Boom Towne Training Arena
Enlarge View Enlarge View
Take a look for yourself, Click on the Live Cameras to the left!
All prices include tax (no refunds for no shows)
Limited Time ONLY Spots are Filling FAST
Obedience Level 1 (for dogs 4 months and older) Dates: Wed 5/8/13- 6/26/13 Time: 2:00 – 2:50pm Duration/Cost: 8 weeks $119.99+tax Instructor: Paula Lightfoote
Obedience Level 1 (for dogs 4 months and older) Dates: Mon 5/20/13- 7/22/13 (no class 5/27, 7/15) Time: 3:00 – 3:50pm Duration/Cost: 8 weeks $119.99+tax Instructor: Diane Gardner
Our Family Dog Training classes are taught by Diane Gardner CPDT-KA, Ada Simms CPDT-KA, and Paula Lightfoote KPA-CTP. Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your dog. Organized training classes also provide an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In our Obedience Classes you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising & adult dog questions including house training, chewing, and the most effective way to teach skills such as coming when called, politely greeting people, sit, down, and stay. Dogs learn basic manners, start shaping skills, & are socialized with dogs & people. You will learn all the skills needed to ensure that your puppy grows up to be a healthy, happy member of your family or to help ease the transition for an older dog into a new family.
Our panel of obedience trainers have extensive knowledge of animal behavior coupled with years of experience teaching We believe that using consistency along with motivational methods is the best way to form a lasting bond with your dog. All of our Basic Obedience & Puppy classes are taught by Certified Dog Trainers using positive reinforcement clicker training methods. Clicker training is an animal training method based on learning theory that relies on marking and rewarding desireable behavior. This method is an internationally recognized relationship focused method of training. Our instructors pursue professional development and continuing education so that they can learn and share the most up-to-date information on how dogs learn and how best to teach them. They believe strongly in using only those methods that are humane and dog-friendly. We do not allow any choke chains or prong collars in our obedience classes at Boom Towne.
Puppy Pre-K is a 6-week class for 8-16 month old puppies. This class is continuing enrollment, so you can start right away. Each week we focus on providing positive play, handling and socialization experiences to help build solid foundations for a well-adjusted dog. We give you the tools to build a positive and long-lasting relationship with your puppy.
During class we cover socialization strategies, manners for well-behaved puppies, handling for puppies that love the vet and groomer and basic obedience skills to carry over into our family dog levels classes. Boom Towne's obedience training programs are based on current scientific research on animal behavior and the recommendations from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists, www.avsabonline.org . Our training methods are Positive Reinforcement based, and focused on Relationship building. Force free training that will create a happy puppy that's ready to learn
Puppy Socialization is a play time for puppies from 8-weeks to 7 months of age. We split dogs into groups according to size and play style to give each puppy the best experience possible. Each group is monitored by training assistants with a certified trainer that will move between groups to work with puppies and answer questions from the parents. At puppy socialization we help give you the tools to observe and manage play interactions for your puppy.
The Canine Good Citizen Class is an 8-week prep class for the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Started in 1989, the CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.
In this class we will focus on advanced work with stays, adding duration, distractions, and distance to build fluency with established behaviors, fading reinforcement for some exercises and the last night of class will be the Canine Good Citizen test where each dog will individually be tested by an AKC approved evaluator on the skills needed to receive the Canine Good Citizen Certification from the AKC.
Boomtowne offers one-on-one lessons for dog behavior problems in a private setting. We can come right to your home or you can bring your dog to Boom Towne. Some dogs are more comfortable and better able to learn in a quiet, stress-free environment. Private lessons allow us to focus on the specific needs of our clients and develop a training plan tailored to those needs. Contact paula@boomtowne.com for more information.
Nancy and Marco work on Proofing Downs
Classes with Gail Furst CPDT-KA will prepare your dog for the TDI certification exam. On the last night of class you will have an opportunity to take the certification exam and have your dog offically recognized as a therapy dog. The class runs for 8 weeks.
Pet therapy is a service that is provided by people and their certified animals. Studies have shown that a patient's blood pressure is lowered and the immune system is strengthened when interacting with companion animal. Residents in long term care facilities become bored and lonely. Animal visits lift the spirits and in some cases eliminate or reduce the need for psychotropic drugs.
Therapy animals are also useful in physical therapy. Grooming, petting or throwing a ball can increase range of motion and provide low impact exercise for the residents.
Animals are certified throughTherapy Dog International Certifying your animal is very important because it insures the pet owner in case of an incident. It is important for the facility to know that an animal is tested and determined to be safe to visit residents.
For more information, contact paula@boomtowne.com
Agility is a fun, fast paced sport where dogs compete in a timed run through an obstacle course of jumps, tires, teeter- totters, A-frames, dog walks, tunnels, & weave poles. Our Agility track teaches you what agility is and gets your dog off to the right start in this fun sport! Instruction includes teaching a fast reliable recall, following your direction & body language, safe & controlled introduction to agility equipment, getting used to being on things that move & different surfaces, getting used to relaxing in a crate, building a relationship with your dog, and basic obedience commands needed for agility. We focus on building a solid foundation from the beginning that will give your dog the skills needed to have a successful, rewarding agility career.
Agility is great for any active, healthy dog regardless of breed or size. Boom Towne students compete with everything from your typical Border Collies, Shelties & Labs to less traditional breeds such as Basset Hounds, Bull Terriers, and Keeshounds. Agility helps to build a bond with your dog that will be life long, helps to build confidence, and helps to keep dogs in great physical shape.
