For more detailed information on each class go to the tab for that class to check it out.
Class Schedule For 2023
Starting July 1st, 2021 group classes and private lessons are now all being held at a larger training location, 248 Sheep Davis Rd, Unit 7 Concord, NH. This location is on the 2nd floor up carpeted stairs. This location is above “Canine Strong .”
Wednesday Classes will still be held at Finlayson’s Pet Care. Agility with run outdoors. Off Lead and Canine Good Citizen classes will still run off site and you will be notified before class about locations.
Please note, if you do not see a date for a group class that works in your schedule, we can always do any 4/5 week course during 3 Private Lessons.
Practice Class- Practice class out in public or in our training space. Class is 45 minutes long. These classes are only offered to clients that have taken up to a Level 1 class at Finlayson's or have done private lessons. If your dog is reactive please check with Mary or Becca to see if your dog is appropriate for these classes. Out in public we will be working on all the basic skills in a public environment. Classes that are held at the training faculty will have a curriculum built around the commands in the Level 1 class. These classes are a great way to practice with your dog in different environments with only a one day commitment at a time.
- TBD
Puppy Class- For puppies under 5 months old. Learn the basics and work on any issues you may be having. Classes do fill quickly.
- Tuesday January 31st at 6pm
- Sunday February 26th at 3pm
Level I- For dogs 5 months and older. Work on the basics and more. Some commands include sit-stay, down-stay, and heel. There are 8 students per class, we are using a bigger space! Classes do fill quickly.
- Tuesday January 31st, 2022 at 7pm
- Sunday February 26th at 4pm
Level II- Dogs must have graduated from Level I class. In Level II, you work with more distractions, greeting people while your dog sits, use more hand signals, healing with out the lead, leave-it, and more. There are only 4 students per class. Classes do fill quickly.
- TBD
Level III- This course builds on previous classes to heighten focus and control in real life situations. Some topics covered are better heeling skills with more eye contact, going to the mat to rest and working around distractions. Working on development of off-lead skills. Commands include: Sit-stay and down-stay (while owner leaves the room), place, come, heel, mat and stand.
TBD
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- AKC Canine Good Citizen- Dogs must be familiar with Level I basic commands. Working your dog out in public with lots of distractions around the Concord area. You will learn what you need to know to pass the AKC CGC test. Dogs must be friendly with other dogs. Feel free to contact us if you are unsure if your dog is a good fit for this class.
- Wednesday February 22nd, 2023 at 6pm
Canine Good Citizen Test – TBD
Urban Dog- Urban Dog class is a new class created by Mary Finlayson. In this course you will be teaching your dog stronger more difficult skills in public. If you like to travel and take your dog everywhere, this is a great class for you. Classes will be held in down town Concord on the busy sidewalks, on outdoor patios of restaurants and in busy stores that allow dogs. This class is a higher skilled class than Canine Good Citizen, however you do not need to take the CGC class before you take Urban Dog.
TBD
Urban Dog Drop In's: One Day
TBD
Agility-Agility for fun is designed to introduce you and your dog to the fundamentals of agility, the equipment and the language, using a positive, fun and safe approach. Have fun learning the jumps, tunnels, chute, and table in this class.
Sunday February 26th, 2023 at 5pm
Agility Drop In's-
TBD
Rally Novice- For competition or for fun, Rally is K-9 obedience with a twist in this new sport where there are a series of stations that are approached by the dog and handler. Simply complete the obedience exercise at the station and move on to the next. This is a great sport for kids and adults alike. For qualified students. Handler and dog must be a Level I graduate or better.
- TBD
Rally Novice Drop In's-
TBD
Crazy Good Tricks- Looking for something fun to do? Learn to teach your dog unique tricks like jumping through hoops, pushing the skateboard, playing dead, retrieving items, play a toy piano, find a hidden treat, and much more! There are 4 Levels of Tricks Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Performer. This class covers all 4. You can work on the tricks for the level you are in. At the end of each class you can take the AKC tricks test to receive your tricks title. Most students will cover at least two levels per course.
· NEXT CLASS DATE TBD
Tricks Drop In's-
TBD
Tricks Test – TBD
Nose Work for Fun-The sport of Scent Work is based on the work of professional detection dogs (such as drug dogs), employed by humans to detect a wide variety of scents and substances. In AKC Scent Work, dogs search for cotton swabs saturated with the essential oils of Birch, Anise, Clove, and Cypress. The cotton swabs are hidden out of sight in a pre-determined search area, and the dog has to find them. Teamwork is necessary: when the dog finds the scent, he has to communicate the find to the handler, who calls it out to the judge.
In the first session of scent work we will be teaching the dog to find a treat that is hidden. Soon you will pair that treat with a scent. Eventually you wean out the treat and only have the scent available for the dog to find. This class is lots of fun and great for dogs who like to use their noses.
