The Hamilton Dog Obedience Club offers you guidance in building a positive relationship with your dog. A motivational approach to training is used which makes a variety of training methods available for all dogs. Three sessions a year are held beginning in January, early Spring and September. Classes, which are one hour in length, are held Wednesday evenings between 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. VIEW SCHEDULE OF CURRENT OBEDIENCE CLASSES AND REGISTER ONLINE. CLASS DESCRIPTION Puppy Class For puppies 3 - 4 ½ months of age at the beginning of class. Focusing on attention, socialization, as well as sit, down, stand, come, walking on leash, etc. This is a fun class for both dog and handler and good introduction into the world of dog obedience training. Dogs older than 5 months at the beginning of a session may be placed in sub-novice at the discretion of the training secretary or head trainer. Class size is limited to 12 puppies. Advanced Puppy Class For graduates of HDOC puppy class or equivalent 8-week puppy obedience training (proof is required). Focusing on advancement of basic behaviours such as sit, down, stand, come, walking on leash, while adding new behaviours such as low jumps, go outs, fronts and finishes. This class is designed to build on enthusiasm and drive in both the dog and the handler! Class size is limited to 10 dogs. Sub-Novice For dogs 5 to 6 months of age or older at the time class begins. This is the starting point for the dog that has not had formal obedience training and is too old for puppy class.. Focusing on attention, the recall, sit and down stays and heeling on lead. Class size is limited to 12 dogs. Basic Novice For graduates of the sub-novice and advanced puppy classes. This class polishes the exercises taught in the sub-novice class. Class size is limited to 10-12 dogs. New Open Refines off-lead heeling, teaches the drop-on-recall, retrieve on the flat, retrieve over the high jump, broad jump, and continues preparation for the sit and down exercises “out of sight” for the CKC and NAMBR CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) title. To be eligible for this class, the dog must have at least one leg of the CKC CD (Companion Dog) title, or equivalent NAMBR CD title. Class is limited to 7 dogs. New Utility Teaches the skill set needed for the UD (Utility Dog Title) for CKC and NAMBR. Exercises include: Seek Back, Scent Discrimination, Signal Exercise, Moving Stand and Directed Jumping. To be eligible for this class, the dog must have at least one leg of the CKC or NAMBR CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) Title. Class is limited to 6 dogs. Novice Refresher Continues to prepare the dog and handler for competition at the CD (Companion Dog) level for both CKC and NAMBR. Must have graduated from the Basic Novice Class or had the equivalent formal obedience training at another training facility. Class is limited to 10 dogs. Open Refresher For graduates of the New Open class, or equivalent formal obedience training at another training facility. Continues to prepare the dog and handler to trial at the CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) level in CKC and NAMBR. Class is limited to 8 dogs. Utility Refresher Continues to refine the Seek Back, Scent Discrimination, Signal Exercises, Moving Stand and Directed Jumping. Continues to prepare the dog and handler for trialing at the UD (Utility Dog) level in CKC and NAMBR. Class is limited to 6 dogs.