At Boom Towne we pride ourselves on offering a quality packed group of agility instructors who are also top competitors in their venue of choice. They include 6 time USA Agility World Team Member Mary Jo Johnson, 2011 NADAC 20" Championship winner Tina Power, AKC Invitational Competitor & CPE Judge Lisa Lucas
Our competitive obedience classes get you and your dog off on the right start for a great working partnership in obedience. Geared towards preparing your dog to compete in obedience competitions, our instructors use positive methods to shape life-long behaviors that will make for a happy, working dog.
Rally is a fun dog sport that combines elements of agility with traditional obedience. In Rally a dog and handler team navigate a course of signs that have various obedience exercises on them. Unlike traditional obedience, in rally the handler can talk to the dog and praise it during competition. Rally training leads to a happy, working teammate since the emphasis is on fun and a true working partnership between you and your dog while providing a more natural and interactive approach than traditional competitive obedience.
Our Rally classes at Boom Towne are taught by AKC Rally Judge Liz Cooper. She competed at the first ever AKC rally trial in the country, has obtained the highest Rally title (RAE) and has been awarded several High In Trials with her Sheltie "Cruise" (Sugar Hill Cruising For Love UD OM1 RAE). As a rally judge she attends AKC's rally judges seminars and also receives the most up to date information from the AKC regarding the sport, regulations and any changes as they happen. This means that her students are informed of any changes as soon as they happen, better preparing them for stepping into the show ring.
Conformation shows showcase and evaluate purebred dogs. Judging is done based on each dogs individual breed standard. The most famous Conformation shows are the televised Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in February and the Philadelphia Kennel Club Dog Show that's shown in November on Thanksgiving.
Our Drop in Practice Sessions are run in Fun Match format (without formal awards) both indoors and outdoors depending on the season. The person who is facilitating the session goes over the dogs like a judge and introduces real life scenarios that might occur in an actual show setting. Sessions are open to dogs of all ages from puppies just getting started in their show careers to finished Champions that need a refresher before going back out on the show circuit. We also welcome handlers of any age and experience level. 4-H Members and Junior Handlers are welcome at a reduced price.
We are proud to be able to say that our some of our regular participants dogs have won Best in Shows, Best of Breed, Group Placements, Specialty Placements, Specialty Winners Bitch, & Specialty Sweeps Wins on their way to finishing their dogs Championships in both AKC & UKC. We've also had several successful junior handlers compete in AKC & UKC juniors, 4-H, and in the breed ring with their own dogs.
"2Fast Fur U" Flyball Team Dog running at Santa Paws Tournament. (Mikenney Photography)
Flyball is a fast paced timed relay race were two teams comprised of four dogs each compete against each other and against the clock. Competing teams line up in their lanes; the dogs eager to run the course. The barks of excited dogs can be deafening. As the starting lights count down, each handler releases a member of the canine team in perfect sequence. Each dog sprints a 102 foot course over jumps and performs a perfectly timed swimmers turn against a spring loaded box. They catch a tennis ball as it is released and sprint back to the start, hurdling the jumps with the tennis ball firmly gripped before the next member of their team crosses the start line. Like Olympic Swimmers, they pass each other at the starting block in milliseconds. Champion teams of four dogs run a total of 408 feet while catching balls and jumping hurdles in less than 16 seconds. The current world record is 15.158 seconds is held by a team called "Spring Loaded". The team consists of 2 Whippets, a Border/Staffy mix, and a Boarder Collie.
Our Flyball program is run by Kathy Allen and Eleanor Rideout. In the fall of 2006 Kathy Allen started the 2 Fast Fur U Flyball Team, which she now captains in competitions across the Northeast. Kathy has attended several seminars which focused on all aspects of flyball training. As the owner and captain of 2 Fast Fur U, her philosophy centers around a “team” approach to flyball training which is also highly focused on foundations & safety for the canine athletes. 2 Fast Fur U Flyball Team has had many successes running in tournaments in Canada, Pennsylvania, and New York State. They practice every Friday night at Boom Towne at 7pm.
Does your dog naturally pull? Would you like to find a fun sport which constructively uses this behavior? Try Weight Pull! Dog Weight Pulling is akin to a tractor or sled pull competitions. Dogs compete to see who can pull the most weight 16 feet. They pull a wheeled cart on an earthen surface, or a sled on snow. Instruction includes the proper use of special harnesses designed to spread the weight and minimize the chance of injury, getting your dog used to pulling light weight items behind them, how to motivate your dog to pull, proper conditioning & fitness for pulling, and introduction to the rules of United Kennel Club weight pull competition. Any breed of any size can participate in weight pull. I fact, some of the top dogs in the country are under 30lbs!
Experience the joy of working livestock with your dog! Jean Barrett of Wicked Working Dogs & Boom Towne have partnered to offer you and your dog the chance to experience the tradition of working livestock. Whether you just want a good working farm hand, a better working partner or a competition dog, it all starts here!
Herding dogs are born with a desire to move stock. It is through this desire that the handler helps their dog gain better control of their instincts. We also strive to teach both dog and handler to work in partnership with each other. Our methods allow the dog dog to work as naturally as possible. A Centered Positive approach to creating working Partnerships with each Team. We employ techniques and communication that encourage calm, confident work.
Jean has been actively competing in herding for 12 years and is an American Herding Breeds Association Judge.
Private lessons & Group lessons are available by appointment. Lessons are conducted in our fenced in small dog daycare yard. Livestock is Hair Sheep.