Y2K9s offers classes broken down into three main arenas:

CLASS FEES

 *FREE CLASS  NOTE:  Need to be signed up via e-mail on or before 9/8 else a $10 surcharge for the class

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Y2K9s is a Dog Sports Club located just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  The club offers classes and hosts events in many areas of dog activity.  Club headquarters is a spacious, well-equipped facility in Wyndmoor (Springfield Township, Montgomery County), available full-time for classes, activities, and members' use.

Further Information / Contacts:

Training Location:

1000 E. Mermaid Lane, Buildings #14 and 13A, Wyndmoor, PA  19038 (Intersection of Queen Street & Mermaid Lane)

Y2K9s offers classes broken down into three main arenas:

Y2K9s offers a variety of classes in Companion Obedience, Competition Obedience (including Rally), Agility, Freestyle (dancing with your dog) and Flyball.  Classes are taught by experienced trainers and the competition class instructors are active in their sports.  For information about our instructors and class offerings, see our "Instructors" and "Classes Description" pages.

Y2K9s uses Operant Conditioning in the form commonly known as "Clicker Training" as the basis for instruction at all levels and in all arenas.  "Clicker Training" relies on positive reinforcement to teach desired behaviors and skills.  Several veterinarians, including the Behavior Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, refer people to us for training.

Student-to-instructor ratios are intentionally kept small to permit individual attention.  Family members are encouraged to attend together.  Practical obedience is emphasized, with particular emphasis on the dog's attention to the owner and solid recall skills.  In agility classes, the dogs move quickly to performing short courses and working off-lead while around other dogs

 NOTE - see the class schedule for dates and times
 

 Y2K9s Dog Sports Club
Description of Classes Offered

 NOTE:  RAY LITTLE'S SATURDAY CLASSES WILL NOT HAVE CLASS ON 10/23.  MAKEUP CLASS WILL BE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 6.

Obedience Classes

Puppy Pre-School.  For pups from 8-16 weeks of age, or slightly older for very small breeds, this class addresses issues specific to young puppies as well as teaching very basic good behaviors. Coming when called and not jumping up are emphasized.  

Basic Canine Manners.   For dogs 4 months and older, this class teaches basic good manners: stays, coming, polite greeting and loose-lead walking.

Advanced Canine Manners.  This class will focus on polishing skills learned in Beginners Obedience class.  Recalls & building drive, relationship & teamwork, drills that focus on left- and right-sided exercises, heeling (both sides) including footwork are examples of what may be covered in this class.  Some Choose-to-heel and Rhythm heeling may be incorporated.  Dogs will be prepared to complete the Canine Good Citizen test if desired.

Mighty Mites.   Inside of your toy breed dog is a heart just a big as any others'.  Many of the same issues face small dog owners as large dog owners but for some reason they go ignored far more often.  All dogs can benefit from positive training and structure and little dogs can stand out among the crowds when they are well socialized and well behaved.  Our mighty mites class will focus on some of the basics of bringing your petulent pomeranian, cantankerous chihuahua or "lotsa apso" up to date on some essential social skills.  This class will focus on beginner's obedience with some adjustments made for the handler of a petite pooch.  With a few changes and some additional tools you'll be ready and your little guy will thank you for thinking ONLY of him.

Recall Boot Camp.  The class will emphasize recalls in the face of distractions.  No previous training is required but dogs must be under reasonable on-lead control and not aggressive to dogs or people.

Off Lead Skills & Intro to Rally   This class teaches the skills needed for on- and off-lead handling and will incorporate basic rally skills and signs in the class.  No Rally skills are required.  If you are interested in Rally, Competition Obedience, want to improve your heeling skills, this is the course for you.  Some Choose-to-heel and Rhythm heeling will be incorporated.  Rally is a great class to help build a lasting relationship with your dog and is a perfect for those retired or retiring agility dogs.

Advanced Rally.  This is for the Rally enthusiast who has had some experience with Rally.  AKC and APDT advanced signs will be covered; class will be tailored to the students in the class.    

Canine Freestyle.  Ready to dance with your dog, or give it a try? This class is for dog and handler teams interested in the sport of Canine Freestyle. In addition to moves, content will address choreography, music selection, costumes, style and putting it all together. Some knowledge of basic moves required

Tricks.  If you are looking for a way to impress your friends, hoping to build the foundation for freestyle or just want to bond and have fun with your dog, this is a great class to take. The principles of teaching tricks, clicker work, how to get the most out of your tricks will all be addressed. Bring plenty of high value treats.

Confidence Building for the Fearful Dog.  This class is designed to help fearful or timid dogs overcome their discomfort and build confidence in a group situation.  Dogs should not react with aggression towards other dogs or people.  Learn to work with distractions, change fear into focus and build social skills.  Basic companion obedience skills are essential to a good relationship with your dog and so are trust and positive experiences.  Build a good working relationship by learning new skills and exposing your dog to situations that may alarm him or her in a gentle way and within a supportive environment.  Dogs do not come to the first class.

Control Unleashed!  This class follows the curriculum based upon Leslie McDevitt’s book and program, Control Unleashed! (for performance dogs-in-training only)  Do you have all the basics down with your future performance dog, and need the "next step" to get them ready for the excitement of agility and flyball class? Then this class is for you. This class is appropriate for dogs who have mastered basic obedience behaviors such as "stay" and loose lead walking and are non-aggressive around other dogs. It is designed to give your dog the experience of being loose around other dogs while remaining in "work mode" not "play mode." It is designed to desensitize dogs to other dogs moving quickly or tugging nearby. The foundation theme of this class is Connection; we will be exploring various ways for you to feel connected with your dog and remain the center of your dog's focus around an increasing level of distractions, and help you take that next step towards becoming a working team.

