Welcome to the Canine Academy, where dogs learn people stuff and have fun doing it. Our program is geared for dogs of all breeds and stages of life -- from puppies to seniors -- and will help you make the most of the time you spend with your canine companion doing dog and people things. Our instructor, Eric, offers a broad range of training opportunities including, group classes, private lessons, play sessions and seminars, each geared toward the mastery of specific commands and behaviors, and all with the goal of helping your dog acquire important life skills through clear instruction, good communication, and lots of practice. We look forward to helping you and your dog live well together, fully enjoying the special relationship unique to dogs and the people who love them.

CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS Puppy Kindergarten / AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification For puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old.  This class is a great way to introduce your puppy to the world of humans and other dogs.  It covers beginning commands and socialization skills, such as 'good', 'no', 'sit', 'down', 'come', 'take it', 'leave it', 'give', and 'wait', and includes class-time for group play.   Also addresses common puppy issues such as, biting, jumping, digging, and barking, plus, house-training, crate-training, and nutrition.   Class includes preparation for AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certification, certification test, and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy medal. Meets once weekly for 7 weeks.  Fee:  $110.00 Basic Training For dogs 6 months and older.  This class focuses on mastery of all basic commands learned in Puppy Kindergarten.  It also includes 'right here' ('heel') with automatic 'sit', about turn, and right and left turns.  Eric addresses behavioral issues as needed.  Meets once weekly for 7 weeks and is the perfect follow-up for Puppy Kindergarten.  Fee:  $110.00 Play Camp To further enhance your dog's socialization skills, Eric recommends scheduling a few Play Camp sessions to provide your dog with additional experience at interacting with other dogs and behaving appropriately, while in a safe, controlled environment.  These skills are especially important if you plan to take your dog to dog parks and other places where other dogs are present.  For further information on Play Camp, see below.

FOR THE MORE ADVANCED Intermediate For Basic Training graduates.  This class focuses on mastery of all basic commands while working off leash.  It is the perfect compliment to the Basic Training class and great way to prepare for Advanced/Canine Good Citizen.  Meets once weekly for 7 weeks.  Fee:  $110.00  Advanced Obedience / AKC Canine Good Citizen For Basic Training graduates.  This class includes a review of all basic commands, then focuses on those that demonstrate confidence and self-control.  The class conditions dogs to act mannerly at home, in public, and when associating with other dogs by perfecting their behavior in the presence of distractions typical of public places.  The nationally recognized AKC Canine Good Citizen Test is given during the 5th week of class, and a certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the test.  Meets once weekly for 5 weeks.  Fee:  $90.00 Conformation For Puppy, Basic, and Advanced graduates.  This class is an overview of the ins and outs of showing dogs in professional competition.  It will cover how shows work and the rules, as well as provide practice on correct handling, stacking (show pose), and grooming.  If you are thinking about showing your dog, this class will give you the information and basic skills you need to get started.  Meets once weekly for 5 weeks.  Fee:  $90.00

SPECIALTY CLASSES Basic Agility For Fun For dogs 9 months or older.  This class is a fun introduction to agility cues and equipment, including the A-Frame, Dog-Walk, See-Saw, Pause Table, tunnels, and jumps.  It offers a non-competitive, recreational experience with a lot of physical activity.  Meets once weekly for 7 weeks.  Fee:  $110.00   Advanced Agility For Fun For Basic Agility graduates.  This recreational class is designed to provide a more challenging and exciting agility experience.  Use of basic hand signals will be taught and equipment will be adjusted for greater distance and height.  Meets once weekly for 7 weeks.  Fee:  $110.00 Rallysport For Basic Obedience graduates.   This class combines obedience skills and competition by preparing the dog to perform obedience skills on command along a set course, while competing for accuracy and speed.  Provides a unique and fun way to utilize obedience skills while reinforcing discipline and communication between dog and owner.  Meets once weekly for 7 weeks.  Fee:  $110.00

PRIVATE LESSONS One-On-One This is a one-hour lesson with Eric designed to address your specific training needs one-on-one with just you and your dog.  All lessons are at our facility.  Lessons are scheduled as needed and at a time convenient to you.  Fee:  $75.00 per session In Home This is a one-hour lesson with Eric conducted in your home that focuses on correcting specific problems that occur in your home environment.  Home lessons are scheduled as needed and at  a time convenient to you.  Fee:  $95.00

TRAINING FOR BOARDERS Board & Train This is obedience training for the dog staying in our Lodge and a great way to keep your dog active and thinking.  It consists of a private 25-minute lesson with Eric working on basic commands such as 'come', 'right here' (heel), 'sit', and 'down'.  Special problems will be addressed at your request.  You can schedule up to two lessons a day for boarding stays Tuesday through Saturday.  Fee:  $17.00 per lesson      Boarding School This is a two-week intensive training program where your dog stays with us during the week and trains with Eric one-on-one.  Dogs go home for the weekend, allowing you and your dog to practice the skills learned each week in your home environment.  On the last training day of each week, Eric holds a private session with you and your dog, reviewing the week's training and instructing on skills to be practiced.  This program includes all training and boarding for the eight training days, plus, one in-home follow-up session to be scheduled at your convenience after completion of the program.  Fee:  $475.00  Please note that regular fees will apply for any additional services provided, including weekend overnight boarding stays and medical care.

