Welcome to TAILS

TAILS Dog Obedience Classes

Amanda Weides

Director of Dog Obedience

Come Explore the Power of Positive Training

Introducing the Levels way of learning

Based on the Montessori learning method, the Levels Program allows you and your dog to learn at your own pace.

You'll start at Level I and spend the first two weeks learning the basics of positive reinforcement training.

On the third week, if you and your dog are ready, you'll advance to Level II. If you'd like to stay at Level I for a while longer, that's all right with us! There's no pressure to "keep up" with the rest of the class, you're welcome to remain at the same level until you feel ready to advance.

Each level has progressively more complicated and advanced commands and you and your dog will have up to 6 months to complete all three levels. If you need more time, that's negotiable too. At TAILS Humane Society, our goal is to keep pets in their homes. We'll do what we can to assist you in dealing with the common (and the not-so-common) canine behavior issues that make canine companions a bit of a challenge.

This program is perfect for people with busy schedules - if you have to miss a class because of vacation, illness or one of life's many complications, that fits right in with the Levels Program. Just come back to the next sheduled class and pick up where you left off.

Your dog will learn basic commands such as "sit", "stay", "down" as well as how to walk appropriately on a leash, and a variety of other commands that will make living with your dog a very rewarding experience.

Come let us show you how to have fun with your dog!

Equipment to bring to class

Please have your dog on a flat buckle collar with a six foot leather leash - no choke collars or prong collars please. We will be using the Clicker Method, which is a reward-based method of training so you'll need to bring at least 2 cups of yummy treats for your dog. The treats must be bite sized and can include cat treats, shredded cheese, cooked chicken, hotdogs...anything your dog really loves!

Please also bring proof of current rabies, distemper and bordetella vaccinations.

Registration Information

Registration Fees

First dog/puppy: $95
Second dog/puppy*: $75
Special discounted rate for dogs/puppies adopted from TAILS: $75

*Please note: each dog/puppy must have its own handler.

How to register

Please feel free to stop in and sign up for classes at the shelter during normal adoption hours or email Amanda Weides at aweides@tailshumanesociety.org. Alternatively, you and your dog are welcome to attend any Level I class and sign up at that time.

Class times and location

Adopters: Come to class 2 weeks after adoption

in order to build a bond with your pup/dog

All classes will meet at TAILS, 2250 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb.

Tuesday - Level 1 at 7pm & Level 3 at 8pm

Wednesday - Level 1 at 7pm & Level 2 at 8pm

Thursday - Level 2 at 7pm & Level 3 at 8pm

Here's what you'll learn:

Level 1: Attention, Sit-Down-Stand, Jazz Up & Settle Down & Leave it

Level 2: Leash Walking, Left Finish, Hand Signals & Voice Cues, Woof & Shush

Level 3: Stay, Recall (come) and Real Life exercizes that include distance control, Meet & Greets and out-of-sight Stays.

effective Oct 20, 2009