Ready to compete! AKC Conformation Handling class is an opportunity for handlers and their dog to have a simulated show ring experience. Dogs in this class must be a breed recognized by the AKC and your dog should be already registered with the AKC.

The class will work on presentation and handling techniques including:

• Stacking the dog and training a free-stack
• Adjusting speed for moving the dog around the ring to avoid pacing or trotting
• Introducing the dog to being approached and touched by a judge
• How to enter the ring
• Keep engagement while showing
• Handling treats (bait) while presenting your dog

NOTE:

• This is not an obedience training class, see our class offering for Obedience training
• This is a single class option. You can choose each class date you would like to attend and pay for each individually. There is also a 7 week discounted session available

Individual classes registered in advance on the website are $15 plus a $1.99 registration fee.  You can also pay at the venue on the date of class by scanning a QR code; however, classes will be $25. Pre-paid classes here are significantly discounted.

What to bring to class: Collar should be what will be used in the ring (slip collar), 4 to 6 foot leather leash, Dog Toy, preferably on a rope/string, Dog Crate - optional, Soft treats (bait) and treat pouch.  Note: Don't feed your dog within three hours of training.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $3). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Grab your leash and your four-legged fitness partner for a 1-mile walk — it counts toward your dog’s AKC FIT Dog title or join us for a social experience!

Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or your dog is already a pro walker, this is a great way to get moving together and earn recognition from the AKC.

Our typical Fit Dog Walk is:

• One-mile walk at SC County parks on a Sunday morning
• We meet up at the parking lot, make introductions, walk down-and-back, then return to the parking lot
• Some people bring snacks and enjoy the day at the park after the walk

This walk counts for 2 points in one of the two categories required toward earning a AKC FIT Dog title. Our Fit Dog Conditioning class is another way to earn points. To find out more about the AKC FIT Dog Program, visit the AKC website.

Price:  $15 + 2.50 registration fee for activity title points.  Note there may be a parking fee at the location.  No registration needed if joining for a social walk or if a club member.

What to bring: Collar, leash, water and comfortable shoes.  If you would like credit towards an AKC FIT Dog title, please bring your application for signature at the end of the walk.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $3). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

AKC Canine Good Citizen is intended to reward responsible pet ownership and good dog manners.

Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that evaluates your dog's good manners and responsible dog ownership of their owners. There are no age minimums or limits for participating in the AKC Canine Good Citizen.

What to bring: A brush, 6 foot leash, a flat buckle collar, martingale collar or a non restrictive harness.  

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first test are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $3). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available for day of test or missed test.

AKC Community Canine (CGCA) is all about having a well-behaved CGC dog in the community. The 10-step AKC Community Canine test is conducted in real life situations. Take the test with our AKC Approved CGCA Evaluator.

The 10 test items on the CGCA test are: controlled stand/sit/down, loose leash walk in natural setting and crowd, walk past other dogs, small group sit-stay, pet with item, "leave it", distanced down or sit stay, recall with distractions and sit/stand with owner movement.

More Details: See the AKC Participant and Evaluator Guide here.

Price: $25 + $2.50 registration fee for the test.  Note: A separate fee maybe required by the AKC for the title submission.

What to bring:  6 foot leash (not retractable), a flat buckle collar, martingale collar or a non restrictive harness.  

Day of Test: The order of testing will be on a first come basis. Please try to come 10 minutes early to sign in and get settled.

Cancellation & Refunds: If you need to cancel anytime before the day of the test / evaluations, we’re happy to offer a refund minus fees (currently about $3 to cover registration fees and credit card processing). No refunds can be given for cancellations made on the day of the test / evaluations. We’re also unable to offer refunds, credits, or prorated fees for missed test / evaluations. I'm only signing up the one handler who’ll be working with the dog. If there are additional registrations with the same dog, those registrations will be canceled and refunded, minus fees. Need to switch to a different test / evaluation or date? Transfers may be possible, depending on space availability. Price differences will apply. Just contact us and we’ll do our best to help. 

Welcome to the AKC Trick Dog Program!  Take the test with our AKC Approved Trick Dog Evaluator. 

• AKC Novice Trick Dog (TKN) - Your dog performs 10 skills from the Novice list, 5 skills if already passed CGC . See the list of tricks here.
  • Note: If you are registered in the CGC test on the same day and pass, you can pay $5 exact cash at the event and perform 5 Novice tricks to earn the Novice title.  No tricks registration needed.
• AKC Intermediate Trick Dog (TKI) – Your dog must have the Novice title, plus perform 10 Intermediate tricks. See the list of tricks here.
• AKC Advanced Trick Dog (TKA) – Your dog must have the Intermediate title, plus perform 10 tricks from the Advanced list. See the list of tricks here.

