The Canine Connection of Vermont
Dog Training and Education Center
PUPPY KINDERGARTEN
A six week course for puppies 3-5 months old. Topics included introducing the basic request words we use with our dogs, loose leash walking, proper socialization and discussions about the best ways to manage typical puppy behaviors including chewing, mouthing and jumping.
Cost: $130
NEXT CLASS: Sept 21 - Oct 26: Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:15 pm
Nov 2 - Dec 7 Tuesdays 6:15 - 7:15 pm
Nov 6 - Dec 18 Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am
BASIC MANNERS
Requirements: 6 months or older
A six week course for dogs 6 months and older. Topics and discussions cover adolescent behaviors, teaching the basic requests words, working around distractions, loose leash walking and proper greetings.
Cost: $130
NEXT CLASS: Sept 21 - Oct 26: Tuesdays 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Sept 25 - Oct 30: Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am
Nov 2 - Dec 7: Tuesdays 7:30 - 8:30 pm
INTERMEDIATE CLASS
Requirements: completed basic manners
A six week course for dogs who have taken basic manners and are at least a year old. This class will help owners take training to the next level. In this class, we introduce the “heel” request and challenge the basics by adding real life distractions.
Cost: $130
NEXT CLASS: August 7 - Sept 18: Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am
ADVANCED CLASS
For dogs who have successfully completed Intermediate and are looking to broaden their skills to the wide, wide world. Most classes are held off campus”including Church St., the waterfront and on hiking trails. Cost: $130
NEXT CLASS: Saturday September 25 - October 30 9:00 - 10:00 am
AGILITY FOR FUN & FITNESS
Agility is a great way to work your dog's body and mind and to strengthen your working relationship. This six week class introduces your and your dog to the different agility pieces. Using positive reinforcement you'll learn to shape and capture behaviors in your dog to guide them through this fun obstacle course.
NEXT CLASS: Sept 11 - Oct 16 : Saturdays: 12 noon - 1 pm
Nov 6 - Dec 18: Saturdays: 9:00 - 10:00 am
Cost: $130
Angelo Marinakis is a founder of Green Mountain Disc Dogs, a disc dog club in Burlington, Vermont dedicated to promoting fun, fellowship and the expansion of the human-canine bond through the sport of canine disc. He is also the founder of Supernova Disc Dogs, an education and entertainment company offering high flying canine disc demonstrations and growth stimulating canine disc training workshops. Angelo is a three time US Disc Dog National Finalists, a 2009 USDDN International Finalist and 2009 Vermont State Champion in Freestyle. His team of Australian Shepherds – Stanley, Fire and Mojo perform regularly at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Vermont Lake Monsters Minor League Baseball Club and for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. A former high school teacher, Angelo is a family wellness chiropractor practicing in 
DISC DOGGING with Angelo Marinakis
This 3 hour introduces you and your dog to the fundamentals of the growing canine sport of disc dog. Topics include using disc play as a way to build leadership and relationship with your dog; games for building drive and excitement for the disc; freestyle and toss & retrieve exercises; and disc throwing techniques. Class size is limited to 8 people/dog pairs to ensure adequate opportunity for everyone to practice and participate. Angelo Marinakis, President of Green Mountain Disc Dogs is the instructor.
NEXT CLASS: SATURDAY July 31 9 am - 12 pm South Hero, Vt
COST: $75
Space is limited to eight dog/people pairs.
Call for directions 879-7720/ Rain location Canine Connection of Vermont in Essex Junction
LEASH WORK for Spirited Dogs Saturday Oct 23, 30 and Nov 6 12 noon - 1 pm
Cost: $75
Three week class for dogs that are reactionary on leash when seeing other dogs and/or people. Reaction takes many forms and this class will focus on the skills you need to assess situations and manage your dog for success in those moments while teaching them new ways to respond.
Tricks and Games
Teaching your dog tricks and games such as rollover, spin and retrieve helps to build confidence in your dog, provides a fun way for dogs to use their minds and body, strengthens the relationship in a fun and interactive way between you and your dog and is a great way to entertain people and impress your friends! This four week class teaches you how to use the clicker to shape and capture the behaviors needed for different tricks and games. This is a great class for children or families looking for new ways to have fun with your dog.
