Obedience
KPT – PUPPY KINDERGARTEN:  Basics of puppy rearing are discussed. Playtime is an important part of
this class, where puppies learn to and interact with other dogs, adults, and children under various stimuli.
Puppies learn to and interact with other dogs, adults, and children under various stimuli.

PUPPY BEGINNER OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for puppies that have completed puppy kindergarten.  
Socialization is still an important factor of this class, but a more structured focus on basic obedience skills
is emphasized.

BEGINNER OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for dogs 5 months and older in age who need to learn heeling,
automatic sits, downs, stays, recalls, attention, and other necessary exercises. Problems will be discussed
and help given.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN:  This is a class designed for the student seeking their Canine Good Citizen
Certificate from the AKC. The dog will learn to work in close quarters with other dogs and people, be able
to do a sit, down, and stay on command, and complete a recall at distance. The dog will also learn to stay
with a stranger while its owner is out of sight, as well as maintaining confidence in noisy situations.

BEGINNER NOVICE OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for dogs that are ready to proceed from basic
obedience to more advanced exercises to achieve their Companion Dog (CD) title from the AKC. An
important part of this class is teaching attention. The handler is taught correct footwork to help the dog
perform at a higher level. There are "break downs" of each exercise and "tricks of the trade" are shared
from seasoned instructors. Various training tools (such as the clicker) are discussed.  

NOVICE OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for those teams that want to polish their performance.  Learning
the finer points of the obedience ring; what judges are looking for; how to avoid handler errors; how to
motivate the dogs and themselves - both in and out of the ring.  Mini show situations will be structured into
this class.  This is for the more serious obedience competitor and leads to an AKC Companion Dog (CD)
title.  

OPEN OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for those who are proficient in all obedience exercises, who have
completed their CD title and are ready to move into the Open ring, and who want to introduce their dogs to
jumping and retrieving. Entry into this class is at the discretion of the Instructor.  This class leads to an
AKC Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.  

UTILITY OBEDIENCE:  This is a class for those who are proficient in all exercises off leash and who
wish to introduce their dogs to scent articles, signal exercises, and directed jumping: and for those
proceeding from the Open ring to Utility ring. Class entry at the Instructor’s discretion.  This class leads
to an AKC Utility Dog (UD) title.  

RALLY NOVICE:  This is a class for those who wish to continue training.  All work is done on leash.  Dog
and handler learn to read and follow directions on posted signs while walking a course.  Satisfactory
completion should enable the team to earn an AKC Rally Novice (RN) title.  A pre-requisite for the course
is the CGC certificate.

RALLY ADVANCED:  This is a class for those who have completed their RN title and are ready to move
into the Rally Advanced ring.  Performance is done off leash and include jumps.  Satisfactory completion
should enable the team to earn an AKC Rally Advanced (RA) title.

Agility
SMKC is very proud of their agility curriculum. We offer a wide variety of classes in order to
accommodate dog/handler teams at all levels. Entry into any level agility class requires prior training
experience, for this reason we require certain criteria be met before enrolling in the agility program. In
some circumstances, enrollment may be granted based on special approval by the class instructor.

Agility I: Handlers enjoy a fun learning experience with their dog while learning the basics of agility.  This
class is intended to acquaint you and your dog with foundation training of handling skills and some low
equipment to create a safe and fun sport for you both.  Flat skills emphasized include handling (hand-jiving)
and stays.  Equipment utilized will include tunnels, planks on the ground, bougie board, jumps and low A-
Frame and dog-walk.

Agility II: Pre-requisite is successful completion of Agility I or approval to enroll in class after the
handler/dog team is evaluated for necessary skills.  This class is designed to build on the basic foundation
skills learned in Agility I. Dog and handler teams will continue training on lowered contact obstacles.  Safe
contact performance for entrance and exit will be emphasized utilizing 2o2o (or equivalent targeting
behavior) prior to moving the equipment to full height in Agility III.  The focus is to continue building the
team with an introduction to even more equipment and continued emphasis on working as a team.  Weave
pole training will begin.

Agility III: Pre-Requisite is successful completion of Agility II or approval to enroll in class after the
handler/dog team is evaluated for necessary skills. At this level equipment will be at full height.  Short
sequences will be run with handlers learning to maneuver front and rear crosses on course, 270 degree
turns and obstacle and handler focus. 12 Weave Poles will be taught.  Teams can remain in Agility III
classes until they plan to compete (or regularly begin running in SMKC Agility Run-Throughs).  

Agility IV: Pre-requisite is successful completion of Agility III Class or approval to enroll in class after
the handler/dog team is evaluated for necessary skills. Additionally teams must be competing at the
Novice/Open Standard levels in one of the major agility venues (or are regularly competing in the
equivalent level at SMKC Agility Run-Throughs).  Dog and Handler teams should be able to perform 14+
obstacle Novice level sequences with few problems.  Emphasis will be placed on handling skills so dogs must
be able to perform all obstacles without support.  Advanced handling skills will be taught that include
serpentines and threadles (pull-throughs) in order to prepare teams for Excellent/Masters levels.

Agility V: Teams should already be competing in Standard Excellent classes in one of the major agility
venues (or the equivalent at SMKC Agility Run-Throughs).  Highly complex courses or sequences will be
used to test handler skills.  This level is designed to develop, enhance, improve and maintain the superior
skills that both members of the team need to compete at this level. This level will stress smooth handling
skills on a variety of complex/abrupt direction changes, challenges to independent contacts and
complicated weave pole entries.

Conformation
Handling:  This class is offered to those wishing to show their dogs in the breed ring. The instructor will
show how to stack, gait, and show your do to its maximum potential. You will learn many "tricks of the
trade" and ring etiquette. It will also cover conditioning your dog to get it ready for exhibiting/dress code
for ring/leads and collars/entry completion.

Specialty Classes
These classes cross venues and are only offered occasionally

Attention With Clicker Training:  This class is designed to teach the fundamentals of clicker
training. Participants will be taught the fundamentals of classical conditioning and will be able to put the
skill to use through tricks and commands such as sit, touch, down, etc.
Contacts and Distance with Clicker and Target:  This class will focus on training dogs to target
using a clicker. Targets will be used to shape proper performance of contact obstacles, build distance
work, and teach independant obstacle performance. Dogs/handlers should have agility experience and/or
clicker training experience.

To Register for Classes, please click on the following form

Class Registration Form

Sessions are eight weeks long - one hour per week - for only $80 for non-members
$40 for members
Enter starting street address:

City, State or Zipcode:
Our wonderful staff of volunteer instructors have each met the following
criteria:
  • They have expressed an interest in teaching.
  • They have apprenticed with three different instructors at the Beginner Level.  During the
    apprenticeship, the person is encouraged to work with their own dog(s) in as many
    different classes as possible and to attend seminars - both ones put on by SMKC and ones
    put on by other clubs and organizations.  During this time the person is also encouraged to
    apprentice in the Puppy Kindergarten and Canine Good Citizen classes to see how the
    classes flow one to the next.
  • After the Obedience Chair feels that they are ready to teach, several different aspects of
    training are discussed, including equipment and they are then given a small Beginner class.  
    One of the instructors or the Obedience Chair is there as an assistant - helping if and when
    necessary.
  • The Obedience Chair is satisfied that those three instructors consider the apprentice
    ready to teach a class of their own.
  • They are familiar with the curriculum that the Board of Directors has approved in book
    form for the Instructor and students.

Our philosophy is Positive Dog Training!

Questions? Comments? Please contact Linda Morris

Click here to see our Aggressive Dog Policy

(410) 548-2110
PO Box 1881
Salisbury, MD 21802