Training Services
At ROOT, we offer training in all aspects of dog training. All lessons are taught with using operant conditioning (clicker training) including the field classes.
ROOT is excited to start a new partnership with the Highland Park Park District. We will now be offering very affordable group classes at Heller Nature Center, in Highland Park, IL.
ROOT is pleased to continue to offer classes and private lessons at K-9 PlayTime in Mundelein, IL. Rally and Competition classes are on Thursdays.
Private lesson can be arranged at various times.
Privates
ROOT offers private lessons to suit your personal training needs either at your location, K-9 PlayTime in Mundelein, IL, or our location in Highland Park, IL. Some examples include: puppy skills, behavioral problems, good citizen behaviors, assistance dog skills, competition obedience, bringing home baby, conformation, and foundation field (hunt) work. Please feel free to ask how we can assist you with your dog.
All new clients have an initial consultation visit/lesson, which usually lasts between 1.5-2 hours. After that the initial lesson privates can be arranged. Lessons run on average 45 minutes, while allotting an hour to cover questions and review of skills to practice.
Group Classes
Puppy FUNdamentals - Park District of Highland Park - Heller Nature Center
A class for puppies younger then 18 weeks
This class will give you the opportunity to learn how to train basic dog skills so your dog can become a good doggy citizen and you can be an active participant in their training. Each class will have extended puppy play time with training time mixed into play for more real life training situation. We focus on socialization to other dogs and people, bite inhibition, calming and handling, attention, off-leash household manners. This FUNdamentals class is to set a puppy up for success no matter if their path is a great family pet to a competitive dog sports dog. Puppies must have their first vaccine.
Recommended reading before the start of class is “Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson.
Next Class starts April 14th 6:45pm - 8 week class
Family Dog FUNdamentals - Park District of Highland Park - Heller Nature Center
A class for dogs who are friendly with people and dogs, and over 5 months old. Family FUNdamentals initially focuses on learning to manage, and control your dogs' energy, enthusiasm and exuberance by teaching impulse control, calmness and attention. Then teaching basic manners becomes a much easier and fun for both you and your dog. An excellent class for dogs that have never taken a class before or for dogs needing to brush up on rusty obedience skills. Dog’s over 6 months old must have their rabies vaccine.
Next Class starts April 14th 8:00pm - 8 week class
The Polite Pooch - Park District of Highland Park - Heller Nature Center
A Class for Graduates of our FUNdamentals classes.
In this class we continue on training on skills you learned, working on polishing them with an eye to perfection. Also we add some new skills like go to your bed, stay, polite greetings for people and dogs, and a few tricks. You know your dog is ready for the Polite Pooch class if they can focus on you most of the time in class, can sit, lie down and walk on leash without the aid of a lure. If you're not quite there yet, you're welcome to repeat the FUNdamentals classes for more practice.
Next Class starts April 12th 8:00pm - 8 week class
Dog Beach Bums Class - NEW CLASS!
Using positive reinforcement we'll work on polite walking to and from the beach, recalls while at the beach, polite entrance to the beach, bringing a toy back and distance sit & stay. Some weeks class will be meeting at Moraine Park Dog Beach in Highland Park. Please note no class on May 31.
Next Class starts April 12th 6:30pm - 8 week class
Introduction to Rally Obedience: This class is for students who wish to go beyond pet dog training and wanting to do more with their dogs. Rally is fun course of obedience skills that you run as a team with your dog. This is a great class as an introduction into dog sports. Dogs must have good leash skills, sit and down on cue.
**Next Class will be in January 2010 - check back for details!**
Competition Skills: This class is for students who wish to compete in both Rally and traditional Obedience. Each week we work on skills for all levels of competition from Novice to Excellent Rally to Utility. We keep it fun for both the dogs and the handlers.
**On going on Thursdays at 9:30am at K-9 PlayTime**
Obedience Skills – On-Going: This class is for graduates of both puppy FUNdamentals classes that want to continue training and learning how to work with their dogs. A wide range of people take this class from competition students, to people working towards their therapy dog certification, and pet owners who enjoy the relationship that training builds.
