Dog Training Classes in Asheville
WNC K9 CLASSES
Investing in a class can build a bond like no other, increase sociability and avoid problem behaviors. I encourage owners with dogs to go get some sort of formal training. Why? Since we share lives in tighter and closer communities, it is more important than ever that every dog be given a good canine education.
Class Cancelation Policy Due To Winter Weather Conditions:
If Buncombe County Schools are closed, classes are typically cancelled.
You should get an email. If you have questions, please call me at 828-712-4245 or email: gail@wnck9.com
SNOW STORM: Click here to find last minute closings.
Puppies start coming to class around ages 12 - 14 weeks old. After that 2nd boost immunity shot.
Dates and Times:
Go to: K9 Manners - Level 1 to sign up for the class that best suites your schedule.
Please email me if you have any questions, text or call: 828-712-4245
Instructor:
Gail Hubbard [828-712-4245]
Location: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Take the middle paced driveway on your left once you see the orange cones and mailboxes on the left indicating that Edgewood Road Extension does deadend. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. My garage door is a bright red as well. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring:
- your puppy
- harnesses are recommended / strongly suggested
- 6 foot leash (no retractable)
- shot records
- favorite toy
- small soft food treats (a trail mix of a variety)
- your enthusiasm and joy!
Private Training and Behavior Consultations
Private Coaching Benefits are:
- At home coaching session
- Comfortable environment to optimize learning for your puppy
- Initial evaluation to determine goals and expectations are fulfilled
- Assessment of where the dog is within those goals and expectations
- Developing your initial plan with handouts and homework
- Follow up emails and phone calls
- Scheduling the second session to stay consistent and evaluate your training mechanics
Pricing
1 hour of coaching ... $105
1.5 hours of coaching ... $155
The initial meeting includes an evaluation, handouts and a follow-up phone consultation and typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. All follow-up sessions are typically an hour in length.
When working with larger families, children, and multiple dogs, the private coaching can extend even longer in length.
2 hours of coaching ... $195
Package discounts are given.
**Pricing is different for those living outside of a 15-mile radius.
During K9 Manners - Level 1: Schooling begins with focus, attention, and name recogition -- building a solid understanding of the foundations is important. Then we go on to leash walking, positions (sit, down and stand), come, stay, leave it. We also give solutions for a range of behavioral problems such as jumping up, nipping, and what to do if you feel as though you are nagging your dog. As I help you teach the behaviors you desire we also talk about how to extinguish the undesireable ones -- an awareness of what is rehearsed is essential at times. Your lifestyle with your dog will suddenly make sense and be easier with a handful of guidelines to live by for the life of your dog.
Level 1 is where dog owners priorities are developed, rehearsals are understood, and mindsets start to shift. Each K9 team can have different needs and I will do my best to help everyone in class. However, please know that I make myself available during these 5 weeks to answer as many questions as possible and will encourage you to reach out if you have any questions. If I think a private coaching session would be best, I will mention that option.
This class is held, for the most part, outside. Come dressed appropriately.
If you are interested and have questions please call or text Gail at 828-712-4245
Class Details: K9 Manners - Level 1 (Basic Manners)
5-Weeks of FUN ... with 4-5 dog limit. Please call with questions
Cost: $165
Payment Styles: Cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Check
Instructor: Gail Hubbard
NEW Start Date: Tuesday, October 3 at 6:00pm --THIS CLASS IS FULL--
Target Dates: Tuesdays: October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Times: 6:00pm
or ...
NEW Start Date: Monday, October 2 at 10:30am [no class October 23rd] --THIS CLASS IS FULL--
Target Dates: Mondays: October 2, 9, 16, 30; November 6
Times: 10:30am
Location: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Take the middle paced driveway on your left once you see the orange cones and mailboxes on the left indicating that Edgewood Road Extension does deadend. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring:
- 6 foot leash (no retractable)
- proof of rabies - PLEASE
- a favorite toy
- small soft food treats - i.e. turkey hotdogs cooked and string cheese
- YOU ready to train. Enthusiasm and Joy! AND plenty of motivators for establishing your personal reward strategy!
Sign Up Now
Private Training and Behavior Consultations
Private Coaching Benefits are:
- At home coaching session
- Comfortable environment to optimize learning for your puppy
- Initial evaluation to determine goals and expectations are fulfilled
- Assessment of where the dog is within those goals and expectations
- Developing your initial plan with handouts and homework
- Follow up emails and phone calls
- Scheduling the second session to stay consistent and evaluate your training mechanics
Pricing
1 hour of coaching ... $105
1.5 hours of coaching ... $155
The initial meeting includes an evaluation, handouts and a follow-up phone consultation and typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. All follow-up sessions are typically an hour in length.
When working with larger families, children, and multiple dogs, the private coaching can extend even longer in length.
2 hours of coaching ... $195
Programs are provided giving the busy families a lot of options and supportive services. If you would like to discuss the programs, please let me know.
