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.

PRE-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.

Obedience for Agility
Dogs taking this class must have completed Puppy Kindergarten, Canine Good Citizen, or a
Beginner/Novice Obedience class. Attention, self control, and good handler communication is
essential for any off leash dog sport you plan to pursue. This class covers the absolute recall,
sit/stays, heeling on left and right sides, left about turns, as well as games to improve the
relationship with your dog. This class will focus on those areas to build control without the
leash. Class size limited. Dogs MUST be dog and people friendly

Agility for Fun
Dogs taking this class must have completed either Obedience for Agility, Canine Good Citizen,
or a Beginner/Novice Obedience class. This class assumes that dog/handler teams are non-
competitive in nature and wish to pursue agility training in a casual and fun environment. Most
obstacles will be used including low height contacts.

Foundation Agility
Dogs taking this class must have completed Canine Good Citizen, Beginner/Novice Obedience,
or Obedience for Agility. Taking the Obedience for Agility class is highly recommended
before taking the Foundation Agility class. Key concepts such as hand targeting, get out, and
go around will be taught. Motivational games including restrained recalls will be used to
encourage speed through tunnels, tires, and on the flat. Handlers will be introduced to proper
hand/body signals.  Contact training methods will be discussed including use of clicker trained
targets, hoops, and “two on two off” positioning. Dogs will learn to traverse narrow ramps and
the contact trainers.  

Beginner Agility
Dogs taking this class must have completed either Obedience for Agility, Agility for Fun, or
Foundation Agility. Off lead work is a critical component of this class, therefore a solid recall
is mandatory. This class will introduce dogs to all of the agility obstacles. Contact Obstacles
will be performed at low height, with emphasis on building confidence. Simple sequences will
be mastered utilizing jumps, tunnels, tire, and table. Weave pole training will consist of open
chute/channel and or weave-a-matic methods. Handlers will be instructed on proper use of
hand/arm/body signals.

Intermediate Agility
Dogs taking this class must have completed Beginner Agility. In this class, dogs will continue to
master all agility obstacles. Contacts will be performed at medium to full height, with emphasis
on proper contact zone performance. Sequences of 5 - 10 obstacles will be performed utilizing
all agility obstacles. Weave pole training will focus on preparing dogs to weave upright poles.
More complicated handling skills will be introduced at this level, including front cross, rear
cross, and lead outs.

Advanced Agility
Dogs taking this class must have completed Intermediate Agility. Dogs must be performing all
obstacles, including contacts at full height. Dogs should be weaving upright poles, or poles that
are 80% upright without popping out of the line of poles. This class will utilize full courses and
sequence work to prepare dogs for competition. Complicated handling skills will be mastered,
including front crosses, rear crosses, lead outs, pivots, distance, and layering. Obstacle
discriminations will be included in course work.

Sequencing/Discrimination
Dogs taking this class must have completed Intermediate, know all of the equipment and be
fairly proficient at it. In this class, each team will be required to handle each sequence using
several different methods (i.e. front cross one time and then rear cross the next time or lead
out vs. no lead out). Distance work and handling sequences to avoid a wrong course
(discrimination) will also be covered.

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 one of the following forms

Class Registration Form

American Kennel Club Obedience Information

Sessions are eight weeks long - one hour per week - for only $80!
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