- TBD
K-9 Brainiac Fun Class- Enjoy teaching your puppy fun new obstacles and tricks. jumps, ramps, hoops, front and rear end awareness, pushing boards with wheels and more. This class is intended to keep your puppy/dog mentally entertained. Every obstacle and trick can be practiced right in your home anytime of day! This class is for dogs that are friendly with other dogs and people. Any puppy or dog at any age can attend this class!
Thursday February 2nd, 2023 at 6pm
K-9 Brainiac Fun Class Drop In's- TBD
Therapy Dog Class- Prepare your dog to take the Therapy Dog Test (TDI test) This course covers a variety of goals to make sure that your dog will be reliable and accepting across many different situations. Upon completion of this class, tests will be offered for the certification needed to work your dog in nursing homes, etc.
Requirements -
All dogs must be 1 year of age in order to take the Therapy Dog test.
Dogs must not be shy, fearful or aggressive in any way towards people, children or dogs/cats
Dogs can not bark, even in play, at other dogs or people.
Dogs should know and hold all commands in group settings.
Prior obedience is recommended. If you have not taken the Level I class or CGC class at Finlayson's, then a private lesson is required to make sure your dog will qualify for the class.
TBD
Therapy Dog Practice Tests- TBD
Therapy Dog Test- TBD
$12 cash will be paid to the tester and $25 will be paid to the facility. Please have exact change in 2 different envelopes on the test date
Off Lead- ADDING MAXIMUM distractions. A primary goal of this class is to make your dog more reliable off lead across a variety of situations. Class will held at trails in and around the Concord area in order to ad all types of distractions in different environments.
Commands include: Off-lead skills (heeling and recall), dropping on command, even when in the middle of a recall, using only hand signals, full attention and following of directions when you are out of your dog's sight. The following commands will be learned
- Wait - Dog stops and waits for owner to catch up
- Whistle - Blow a whistle and the dog returns to tag the owners hand
- Come - Dog comes and sits in front of the owner
- Heel and Finish - After Coming when called the dog moves to the owners left side and walks by the owners side as they pass other people and dogs. This is done without a leash in the owners hand.
- Check back in the Spring 2023
Show Handling - This class is intended for those who want to brush up on their skills and practice with their dog in the show ring. This class is great for both children and adults interested in Show Handling.
TBD
Private Lessons-**Dates are updated often**
45 minute private lesson for $85
Three 45 minute private lessons for $230(save $25)
Please make sure you can attend all three sessions. I am offering sets of 3 private lessons for $230. These lessons are once a week for 3 weeks at the same day and time that they start(unless other dates are available and chosen). Each lesson is 45 minutes long. If you miss a session a training video can be sent for that week. You can not switch a lesson to another day or time if you miss one or get credit for that lesson. Please sign up for the 3 days you choose, total paid will be $255, but as soon as we see you signed up we will refund the $25.
Choose from the following dates/times:
Fri February 3rd at 5pm
Thurs February 9th at 7pm
Fri February 17th at 4pm
Fri February 17th at 5pm
Fri February 17th at 6pm
Fri March 3rd at 5pm
Fri March 3rd at 6pm
**Privates listed out in public must be approved by Mary prior to signing up**
When deciding dates for the 3 lessons you want to pick 3 dates that are a week or more apart.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND CLASS(s): **May not apply to all classes offered**
You have some options if you miss class, they are listed below
1. You can review and practice the homework and watch the videos on the Facebook Group. If you have questions you can discuss at the following weeks class. (**May not apply to all classes**)
2. You can drop in to a future class we are holding IF IT DOES NOT BECOME FULL, for a $25 drop in fee per drop in.
3. If you are missing class due to your dog being ill or having a surgery where they need to miss a week, You should come without your dog so you can learn the lessons from that week and then practice with your dog when feeling better.
Note: Please be aware of your schedule and the dates that class is held. We do skip dates if there is a holiday or another event. Please allow a few extra weeks in your schedule to finish your class. Meaning a 5 week class may take 7 weeks to complete. In the event of bad weather some classes will be held on a Zoom. Please be prepared for this.
If your dog needs to skip class because they are sick, spay/neuter or for any other reason, you can attend without the dog to get a lesson, join in zoom if available, or just follow that weeks homework at home. We cannot transfer you to another class or refund your class fee. If you have to miss a large amount of your class you may join a future class that does not fill by the start date. The fee will be $25 for each day that you drop into that class.
Private Lessons
$85.00
When you fill out the registration form, Please note: If you choose to sign up for a private lesson or a 3 session private lesson, your purchase is non refundable. If you can not make it to your scheduled class session we can not re-book it or change your lesson time/date without another private session charge. Once you purchase a date and time we will no longer offer that session to be purchased by others. Make sure you are available on all of the dates that you select. There are no substitutions to the dates/times given in each session. These lessons are at Finlayson's Pet Care Center. Please call to discuss if you would like a lesson at your home.