All of our classes are based on scientifically proven positive reinforcement based methods of training to ensure an effective and enjoyable learning experience for you and your dog.
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Please read the class descriptions below before registering for class.
Your support of the MSPCA Dog Training programs at Nevins Farm not only helps you and your dog, but also helps the thousands of animals we care for each year.
Thanks from all of us! Meet our training staff >>
Available Classes:
PLEASE NOTE: Per our past students' preferences, we will not hold classes Friday, 5/24 thru Mon, 5/27 in honor of the Memorial Day holiday and long weekend celebrations.
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'Wag It! Games' Class - Level 1 We are very excited to be offering this fun program at the MSPCA! The 'Wag It! Games' menu of seven different entertaining activities (like No-Need-for-Speed Obstacle Skills, Dog Ball, Shadow Skills, Independent Skills and Sniff-It) will offer something for every dog and owner! This very enjoyable class was designed to appeal to both the pet owner who is looking to get their dog out for some fun and laughs in a friendly environment as well as those folks who like the idea of potentially competing and earning titles with their canine best friend. We will learn a variety of games involving hoops, ladders, boards and tunnels, teach our dogs how to shadow our movements including flips, turns and spins, play with turning on/off lights, racing to mats and riding on scooters as well as using their nose to push balls to us as well as find hidden scents. These activities will mentally stimulate your dogs while enhancing your bond and team-work. To learn more about the individual Wag It Games check out the originator's website at http://wagitgames.com/. Prerequisite: Puppy Play & Learn or Basic Manners or equivalent (students and dogs must be familiar with clicker training)Monday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Starts 6/10/13 (Nini Bloch, Provisional Wag It Games Instructor) Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., ROLLING ENROLLMENT -- Start any Wednesday provided you register by Monday! (Loretta Rose, CPDT-KA, Provisional Wag It Games Instructor) Cost: $120 per dog and handler for 6 weeks |
'Wag It! Games' Class - Level 2 Continue building on the fun games started in Level 1 and gain speed and reliabilty in performing games involving hoops, ladders, boards and tunnels, teach our dogs how to shadow our movements including flips, turns and spins, play with turning on/off lights, racing to mats and riding on scooters as well as using their nose to push balls to us as well as find hidden scents. These activities will mentally stimulate your dogs while enhancing your bond and team-work. To learn more about the individual Wag It Games check out the originator's website at http://wagitgames.com/. Prerequisite: Wag It! Games Level 1 or equivalent (students and dogs must be familiar with clicker training) Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., ROLLING ENROLLMENT -- Start any Wednesday provided you register by Monday! (Loretta Rose, CPDT-KA, Provisional Wag It Games Instructor) |
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'Wag It! Games' Class - Intermediate/Advanced Even more fun as you increase your dog's mastery of the great games started in Level 2 and gain speed and reliabilty in performing games involving hoops, ladders, tippyboards, teeters, and tunnels, teach our dogs how to shadow our movements including flips, turns and spins, and play with racing to mats, riding on scooters, distance work, and fancy footwork on buckets . These activities will mentally stimulate your dogs while enhancing your bond and team-work. To learn more about the individual Wag It Games check out the originator's website at http://wagitgames.com/. |
| Intro to K9 NoseWork Class (L2) This fun new activity channels your dog’s natural curiosity and interest in using his nose. Much like detection dogs, your dog will learn to find a designated scent while getting mental and physical exercise! Most dogs can participate including shy or overly energetic dogs, puppies, and seniors. Participate for fun or get ready to compete in this upcoming sport. Limited to 6 dogs. NOTE: your dog must be able to be quietly crated away from you while other dogs are working in the room. More Info >> Prerequisite: Basic Manners or equivalent Class Schedule: Monday, 6:00-7:15 p.m., Starts 5/20/13 (Carolyn Barney, KPA-CTP, CNWI) K9 NoseWork Class -- Intermediate/Advanced Continue building your dog’s nose work skills in this fun continuation class. Much like detection dogs, your dog will learn to find a designated scent while getting mental and physical exercise and as this class progresses you'll begin neutral scent detection training in more complex environments! Most dogs can participate including shy or overly energetic dogs, puppies, and seniors. Participate for fun or get ready to compete in this upcoming sport. NOTE: your dog must be able to be quietly crated away from you while other dogs are working in the room. More Info >> Prerequisite: Nose Work Level 3+ Class Schedule: |
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A class designed for owners and their dogs aged 4 months and older. Our focus will be to provide you with information about how to train your dog in the basic behaviors that make him or her a well loved and enjoyed companion. Friday, 6:15-7:30 p.m., Starts 5/17/13 (Melissa Zilembo, CPDT-KA) Only 1 spot left! |
