My Best Friend Obedience is proud to bring you the latest techniques in dog training and behavior modification. Of course, all of our training is positive motivation based....dog training needs to be fun and worthwhile for you and your dog. We don't just teach your dog, we teach you! People often throw good money after bad when it comes to training, someone else trains the dog and the owner has no idea how it was done or how the trainer was able to get through to the dog, where the owner could not! Consequently, after the dog is back with the owner a few months, things slip back to the way they were before training! All the fancy guarantees you get just mean that your dog must go back and be continually retrained....but if the dog works for the trainer then they tell you there's nothing more they can do for you! 

MY BEST FRIEND works for YOU and your dog....We teach you how to communicate with your dog the way we do, and with practice, your dog will listen to YOU just as well as your dog listens to us! If you can learn how to play the child's game...."Hot & Cold", you know....one person leaves the room and when they come back the rest of the group tries to direct the person to do a designated task by saying only, "Your getting hotter" or "Your getting colder, your freezing", then you can train your dog! YES dogs can be trained at any age! No, you do not have to be physically strong....even with a 150 lb. dog! Yes, even your children over 5 can help train the dog! CALL US NOW TO GET STARTED!!!!

Training Offerings

Group Classes click here for class schedules

Group classes are affordable and not only help to train your dog but also aid in socializing your dog with dogs and people.  That is the first choice for many people who then follow up with private training as needed. 

Beginning Level classes cover sit, lay down, stay, loose leash walking, greeting people on all fours, leave-it, waiting at gates and doorways, come when called, social obedience and distractions come with the territory (i.e. class location is usually at a park)...our dog will learn to obey on leash in public, just where you need it!  Term: 6 weeks   Space limit: 8 new dogs  class duration:  1 hour  (free repeats for life) graduates under one year old are eligible for free star puppy testing. Student will learn to use a clicker or a "marker word/signal" at this level and those techniques will be used throughout all our courses...if you already have all the skills listed above you may register for other levels of our classes without taking beginning!

Intermediate Level classes cover Heeling at the left side of the handler, Distance stays (of course with distraction) and skills needed to pass the Canine Good Citizen test such as greeting a person and dog without the two dogs visiting, greeting people without going forward or jumping unless asked, being touched and handled, being left with a stranger for a few minutes, being able to handle a loud noise or bicycle passing, passing by people and dogs without visiting them, etc..  Term: 6 weeks   Space limit: 8 new dogs  class duration:  1 hour  (free repeats for life)     click here for details on the CGC test

Advanced Level classes cover whatever we want; retrieve, tricks, going to public places, etc. (the students decide first week) primarily the goal is to work the dogs to an "off leash" level for all commands previously taught...is is not a free repeat class as the curriculum changes with the students wishes. Term: 6 week Class duration: 1 hour Space limit: 8 new dogs

Focus on Agility classes cover obedience skill as they apply to agility (these classes are taught in conjunction with jump city agility). Some of the skills we will "hone" are: Focus/Watch-me, Here/Come (Toward handler), Turn (away from handler), Targeting (a particular item), Touch (hand touch), Sit/Down-Stay skills with distractions, Wait/Stop (on a contact for example), Leave-it (sniffing treats dropped, etc.), Hand directing, Heel on left or on right, and whatever else comes up. Term: monthly for 4 weeks Duration: 1 hour Space limit: 7 dogs class takes place at Balboa Park by the agility classes!... the day changes monthly to allow all to participate...January is Thursday night, February is Monday night, March is Tuesday, April is Thursday, May is Mondays...etc.

AKC Rally Obedience AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen(R) program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.

A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions.
Term: 6 weeks. click here for more details

Fun Nose Work classes are taught by Amy, Ron, and Jill.. for more details on Fun Nosework Classes and it's founders go to www.funnosework.com . Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt.  This class focuses on teaching you how to encourage and develop your dog's natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise.  It's a great class for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy and to find out just how good is your dog's nose. The dogs in this class must be crated between turns and must be quiet in the crate to insure that the instructor can be heard by all.
Term: 6 weeks.  Class duration: 1 1/2 hours.  This class is not a Free Repeat.

Join the mailing list for My Best Friend Obedience and email us a note that you want a $10 off Coupon. Tell us when you make your appointment or pre-register for class that you have a coupon and present your $10 off coupon at your first session or when you pre register for class to receive your discount!
Note: The email coupon only applies to services over $100 and can only be used one time per dog and cannot be used with Pay Pal payments!

