Fall Dog Training Classes Scheduled

Do you want your dog to sit and wait while you open the door to go outside? Wouldn’t it be nice if your dog could sit or stay down while you make dinner or when friends come to visit? Then it’s time for some real-life training!
The fall session of area dog training classes will begin on Tuesday evening, October 1 in West Cape May. Classes include Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner Training, and Advanced Beginner/Canine Good Citizen. Sessions run for eight weeks at a cost of $80. All dogs, both pure and mixed breeds, are invited to attend. Class size is limited, so please register early! The next class session begins in January.
Training is conducted by the Cape May County Dog Obedience Training Club (CMCDOTC), an American Kennel Club (AKC) affiliated group, who have held training programs for over 35 years. The club also sponsors the annual Mutt Strut on the Cape May Promenade, scheduled for 2013 on Saturday, September 28 from 8 am to noon, with a rain date of September 29.
In Puppy Kindergarten, for dogs three to six months of age, socializing dogs is emphasized, along with developing good manners and preventing unwanted behavior. Puppies are introduced to basic obedience such as walking on a loose leash and sit, down, come, and stay commands. The puppy training culminates with qualifying dogs receiving the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy distinction, showing both the dog and owner are off to a good start in Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility.
Beginner Training, for dogs six months of age and older, instructs owners to teach their dogs the basic commands essential to everyday, real-life living. These dogs fine tune the puppy basics and learn to heel, leave-it, come when called, sit, down and stay. Dogs of all ages are invited to attend, with a minimum age of six months. These sessions work to develop good life skills and household manners and to build the bond between owners and their pets.
The Advanced Beginner class, for dogs completing Beginner Training, continues the work of beginner with more advanced commands and includes preparation for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. The CGC program is dedicated to encouraging responsible dog ownership and is now an AKC Title for both pure and mixed breed dogs registered with AKC.
For more information or to register for classes download an application at www.cmcdotc.com, email cmcdotc@comcast.net, or call 425-6080. For questions, call: Puppies 425-1168, Beginner 602-8163 or Advanced 465-4899.