Dog Training

What are dog life skills?

Well, let’s delve a little deeper into the subject. At Brook-Falls we consider a dog’s life skills to reflect how they act throughout their environment. Do they wait calmly to be let out of the front door? Are they pulling their owner down the street during their daily walk? How does the dog do when it comes to polite greeting behaviors towards humans and other dogs? These are some of the many topics we address in classes here at Brook-Falls.

Starting with the basic cues of ‘Focus’ (getting your dog’s attention) and ‘Sit’, we work our way up the ladder to ‘Down’ and ‘Drop-it’. Obviously having a good ‘Focus’ cue means you can get your dog’s attention in public and then transition that into another command such as ‘Sit’, while waiting for traffic to clear. ‘Down’ is a great cue to have on hand when you have company over for dinner, and you don’t want your dog looking longingly at your food on the table.

If you have a shoe thief in the house, you’ll definitely want the ‘Drop-it’ cue ready. For help with that daily walk, loose leash walking is the way to take the pressure off your aching arms. The ‘heel’ is an advanced cue that will have your dog stuck to your side like glue.

Other cues like ‘Wait’ and ‘Leave it’ will teach your dog to have impulse control, and the ‘Come’ cue will make sure you can call your dog away from dangerous situations. Last but not least, in our list of life skills is the ‘Stay’ cue. Have you ever wished you could send your dog to their bed and have them lay down there until you release them?

If any of these situations sounds like a scenario you would like to achieve in your daily life with Fido at home, join us in one of our pet dog manners classes soon.

What is dog wellness?

Wellness is a near and dear topic to us at Brook-Falls Pet Resort because we want to make sure our dog participants are healthy in both body and mind. The wellness portion of our classes at Brook-Falls range across all aspects of veterinary medicine. Since I started working with dogs on the clinic side of things, I believe it is essential to cover these topics so dog owners can enjoy as much time with their beloved pets as possible.

Health starts with a good diet and we cover why not to follow the grain-free fad and the brands of dog food that Brook-Falls Veterinary Hospital recommends. When it comes to our dog’s minds, we discuss how to prevent fear and promote socialization in our puppies from the time they are itty-bitty. Suggestions for potty training and kennel training are also discussed in class.

Ensuring our dogs are happy and healthy by spaying and neutering at the proper time is also important. We will address what age is best for your puppy to have surgery and what to expect on the day of the procedure. Vaccinations are a life-long part of our dog’s health regimen to protect not only them but our families as well.

Two of the required vaccines to participate in class protect both dogs and humans, alike from Rabies and Leptospirosis, which are zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic means that dogs can pass the infection on to people and vice versa. Other vaccines required like Bordetella, K9 Influenza, and Distemper only affect our canine population but are just as essential to receive to keep our best friends healthy and happy.

And the last of our health topics discussed in class is dental hygiene and when and how to start routine brushing. Yes, our dogs need to brush their teeth, but it’s important to start at the appropriate time. Keeping your dog’s teeth free of tartar will make sure their gums are healthy and keep them from developing side effects like tooth loss and heart disease as they age gracefully.

Dog Enrichment

Enrichment is another way to keep our dogs’ minds happy and healthy. Topics discussed regarding enrichment range from exercise and dog sports to food puzzle and desensitization games. Exercise is an integral part of everyone’s life, so why not have some fun with it and enroll your dog in a sport. There are many different options out there to suit all breeds and age levels. There are more sedate options such as obedience trials and barn hunts, as well as the high energy sports of agility and fly ball that will get anyone’s heart pumping.

Stuck inside on a rainy day? Perhaps you could try one of the many food puzzles listed on our activities list. Maybe you have a shy puppy that needs a confidence boost. Giving him or her a desensitization game may bring them out of their shell. Want a date night, but you’re worried Fido might destroy the house when you leave? Join us for discussions on how best to train kennel acceptance and lessen separation anxiety. The original Kong toy can be a great distraction device, and we can help you get the most out of them with filling suggestions and techniques.

Contact Brook-Falls Pet Resort & Doggy Day care today to see how we can enrich your dog’s life by teaching life skills and manners, educating on how best to keep them healthy, and fill their days with fun through enrichment activities and brain games.

Training Class Schedule

To enroll your dog in one of our training classes, call us today at (262) 252-9755

View Dog Training Schedule

Puppy Socialization Class

Our Puppy training classes are on Saturdays. Please check the training calendar for exact class days and times. Owners can come and go as they please to expose their puppies to socialization, play enrichment, and wellness topics.

Puppies ages 2 – 4 months of age

Each class is 45 minutes in length. Reservations must be made in advance each week with payment.  Call to reserve your spot.

Your puppy will receive:

• Socialization Skills
• Enrichment Play
• Games
• Manners
• Anti-Biting Education
• Potty Training & Crate Training Education
• Time for owner questions

Dog Basic Manners Training Class 

Offered for ages 4 months to adult

Our Basic Manners class is an 8-week course that tends to fill up quickly, so we encourage you to secure your spot now by calling our office.

• Focus
• Off
• Sit
• Down
• Leave-it
• Drop-it
• Come
• Front
• Stay