**On going on Thursdays at 10:45am at K-9 PlayTime**
Rally Class without the Wait: Due to popular demand we continue to offer Rally Class without the Wait! You sign up for a 15 minute time slot. During that 15 minute slot you will be able to run the course as many times as you like or work on signs that need some extra training. Every week an Advanced or Excellent course will be set to run. If there is a sign that you need help with is not on the course just ask. If you require more time then 15 minutes you are welcomed to sign up for multiple time slots. You can work more then one dog during your 15 minutes. Time slots begin at 6:45pm and will go as late at 8:45pm as long as there is no more then one open time slot between people.
**On Going Thursday Evenings - email for details**
A class for puppies younger then 18 weeks
This class will give you the opportunity to learn how to train basic dog skills so your dog can become a good doggy citizen and you can be an active participant in their training. Each class will have extended puppy play time with training time mixed into play for more real life training situation. We focus on socialization to other dogs and people, bite inhibition, calming and handling, attention, off-leash household manners. This FUNdamentals class is to set a puppy up for success no matter if their path is a great family pet to a competitive dog sports dog. Puppies must have their first vaccine.
Recommended reading before the start of class is “Culture Clash” by Jean Donaldson.
Next Class starts April 14th 6:45pm - 8 week class
Family Dog FUNdamentals - Park District of Highland Park - Heller Nature Center
A class for dogs who are friendly with people and dogs, and over 5 months old. Family FUNdamentals initially focuses on learning to manage, and control your dogs' energy, enthusiasm and exuberance by teaching impulse control, calmness and attention. Then teaching basic manners becomes a much easier and fun for both you and your dog. An excellent class for dogs that have never taken a class before or for dogs needing to brush up on rusty obedience skills. Dog’s over 6 months old must have their rabies vaccine.
Next Class starts April 14th 8:00pm - 8 week class
The Polite Pooch - Park District of Highland Park - Heller Nature Center
A Class for Graduates of our FUNdamentals classes.
In this class we continue on training on skills you learned, working on polishing them with an eye to perfection. Also we add some new skills like go to your bed, stay, polite greetings for people and dogs, and a few tricks. You know your dog is ready for the Polite Pooch class if they can focus on you most of the time in class, can sit, lie down and walk on leash without the aid of a lure. If you're not quite there yet, you're welcome to repeat the FUNdamentals classes for more practice.
Next Class starts April 12th 8:00pm - 8 week class
Dog Beach Bums Class - NEW CLASS!
Using positive reinforcement we'll work on polite walking to and from the beach, recalls while at the beach, polite entrance to the beach, bringing a toy back and distance sit & stay. Some weeks class will be meeting at Moraine Park Dog Beach in Highland Park. Please note no class on May 31.
Next Class starts April 12th 6:30pm - 8 week class
Introduction to Rally Obedience: This class is for students who wish to go beyond pet dog training and wanting to do more with their dogs. Rally is fun course of obedience skills that you run as a team with your dog. This is a great class as an introduction into dog sports. Dogs must have good leash skills, sit and down on cue.
**Next Class will be in January 2010 - check back for details!**
Competition Skills: This class is for students who wish to compete in both Rally and traditional Obedience. Each week we work on skills for all levels of competition from Novice to Excellent Rally to Utility. We keep it fun for both the dogs and the handlers.
**On going on Thursdays at 9:30am at K-9 PlayTime**
Obedience Skills – On-Going: This class is for graduates of both puppy FUNdamentals classes that want to continue training and learning how to work with their dogs. A wide range of people take this class from competition students, to people working towards their therapy dog certification, and pet owners who enjoy the relationship that training builds.
**On going on Thursdays at 10:45am at K-9 PlayTime**
Rally Class without the Wait: Due to popular demand we continue to offer Rally Class without the Wait! You sign up for a 15 minute time slot. During that 15 minute slot you will be able to run the course as many times as you like or work on signs that need some extra training. Every week an Advanced or Excellent course will be set to run. If there is a sign that you need help with is not on the course just ask. If you require more time then 15 minutes you are welcomed to sign up for multiple time slots. You can work more then one dog during your 15 minutes. Time slots begin at 6:45pm and will go as late at 8:45pm as long as there is no more then one open time slot between people.