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Class Schedule: Weekly enrollment! Cost: $190 for 12 classes over 14 weeks |
Basic Manners: On Your Time - Add On Package Enjoying Basic Manners: On Your Time so much that you would like to continue? Select this option to add 4 more weeks of training! Great for young dogs or for practicing with increasing levels of disctractions. This option is eligible for the $10 'going on' discount code if enrolling prior to the end of your regular class. Please contact the office for more details. Cost: $75 for 4 classes over 6 weeks |
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Beyond Manners: On Your Time! (Pet Obedience - L2-L3) Have a great time training at your own pace using fun games to polish the most popular (and challenging!) Basic Manners skills of gracious greetings (4 paws on the floor no matter what), loose leash walking (past distractions including food on the ground and other dogs), really reliable recalls (past and thru exciting distractions), look at that/look at me (helping turn irresistable distractions into cues to look at you). We will also spend last portion of each class working on your choice of trick/behavior. Our flexible 'rolling enrollment' format allows you to start any time and come to as many as 6 classes over 8 weeks. If you need to miss a couple classes -- no worries -- you have the extra time to make them up and the flexible curriculum ensures you won't fall behind. More Info >> Prerequisite: Clicker Training experience (Private Lessons available for those without clicker experience); Basic Manners or equivalent. Thursday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Start any Thursday provided you register by Tuesday! (Melissa Zilembo, CPDT-KA) Saturday, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Start any Saturday provided you register by Thursday! (Melissa Zilembo, CPDT-KA) -- Next class starts 7/4/13 Cost: $130 for 6 classes over 8 weeks |
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If you have a puppy between 8 to 16 weeks old, we hope you'll join us for this 4 week class! Puppy Play & Learn is a great way to get your pup started on fun learning while contributing to the positive early socialization experiences that are so critical for your puppy's development. (Note: If your puppy is over 16 weeks of age, please enroll in our Basic Manners class.) * DISCOUNT: Enroll in 'Puppy Play & Learn' AND 'Basic Manners' classes at the same time and use the discount code 'going on' during checkout to receive $10 off! |
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Canine Good Citizen Testing! Location: Training & Education Room at MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA Open to the public. Thanks to a special grant through Animal Farm Foundation, Pit Bulls who pass the CGC test through the MSPCA at Nevins Farm's Dog Training Program will earn extra funds for our homeless animals! Click here for details. |
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This class will walk you and your dog through preparation for the American Kennel Club's (AKC)Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing. Each owner/dog team will practice the 10 items on the test through 7 weeks of classes. The last week (week 8) will be an actual test where you and your dog can achieve a CGC title. Dogs receiving this distinction are recognized as being embassadors in their communities. To learn more about the AKC's CGC program, please visit their web site: http://www.akc.org/ |
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Ruff Diamonds Agility (L3) This class is for dogs who have at least completed Ruff Diamonds 2. You will continue to advance your dog and handler agility skills building on the previous foundation. The class is limited to 5 dogs. Prerequisite: Ruff Diamonds 2 More Info >> Class Schedule: Tuesday, 8:00-8:50 p.m., Starts 7/9/13 (Carolyn Barney, KPA-CTP, CNWI) Cost: $240 for 8 weeks |
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If you've just started agility and want more time on the contact obstacles or to practice weave poles, come to this hour-long coached practice (outdoors). If you want more experience in walking and handling short sequences (up to 10 obstacles), we'll offer those as well for more advanced students. This open practice offers you the chance to set your own goals within the structure of specific exercises, work at your own pace, and get some tips along the way. Your dog will also increase their abilities to perform reliably among different dogs. Our flexible "rolling enrollment" format allows you to start any time and come to as many as 4 classes over 6 weeks. More Info>> Prerequisites: Your dog must have a reliable recall and stay (most of this class will be conducted off leash in a fully fenced, 60' x 100' arena) and must get along with other dogs. Dogs should be familiar and comfortable with all the obstacles although not necessarily working at full height. The seesaw and weave poles can be works in progress. We have two seesaws; one we'll keep low. Thursday, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Will Start Once 3-4 Registrations Received -- Contact Office to be Added to List (Nini Bloch) Cost: $60 for 4 classes over 6 weeks |
