Learn more about what classes we offer at ODS

JANUARY 2025 CLASSES @ OXFORD DOG SPORTS

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Puppy Power – 6 weeks long (First of 3 levels available)

Start Dates:
Saturday, January 11th at 12:00 PM
Wednesday, January 15th at 8:00 PM
Thursday, January 16th at 8:00 PM
Tuesday, January 28th at 7:00 PM

Puppyhood is a very powerful time in your dog’s life, during this time your puppy takes in the most information in his life. Your puppy is learning every minute of every day whether you are teaching him or not. Puppy Power addresses life skills that will help your puppy grow to be a well adjusted Canine Citizen who will be a great family member in your life.

Puppy Power will cover all the basics include attention/focus, polite leash walking & greetings, polite/safe doorway behaviour, sits and downs, boundaries and place training and coming when called.
Prerequisite – None

Level 2 Obedience – 6 weeks long (Second of 3 levels available)

Start Dates:
Thursday, January 16th at 7:00 PM
Tuesday, February 4th at 6:00 PM

This course builds on Puppy Einstein and Level-1 Puppy. In Level-2 we are consolidating learning and taking all skills to the next level. In this course we will refine leash walking to include heeling, increase distractions, extend duration on stays, and continue to solidify the come cue.
Prerequisite – Puppy Power, Level 1 Obedience or Equivalent

Level 3 Obedience – 6 weeks long (Third level of 3 levels available)

Start Dates:
Saturday, January 11th at 11:00 AM
Tuesday, January 28th at 8:00 PM
Saturday, February 8th at 10:00 AM

In Level 3 we will further develop a solid heel position, strong stays, and recall. We will incorporate exercises used in competitive obedience, skills needed for dog sports and rally obedience. Dogs and Handlers will have the opportunity to practice skills needed to pass the S.T.A.R. – Socialization Temperament Assessment Review. In level 3 we are moving WAY beyond the basics.
Prerequisite – Level 2 obedience Beyond the Basics or equivalent

Dog Sport Sampler – 4 weeks long

Start Date:
Thursday, January 16th at 8:00 PM

Finished puppy and/or basic classes? Wondering what to do next? Try our Sport Sampler class. Each week you will be introduced to and have a chance to 'sample' a different sport. A great way to find out what sports you and your dog love. At the end of this 4-week class you will have a good idea of your dog’s talents and where to start on your dog sport journey.
Prerequisite: Level 2 Obedience or equivalent

Rally Obedience – Level 1 – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Tuesday, January 14th at 8:00 PM (Level 1 & 2)
Wednesday, February 19th at 7:00 PM

This class is an Introduction to Rally Obedience, and the first step in becoming a full-fledged Rally Dog. In this class we will be using UKC Level 1signs as well as CKC Novice signs. We will break down signs, and teach new skills needed for success at this level as well as practice courses.
Prerequisite – Previous Rally Training, Obedience level 2 or equivalent

Rally Obedience – Level 2 & 3 – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Monday, January 13th at 8:00 PM (Level 2/3)
Tuesday, January 14th at 8:00 PM (Level 1 & 2)

In this class we will be using UKC Level 2, 3 as well as CKC Advanced and Excellent signs. In this class we will break down signs, teach new skills needed for success at these levels and practice signs in courses.
Prerequisite – Previous Rally Training and or UKC Rally 1or 2

Urban Rat Race - Rookie – 4 weeks long

Start Dates:
Saturday, January 11th at 11:00 AM
Monday, January 13th at 6:00 PM

Urban RAT Race is a new and exciting program to determine the abilities of all breeds of dogs to indicate that they have located a rat in an “urban” environment. This sport is in a nutshell Nosework meets Rat Sport. Urban RAT Race ROOKIE is the 1st level of Rat Race classes and is well suited for dogs who have no previous Rat sport experience. So much fun for dogs and handlers.
Prerequisite – No previous Rat Sport experience needed.

Urban Rat Race – Adventurer/Explorer– 6 weeks long

Start Dates:
Saturday, January 4th at 1:15 PM
Monday, January 13th at 8:00 PM (Adventurer)

Urban RAT Race is a new and exciting program to determine the abilities of all breeds of dogs to indicate that they have located a rat in an “urban” environment. This sport is in a nutshell Nosework meets Rat Sport. Urban RAT Race EXPLORER is the next step after Adventurer and is the 4th level of Urban Rat Race Classes. In this class we are significantly increasing the degree of difficulty of hides and level of obstruction. You are in the big league now.
Prerequisite – Urban Rat Race Adventurer

Urban Rat Race – Mixed Skills (Explorer/Detective/Investigator) – 6 weeks long

Start Dates:
Monday, January 13th at 6:00 PM (Explorer/Detective)
Thursday, January 23rd at 11:00 AM (Detective/Investigator)

