Specialty Dog Training Classes and Events
Specialty Dog Training Classes and Events are a wonderful way to explore new and innovative areas of training. They are a great way to enhance your relationship with your pet. You will find below a list of the classes and events we offer. Please join our mailing list to stay informed of Specialty Dog Training Classes and other Unique Events at Misty Pines Pet Company.
Level 1 Agility
Level 1 Agility class is for fun, exercise and relationship building. Everyone is welcome. $30 Misty Pines teaches and uses agility obstacles in our training classes as motivational aids for
Sewickley, PA 15143 United States
Level 2 Agility
Agility is a fun sport open to any breed of dog which builds strong relationship between dog and handler. In Level 2 Agility, we will discuss terminology (such as “contact
Sewickley, PA 15143 United States
Misty Pines Therapy Dog and CGC Prep Class
This class will prepare you and your dog for therapy or service work. We will help you and your dog work through a number of exercises that you will encounter
Sewickley, PA 15143 United States
Level 1 Agility
Level 1 Agility class is for fun, exercise and relationship building. Everyone is welcome. $30 Misty Pines teaches and uses agility obstacles in our training classes as motivational aids for
Sewickley, PA 15143 United States
Level 2 Agility
Agility is a fun sport open to any breed of dog which builds strong relationship between dog and handler. In Level 2 Agility, we will discuss terminology (such as “contact
Sewickley, PA 15143 United States
- Level 1 Agility
- Level 2 Agility
- CGC Prep Class
- CGC Test
- Clicks N’ Tricks
- Kids Camp
- Nuisance Behaviors
- Retrieving
- Scent Work
- TDI Prep Class
- Treadmill
- Walking Politely on a Leash
- Dock Diving
- Dock Diving 101
- Holiday Kids Class
- North Park Class
- Reliable Retrieve
- Swimming
Level 1 Agility – $30
1st Saturday of every month | 8 – 8:45 AM
Class is 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. One handler per dog in class. Other visitors may watch from the mezzanine/balcony.
Level 1 Agility class is for fun, exercise and relationship building between you and your dog. Everyone is welcome.
Misty Pines teaches and uses agility obstacles in our training classes as motivational aids for your dog as a fun way to learn. Schooling your dog in agility obstacles will also strengthen communication between you and your dog. It promotes teamwork and builds your dog’s respect and trust in you as its leader. While this sport can be very competitive, this class will be taught as a recreational activity to enhance your relationship with your dog. In this monthly agility class, you and your dog will communicate, bond, and have fun! You and your dog can practice any obstacle for as long as you’d like in this class.
We offer a variety of obstacles including the standard agility equipment. Some of our equipment includes hurdles, tunnels, A-frames, see-saws, chutes, dog-walks, weave poles, ladders, treadmills, stairs and more.
The class is designed to help you and your dog learn and excel in agility. It is a class for all skill levels so it is beneficial for dogs that are brand new to agility as well as those that have had experience. You and your dog can practice any obstacle for as long as you’d like in this class. Exercises vary from free running the obstacles to handling skills and mock courses. Curriculum depends on class size and skill level of the dogs attending.
Key benefits of agility class
- provides mental and physical exercise
- builds your dog’s trust in you
- increases your confidence as a handler
- creates a sense of teamwork
- fosters a bond between you and your dog…
…all while having fun.
Level 2 Agility – $30
1st Saturday of every month | 9 – 9:45 AM
Agility is a fun sport open to any breed of dog which builds strong relationship between dog and handler. In Level 2 Agility, we will discuss terminology (such as “contact zones”), build good handling habits, and begin patterns. This class is designed for those who have taken agility before and want to learn a new way to utilize agility equipment.
Requirements: Dogs must be physically capable of going over a scramble, through a tunnel and over small jumps. Dogs must also be food or toy motivated.
Therapy, CGC and Service Prep Training – $30
2nd Saturday of every month | 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
This class will prepare you and your dog for Therapy work and testing, Service work and testing and the Canine Good Citizen Test. Dogs should have a good understanding of how to sit, down, stay, come, and walk politely (such as this way or heel) around other dogs. We will help you and your dog work through a number of exercises on the tests as well as those that you will encounter in life and in medical settings. Practice makes perfect!
The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test is a titling through the American Kennel Club (AKC) that is designed to recognize dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test can receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
The CGC test also lays the foundation for the Public Access Test for the Misty Pines Certified Service Dogs and the Misty Pines Therapy Dog Test. We hold these tests several times a year at our facility with one of our certified evaluators.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test – $35
The Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that is designed to recognize dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. The CGC is a two part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test will receive a frameable certificate from the American Kennel Club. Pre-registration required.
Read this article for more information about the Canine Good Citizen Title and to learn the requirements to achieve it.
Canine Nutrition Class – $30
Learn to help your dogs live heathier, happier lives to the best of your ability through their diet. During this hands-on active class we will demonstrate how to create healthier meals for your dog. We will also discuss the quantitative analysis of dog foods and quality of their ingredients.