More Details: See the AKC Participant and Evaluator Guide here.

Price:  $15 + $2.50 registration fee.  Note: A separate fee maybe required by the AKC for the title submission.

What to bring: Props, Flat collar, martingale, or slip collar, exactly a 6 foot leash

Day of Test: The order of testing will be on a first come basis. Please try to come 10 minutes early to sign in and get settled.

Cancellation & Refunds:  If you need to cancel anytime before the day of the test / evaluations, we’re happy to offer a refund minus fees (currently about $3 to cover registration fees and credit card processing). No refunds can be given for cancellations made on the day of the test / evaluations. We’re also unable to offer refunds, credits, or prorated fees for missed test / evaluations. I'm only signing up the one handler who’ll be working with the dog. If there are additional registrations with the same dog, those registrations will be canceled and refunded, minus fees. Need to switch to a different test / evaluation or date? Transfers may be possible, depending on space availability. Price differences will apply. Just contact us and we’ll do our best to help.

Scent Work class, also called nose work, is an exciting and engaging sport inspired by the work of real world detection dogs. Instead of searching for drugs or explosives, Scent Work uses four essential oils—birch, anise, clove, and cypress for dogs to locate these hidden scents in various environments.

In Scent Work Beginner training, the handler’s role is to assist rather than direct the dog.

In this class the dog learns:

• How to signal to the handler when they’ve found a scent, even with distractions like toys and food around
• The essential oils and begin practicing basic scent detection skills through beginner searches

This dog sport activity is not only fun but also helps build confidence and stimulate your dog’s mind, making it a great choice for dogs over 6 months. 

Classes should be repeated to become proficient in all skills before advancing to the next level class.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to the start of first class. Completion of at least one Beginner Obedience class.

What to bring to class: Flat or martingale collar, or harness, at least a 10-foot leash (must be easy to take on and off), high-value treats, treat pouch, and water, and a crate is required (we recommend a collapsible one). No e-collars, prong collars, pull harnesses restricting the shoulders, or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

Our Beginner Obedience course will guide you through all the basics to help you teach your dog the right skills from the beginning. This class covers the commands to get you started and the tools to make training fun, including:

• Start the obedience basics: Recall, Walking on leash, Sit, Down and Stay
• Games to build focus: Watch me, drop it or give, and touch
• Build a connection: learn how to use commands, praise, and release to encourage good behavior
• Learn the body language: understand how your position and movement can help you communicate better with your dog

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate is awarded at the conclusion of class provided dog and handler attend a minimum of 6 classes, completes all 20 Star puppy behaviors and is less than 12 months old.  Dogs older than 12 months may want to test for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisite: Your dog must be 16 weeks or older on the first day of class.

What to bring to class: Flat or martingale collar sized appropriately sized for your dog, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, water, towel/mat and a positive attitude! No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellations & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.

If you're interested in fine-tuning your Focus & Heeling skills and learning new skills for AKC Obedience or AKC Rally competition, this class will focus on all the skills necessary in both sports. Focus & Heeling will not focus on specific ring exercises but instead on the handling aspects needed in dog sports.

 Emphasis will be on:

• Heeling - keeping your dog in position and making footwork adjustments to communicate with your dog
• Attention - working to keep the focus on you and minimize distractions
• Motivating your dog - refreshing skill and improving engagement
• Deliver rewards - Use of treat position, a positive tone of voice, and body language as a reward for your dog
• Setting yourself up for success with ring presence and preparation

This class can be taken on its own or concurrently with another class such as all levels of Rally or AKC Novice Obedience.

Price:  $150 + 2.50 registration fee for 7 week session, classes are held on Tuesdays. 

Prerequisites:  Dogs must be at least 6 months of age prior to the start of first class. Completion of at least one Intermediate Obedience class or AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title.

What to bring to class: Flat, martingale, or slip collar, 6 foot leash, high value treats, treat pouch, and water. No e-collars or retractable leashes.

Cancellation & Refunds: Cancellations made the day before the first class of a session are eligible for a refund, minus processing fees (currently about $13). No refunds, credits, or prorated fees are available once a session has started, including for missed classes.

Registration is limited to one handler per dog. Any additional handler registrations for the same dog will be canceled and refunded, minus fees.