This class is best suited for dogs who are currently competing at these levels of Urban Rat Race or are getting ready to move into these levels. Dog Handler teams will have the chance to practice challenging hides to better prepare them for competing at these high levels of competition. This class will be facilitated by trainers who are currently judging these levels of Urban Rat Race Competitions.
Prerequisite – Urban rat Race Explorer

Intro to Nosework – 4 weeks long

Start Dates:
Saturday, January 11th at 10:00 AM
Tuesdays, January 14th at 8:00 PM
Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 PM

For dogs brand new to nosework, no experience is required. The dogs will be introduced to scents used in UKC, CKC and SDDA competitions. Handlers will earn how to teach their dogs to find odour and indicate. Dogs and handlers in this class will be working on containers.
Prerequisite – None

Novice Nosework – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Saturday, December 21st at 12:00 PM
Wednesday, February 5th at 6:45 PM

Building on the Nosework skills from the previous level, we will increase the challenge for the Dogs. In this class we will move towards larger search areas, and distractions. Dogs and handlers will continue to refine handling skills needed to effectively read your dog with confidence. We will work towards small area searches in this class. When weather permits we will do exterior & vehicle searches.
Prerequisite – Intro to Nosework or equivalent

Advanced/Superior Nosework – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Wednesday, February 5th at 12:30 PM
Tuesday, February 11th at 2:30 PM

Building on the skills from Novice/ Intermediate Nosework, we will increase the challenge for the Dogs. In this class we will move towards larger search areas, multiple finds, and multiple distractions. Dogs and handlers will continue to refine handling skills needed to effectively read your dog with confidence. When weather permits, we will do exterior &vehicle searches.
Prerequisite – Novice or Intermediate Nosework

Masters / Elite Nosework – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30 PM
Wednesday, January 22nd at 8:15 PM
Tuesday, January 28th at 1:30 PM

This class is best suited for dogs working at or looking forward to working at the master’s level and getting ready for the Elite level of Nosework. This class has been designed to challenge dogs and prepare them for high levels of Nosework.
Prerequisite: Advanced / Superior Nosework or equivalent

Intro to HD (Handler Discrimination) – 4 weeks long

Start Date:
Wednesday, January 18th at 6:30 PM
Wednesday, February 5th at 1:30 PM

A fun and great challenge for you and your dog. Handler Discrimination is a separate stream of Nosework. Dogs are tested to see if they can recognize and indicate that they have found a glove scented by YOU. In this class we will start at the Novice level and work our way up to get you trial ready.
Prerequisite: Advanced / Superior Nosework or equivalent

Masters HD (Handler Discrimination) – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Wednesday, January 8th at 7:30 PM

A fun and great challenge for you and your dog. Handler Discrimination is a separate stream of Nosework. Dogs are tested to see if they can recognize and indicate that they have found a glove scented by YOU. In this class we will start at the Novice level and work our way up to get you trial ready.
Prerequisite: Intro to HD

Lost & Found – Advanced (Level 3) – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Wednesday, January 8th at 11:00 AM

We are very excited to be offering this new Nosework class to our Nosework Program. Lost and Found takes Handler Discrimination to the next level in scent detection. This is a new dog sport that is under development and will prove to have a good level of challenge for even the experienced Nosework dog.

In this class, we will begin the process of teaching our Canine teammates the skills needed to locate an item we have misplaced.

Lost & Found is currently a Program under development as a competitive dog sport. This sport would be sanctioned by ABIDS All Breed International Dog Shows/Performance Events.
Prerequisite: Lost and Found – Next Steps

Supporting the Anxious Stressed-Out Dog – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Monday, January 20th at 6:45 PM

Just like us, dogs experience stress and anxiety. Just like us that anxiety can be disabling, making their lives difficult, prevent them from being able Todo activities of daily living and impede the dog’s ability to participate in fun activities and sports.

In a dog's world anxiety means a constant expectation of the worst happening, an impending sense of doggy doom and gloom. In this class we will help owners through observe and identify what stress looks like for their dogs. Owners will then be taught techniques individualized to their dog. T-Touch (Tellington Touch) strategies will be used to help dogs and owners reduce anxiety and stress.
Prerequisite – None

Intro to Show Handling w/Sean P. Kent – 6 weeks long

Start Date:
Thursday, January 2nd at 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 PM

Participants will be instructed on how to prepare and present their dog for conformation competition as an owner-handler. In addition to practicing ring procedure with your dog, classes will include some instructional content with topics geared to the needs of participants (handling basics, what to expect, what equipment to have, how to find/enter shows, showmanship, etc.). ALL levels of experience are welcome to join this class to practice with young dogs or to get some ring time in preparation for shows. We will get you ring ready.
Prerequisite – None