Please bring an empty bag from your dog’s current food for discussion. Please also bring your dog with you to class.
Clicks N’ Tricks – $30
If you’re looking for a fun activity and good way to bond with your dog then this tricks class is the class for you and your dog! Similar to Agility, teaching Tricks is a fun break from regular obedience training but continues to build the working relationship between you and your canine companion. Tricks are behaviors that are outside of our typical curriculum and often involve multiple steps per behavior.
Recommendations: Bring a hungry dog, leash and collar, bait bag and yummy treats. If you do not have a treat bag, they are sold at Misty Pines. You may purchase one before class.
Clickers are required for this class. If you do not have one, please choose to add one we will have it ready for you when you come for class.
Registration required to attend class.
Dock Diving 101– $45
This class is to help your dog learn to jump off the dock and teaches you techniques to continue working with your dog. This is NOT a swimming class. All dogs must already be good swimmers and like going in the water.
It is best to bring a toy your dog loves and make sure it floats.
Up-to-date vaccinations records required. Vaccinations can be uploaded when registering. Class meets at the pond.
There are 2 options for parking: at the small lot by the pond or the spacious parking lots near the main building. DO NOT park along the driveway or in the grass.
Class taught by Paul Leabhart who has 16 years of dock diving experience and professionally competes with his dogs at a national level.
Exercise and Train With Your Dog – $25
Live like a dog, live in the moment.
Class will begin with a warm-up routine for humans and dogs. Then you will perform exercises while training your dog in various behaviors like sit, down, stay, watch, touch, play and the agility obstacles. Exercises will include your dog being active while for some your dog will be stationary. The human exercises include body-weight, cardio and yoga poses. Your instructor will show the exercises with modifications to be more challenging or less challenging so everyone of every fitness level can participate and succeed! This is an all levels and extra fun class that you and your dog will work on building your body and bond through exercise and training!
Items to bring:
- Training leash (no retractable) and Collar.
- Treats and a treat pouch that closes and opens easily.
- Water (for Humans), water for dogs will be provided outside
- Exercise clothing attire
Requirements to attend class:
- Friendly dogs that know basic behaviors: Sit, Down, Stay.
- Up to date Vaccination records
Class is taught by Aimee Kollinger, Certified Yoga Instructor, RYT-200 and Certified Holistic Health Coach.
Fit Dog Walk – Free
Please join us for a group fitness walk at Misty Pines Dog Park. We will meet in the parking lot and walk together through the trails of the park. The guided walk will be approximately 30 minutes through wooded trails with some hills. Please wear appropriate footwear, bug repellant and bring a water bottle. Although there is no fee for the walk we do require signup through our online store as well as current vaccination records for your dog. If we do not have them already, vaccination records should be submitted immediately after you register for the walk.
September 2018, AKC launched the AKC FIT DOG program where dog owners who walk a specified distance with their dogs can receive a free AKC FIT DOG car magnet. It has been a great success and now the program has expanded to recognize AKC FIT DOG Clubs! These are local groups which meet and accomplish certain fitness goals together with their dogs. Groups that may be approved as AKC FIT DOG clubs include: AKC clubs, independent dog training schools, and other dog related clubs and organizations.
To promote health and fitness for dogs and their owners, AKC FIT DOG clubs will:
- Conduct at least 4 group fitness walks per year, or
- Conduct regularly scheduled canine fitness/conditioning classes.
In the fitness walks and classes, dogs and owners may participate at their own individual skill level.
Kids Dog Training Camp 2023 – $199
July 10th, 11th, & 12th, 2023 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Spaces are limited so sign up now. Don’t miss out! Kids Camp is the perfect way for your child to enjoy their pet and learn proper handling skills and dog safety. Help your child have a great relationship with their canine best friend. The kids enjoy games, dog obedience, agility obstacles, trail hikes, and pond time. Kids Camp is available for kids ages 7-13 years of age.
- What to bring:
- Treats
- 6 ft Leash *no flexi leashes*
- Training Collar (Scruffy Guider or Gentle Leader are preferred)
- Treat bag
- Swimming clothes
- Towel
- Water shoes
Registration online required to attend class. Kids Camp is an extraordinary experience and there is a wait list every year. Any cancellations must be 2 weeks in advance or there is no refund. No exceptions.
Kids and Family Holiday Dog Training Class – $25
The Kids and Family Class is designed to teach families dog handling skills, dog safety, games, obedience and agility. This is a fun, informative, and entertaining class for moms, dads, kids and dogs. Please pre-register.
North Park Class – $25
Misty Pines Pet Company will be holding a special location dog training class at North Park. Class will meet at the swimming pool parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Please bring all of your usual tools needed for class and be sure to have a treat bag filled with your dog’s most favorite treats. Please sign up and prepay in advance. This class is open to students from all levels of classes.
