Training Classes
A description of each class offered is provided below. Please visit our Class Schedule page for general start times and days. We have regular classes Tuesday Evenings, Wednesday Evenings, Thursday Evenings and Saturday Daytime. For Saturday classes, contact Susan East at 217-885-3647.
To reserve a spot for class, please fill out the online training application and upload your dog’s immunization record or bring it to the first session. Classes fill quickly, so sign up early to ensure that there is a spot for you and your dog.
The week before your class begins, you will receive an e-mail from your instructor with orientation information and the time of your class. Classes are held at 6:00, 6:30, 7:15 and 7:45, with each class lasting approximately 30 minutes.
You will also be asked to have an appropriate leash and collar. This generally means a buckle collar or training collar and a straight lead. We have leather leads and training collars available for purchase at class. Flexi-leads and halters are not used in QKC training classes. Treats are also used in many classes to provide a positive training experience. Soft treats such as Pupperoni are recommended.
Obedience Classes
New obedience classes begin the first Tuesday of each month. Each class lasts for eight weeks.
The cost of your first session of eight classes is $80.00. Any subsequent classes for which you enroll will be only $50.00 for eight lessons. Near the end of your eight-week session, you and your instructor will determine whether or not your puppy or dog is ready for the next level.
New Obedience Classes beginning every 8 weeks:
- Puppy Graduate Obedience (for STAR Puppy graduates)
- Beginning Obedience
- Intermediate Obedience
- Advanced Obedience
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing will be held on the fifth Tuesday of a month, or at another designated day as announced by the club.
Class Descriptions
STAR Puppy Class
For puppies 10 weeks and up. Puppies are socialized and taught to walk on lead, sit, lie down, stay, and come when called. Puppies gain confidence and coordination by negotiating a variety of obstacles. Puppy owners’ questions are answered during class.
Beginning Obedience
This class teaches owners how to train their dogs to be better companions and more mannerly neighbors. Dogs learn to walk on a loose lead, come when called, heel with automatic sits, stand for examination, and learn to obey a sit-stay and down-stay command.
Intermediate Obedience
This class provides further training for a dog to be a better pet or prepares the dog for AKC novice level competition in obedience and rally. Dogs will learn to down while heeling, do a sit-stay, down-stay, and a recall off lead. More intricate heeling patterns are introduced on this level.
Advanced Obedience
Dogs in this class will practice heeling off lead, jumping, retrieving and other advanced obedience and rally exercises for competition or for fun. Many of the moves taught are used in Advanced Rally, Open and Utility levels of Obedience.
Conformation
Each breed of dog has a standard of perfection regarding the breed characteristics. Breeders and exhibitors show dogs they feel best represent this standard. In Conformation classes, exhibitors are taught how to present their dog in the show ring. . This includes practicing the proper gait to move the dog in the show ring, how to stack or position the dog to show off its best points to the judge, and baiting the dog with treats to show alert, attentive expression
Agility
The agility ring is called a doggy playground, and this exciting dog sport is fun for both dog and handler. In this course, the dog learns how to navigate the course obstacles safely, and the student learns how to handle their dog as they negotiate each obstacle. As dog and student advance, they learn to navigate both short and full courses. Many students in these classes choose to participate in QKC Agility Games and other sanctioned Agility Trials.
Tricks
A fun experience that strengthens the owner/dog bond by learning parlor tricks such as wave, play dead, spins, touch, and jumping through a hoop. Entertain your friends and family or just yourself & your dog! Also, these tricks can be used as a stress reliever in obedience trials, loosening up before an agility run, or as part of a freestyle routine. We will use a lot of treats, so bring treats that are small and easy to eat. Prerequisite: Basic obedience and control of the dog.