**Pricing is different for those living outside of a 15-mile radius.
After successful completion of Level-1, you are encouraged to move on to K9 Manners - Level 2 if you are wanting to move toward therapy dog, and/or passing the CGC test.
K9 Manners Level 2 - CGC Prep introduces new ways to increase your dogs arrousal while working on compliance. Classes are always based on the foundation of how to properly handle and effectively communicate with yourdog. The goals are to go deeper into what you personally want and need as your dog's life (24/7/365) is the most important to me.
This class will prep you for the CGC class. It is held for 5-weeks so that you can build upon your obedience foundation.
During this class it will not be unusual for me to give one person more homework in one aspect of their relationship, and another may have a totally different focus. When we come together it is your opportunity to work on your individual relationship with your dog with guidance from me - moving towards your personal goals. It is a class so there will be limitations, but you are always encouraged to ask questions and send weekly updates via email.
K9 Manners - AKC CGC PREP CLASS
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Walking on a loose leash
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on command and staying in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reacting (or not reacting) to a distraction
- Supervised separation.
To pass the CGC test dogs must pass all 10 items of the test.
If you are nosure if this class is for you. Please call Gail at 828-712-4245.
Important Notes: If you have not attended a K9 Manners class your dog may need to step back in order to move forward to accomplish your goals. An option: a private lesson may be scheduled [$105] to enter into this class.
During each private I evaluate and give essential homework to move forward with your desires.
Class Details: K9 Manners Level 2 - CGC Prep
5-Week of CGC Prep
Cost: $165
Cash, Venmo, or Check (Payable to: WNC K9)
New Class Date: Tuesday, October 31 at 12:00pm [no class on November 21 - Happy Thanksgiving]
Class Schedule: Tuesday, October 31; November 7, 14, 28; December 5
Time: 12:00pm
The locations: The different class locations will be given during the first class.
The first class location is: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
This class builds upon level-2 offering extensions to the learning environment by meeting in different locations in and around Buncombe County.
We review and focus on the CGC test items from the CGC Prep class and the CGCU test items below. At times people take this class several times because it is fun watching their dog learn and review important aspects of life. Everyone taking this class may be at different levels of understanding when it comes to the CGC items. Know that we will review and help you through all aspects with Schooling Model in mind.
SAMPLE URBAN CGC TEST ITEMS
1) Exit/enter doorways with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings.
2) Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.
3) Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces.
4) Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling.
5) Ignore food on sidewalk.
6) Approaching a person walking up to greet and pet your dog.
7) Public building control: Walks under control in building. Down stay in lobby or outdoor area while you are there.
8) Stairs, steps, or elevator control.
9) Housetrained for apartment, condo, and also in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.
10) Transportation control.
To pass the CGCU test dogs must pass all 10 items of the test. For more information go to the AKC website.
Prerequisite: If you are not coming from a K9 Manners Level 1 or 2 class, a private lesson must be scheduled [$80] to enter into this class.
Class Details: K9 Manners - UCGC Prep
5-Weeks of FUN (We meet at different places each week)
Cost: $165
New Class Start Date: TBA
Target End Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Locations: TBA
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Class Details: Introduction to Dog Sports
5-Weeks of FUN to introduce the fun of a dog sport. This class will mentally challenge you and your dog as well as physically.
This 5-week class is highly recommended for folks new to any dog sport scene. We want all our students to get all they can out of their interactions with their dog. Dog sports are FUN and this class is designed to prepare owners for navigating and controlling their dog in any sport class. It also teaches you more fun things to do with your dog at home ... mentally stimulation with fun games that will keep them fit while showing them how to use their bodies in the space - proprioception. This class offers a little bit of physical challenges, so your dog should go home tired. Sport classes are generally more stimulating then average dog training classes and so the types of things you will learn over and above learning new sporty activities are:
- Learn the art of shaping where the dog thinks and is more involved in the games we play
- Learn tricks for foundation skills in treibball, agility, and scent games
- Work on happy crate training techniques so that your dog loves any crate - especially at the vet office
- Learn how being a team player in the class can enhance your experience and learning
- Wellness fitness and conditioning games will show the dog proprioception, etc.
The sports that we review are: Agility - Treibball (Urban Herding) - Scent Nose Work (The Nose Knows) - K9 Fitness and Conditioning
If you have already taken this class, I can give you additional homework that will take you into the next levels of the sport you are most interested in. Call me to discuss the possibilities.
Cost: $165
5-Weeks of FUN ... with 4-5 dog limit. Please call with questions
Instructors: Gail Hubbard
Start Date: Wednesday, September 20 at 6:00pm [no class on October 18] ---THIS CLASS IS FULL---
Class Schedule: Wednesday, September 20, 27; October 4, 11, 25
Time: 6:00pm
or...
Start Date: Tuesday, October 2 at 12:00pm [no class on October 23]
Class Schedule: Tuesday, October 2, 9, 16 30; November 6
Time: 12:00pm
New Class: Dog Sports Beyond Intro
Please contact me if you are interested.