Agility Foundations (L3 and Up) This 6 week class will introduce you to basic agility fundamental skills such as working your dog on the right and left sides; crosses; distance work as well as introduce equipment. A great class for the beginner or someone still developing basic agility skills. Dog Requirements: Your dog should be able to reliably stay (sit or down), come when called and be comfortable training around other dogs. Handler Requirements: Prerequisite of Better Manners (L2) or equivalent. Must have clicker training experience; handler enthusiasm and a sense of humor a big plus! Class Schedule: |
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Class Schedule:
Monday, 6:15-7:15 p.m., Will Start Once 3-4 Registrations Received -- Contact Office to be Added to List (Nini Bloch) Thursday, 7:00-8:00 p.m., Starts 5/2/13 (Nini Bloch) Cost: $120 for 6 weeks |
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Control Unleashed! (L3) The 'Control Unleashed' class and at-home activities will build your dog's ability to relax, focus and work off-leash reliably in either stimulating or stressful situations through the use of training games that increase attention, reduce the power of stressors and the pull of distractions while you and your dog have fun in a friendly, safe and supportive environment. Prerequisite: Manners and More! or equivalent Level 2 class. More Info >> Class Schedule: |
Control Unleashed! - Advanced (L4) Continue to advance your dogs focus on you, ability to relax in stimulating environments and self-control playing fun 'Control Unleashed' games like Give Me a Break, Look at That, Mat Races, Dog in Your Face and Car Crash along with more 'mayhem' and exciting opportunities to build upon the progress made in 'Control Unleashed' class. Prerequisite: Must have completed Control Unleashed! basic class. Class Schedule: Saturday, 4:15-5:15 p.m., Starts 5/18/13 (Melissa Zilembo, CPDT-KA) Sunday, 4:15-5:15 p.m., Starts 5/12/13 (Melissa Zilembo, CPDT-KA) |
Behavior Consultations Private, one-on-one behavior consultations are available on Mondays at 3:45-4:45 PM and Tuesdays at 3:30-4:30 or 4:45-5:45 PM (occassionally at 5:45-6:45 PM) for people whose dogs have more complex behavior issues such as aggression, separation anxiety or other fear based behaviors. More Info >> Cost: $95 for 1 hour |
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Private lessons are a great way to get an introduction to clicker training or receive one-on-one coaching and a customized training plan for making progress with behaviors like keeping paws on the ground when guests visit, coming when called, settling down, playing without getting overaroused or walking nicely on a leash. Lesson Schedule:
Enjoy the convenience of personalized support in the comfort of your own home! While training topics like those listed above can easily be covered here at the MSPCA, sometimes owners find it helpful to have a Trainer come to their home to further customize the training to the home environment and/or make it easier for the entire family to participate in a Private Lesson. We are happy to accommodate you! Lesson Schedule:We will coordinate an appropriate Instructor with your availability... Cost: $90 for 1 hour lesson at your home (if location is more than 20 minutes drive from MSPCA rate may need to increase depending on Trainer's travel distance) |
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* Full Classes & Wait Lists *
If you would like to be added to a 'Wait List' in the event that a full class has a cancellation, please complete your Registration form and indicate in the last block the class you are interested in taking and that you wish to be wait listed. Please be sure to include daytime phone numbers as we may need to reach you last minute.
Important Information:
We require any dog attending class to be free from contagious disease and parasites, up to date on their rabies vaccine and current on all other vaccines per their veterinarian's recommendation. Should your dog show symptoms of illness (coughing, vomiting, diarrhea) within 48 hours of your class, please leave him/her at home to avoid spreading anything to your classmates' dogs but you can still come to class to see the material presented and potentially 'borrow' the Instructor's demo dog.
Please note: All classes are on a first-come first-served basis. If the class you were interested in has filled, you will be contacted about alternate class availability. If you find you are unable to take this class after registering for it, you must notify the office 10 days prior to the start of the class. Notification after 10 days will result in you forfeiting 50% of your registration fee. Sorry, no exceptions! There will be no tuition refund once class has started.
**Message from the Training Coordinator, Mary Ann Callahan, CPDT-KA**
Thank you for considering the MSPCA to help you accomplish your dog training goals. If you did not find the class you hoped for on this site, please e-mail or telephone (contact info below) to let us know what you would like to learn with your dog. Our goal is to help you have fun while learning (and laughing!) with your dear dog and we are happy to add new classes or bring back past ones based on the demand from our students.
For more information:
Phone: 978-687-7453 (press 8) Ext. 6121
E-mail: dogtraining_methuen@mspca.org
Training Office Hours:
Tuesday thru Friday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM *
Saturday: 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM *
Sunday & Monday: Office Closed
* E-mail will also be checked once in the evening Tuesday thru Saturday.
