The Palms Academy
 

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The Palms Pet Resort & Spa offers a wide variety of training classes for every level. Our training goal is to enhance the quality of life for dogs and their owners. Our trainers, Irma Bice - CPDT-KA and Colleen Smith have a vast knowledge of canine behavior and training. Each of our trainers has participated in various areas of Conformation, AKC Competitive Obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen, CGC Evaluators, National Association of Treibball Enthusiast and AKC Rally. Our training methods are fun, very simple and easy to understand. They are based on positive reinforcement, repetition, consistency and reward.

We also offer Behavior Modification and Aggression Consultations. We are members of International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and have served on staff for the annual APDT conference. We understand the importance of continuing education. Classes are small to give you and your dog the personal attention you deserve.

Thank you for your interest in our onsite training program. We hope to see you in one of our classes! 
How To Apply - Call The Palms Pet Resort & Spa at 210-695-1166

SHAPING YOUR PUPPY CLASS -  Puppies’ ages 8 weeks to 6 months The perfect class to establish a foundation for shaping your puppy's behavior. This class offers training in situations you will encounter everyday with your new pup: the visit to a vet or groomer, or another dog on leash. You will gain a greater understanding of your pup through fun training and socialization. Course handouts are included. Class Pricing Six Weeks for $160

• One Hour Orientation: Overview of how puppies think, learn and communicate

• Attention and name recognition

• Socialization and confidence building skills

• Play time techniques

• Problem solving: housetraining, biting, jumping

• Basic skills: sit, down, come, leave-it, walking on leash
  
  This class is a fun way to enrich your relationship with your new puppy and discover new ways to bond and play with your best friend!
  
  Housetraining Your New Puppy Questions come up frequently in training class regarding housetraining tips for a new puppy. We have found this article to be very helpful in getting a puppy housetrained.

PET MANNERS CLASS - For dogs over 6 months and older with no prior formal training This basic companionship class provides you with skills to work and communicate with your dog. A great class for those who want the basics or those who need a refresher. Course handouts are included.  Class Pricing - Six Weeks for $160

• Advanced Basic Skills: attention, sit, down, stay, controlled walking, come, leave-it and more

• Solving Behavior Problems based on your needs

• Listening around many distractions

• Distance work

NOVICE 1 CLASS - ** Pre-requisite: "PET MANNERS"  Advanced training for dogs continuing their education toward becoming a companion dog. We will work on building and refining basic skills with increased distance, distractions and durations and focusing on specific goals. Class Pricing - Six weeks for $160

• Attention and target training
• Fronts
• Heeling
• Teaching complex behaviors
• Introduction to competition work

* Advanced Basic Skills:  sit, down, stand, stay and come
 

MOVING FORWARD/RALLY CLASS -  ** Pre-requisite: "Pet Manners" Rally is a new dog sport in which the dog and handler complete a course designed by the Rally judge. This class will prepare you to compete and complete the required 10 to 15 stations for a title. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional dog obedience and communication between the dog and handler is encouraged. This is an ongoing class.
Class Pricing - Six Weeks for $102  / Every Wednesday @ 6:30 PM 
Note: Individual pricing per session - $17.00 per week ($20.00 for multiple family dogs)
* Advanced Basic Skills: attention, sit, down, stay, controlled walking, come, and more...

TRICK CLASS – ** Pre-requisite: “Pet Manners” This class will build the bond with your dog as you learn to guide and motivate in a fun way. Trick class offers a great way to interact with your dog and teach alternate behaviors. Teach your dog how to learn. Some examples of tricks we will work on are speak, crawl, roll over, jump, beg, shake, spin, pray and more. Class Pricing - Six Weeks for $160

TREIBBALL CLASS (All Levels) - ** Pre-requisite-“Pet Manners”  Treibball (pronounced Tribe-ball) is new, positive-reinforcement, competitive sport for dogs of all ages, and sizes, who love to play chase games or who just love to herd. It’s great fun for any energetic dog that works well off-leash and needs a job, or any herding breed that doesn’t have a flock! Treibball consists of the dog working off – leash and obeying the handler’s commands; verbal cues, whistles or hand signals, to use his nose or shoulders to drive eight balls into a goal, within 10 minutes.
Class Pricing - Six Weeks for $135    

SCENT WORK CLASS (Intro to Scent and Intermediate Scent Work), commonly called nose work, is a great way to develop your dog’s natural scenting ability: Dogs are individually challenged to discover hidden treats. This class will provide both physical and mental stimulation for your dog and is a great way to boost their confidence. This class is a great fit for almost any dog! No previous training experience required. It is recommended that you do not feed your dog prior to class.
Class Pricing - Intro to Scent Work Six Weeks for $160            Pre-Requisite - “None”
Class Pricing - Intermediate Scent Work Six Weeks for $160  Pre-Requisite -  Intro to Scent Work

LEASH WALKING CLASS - Put an end to pulling and racing out in front of you. We are masters of allowing our dogs to drag us down the street. All dogs should be taught how to walk on leash in a positive, fun way without being jerked or choked. In four short weeks you can enjoy walks with your dog. Teach your dog to walk without pulling. 8pm-8:30pm  CLASS PRICING – Four weeks for $75.00 - (1/2 hr classes)

BOARD & TRAIN   The Palms offers the Board & Train option; your dog stays at our resort in one of our Cabana Suites and learns his/her basic manners while you are at home or on vacation. When you come to pick up your dog you will be given a detailed lesson by the trainer. She will show you what your dog has learned and also have you practice all the skills until you are comfortable doing them with your dog. You are required to practice with your dog when you return home. The skills your dog has learned need to be transferred to your home and to your family members. Board & Train is personalized to your situation; we can work on some behavioral issues as well as manners training. 

One week board and train   $    650.00
Two week board and train   $ 1,300.00
Four week board and train  $ 2,600.00   (includes cabana boarding)

Private training  session while boarding is $30.00 per session

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CLASS   CGC is an AKC sponsored program designed to recognize and award the CGC title to dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. This is a two part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and good manners for dogs. This course will prepare you and your dog for the 10 part test. Dogs do not have to be registered with AKC to earn a CGC nor do they have to be pure pred. Owners are instructed to send in one copy of the test form with a recording fee of $8.00 to receive the certificate from AKC.
Class Pricing - Six Weeks for $160   ** Pre-requisite - “Pet Manners”

Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. Responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept. In this pledge owners agree to take care of their dog’s health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life.

Items on the CGC test are:

• Accepting a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Appearance and grooming
• Out for a walk (walking in loose lead)
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit and down on command and staying in place
• Coming when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distraction
• Supervised separation