Gardner Animal Care Center

Agility and Training Classes

Click on a topic below for more information:

Agility Classes

Agility classes

Agility is the fastest-growing canine sport! Dogs and their handlers race around an obstacle course of jumps, tunnels, weave poles, an A-frame and more. We offer all levels of agility training from the novice beginner through advanced, ready to compete teams. Classes run in six week courses or drop-ins are available for the more experienced teams. They are offered year round in either our outdoor arena or our fully matted indoor training area for rainy days and winter months.

Beginner Agility—This course is for people and dogs that have had no prior agility training. Our instructor will use safe, positive methods to teach target training and the various obstacles. This course is a tremendous confidence builder for the shy or timid dog. A previous basic obedience class is highly recommended.

Advanced Beginner—Our instructor will work on perfecting obstacles learned in the beginner course and focus on dog and handler relationships. This course will help strengthen the bond between dog and handler. Previous agility classes are needed before attending this course.

Intermediate—Dog and handler teams at this level will be preparing for competing at the novice level. Dogs at this level must be reliable off leash and able to complete small sequences.

Advanced—These teams are at open level or higher in competition. This group of classes will help polish up problem areas and work on cutting down running times. The instructor will work on more advanced handler moves.

Click here to apply for our agility training course.

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Obedience Classes

"Training a dog is something of a spiritual experience when done properly, a meshing of the instincts and traits of two very different species trying to live together harmoniously." From the book "The Dogs of Bedlam Farm" by Jon Katz.

Welcome to the pet obedience class! This class is for you and your dog, so please feel free to ask for help with whatever training needs your pet may have.

There are no magic recipes or shortcuts to dog training. The only way to have the dog that you want is to use practice, persistence and patience. Dogs are as different as people are, and what works for one may not work for another. However, all dogs learn through consistent, fair training.

Our relationships with our dogs include an obligation to provide leadership. Humans are not put to sleep for failing to provide leadership for their dogs, yet countless dogs are put to sleep. Loving our dogs is not enough. Dogs need a clear delineation of their relative status and we must honor their need and provide leadership. Leadership is not a clenched fist but a guiding hand.

We hope to cover the following areas in this class:

Control exercises:

Behavior issues

Gardner Animal Care Center recommends using a clicker and asks that you try this method. However, we do not require that you use this method. For those working on advanced exercises, we will work on the components for the Canine Good Citizen test.

Thank you for participating! Click here to apply for our obedience classes.

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Tricks and Fun

The class will cover all kinds of tricks, like playing dead, shaking hands, sitting up with paws in the air, going over obstacles and more. Tricks will be taught at your dog's skill and comfort level. It will be a fun time for you and your dog to grow together!

The experienced hander will have the opportunity to practice in a ring set up environment and/or prepare a new dog for the show experience.

Click here to apply for our Tricks and Fun class.

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Canine Good Citizen Program

Agility and Training Classes

All dogs, both purebred and mixed, are welcome to join the Canine Good Citizens Class. Dogs must be old enough to have received all the necessary immunizations such as DHLP-P and Rabies. Dogs must be under the routine care of a veterinarian. Owners will be required to sign a Responsible Dog Owners Pledge.

Dogs will work towards passing the final test which includes:

All tests are preformed on a leash and certificates are given to passing participants. For more information, visit the Canine Good Citizen Program website.

Click here to apply for our Canine Good Citizen program.

Indoor and Outdoor Facility Rental

The Gardner Animal Care Center understands the need for dogs to be able to exercise, and places to take them to run and play in the Gardner area are limited. In an effort to give you a safe playground, we have made our indoor and outdoor agility areas available for rental. They can be rented for playtime or agility practice. We offer both individual rentals and group rentals. This is ideal for Breed groups to be able to get together and socialize.

Our large indoor and outdoor areas are available for rental:

Monday—Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (Indoor Arena)
  8 a.m. to Noon (Outdoor Arena)
Sunday 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Please call 978-632-7110 to check availability and schedule a time. Each time you visit, you will need to go to the front desk to check in, pay and have a receptionist date a waiver card that we will keep on file for you. All renters will be responsible for picking up after their pets and returning toys and agility equipment to its original spot. Click here to view our current rates.

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