Gift certificates are available and make great gifts for new four legged family additions or anyone who would like to do something fun with their dog.

• 4 classes - $70 with an expiration date of 2 months from the date of purchase
• 8 classes - $125 with an expiration date of 4 months from the date of purchase
• 12 classes - $165 with an expiration date of 6 months from the date of purchase

• Classes meet for an hour weekly, unless otherwise specified, and are offered evenings and weekends, for your convenience.
• Because classes are small in size, pre-registration is required and fees are not refundable after classes have started.
• Please feel free to come by and observe a class prior to registering so that you can be sure that The Dogs’ Spot is the right place for you to train your dog.
• All dogs need to be up-to-date on their rabies and parvovirus vaccinations, except puppies who have not completed their vaccination series, yet. Please provide a copy of the vaccination records at registration.
• Storm cancellations are announced via voicemail by calling 816-436-SPOT (7768) an hour before the start of class.

Kittygarten    * * NEW * *	Cost: $40
Kittens must be at least 6 weeks old, kittens older than 16 weeks are admitted at the discretion of the instructor
Class Schedule: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Sunday, July 13 for 4 weeks.
The Dogs' Spot does not want to leave out man's other best friend, the cat. Socialization is just as important for kittens as it is for puppies. This four week program is designed to boost your kitty's confidence; acclimate her to a carrier and traveling in a car; teach her to wear a harness and walk on a leash; introduce her to a variety of sights, sounds, and smells; and acclimate her to being handled by a variety of people. Your kitten will socialize with other kittens, and will meet feline-friendly canines (provided by the instructor). In addition, we discuss litter box issues; learn grooming techniques; discuss healthcare and wellness issues and parasite control; talk about proper nutrition; and learn to give your cat medications. Finally, you will learn to provide your cat with an enriching, interesting environment, including how to shape and train desirable and fun behaviors (sit, come, high five, etc.). All kittens must be current on their vaccinations. In addition everyone bringing a kitten to class will need to provide a health certificate completed by their veterinarian, on or before the first class.
Clicks and Tricks    * * NEW * *	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Tuesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Are you looking for something fun to do with your dog? Come join us for a fun and fast paced hour of tricks training! We will come with a whole lot of ideas to train but will also have time to help individuals train behaviors they wish, too. In addition, we will share information on learning theory along with how to get behaviors through capturing, shaping, targeting, and luring. These are the very same methods used to teach marine mammals including the 1,200 lb sea lions in our own Kansas City Zoo. Your dog will love figuring out to make you ?lick and you?l enjoy all the new tricks and the special relationship that develops from this purely positive method of training. Prerequisite is to pass the Level 2 skills test or approval of the instructor.
Pupourri    * * NEW * *	Cost: Punch Card
starting July 8
Class Schedule: Mondays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
This is a class for those who would like to try a new activity before committing to an entire 7 or 8 week session. It is also an opportunity to do a variety of recreational activities with your dog, with others who enjoy doing fun things with their dogs. The class will provide physical exercise and mental enrichment for canine companions. It's designed to be fun for people, too! Each week there will be a different class offered: the first week of the month will be Tricks training, the second week Rally, the third week Agility, and the fourth week Freestyle. Come join in on the fun! Prerequisite is to pass the Level 2 skills test or approval of the instructor.
Earth Dog Classes    * * NEW * *	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Sundays from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Many small dog breeds were originally bred to hunt vermin underground and still have the instinct to do it. To allow these dogs the opportunity to do what they were bred to do, Earth Dog Classes and Trials have been developed. In these classes, dogs are given the opportunity to go through a ten foot box that has one 90 degree turn to find rats that are safely caged at the end of the tunnel. Come join us for this fun and exciting sport! There are no prerequisites for this class.
Behavior and Training 101	Cost: Free
Class Schedule: Mondays from 7:45 - 8:45 p.m. Saturdays from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
This orientation class is for people only and is required prior to registering for Kindergarten Puppy or Beginning Family Manners. The class covers a brief introduction on how dog's learn, the training methods used, tips on managing common behavior problems, and preparation for training classes. This class will give participants an opportunity to visit the training facility, ask questions prior to beginning classes, and register for class. To complete the registration process, a copy of your dog's vaccination records is required. This class is free but prior registration is required.
