Good Dog Manners & Obedience
Small Group Class – Maximum 6 Students
Small group classes offer a structured yet relaxed environment ideal for puppies, anxious dogs, and handlers looking for more individual attention than traditional group classes typically provide. With a maximum of six dogs, each team receives focused coaching while benefiting from the social experience of training around others.
Upcoming Session
Dates: Sundays, September 7 – October 19, 2025
(No class on September 21)
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Birklandshire K9, 143 Sherwood Lane, Canton, GA 30115
Instructor: Jeanne Hodson, CPDT-KA, SDC
Tuition: $210
What This Class Covers
This six-week program focuses on foundational obedience, improved focus, and household manners. Skills include:
• Leash walking
• Sit, Down, Stay, Come
• Wait, Off, Up, Leave It, Watch
• Confidence and impulse control
• Focus and engagement around distractions
• Controlled socialization with other dogs and people
Common puppy behaviors such as jumping and nipping are also addressed, along with strategies for building good habits at home.
Additional Topics
• Training theory and positive motivation
• Handling techniques and equipment recommendations
• Early behavior problem prevention
• Confidence building in novel environments
• Q&A on household manners and behavior
Requirements
• Dogs must be fully vaccinated
• Minimum age: 4 months
How to Enroll
Call: (770) 490-3538
Email: jeannehodson@outlook.com
CANINE GOOD CITIZEN & THERAPY DOG
This program prepares dogs and handlers for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and helps build the foundation for therapy dog work, public access readiness, and dog sports.
Next Class:
October 26 – November 16, 2025
Classes held every Sunday for 4 consecutive weeks
2:00pm – 3:00pm (Class 4 may run longer to allow time for CGC testing)
Program Overview:
This 4-week course teaches your dog practical manners, reliable obedience, and confidence in new situations. The first three weeks focus on building the 10 essential CGC skills. Week four includes the optional CGC test for certification.
In addition to preparing for the Canine Good Citizen title, this course is valuable for:
• Dogs training for therapy certification
• Service dogs needing public access refinement
• Pet dogs working on polite behavior in public
• Dogs preparing for advanced training or sport
Cost: $150
Location: Birklandshire K9, 143 Sherwood Lane, Canton, GA 30115
Instructor: Jeanne Hodson, CPDT-KS, SDC, & AKC CGC Evaluator
Prerequisite:
Dogs must be fully vaccinated, over 6 months of age, and have general obedience skills.
TO ENROLL:
Call: (770) 490-3538
Email: jeannehodson@outlook.com
Program Details:
This course prepares your dog to demonstrate the following 10 CGC skills:
• Accepting a friendly stranger
• Sitting politely for petting
• Appearance and grooming
• Loose leash walking
• Walking through a crowd
• Sit, down, and stay
• Come when called
• Reaction to another dog
• Reaction to distractions
• Supervised separation
Dogs who successfully complete all 10 items during the final class may apply for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificate (AKC processing fee of $20 not included)
BK9 PUBLIC ACCESS WORKSHOP
This 4-week workshop is designed to advance your dog’s public access skills through structured outings in real-world environments. With a focus on generalization, confidence, and composure, this class helps dogs and handlers strengthen their partnership and reliability in public.
Next Workshop:
Spring 2026
Classes held every Sunday for 4 consecutive weeks
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Program Overview:
This hands-on course supports both service dog teams and pet owners looking to enhance their dog’s ability to remain focused and well-mannered in public spaces. Real-time coaching ensures that each dog-handler team receives personalized support throughout the program.
Participants will:
• Teach their dogs to generalize obedience in new environments
• Strengthen attentiveness and responsiveness around distractions
• Build confidence and composure in challenging public settings
• Learn to recognize and manage stress or arousal signals in dogs
Cost: $195
Location: Birklandshire K9, 143 Sherwood Lane, Canton, GA 30115
Class 1 & 2: Held on-site at BK9
Class 3 & 4: Held at dog-friendly public venues (TBD)
Instructor: Jeanne Hodson, CCPDT-KA, SDC, & AKC CGC Evaluator
Prerequisite:
Dogs must be fully vaccinated, over 6 months of age, and demonstrate reliable basic obedience.
TO ENROLL:
Call: (770) 490-3538
Email: jeannehodson@outlook.com