Details: This class is for those who have taken this class before and want to continue on with a mentally challenging class that keeps your dog fit and active.
Location: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Interested? Simply click the "Sign Up Now" bottom below.
Class Details
Since teamwork between dog and human is the cornerstone of agility, this class focuses on the relationship between you and your dog. Using a non-conventional way of training (or shaping) dog owners are challenged to team up with their k9 companion in a way they have perhaps never done. It is fun and the outcome is mind blowing as you get your dog to do things that you never could imagined them doing.
This class is an on-going experience. After this 6-week experience the class continues on with beyond foundation skills which leads to more and more agility.
It is often exciting to watch the process and journey of each and every dog team.
Read a story from a student and her scottie.
To build a successful agility team and have fun in agility, please take a K9 Manners class at A Good Dog's Life Training Center before signing up. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Cost: $165 for 6-weeks of FUN and Learning!
Instructor: Gail Hubbard
New Class Start Date: TBA
Typically interested agility foundations - beginning basic dog teams move onto Beyond the Basic Foundation and learn more and more skills until they are running a whole course.
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
**This series will continue on through several levels. Typically it takes several months before students are running larger sequences and/or thinking about competing. Locally we have AKC and USDAA shows ... both are fun and both are right here in WNC.
Lesson Details: An Introduction to Urban Herding - Treiball
Is your dog showing signs of their herding instinct? It may be coming out as chasing the lawn mower, the sweeper, or trying to round up children, chickens, other dogs at your local dog park? If so, your dog will love urban herding.
Treibball is both a competitive and non-competitive sport for dogs of all ages and sizes. This fun sport requires patience while training the dog to have good teamwork and communication. It's great fun for any energetic dog who needs a job to do and fulfills daily enrichment through mentally challenging your dog. I think all dogs have and need to use their problem-solving ability and this will definately do that.
Treibball does not put any physical stress on the handler. It also builds confidence for shy dogs, and helps reactive dogs with impulse control.
An introduction to this sport typically starts with a private lesson, but it isn't necessary for this series of clinics.
Please contact Gail Hubbard with any questions.
2 Hour Clinic Cost: $45
NEW Intro Clinic: Saturday, June 3 at 10am-12:00am
1st LEVEL Level One Clinic: Saturday, June 10 at 9:30am-11:30am
2nd LEVEL Level Two Clinic: Saturday, June 17 at 9:30am-11:30am
Instructor: Gail Hubbard with special appearance by: Carolyn Bigley
Text/Call: 828-712-4245
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Interested? You can click the "Sign Up Now" bottom below to sign up.
In an hour private lesson, I introduce you and your dog to the scenting games by using your dog’s choice of motivation — whether it’s high value treats or a high value toy. Your dog is taught to search in easy to learn steps.
Challenges can be quickly added to the game - a multitude of objects and varying heights. This initial private lesson is held indoors and will give you insight to mentally challenge your dog by using his/her nose - developing your dog’s searching skills. Teaming up with other 'scent team' is popular after this your private lesson.
Details: Please contact me if you are interested, or register for a private below.
Private Cost: $165
Instructor: Gail Hubbard | 828-712-4245
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
To Schedule A Private: Click here to register for a private lesson!
If you want to keep your dog strong and healthy, join this conditioning and body awareness class. The flow yoga-like approach behind each game will teach you how you can properly keep a self-paced, force-free routine workout with your dog’s fitness level in mind. The dogs use their own body weight and movability to condition and build body awareness and strength.
This class will safely improve your dog’s fitness through conditioning and body awareness exercises — ultimately preventing injuries, even if your sport is hiking or running around in the back yard.
Other benefits are:
- increased body awareness
- increased confidence
- improved attitude
- added flexibility and balance
- helps with weight loss
- increases over-all strength
After attending Robert J Porter, CCRP "It’s Possible” Conditioning Workshop, I have gained a better understanding of the benefits of using a force-free approach. This class includes some of the safest and effective ways to strengthen your dogs body for the typical movements the 21st century dog does on a daily basis. I’m soooo excited to say, IT IS POSSIBLE to keep your active dog healthy.
There will be a “Declaration of Pet’s Health” each dogs team will sign after the first class of this 5 class series. This class does not take the place of any recommendations or guidelines established for your dog by a veterinary professional (i.e., veterinarian, rehabilitation practitioner, veterinary chiropractor, etc.) Your pet should be free of internal and external parasites, any communicable diseases, and should have received appropriate vaccinations.
If at any time you feel the class isn't for you and your dog, you can pull out with a prorated refund. But I assure everyone that the exercises we go over will enhance your dogs existence for the better. I think you really will enjoy this approach to a healthy force-free K9 fitness workout for your dog.
Details: 5-Weeks of a Force-Free K9 Fitness Program
Cost: $105
Instructor: Gail Hubbard and Natalie Boone
Class Dates: TBA
Time: TBA
Location: A Good Dog's Life Training Center, 33 Hidden Acres Drive, Asheville, NC 28806
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!