Kindergarten Puppy	Cost: Punch Card
Puppies from 8 weeks to 18
Class Schedule: Saturdays from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Veterinary behaviorists1 recommend that puppies participate in a socialization program. The Kindergarten Puppy program is the best possible way to get your puppy started and a great foundation for the Family Manners classes. In this class we?l focus on introducing your puppy to many new people, other puppies, sites, sounds, and handling that they will likely be exposed to during their lifetime, in ways that will help them form positive associations. You?l receive tips on socialization, household manners, housetraining, and puppy mouthing among others. Basic behaviors covered in the class include sit, down, come, loose leash walking, sitting politely for petting, and much more. 1References:      Letter from Dr Robert K. Anderson DVM, Falcon Heights, MN      Statement from The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Prerequisite is to attend the Behavior and Training 101 orientation class.
Level 1 - Beginning Family Manners	Cost: Punch Card
Puppies from 5 months to senior citizens (it's never too late to train)
Class Schedule: Wednesdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturdays from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
In the Level 1 Beginning Family Manners class we will start you on the road to establishing a healthy, long-lasting relationship using the most innovative reward-based training techniques. You'll receive tips on adolescence, housetraining, interactions between dogs and children, and grooming and healthcare. In Beginning Family Manners, the focus is on reinforcing attention, sit, down, come, loose leash walking, and sitting politely for petting. Prerequisite is attendance in the Behavior and Training 101 orientation class.
Level 2 - Intermediate Family Manners	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Wednesdays from 7:45 - 8:45 p.m. Saturdays from 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
In the Level 2 Intermediate Family Manners class we will build on the behaviors learned in Beginning Family Manners and add the following: stand, stay, leave it, and a second polite greeting. Prerequisite is to pass the Level 1 skills test.
Level 3 - Advanced Family Manners	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Thursdays from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturdays from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
In the Advanced Family Manners class, we will focus on the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen requirements. In addition, we will add duration, distraction, and distance to previously learned behaviors. Prerequisite is to pass the Level 2 skills test.
Level 4 - Beyond Family Manners	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Thursdays from 7:45 - 8:45 p.m. Saturdays from 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.
The Level 4 Beyond Family Manners class is an advanced training class that is tailored based on the needs and desires of the participants. In this class, we continue to polish all previously learned behaviors while adding more duration, distance, distractions, and complexity. Prerequisite is to pass the Level 3 skills test.
Variable Surface Tracking	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Sundays from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Tracking is an activity that encourages dogs to make use of their strongest facility, their sense of smell. In this class we will cover the basics and get our dogs started using their nose to find a glove and other objects. This is a great activity for those dogs who can't seem to get their noses off the ground! Prerequisite is to pass the Level 2 skills test.
Doga	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Class will be scheduled soon.
Doga (or “dog yoga”) is a partner class for you and your dog. Doga is all about bonding with your pet and giving your dog 45 minutes of undivided attention and praise from their favorite person in the world. You’ll stretch your dog and learn specific massage techniques to help him or her relax, and aid both circulation and digestion processes. You’ll also get a workout, using your dog to assist you in traditional and modified poses. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or a towel and wear comfortable clothing. Prerequisite is satisfactory completion of Intermediate Family Manners, or equivalent.
Beginning Canine Freestyle	Cost: $105
Class Schedule: 7:45 - 8:45 Tuesday, August 19 for seven weeks. No class September 1.
Canine Freestyle is a dog sport in which the dog and handler complete a choreographed routine to music, essentially dancing with your dog. The following YouTube link shows two examples of a Freestyle team in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutzSiRpYBc. This seven week class focuses on building a positive working relationship while introducing several basic Freestyle moves and will culminate with all teams learning a short routine. It is geared for those whose long-term goal is to compete, learn a new sport, or just have fun. Prerequisite is satisfactory completion of Intermediate Family Manners, or equivalent.
Therapy Dog	Cost: $125
Class Schedule: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 13 for 8 weeks. No class August 17 or September 7.