NEW CLASS: KIDS & DOGS: (for children ages 8-13)
Kids are fast learners when it comes to working with dogs! This fun and interactive class introduces kids to positive reinforcement training through safe and fun ways to work with dogs. This class covers ways to teach dogs tricks and games, agility, and basic request words.
Kids should bring their dogs, a 6 foot leash and small treats for their dogs.
Cost: $90
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TRAINING CLASS TIPS:
Yay for you for enrolling in a training class for you and your dog! Whether this is your first or fifteenth class with your dog, working together in a structured class environment helps you develop your leadership skills with your dog, builds your dogs focus and confidence, and strengthens the connection, in a positive way, between you and your dog.
WHAT TO BRING: A 6 foot long leash (no retractable ones please);collar or harness (we highly recommend the easy walk front ring chest harness by Premier); small sized training treats (remember, working around other dogs can be very challenging for some dogs so bring REALLY good treats); other reinforcers such as toys, a management tool such as a kong stuffed with peanut butter or a bone to chew on. Management tools help to occupy your dog during times of instruction or discussion.
WHAT TO EXPECT EACH WEEK: Each week will focus on building different foundational skills with your dog and building on those skills each consecutive week. We will ask you to begin working your dog when you arrive getting eye contact and some behaviors like sit and down. Each of your dogs will be invited to demo a new behavior with the class instructor. Assistants will come around and work with your dogs throughout the evening. Each week you'll receive handouts and homework. We also leave time to address any questions or concerns that come up for you between classes.
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Positive Reinforcement Training:
Positive Reinforcement training means that your dog's good behaviors are made stronger (reinforced) by you giving those behaviors attention, so he will repeat the behavior. The opposite is ignoring behaviors that we wish to go away.
Remember: DOGS WILL ONLY DO WHAT WORKS!
If barking gets you to look at him, then he has just figured out how to get your attention.
If you pat your dog when he jumps on you, then yell, "Down" when you've had enough, you've given many mixed, but reinforcing messages! On the other hand, if you wait for a sit before putting his dinner down, he will try that sitting behavior again next time.
** Any behavior that is reinforced will be repeated. **
What Are Reinforcers?
Eye Contact: is a great way to reinforce behaviors you like. You can also take it away, by turning your face, for behaviors you don’t like.
Verbal Praise: can be very reinforcing for many dogs. If you notice your dog give you attention, you can reinforce with a “good boy!” or “nice!” You can also take away verbal praise, by stopping any verbal sounds, for behavior you don’t like.
Touching: Putting your hands on the dog in any way can reinforce any behavior they are showing at the moment. Therefore, if your dog is showing signs of fear or anxiety and you are petting them, you are inadvertently telling them to be scared and anxious. If, on the other hand, you choose to only touch them when they are calm and confident, you will help to reinforce these behaviors instead. Offer calm physical praise like, a gentle pat on the side or a back massage.
Treats: You can use low-power treats, like kibble for easy stuff and in low distraction areas. Make sure to use high-power treats, like freeze dried liver for more difficult behaviors and in high distraction areas. Treats can be any food your dog likes, but small in size (the size of a pea).
Toys: There are a variety of toys and uses for them. For example, a Kong stuffed with peanut butter and treats can give your dog something to do when you need a moment for yourself. Small squeaky toys or a ball can fit in your pocket and be used in training as reinforcers. Simply ask your dog for a sit, and then toss the ball. There are some toys used for exercise like a herding ball, Frisbee, or tug toys. Find out what your dog likes the most and then use it to reinforce behaviors like good attention, sits and downs.
Other Important Reinforcers: Going out the door is very reinforcing to most dogs, so ask for something first like a sit, and then give access to the outdoors as the reinforcer. Giving your dog access to play with other dogs, play with people, walking, running, or any thing they desire is a reinforcer. Every dog is different, so be on the lookout for what your dog finds most rewarding. Offer these rewards only when your dog is behaving appropriately.
How to Use the Clicker
The clicker is simply a noisemaker that you use each time your dog does something that you like, regardless of whether you requested it or not. The clicker alone, however, means nothing to a dog.
You must pair that click noise with one of his reinforcers every time you click in order to have a powerful training tool in your hands. That click noise is an isolated, quick marker of the exact behavior you want the dog to remember and repeat. Mark any behavior you like, such as eye contact and follow up with a reinforcer appropriate to the behavior and distraction level at the time.
