Class Listings

Basic Manners

Tuesdays
June 4 to July 9, 1:00 - 2:00pm

Saturdays
Through June 8, 3:15 - 4:15pm
Through June 22, 11:15am - 12:15pm

Cost: $165.00 for six-week class.

First class on is for people only. This class is not for reactive or aggressive dogs.

Instructor: Gretchen Icenogle
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You and your dog will discover that, young or old, we can always learn new tricks and new habits! Gretchen will cover many foundational behaviors (like sit, down, stay, come), but just as importantly, she'll help you build your dog's impulse control and ability to stay focused in the face of distractions. Register now and discover how much fun "getting to good" can be. A class limit of four dogs ensures plenty of individual attention.

To register: Contact Bridgetown Dog Training at 503-679-3679 or email to gretchen [at] bridgetowndogtraining [dot] com.

Canine Good Citizen

Instructor: Gretchen Icenogle
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This class is designed to help you and your dog succeed at the ten specific tasks set out in the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. These include:

• Accepting a friendly stranger.
• Sitting politely for petting.
• Allowing basic grooming procedures.
• Walking on a loose lead.
• Walking through a crowd.
• Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place.
• Coming when called.
• Reacting appropriately to another dog.
• Reacting appropriately to distractions.
• Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.

Although the CGC program is administered by the American Kennel Club, dogs do not need to be registered or purebred to participate. For many dog and handler teams, working toward a CGC designation is a good first step toward becoming qualified for therapy work (in schools and nursing homes, for instance). Whether or not you intend to pursue formal evaluation, this class will build your dog’s confidence and your own, as you strengthen your ability to rely on each other in the face of strong distractions.

Equipment Needed: Flat, fabric collar and/or harness (for serious pullers, a front-clip harness like the Easy Walk works well). Fabric or leather leash no longer than 6 feet. Small, soft, smelly treats and some means of keeping them easily accessible (treat bag or zip lock in an open pocket). Please no prong, chain, or slip collars.

To register: Contact Bridgetown Dog Training at 503-679-3679 or email to gretchen [at] bridgetowndogtraining [dot] com.

More Classes

Puppy Kindergarten

Tuesdays
June 4 to July 9, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Saturdays
Through June 8, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Through June 22, 10:00 - 11:00am

Cost: $165.00 for six-week class.

Puppies must have completed at least two rounds of DHLPP or da2pp vaccinations and be between 9 and 18 weeks old at the beginning of the course. First class is for people only. This class is not for reactive or aggressive dogs.

Equipment Needed: Flat, fabric collar and/or harness (for serious pullers, a front-clip harness like the Easy Walk works well). Fabric or leather leash no longer than 6 feet. Small, soft, smelly treats and some means of keeping them easily accessible (treat bag or zip lock in an open pocket). Please no prong, chain, or slip collars.

Instructor: Gretchen Icenogle
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If you have a new puppy, you have a great training advantage: puppies are sponges for learning and the good habits you instill now can last a lifetime. Puppy Kindergarten offers a great place to practice positive socialization that helps your pup become a friendly and resilient adult. The class also gives you and your pup a strong foundation for developing core behaviors and skills like focused attention, loose-leash walking and reliable recall that will make your lives together more enjoyable and rewarding. A class limit of four dogs ensures plenty of individual attention.

To register: Contact Bridgetown Dog Training at 503-679-3679 or email to gretchen [at] bridgetowndogtraining [dot] com.

Teen Dog Class

Tuesdays
Through June 4
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Cost: $120.00 for six-week class.

First class is owners only. Dogs can join the class in the second half hour for familiarization with the room, but must remain in the car for the first half hour. Crates are required for a few of the class sessions. If you do not have a crate, please notify the instructor and we'll loan you one.

Instructor: Rosemarie Stein
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Who Is this dog? Where did that adorable puppy go? Adolescence in dogs is similar that in humans, much testing of boundaries and coming into his/her own. As your puppy grows, all the foundations you laid might seem to be going out the window. Or, perhaps you have a new dog and the energy and frustration of adapting to a new home is proving to be hard on everyone. A dog’s adolescent adventuring can be wearing on owners. That is why dogs between the ages of eight and 24 months - the height of a dog’s “teens” - make up the greatest percentage of dogs abandoned at animal shelters. Dog teens are also a prime time for them to be banished to the backyard - a boring and sad place for such social animals.

You can help your “teen” dog through this tough time with consistency, training with intention, and better technical skills. This six-week Teen Dog class goes over your puppy’s foundation (or touches on foundation as a brush up) and increases the canine/human bond with exercises to teach your dog greater focus and control. Our small class size allows for customized training opportunities and the flexibility to vary each session to meet our students’ needs.

To register: Contact Rosie at 503-702-5704 or email to nosemovie [at] yahoo [dot] com.