pet Partner evaluation is scheduled for Sunday, September 29. Registrations must be made through Pet Partners.
Please pay attention to all requirements listed on the Pet Partner website for becoming a Pet Partner therapy team with your pet.