We have decided to do AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy testing like we do Canine Good Citizen CGC testing, quarterly so we will test for S.T.A.R. Puppy in ON MAY 21st changed to 6/5 Sunday from 9-11AM at Tarzana Park in Tarzana, CA. The testing is free for students who meet the criteria and graduated classes with us (bring your class certificate). Beginning level students may do S.T.A.R. Puppy testing free and Intermediate students may do CGC testing free. CGC TESTING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVEN IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE OUR CLASS AND THE FEE IS $15. If you want to acquire the skills for the CGC test, enroll in our intermediate course (prerequisite is beginning level obedience).

For more details go to www.akc.org and type "star puppy" into the search engine to find a printable brochure!  Here is the outline: 

20 STEPS To Success: The

AKC S.T.A.R. PuppySM TEST

OWNER BEHAVIORS:

1. Maintains puppy's health (vaccines, exams, appears healthy)

2. Owner receives Responsible Dog Owner's Pledge

3. Owner describes adequate daily play and exercise plan

4. Owner and puppy attend at least 6 classes by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator

5. Owner brings bags to classes for cleaning up after puppy

6. Owner has obtained some form of ID for

puppy-collar tag, etc.

PUPPY BEHAVIORS:

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class

8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class

9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner's choice

10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)

11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

TEST BEHAVIORS

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner

13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)

14.Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)

15.Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away

16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure

17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure

18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called

19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away

20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club is dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of purebred dogs and breeding for type and function. Founded in 1884, the AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well-being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership.

American Kennel Club

8051 Arco Corporate Drive

Raleigh,NC 27617

www.akc.org

(919) 233-9767

info@akc.org

For more information on AKC S.T.A.R. PuppySM,

contact starpuppy@akc.org

GK9S13 (09/08)

AKC S.T.A.R.

PUPPYSM PROGRAM

_ S OCIALIZATION

_ T RAINING

_ A CTIVITY

_ R ESPONSIBILITY

Click here for dates, prices and registration information on our groups.

Private Training and Behavior Modification 

If you are having problems with raising your new puppy and the vet says puppy is too young still for class, a single private session to deal with puppy issues may be the way to go.  Housebreaking (potty training), grooming, chewing, biting, jumping up...etc usually can be handled in a single in-home session for a young pup and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The cost is $120 per session within 30 minutes of Reseda, CA.   $10 off automatically if you pay by cash or check.

If you are experiencing problem behavior with an adult dog such as escaping, digging, chewing, excessive fear, fear biting, food guarding, toy guarding, separation anxiety, or issues handling multiple dogs or "dog to dog" aggression, we can help you with that privately.  In many cases we can help you in a single session (about 1.5 to 2 hours) followed by group training.  If we feel you would need multiple training sessions we can give you an estimate of how many sessions we think it will take based on our experience with other dogs that have had similar issues. The Cost is $120 per session within 30 minutes of Reseda, CA.  $10 off automatically when you pay by cash or check.

If we can't help you in a single session, we may suggest a training package for better value.  You may choose a four, six or ten session package. And remember, our 6 and 10 session obedience packages include "Forever Training"...that means free beginning group class for life! ($300-800 per package) If you come to us, we will deduct $20 off of each of your sessions.

One last option, I can come to you daily and train your dog for 5 weeks... this includes once a with you and your family, and 4 sessions with your dog per week, I only do this for people within 10 miles of my place in Reseda.  The cost for this is $1550.00.  now you don't even have to do the practicing, just follow the maintenance instructions I leave you!  Call to set up the first session.

On Board Training

On Board Training - for owners who just don't have time to train but can't wait to work with me weekly and practice what I teach your dog!  Or owners off on a lengthy trip... regular boarding is available for select clients only.  On Board Training packages range from two weeks for $1250.00, up to a complete 5-6 week package at $2250.00. If you would like to pay by pay pal for boarding and training call us to arrange for boarding and we can invoice you, otherwise you can pay by cash or check at our initial meeting.

Click here to make PayPal Payment for enrollment in private training and behavior modification.


How to get started

  • To setup a private obedience or Behavior modification session or enroll in group classes, please call the office at (818) 996-3647 or email us.

©2007 Karen Taylor and My Best Friend Obedience
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