Location
At Misty Pines we work towards building solid obedience and behavior throughout any distraction that we may come across. To solidify these behaviors we work through four variables of dog training; Distance, Distraction, Duration, and Location. Location is perhaps one of the most important variables of training a dog to cope with everyday situations such as someone coming to your door or taking your dog to the park on a sunny afternoon. As a general rule, a dog will only work where it has been taught to do so. Therefore, if the only place that you ever practice obedience such as heeling and stays is here in training class or at home in your living room, it is likely that your dog will find it difficult to hold their focus while faced with the unique distractions present in a new location. Keep in mind that when we change a variable in training, we make the cue and behavior unique to that situation. Remember that you may need to take a step back and teach a known behavior with lure and reward techniques the first time in a new location so that the dog learns to execute at this new location with unique distractions.
The Variables of Training
- Distance
- Distraction
- Durations
- Location
Nuisance Behaviors Class – $30
This open forum lecture/discussion focuses on how to correct and inhibit common nuisance behaviors of dogs and how to train the dog for a more desirable behavior. Some of the behaviors we address are pulling on the leash, jumping up, digging, barking, counter surfing, mouthing and play-biting and more. Please join us if you would like help in training your dog to be a better housemate and companion.
Rally Obedience Class – $30
Rally obedience is a course of 10-20 signs that you and your dog must navigate through! Rally offers a fun, new perspective on obedience training where the goal is to problem solve together. This class is designed for purebred and mixed breed dogs that are brand new to AKC Rally, as well as seasoned competitors looking to improve their performance and engagement in the ring. No AKC Rally experience is required, but all dogs must have an understanding of how to sit, stay, down and heel.
Reliable Recalls (Come) – $45
All Levels Welcome
All Levels Welcome Does your dog come running quickly every time you call his name? Or, does he have selective hearing when you say the word come? This clinic will teach the art of recalls, or coming when called. If your dog ignores your calls while outside or while in class, or even if your dog has a very strong recall, but you still want extra practice, then this clinic is for you. Throughout the clinic we will offer different techniques, tips, and exercises dealing with strengthening your dog’s recall command. Registration online required to attend.
Scent Work – $30
Every dog is equipped with an amazing tool: their nose! Olfaction, the act or process of smelling, is a dog’s primary special sense. Dogs have more than 220 million olfactory receptors in their nose, while humans have only 5 million! Teaching dogs to use their nose to identify a target odor offers many benefits. Medical tests have even shown that specially trained dogs are capable of using the dog’s sense of smell to detect certain types of tumors in humans. Scent Work is a highly recommended working game for families to learn to work their family pets.
Not many family dogs will be used for bomb detection, competition or tracking work, but every family dog can learn to play Hide N Seek and find objects hidden around the house. These games can be used to help provide mental stimulation for your dog and provide a job to keep him active. Scent Working is an activity that all dogs enjoy and all dogs can do.
Beginners and all other skill levels are welcome.
Does your dog need a swimming lesson? Is your dog a good swimmer but wants to have friends to swim with? We offer a Summer Swimming Class! This helpful class will be sure to get your dog in the water at our dog pond in no time. Be sure to bring a water toy, enticing dog treats, a long leash, your bathing suit or old clothes and water shoes. You Will Get Wet!
Misty Pines Therapy Dog International (MPTD) Test – $45
The Primary objective of the MPTD dog and handler is to provide comfort and companionship by sharing the dog with the patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions and wherever else the Therapy Dog is needed. This is done in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people. Pre-registration is required.
Read this article for more information about the Misty Pines Therapy Dog Certification and learn the requirements to achieve it.
Registration online, by phone or e-mail required to attend class.
Training on the Trails – $30
Take your training out into nature and join us for an extended nature trail hike at Misty Pines. We will work our dogs throughout the entire trail system focusing on polite walking/hiking at a reasonable pace.
At Misty Pines we say that a well-trained and well-exercised dog is a good dog and by working your dog on a treadmill you are accomplishing both at the same time. Why a treadmill, you ask? You can infinitely exercise your dog indoors, which means that you are no longer governed by the weather.
Below are some excerpts from an article by Jt Clough from All Things Dog Blog about treadmill training:
Most people wish they had just some of the energy their bouncy happy-go-lucky dog naturally possesses. Unfortunately for many dogs bad behavior happens because the energy level the dog mom or dad has simply does not match the energy level of their dog.
What are the reasons your dog would benefit from dog treadmill training?
Dogs need exercise. Some dogs need a lot of exercise and end up in some sort of trouble because of something they
Walking Politely on a Loose Leash – $45
Having a dog that is a pleasure to walk is, well…a pleasure. We want to help you enjoy your time outdoors with your dog on and off leash.
Walking a dog on a loose leash for a longer distance and duration is one of the most challenging exercises for humans and their dogs.
This clinic will incorporate a lecture in combination with demonstrations of tools and training techniques. The walking behaviors we will cover are Heel, Easy, This Way, Pull, Wait, and Take A Break.