Urban Dog Group Class: Advancement and Real-World Proofing + AKC Prep

In this class, we’ll take what you’ve practiced and begin building reliability as we advance into new requirements.

This is where we strengthen duration, distance, and distraction resistance, then apply those skills to AKC-style public manners and test preparation when appropriate for your dog’s level.

We rotate through the topics below and focus on the areas that will benefit the majority of the students in class.

Advancement & Proofing Focused, in this class, we rotate and advance skills such as:

• Proofing basics + implied duration (staying consistent longer, farther, and with more distractions)

• Walk styles, structure, and heel games (advanced loose-leash skills and purposeful heeling work)

• Impulse control with rewards (permission-based choices, calm defaults, better recovery)

• Advanced socialization and group-walk work (calm interactions, meeting strangers appropriately, and working in new environments)

• Trick training: basic tricks (fun skills for mental stimulation and bonding; using shaping to build complex behaviors over time)

• Off-leash training (if applicable) (using a long line; e-collar welcomed when appropriate, to build reliable off-leash freedom)

• Behavior modification and problem-solving (redirecting jumping/barking; managing reactivity to dogs, cars, and noises)

• Recall progressions (often with a long line) to increase reliability and responsiveness

• Relaxation protocols and decompression (e.g., “Place”) to reduce stress and improve self-control

AKC Test Prep (Integrated Into Training)

AKC preparation is woven into this class so dogs learn to perform the skills below calmly, not because they have to, but because they choose to.

We practice key AKC-style behaviors such as:

• Polite greeting / accepting a friendly stranger (calm approach, no jumping)

• Sitting politely for petting and staying composed while being handled

• Appearance and grooming handling (body handling, collar/harness handling, light brushing simulation)

• Loose-leash walking patterns including turns, stops, pace changes, and staying connected around distractions

• Walking through a crowd / group-walk manners (neutrality around people and dogs, maintaining position)

• Sit, down, and stay with implied duration while increasing distractions

• Recall (“come”) with higher difficulty and real-world proofing

• Controlled passes and distraction work (dogs, people, scents, movement, noises)

• Supervised separation style exercises to build calm independence and stability (as appropriate)

My advance classes are coached with an emphasis on clarity, confidence, and emotional control, not robotic obedience. You’ll learn what the dog is expected to do, how to build it step-by-step, and how to maintain it long-term.