This class reinforces current skills and teaches new ones needed when visiting a nursing home, hospital, or individual. Dogs and their handlers will be exposed to medical equipment and a variety of experiences that may occur during their visits. The focus of the class is to prepare to be evaluated as a therapy dog team. Before starting this class, dogs should be at least 10 months old and have basic obedience skills including sit, down, stay, and polite walking. This class is appropriate for students who have successfully completed Intermediate Family Manners. Students with comparable training from other programs may also attend providing they have a thorough understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques. Placement will be contingent on evaluation by the instructor.
Rally Obedience	Cost: $125
Class Schedule: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. Sunday, August 24 for 8 weeks. No class September 7.
Rally Obedience (or Rally O for short) is a fun and newer team sport! Dog and handler teams navigate a course with numbered signs indicating different exercises to perform, such as Sit-Down-Sit, Straight Figure 8, Send Over Jump, and Recall Over Jump. Teams navigate the course at a brisk, continuous pace without direction from the judge. Handlers are encouraged to talk to their dogs during the performance. This is an introductory class with the goal of being a fun activity for those at both ends of the leash. Prerequisite is satisfactory completion of Intermediate Family Manners, or equivalent.
Beginning Agility	Cost: $125
Class Schedule: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 15 for eight weeks.
This 8 week entry level course is geared to the dog/handler team whose long-term goal is to compete, learn a new sport, or just have fun. This course covers equipment, targeting concepts, and basic handling skills. This is a foundation course and will require homework to ensure the dog's long term success. Prerequisite is instructor's approval and passing the Level 2 Intermediate Family Manners skills test, or equivalent, with a thorough understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Intermediate Agility	Cost: $125
Class Schedule: 2:15 - 3:15 p.m. Sunday, February 15 for eight weeks.
This 8 week class is geared to the dog/handler team continuing on from the Beginner Agility level. This course covers sequencing, polishing obstacle performance, building the dog's confidence and enthusiasm, and introducing the handler to basic course analysis skills. Prerequisite is instructor's approval and satisfactory completion of Beginning Agility, or its equivalent, with a thorough understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Advanced Agility	Cost: $125
Class Schedule: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Sunday, February 15 for eight weeks.
This 8 week class is geared to the dog/handler team that is continuing on from the Intermediate level. More difficult and longer sequences will be presented. Special attention will be paid to maintaining fast and accurate obstacle performance while using more advanced handling techniques. Handler will further develop course analysis, handling, and team communication skills. Prerequisite is instructor's approval and satisfactory completion of Intermediate Agility, or its equivalent, with a thorough understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Novice Competition Agility	Cost: Punch Card
Class Schedule: Sundays from 4:45 5:45 p.m. No class December 28.
This ongoing class is geared to the dog/handler team that is continuing on from the Advanced level. In this class, participants will continue to refine their handling skills and teamwork. The curriculum is tailored to meet the individual needs of the participants. Prerequisite is instructor's approval and satisfactory completion of Advanced Agility, or its equivalent, with a thorough understanding of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Preparing your pets for the arrival of your new baby	Cost: $30
Class Schedule: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, August 16 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, October 25 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, December 13
This class is for pet parents who are about to be new parents. We will explore your dog's behavior and routines well before the baby arrives. By identifying potential problems and proactively making changes, parents can keep baby safe and help their dog share time and attention. The sooner you begin helping your dog with this life changing adjustment, the easier the transition will be. Although the focus of the class is geared toward dogs, there will be some discussion on helping cats with the transition, as well. Handouts will be provided and participants will have the opportunity to purchase a CD of baby sounds to help prepare their dog for the new arrival. All classes are held at The Dogs' Spot. These classes are for people only; please leave your dog at home.
Private Classes and Behavioral Management	Cost: $60/hr @ The Dogs' Spot $80/hr @ In-Home or Other Location
If group classes do not meet your needs, private instruction and behavioral management consultations are available. The cost is $60 per hour if scheduled at The Dogs' Spot or $80 per hour in your home or other location. PLEASE NOTE: If your dog has ever bitten anyone (you, a family member, a friend, or a stranger) seriously enough to break skin, or if your dog has ever been involved in a dog fight, please call the office before registering. Handlers must be 14 years of age or older and accompanied by an adult. All family members are encouraged and welcome to observe. Discounts A 10% discount is available: if you adopted your dog from a shelter within 90 days of registering for class, if you are a senior citizen, if you are a member of the armed forces. A 50% discount is available: if you work or volunteer in the pet care field.