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Dog Training, Conformation & Water Sports

Dog Training Classes at Cassio

Our facility has the capacity to offer classes on a year-round basis. We have a 1,900 sq ft clean, heated/air conditioned and matted training room. Our outside grass training yard is fenced and over 9,000 sq ft. When weather permits classes are held outside.

The Training Room is available for outside rental. Our Play Yard and Pond Time are available to rent on a half-hour or hourly basis during the year. See our various class descriptions below.

Private Lessons available while staying with us. Call for Info

Puppy Pre-School—Socialization & Advice

Children and adults are encouraged to participate in this class for healthy puppies 10 weeks to 6 months of age who have started their vaccinations. An important first step to acclimate your puppy to becoming well-adjusted and properly behaved family companion is early exposure to a structured socialization class, which may help prevent development of anxiety and exaggerated responses later in life. Your puppy learns proper play manners while building confidence around people and other dogs in a friendly fun style for your puppy’s overall well-being. Questions on raising your puppy are discussed. This class is offered as part of The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program.

Dogs are not required to be purebred or altered.
Inside (Heated and A/C) & Outside Training Areas
Please do not hesitate to phone us with any question on a class, schedule or to ask our advice regarding your personal situation or generally raising your puppy. We train you to train your dog so the dog learns to respect you and your commands.

Cost is per SESSION consisting of SIX 45 minute weekly classes, except 4 weeks classes as noted.

All CLASSES: If convenient, complete and mail or drop-off during our office hours your Registration Form and Payment (cash or check only) any day prior to your first class. Aggressive dogs must be evaluated prior to enrolling.

  • Cash or check payment ONLY. No credit cards accepted
  • Inclement weather phone: (203) 426-2881 from 4-5:30 PM
  • Arrive 10 minutes prior to first class for check-in, equipment purchases & payment, if necessary.
  • We accept new dogs only during the 1st or 2nd week of the progressive evening classes except for Puppy Preschool. A missed class may be made up within the current session.

Basic Obedience & Household Training

The foundation class for all training. This class establishes the basis for an appropriate relationship between a family and the dog living with them. Once your dog has graduated from Level 1 Basic Dog Training, be certain to consider Agility or one of our advanced classes for the active dog or the dog that needs increased confidence!

BASIC TRAINING: For first timers of all ages or as a refresher.  The foundation for all training and communication with your dog.  Controlled walking, come when called, sit, down, stand, including stays at all positions are taught with distractions.  Focused attention, wait, off, and leave it commands are covered.  These establish the basis for an appropriate relationship between a family and their dog. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your first class to check-in and purchase proper equipment if needed.  Equipment: appropriate training collar; 6’ & 15’ training leads (not retractable); small treats; soft-soled shoes and paper towels.

K-9 MANNERS/AKC GOOD CITIZEN w/Test: For dogs already possessing the skills covered in our BASIC DOG TRAINING class with distractions. This class places further emphasis on the skills needed to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen test given during our last class. Further emphasis is also placed on focused attention and loose leash work. THERAPY DOGS: After 1 year of age and having achieved the CGC Certification, arrangements can be made for Therapy work training.

For graduates with Level #1 and #2 training skills. These classes will incorporate Rally-O as a fun way to enhance training and further develop the relationship between dog and owner. With the goal of a more consistent and reliable response to all commands, we will build toward
off-lead work, using hand signals and directed jumping while enhancing additional skills through a variety of structured exercises. As well as various fun exercises are also introduced in this class.

Advanced Training

Includes Canine Good Citizen training and test, Rally, Therapy, Games, Competition Classes, Nose Work and more.

Agility

A Full range of obstacles with indoor and outdoor facilities available. For dogs already possessing the skills covered in our BASIC DOG TRAINING class including the STAY and RECALL using distractions. Both dog and handler participate in this active fun sport that creates excitement and confidence in the team. While training, positive enforcement, safety and encouragement is emphasized. Agility is a great exercise for the active dog.

BEGINNER AGILITY: This class introduces and continues the basic foundation skills of how to safely negotiate all the various agility obstacles. Included obstacles are the A-frame, Dog Walk, See-Saw, Tunnels, Weave Poles, Pause Table, Tire and various Jumps.

ADVANCED AGILITY: Obstacle recognition, sequencing obstacles, gaining speed and accuracy are developed, while proper handling and communication techniques of the handler are introduced, as well as building teamwork with motivation, focus and direction. This class develops skills that provide a greater challenge for the active dog and handler.

Conformation Breed Handling or Junior Showmanship

30 or 60 Minutes Private Lessons available at mutually convenient times.

Fun Activities

Cassio offers general training as well as fun activities for your dog throughout the year.

Fenced Play Yard

A 90 x 110 foot, completely fenced grass Play/Training yard is available by reservation. A great spot to let your canine really stretch his/her legs! Cost $10/person per half-hour.

Doggie Play Date

is supervised play time with another suitable dog. Pre-evaluation for both dogs and the owners' signatures on file is required. $4 per session.

Water Sports

Recreational Swimming & Dock Jumping—A natural spring fed pond, approximately 50 x 150 feet and 6 feet deep is available on our property. The pond can be used by your dog for recreational swimming, retrieving work, sports jumping, etc. A regulation size dock, 8 x 40 feet extends into the pond for "Dock Jumping." Reservations are required for "Pond Time" and can be made for an individual dog, a group of dogs, or for eligible dogs while Boarding. Cost: $10/ person per half-hour

$50 Private Half-hour Lessons are available to assist your dog in having a pleasant swimming experience, or to learn "Dock Jumping," or to perfect his technique in "Dock Jumping."

Barn Hunt Fun Clinic​

Instructional, fun Barn Hunt Clinic for novice and advanced. Price $20 for two runs.

What is Barn Hunt?
The purpose of Barn Hunt is to demonstrate a dog's vermin hunting ability in finding and marking rats in a "barn-like" setting. Hay bales are used to introduce climbing and tunneling obstacles in the dog's path as they search out the rats. Rats are not harmed or stressed!

Any dog who can fit through an 18" wide by approximately 20-22" tall tunnel constructed of hay bales can enjoy this dog sport. The sport tests speed, agility, hunt drive, scenting ability, surefootedness, control and responsiveness to the handler's directions.

While Barn Hunt has roots and origins as a way to test working drives in dogs bred to hunt vermin, Barn Hunt is for any dog and handler who wish to play. This includes large dogs, pet dogs, altered dogs and dogs of breeds or mixes of breeds with or without a vermin-hunting history.
Time: 10AM-1PM
Dates: 9/10 Sunday; 9/23; 10/21 and 10/28 (usual Saturdays)