Obedience Classes

All-Breed Dog Obedience Training- Basic Obedience and Good Manners...since 1975
 
 

• Group Obedience/Good Manners Classes

 
New sessions start the first Thursday of each month!
 
We welcome all breeds of puppies and adults, 4 months of age and older, which are current on vaccinations. We use quality Good Dog Collars, Premier 6' Nylon Leashes, and Biscuit Buddy/Outward Hound Treat Bags in our training (please see Training Equipment For Sale on the right side of this page for more info).  We sell our training equipment in class, but students are welcome to use what they already have, as long as it fits our criteria of being quality equipment that is humane and effective.
 
Our classes offer progressive learning using a step-by-step method; we work with students and their dogs to provide balanced, positive-reinforced, instinctual dog training, using lots of smiles, pets, treats, and toys (students should bring their dog's favorite goodies with them to class!) We encourage all the students' family members, including well-behaved children, to attend and train with the family dog. We emphasize practical, fun training exercises that result in dogs that are mannerly canine citizens and happy, well-behaved family members!
 
Our Basic Obedience curriculum includes Sit-Stays, Down-Stays, Stand-Stays, Heeling on Leash, Recalls (Coming when called) and Finishes (Returning to the Heel position). Additionally, our Good Manners curriculum includes No Barking, No Biting, No Chewing, No Jumping Up, No Digging, House Training and Kennel Crate Training. We also distribute weekly handout packets and discuss a variety of additional canine subjects, such as proper nutrition and feeding, recommended veterinary care, spaying and neutering, bathing and grooming, dog bite prevention, and de-sensitization and socialization. We also give recommendations for future training for the Canine Good Citizen program, and showing in obedience, conformation, agility and sheep herding.
 
Classes are on Thursday evenings, 7:15 PM - 9:15 PM (2 hour class), $75 for the 4-week session at the Des Moines Fieldhouse 1000 S. 220 St. Des Moines, WA 98198. For pre-registration and driving directions, please call (206) 870-6527 or go to www.desmoineswa.gov . 
 
We welcome visitors anytime - stop by and see us having fun in class! 
 

• Private Sessions

 
I also offer private in-home training sessions for those who prefer one-on-one attention. It is a nice way to begin with baby puppies, and it is also ideal for special needs dogs, special needs handlers, and dogs with aggression problems that cannot be in a group setting. The cost for a 90 minute session is $100 in Kent/Des Moines and surrounding local areas. Please email me for more information and to set a time for us to speak on the phone about your needs!
 
Jan Magnuson P.O. Box 98072, Des Moines, WA 98198 (206) 241-2908 SunstarAmericanBulldogs@msn.com
 
I recommend the book "Cesar's Way" by Cesar Millan, I think it should be mandatory reading for anyone thinking of getting a dog or anyone who has a dog.  And although somewhat dated, I also really like "Mother Knows Best" by Carol Lea Benjamin, it is an excellent basic, common-sense dog training book!