**On Going Thursday Evenings - email for details**
Cafe Canine: This class is for clients looking beyond FUNdamental skills for their dog. Besides giving your dog additional socialization by getting them comfortable around a variety of sights and sounds, this class teaches cue reliability in real life situations. It puts previously learned behaviors to practical application by training around a variety of distractions. Our dogs are often well-behaved at home and in class, but in real life our dogs and us often forget our training. Each week class will meet in a different location in and around Highland Park, IL. Last class will be coffee at a local outdoor cafe. Dogs need to have a reliable sit and some loose leash walking and not be reactive to participate.
**Next class will be in April 2010 - check back for details**
Uptown Pup - The Social Puppy: Socialization, socialization, socialization. Is that all you heard since getting your puppy? From your vet, to all the books, to your puppy class instructor, everyone stresses socialization. In this class, we take puppies out on the town for socialization and a little bit of training. Each week we will meet at a different location in and around Highland Park. We will work on attention, loose leash walking, greeting people politely, and of course, puppy socialization.
Uptown Pup - The Social Puppy: Socialization, socialization, socialization. Is that all you heard since getting your puppy? From your vet, to all the books, to your puppy class instructor, everyone stresses socialization. In this class, we take puppies out on the town for socialization and a little bit of training. Each week we will meet at a different location in and around Highland Park. We will work on attention, loose leash walking, greeting people politely, and of course, puppy socialization.
Puppies must be younger than 6 months at the start of class. The 4-week class is designed to work with a puppy class, and not replace a class with off leash puppy play. A positive experience for you and your puppy is the most important part of the class. This class is a must for all puppies! Socialization is essential to the long term well-being of your puppy.
****Next class will be in April 2010 - check back for details****
****Next class will be in April 2010 - check back for details****
Field FUNdation: This class is for retriever breeds and handlers wishing to participate in hunt tests, or field tests. It is designed for inexperienced field dogs and puppies to teach them some of the very basic concepts behind the hunt test game. Dogs will be taught simple marking, line manners, gun fire, come whistle, and weather dependant water work. This is a no pressure or correction class to help teach the dogs the joy of retrieving and to build their desire for the game.
**Next class will not be offered until Spring of 2010**
**Next class will not be offered until Spring of 2010**
Training For You
At ROOT we understand that sometimes in busy world not everyone has enough time to dedicate to training their dogs. Also we understands that certain dogs need a more expert touch in their training. With this understanding we offer a few options where Sara trains your dog for you.
Mid-Day Training Break: For busy people, ROOT offers a mid-day potty and training package. We come to your house potty the dog, train for 20 minutes, and then potty the dog again. It is a great way to break up the long day of a latch-key dog. This program works wonderfully as supplemental training to regular lessons or to help maintain skills already trained.
Day Training: For people looking to supplement their regular lessons, help maintain their dogs skills, or a quick training tune up before a big event Day Training is a great option. With Day Training the dog gets a day care like environment with outdoor play time, indoor play, and short training sessions throughout the day. Training time is spent working on skills that the owner feels needs to be worked on. Also the dog is properly reinforced throughout the day for good behavior. It is the client’s responsibility to drop off and pick up their dog at ROOT’s Highland Park location. Full day and half day options are available.
Board & Train: Going away, it’s a great time to get in some extra training for your dog while you are away. ROOT never takes more then two in-house boarding clients at a time. Dogs are boarded as part of our household environment and will live as a temporary member of our family during their training. Follow up lessons will then be needed for the owners to learn to work with your dog. Short term vacation board is only available to current and former ROOT clients.
Day Training & Board and Train @ K-9 PlayTime: Like our in home work we also will offer lessons while your dog is attending daycare or board at K-9 PlayTime. Days are schedule dependent, so please contact us for more information.
Agility Right From the Start Seminar click here