Control Unleashed! 2

Foundations for Dog Sports.  The emphasis in this fun class will be working off lead and developing your relationship and skills needed in Agility, Flyball and Rally.  This is a required course for anyone interested in pursuing Agility at Y2K9s and is highly recommended for all other sports. 

Agility Classes

The agility classes at Y2K9s are perfect for active dogs and people who like to have fun learning.  Our classes progress from basic obstacle performance to competition level course challenges that help prepare for competition.  Our agility program builds great relationships between owners and dogs and provides the energy outlet for active pets. 

Y2K9s requires instructor approval for enrollment in the advanced agility classes.  

BASIC AGILITY CLASSES:

Agile Pups 1.  For young puppies, younger between 3 and 9 months of age.  Start your dogs off on a good foundation of skills needed for agility.  This class will help you to build teamwork, drive and introduce some basic equipment such as tunnels (does not include jumping).

Basic Agility Skills 1.  Geared towards teams who intend on competing, this class covers the building blocks for a successful agility team.  Foundation work for perfect contacts, mechanics of basic handling, motivation and focus.  Learn the best uses for toy and food rewards.  Clickers are introduced and used heavily to teach contact targeting.  This is the “building block” course for all agility courses, especially contact & weave courses.  Pre Requisites:  (dog) off leash control, (handler) desire to pursue competitive agility.

Basic Agility Skills 2.  Geared towards teams who intend on competing, this class covers the building blocks for a successful agility team.  Foundation work for perfect contacts, mechanics of basic handling, motivation and focus.  Learn the best uses for toy and food rewards.  Clickers are introduced and used heavily to teach contact targeting.  This is the “building block” course for all agility courses, especially contact & weave courses.  Pre Requisites:  (dog) off leash control, (handler) desire to pursue competitive agility.

Handling Skills 1.  You will learn the handling system taught at Y2K9s, with an emphasis of practicing this system over one and two-jump sequences.  Pre Requisite:  Basic Agility Skills 2.

Handling Skills 2.  This is a continuation of Handling class from the prior term.   More advanced handling skills will be emphasized in this class, preparing the teams for agility sequencing

Contacts & Weaves I.  Contact and weave-pole training from the ground up.  Focus on transferring target behavior to contact equipment and back-chaining each contact obstacle.  Weave poles are taught using channels and 2x2 methods.  Appropriate for dogs with little to no contact & weave experience or those who want to retrain.  Pre Requisites:  Basic Agility Skills or comparable class.

Weaves the 2 x 2 Method.  Teach your dog to weave using the 2 x 2 method.  This is a four-week class that meets every other week.  Pre Requisites:  Basic Agility Skills.  You must also purchase 2 or 3 sets of 2 x 2 poles (www.max200.com or www.madagility.com)

INTERMEDIATE AGILITY CLASSES:

Sequencing Skills.   Course will emphasize short sequencing skills with an emphasis on a certain handling technique.  Dogs should be able to do all equipment full height and be able to weave (can be channel weaves and opened).

Sequencing Skills 2 .   This course emphasizes longer sequencing skills with an emphasis on more technical handling skills.  Dogs should be able to do all equipment full height and be able to weave (can be channel weaves and opened).

Novice Sequencing.  For those teams who are ready to start trialing or who have just begun to trial.  Novice-level courses will be emphasized in this class.  Dogs must be able to do all equipment full height and be able to weave (channel weaves can be opened)

ADVANCED AGILITY CLASSES:

Agility Run Thrus.  Preparing to trial this season?  This class will present a different agility course each week.  Dog must be proficient on all agility equipment including weave poles.  Novice level and above.  Nested courses

Advanced Agility Skills / Agility Skills.  For the advanced team, this course will emphasize an agility skill at an excellent/masters level perspective

NOTE - ALL CLASSES LISTED BELOW (ROSIE SUTHERLAND) ARE FULL

COURSE Skills.  For the advanced team, this course will emphasize course-work  at an excellent/masters level perspective

Flyball 1 is a team relay game for dogs and their owners. It is noisy and fun, but requires serious training and eventually, a team commitment. It is not just exercise for a high-energy dog.  If your dog can play ball anywhere, including in a crowd of other dogs, this game is for him. If you enjoy team sports competition, this game is for you. If your dog is not aggressive to other dogs and has a strong foundation of good behavior (solid recalls and good manners) this class is for both of you. If you have interest but aren't sure of any of the above requirements, please contact Deb Norman at normanland@comcast.net  or Rose Lynch at lynchrose@verizon.net

Flyball 2 - dogs at this level should be able to successfully complete a relay in preparation for competition.  Contact Deb Norman at normanland@comcast.net or Rose Lynch at lynchrose@verizon.net

Conformation Handling  - This course will review the handling techniques needed in conformation.  This is an instruction class and NOT run-thrus.  The techniques will be taught.

Introduction to Nosework –Dogs have an amazing sense of smell and a natural desire to hunt.  The sport of K9 Nosework is designed to develop your dog’s natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and their love of toys, food and exercise.  It’s a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy.  Come out and give Nosework a try.  There is no training or prior experience necessary.   Dogs will be worked individually so dogs will need to be crated or in a car when it is not their turn.. 

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