Pawtropolis is proud to offer a great variety of training classes for dogs of all ages and skill levels. Below are simply brief descriptions of each class offered and who would benefit most from each class. Pawtropolis owner Amanda Rodriguez is always available by email to answer any additional questions regarding training classes or to help direct you to which class you and your dog would be better suited for. Sign-up for classes in person at Pawtropolis or request a registration form via email.

The Basics
Taught by Tamela Boyd
The Basics is a program designed to educate dog owners on how to have a well-balanced, healthy dog. Topics include:
· Why good nutrition is important in having a well-behaved dog.
· How to maintain order in a multi-dog household.
· Different types of behavioral problems, the causes and solutions.
· Why structure and routine are good for dogs and how to implement.
· How dogs communicate with each other.
· How dogs communicate with humans.
· Why does doggie daycares and dog parks work so well and why they are important.
· And much more…

This class is good for owners wanting a better understanding of dogs and dog behavior. The first two sessions are for owners only, the dogs join us for the third night. You will have a chance to watch videos of a very controlled multi-dog household and see how understanding dogs more will lead to a happier household.

The Basics is a great beginner course. We will discuss why being a consistent leader is so important. We’ll also discuss how to create a routine for your dog and how to teach household rules and boundaries. We will work on obedience exercises like:
· Not pulling on the leash
· Sit and Down
· Stay
· Avoiding distractions
· Waiting to go through doors and creating boundaries

This class is a great first start for young dogs as well as good practice for those dogs already having some obedience skills. Dogs can begin as early as four and a half months old. These basic skills provide a great foundation for any continued training you wish to pursue.

Class is held one night a week for 7-weeks. Each class is about one and a half hours long, beginning at 6:00. The cost is $115.00. No dogs for the first session.

Monday Basics
First Class: Date to come
Mondays at 6:00pm

The Basics
First Class: January 16th
Wednesdays at 6:00pm

Puppy Preschool
Taught by Kathie Spring & Billie Rae
Congratulations on the new addition to your life. The goal of this class is to socialize your puppy, to lay the groundwork for a lifetime relationship that is healthy and rewarding and to help you teach your puppy basic manners.

The following is a list of exercises that are taught during the session: loose leash walking, sit, down, rollover and coming when called. We also offer a great Adventure Night. Additional subjects covered are house and crate training, grooming, food, toys and biting. During class, puppies will also the enjoy playtime with other puppies and an adult dog or two and the instructor and assistant will be available to answer any of your questions. Class can be taken more than once, provided age requirement are met. This class provides and excellent foundation for further training.

Class is held the first 4 Tuesdays in the month. You may start on any Tuesday. The class is designed so that no matter when you start you and your puppy will be right on track. You will attend four Tuesdays.

Needed for class:
-6’ nylon, cotton or leather leash and regular flat collar
-Treats: Make sure treats are very “yummy,” different from what your dog would normally get, also you’ll want tiny pea-sized treats, since we will be using so many during class this will keep them from getting full.

Puppy classes are held on the first four Tuesdays of the month and lasts about 1-hour. Class time is 6:00pm. You may begin on any Tuesday as long as you register at least 1-day in advance.

The cost is $75 for four sessions.

Beginner Obedience

Taught by Dave Spring and Mary Spurlock
Pawtropolis offers a great Beginner Obedience Class. The class is designed to teach the owners how to teach their dogs. A very informative class that also takes the opportunity to discuss possible problems people may be having at home. Dogs must be at least five months old and should be current on all vaccines. This class is generally labeled as the more traditional of the classes. Some of the items covered are: controlled walking, heeling, recall, finish, sit stay, down stay, not jumping on people, waiting to go through doors, keeping focus and control with distractions.

Thursday nights at 6:30pm for 7-weeks. Cost is $115.00.

First Class: January 10th
Thursday at 6:30pm

Youth Obedience
Taught by Dave Spring and Mary Spurlock
The Youth Obedience class was formed for young “humans” who love dogs and want to learn how to train them and take care of them. One of the instructors is Dave Spring, he has worked extensively with 4-H programs and is excited to bring this program to Pawtropolis. All youth between the ages of 10-17 are invited to join the class with their family dog. Dogs need to be over 5 months old.

During the course instructors Dave Spring and Mary Spurlock with work with the participants teaching them how to master such exercises such as sit, down, controlled walking, stay, stand for examination, recall and wait. They will also spend some time teaching general dog facts that will help the students become responsible pet owners.

Thursday nights at 5:00pm for 7-weeks. Cost is $85.00.

First Class: Call if interested
Thursday at 5:00pm

Intro Agility
Taught by Kathie Spring; Billie Rae King assisting
Agility is one of the fastest growing dog sports in America. Our Intro Agility is designed to get your dog familiar with the equipment used in the sport of agility. We will be introducing equipment such as the tunnel, table, weave poles, teeter and jumps. We want the dogs to have a very positive first experience with the equipment and really work on getting comfortable interacting with each piece.

Owners need to bring their dog in on a 6’ or 4’ leash. No retractable leashes are allowed. Tons of treats are a must. Make sure treats are very yummy and are already cut into small pea-size pieces. Since this is a very active fun class, dogs with aggression/dominance issues are not allowed. We invite these dogs to first attend one of our other training classes to be invited to the Intro Agility class

Tuesdays at 7:00pm for 4-weeks. Cost is $60.00.

First Class: January 15th
Tuesday 7:30pm

Private Lessons
Amanda Rodriguez & Tamela Boyd
Many times owners may have a very specific behavior problem that they need addressed immediately. Though classes are our number 1 recommendation, occassionally we may find that a private lesson is first needed to evaluate what will be best for that dog and to get training started right away. Private lessons are $50/hour (may be more if outside the Athens area.)

If you would like more information about scheduling private training contact Amanda and Tamela by email at pawtropolis@aol.com (or click the link to the left.)

Clicker Training Classes
Taught by Tina VanWhy and Kathie Spring
If you are interested in taking a class that is based on operant conditioning and makes use of the clicker device. We highly recommend the trainers of Sit Happens Dog Training. As of right now they do not have classes offered at our facility. However, if you would like to find out more about their classes please contact them at 706-202-5419.