Neffsville Veterinary Clinic is proud to announce the grand opening of the Canine Education Center. The programs will consist of group classes, private lessons and fun, interactive “Training Talks” and workshops.

Click here to download our training class registration & agreement form.

Meet our Trainer:

Laurin Dickson, Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Laurin Dickson started training at a very young age, when she first discovered that she could teach her family dog to do things by sharing her hotdogs. At that time, what started as a successful “show and tell” routine, turned into a long term career choice.

While obtaining her undergraduate degree from Liberty University where she studied Rhetorical Analysis: Public Forum Speech Communication, Crisis Communication and American Sign Language and Interpretation, Laurin began fostering for local shelters and rescues, focusing on dog with behavioral concerns. She spent the next few years working at shelters, boarding facilities, and shadowing and mentoring under other professional trainers. She then obtained her Professional Dog Trainer certification through Catch Canine Trainers Academy. She is an active member of Therapy Dog International, where she and her dog, Rosie serve as a certified Pet Therapy team, KPETS and Phoenix Assistance Dogs. She also is an active volunteer and continues to foster for The Sebastian Foundation for Animal Rescue.

Laurin currently resides in Washington Boro with her husband, Jeff and four, four-legged housemates; Molly (English Shepherd) Rosie (Border Collie/Aussie) Andy (Long-haired Chihuahua) and Alice (Himalayan/Siamese).


GROUP CLASSES

6-week courses, 1 hour class per week
For all group classes, dogs must have the following vaccinations:
DHPP, Rabies, Bordetella
All dogs who have reached sexual maturity must be spayed/neutered


PUPPY KINDERGARTEN

3-6 MONTHS, CLASSES DIVIDED BY WEIGHT

This course is designed to set your puppy up for success through the introduction of basic obedience and socialization. We will discuss the needs of a puppy in order for you to provide a rewarding and structured environment for them to mature into. This will include exercises in leadership to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog and a plan for desensitization and socialization. We will also go over some problem-solving tricks by request. You will learn how to teach your little one how to perform the following skills:

  • Focus
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stay/Wait
  • Come/Recall
  • Leave it/Drop it
  • Loose-leash Walking

Each class will end in “recess” allowing your dog to socialize with their classmates, where they can learn appropriate canine socialization and play behaviors in a controlled environment.


BASIC OBEDIENCE

7 MONTHS +

This course is designed to introduce or fine-tune basic obedience skills for your dog. We will go over various leadership exercises designed to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog. We will also discuss common nuisance behaviors and how to modify them. You will learn how to teach your dog the following obedience skills:

  • Focus
  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stay/Wait
  • Come/Recall
  • Leave it/Drop it
  • Loose-leash Walking

INTERMEDIATE OBEDIENCE

7 MONTHS +

This course is for dogs who are proficient in the above basic skills and want to increase their level of obedience. We will strengthen your dog’s existing skills by adding challenges and “upping the ante.” This will involve increasing duration, distance, and distractions to sit, down, stay, and recall. You will also learn how to teach your dog the following skills:

  • Heel/Advanced leash work
  • Auto-sit
  • Greetings
  • Place
  • Impulse control
  • A few “trick” commands

PRIVATE TRAINING

Based on your dog’s specific needs, a private-training program will personally tailored for either basic obedience or behavior modification. For problem solving (jumping, barking, assertive personality, anxiety, mouthing, leash-pulling, etc.) a treatmentn plan and homework exercises will be created for you and your dog(s). Private training services are conducted post-consultation with the trainer to determine the best plan of action. Sessions take place in the comfort of your home.

For questions or concerns about our Canine Education programs, please call 717-569-5381 or email laurin@neffsvillevet.com