PLAY CAMP An ideal way to enhance socialization skills at all stages of learning, play camp offers the physical activity and group play that dogs love.  Offered each week, this fun, supervised play time gives dogs the opportunity to make new canine friends and learn how to play and interact with them appropriately.  Conducted in the safety of Eric's training room and under his supervision, dogs can play with each other and with toys to their heart's content.   Play camp is offered as follows:  On Tuesdays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm for small dogs 30 pounds or less; and on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm for all current obedience students, our Lodge boarders, daycare boarders, and other pre-approved dogs.  Dogs boarding in our Lodge or in daycare can also sign up for play camp sessions  geared just for them on Fridays and Saturdays.  Approved dogs can attend any number of 30-minute time periods during a scheduled play camp, and many stay for the entire time.   Play camp is for friendly dogs only, and for the safety of all play camp participants, dog-aggressive and/or people-aggressive dogs will not be allowed. Please note that participation of un-neutered males and un-spayed females will be allowed only on a case by case basis at Eric's discretion.  FEE:  $7.00 for each 30-minute time period, with a one-hour minimum for non-boarding, drop-in campers.

FREE CLASSES & SEMINARS So, You Got A New Puppy? If you just got a new puppy or plan to, you won't want to miss this free one-hour 'puppy 101' class for new puppy owners.  Eric will cover the essentials of puppy survival, including house training, feeding, and the gear you'll need to help your puppy get off to a good start.  Meets the last Wednesday of each month at 4:00pm.  For people only, no dogs please! Safer Dog, Safer Kids Children are injured every year because not all dogs are friendly.  This seminar teaches children how to be safe around dogs, whether it's the family dog or someone else's.  They will learn how to identify which dog behaviors are friendly and which ones are not, as well as what they should and should not do whenever a dog is present.  For children and their parents (children must be accompanied by a parent).  Winter Seminar:  Saturday, January 9th @ 10:00am.  For people only, no dogs please. Living Better With The Aggressive Dog Sometimes, no matter how wonderful the home, some dogs need more help at learning how to live with their families.  This seminar is designed to help owners of dogs with aggressive behaviors understand these behaviors and learn strategies that can be used to correct them.  The goal of this seminar is to help dogs stay in their homes and thrive.  Winter Seminar:  Saturday, January 16th @ 10:00am.  For people only, no dogs please.

OUR INSTRUCTOR Eric Gillaspy, CPDT Eric loves dogs and they love him.  As our resident obedience instructor, he is here Tuesday through Saturday, ready to help you with your obedience training needs.    Eric is certified with the Council of Professional Dog Trainers, and has been training dogs professionally for eleven  years.  At our facility since 2004, he specializes in identifying and solving behavioral problems, and implementing positive-reinforcement techniques that produce long-term results.  His techniques are both effective and humane.  Eric has worked with Good Dog Training and the Downtown Dog Lounge, and has been featured in the American Animal Hospital Association's Pets Matter publication. From the classroom setting to private one-on-one lessons, he is dedicated to helping dogs and people have great relationships at all stages of life. Always happy to discuss obedience problems and training solutions, Eric will guide you into the training that best meets your dog's needs, then help you and your dog achieve your training goals. To schedule a class or lesson, or for additional information about Eric's program, just call us at 303-708-8050 any day of the week.  You can reach Eric Tuesday through Saturday, or just ask for him when you come by for your next visit.

EARLY SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE Puppy Kindergarten / AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification Saturday @ 11:00am:  March 13 - April 24 Thursday @ 6:45pm:  March 25 - May 6 Tuesday @ 6:45pm:  April 13 - May 25 Wednesday @ 6:45pm:  April 28 - June 9 Basic Training  Saturday @ 12:30pm:  March 13 - April 24 Thursday @ 5:30pm:  March 25 - May 6 Tuesday @ 5:30pm:  April 13 - May 25 Wednesday @ 5:30pm:  April 28 - June 9 Intermediate Class currently in session.  Next class to be announced AKC Canine Good Citizen Saturday @ 3:30pm:  March 13 - April 10 Agility For Fun Saturday @ 2:00pm:  March 13 - April 24   OBEDIENCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS ♦ Dogs must be current on all required vaccinations, including Bordetella, seven days prior to their first class or lesson.  If vaccinated at another facility, a copy of the current vaccination record from a licensed veterinarian is required in advance of the first session.  ♦ Fees must be paid prior to the first class.  ♦ No refunds after the first day of class.   ♦ There is a one-hour minimum for Play Camp participation for all drop-in (non-boarding) dogs.  Additional time will be charged in 30-minute increments on the half hour only, regardless of arrival or departure time.  ♦ We reserve the right to turn away any dog that may be ill or contagious, or dog and/or people aggressive.    WHAT PARTICIPANTS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE CLASS THEY ATTENDED "The instruction was excellent." "Absolutely fantastic.  I have become much more knowledgeable..." "Great class, fun, but very informative." "Eric is a very intuitive instructor..." "Good basic instruction, but not too much all at once." "Loved the class.  Perfect Q & A.  Thank you for all the tips and tricks...very helpful." "Good tips for training, excellent exercises." "Positive training methods, very knowledgeable and entertaining instructor." "Lots of good training ideas during class and for problems outside of class." "Loved the doggie playtime at the beginning of each class." "I liked the tone of the class, relaxed and easy-going." "Small class size, great instructor!" "We had a lot of fun and enjoyed meeting other dogs." "Enjoyed the comfortable, open environment." "Very pleased...we learned a lot!" "Really liked the focus on small goals each week, made it easier to make overall progress." "Eric is great.  Very knowledgeable and patient, and obviously loves dogs."