Conformation classes teach you how to show your dog in the conformation (breed) ring.

They also be useful to help young dogs develop confidence at an early age.

Conformation is much more than just “running around in circles” and “looking pretty.”

A correct German Shepherd Dog is an outstanding blend of health, structure, temperament, character, and trainability and embodies the “look of eagles”.

“Well bred. Well Trained.”

Obedience training is the foundation for everything you want from your German Shepherd.

Potty training, good manners, enjoyable walks with your dog, tricks, performance exercises, and competition exhibitions are examples of the result of successful obedience training.

We offer a full range of Obedience classes from Beginners through advanced classes.

You are able to train your dog to the level of obedience you desire.  In detail, our training program is comprised of the following classes:

Beginners - This is an 8 week class where you learn basic dog training.  You learn about training equipment, its proper use, getting your dog's attention, basic commands, delivery of a command, praise and gentle but firm
handling.  Most time in this class is spent working with your dog applying what you have learned.  Our Instructors help you to obtain correct results.

Intermediate - Upon successful completion of the Beginners class, you progress to the Intermediate class.  Here you are taught to improve the techniques learned in the Beginners class along with new techniques and exercises.  Items taught are improved leash handling, when to use verbal commands, corrections and praise, use of food as a motivator, consistency, jumps are introduced, and more praise.

Pre-Novice/Novice - This class is a continuation of the skills learned to date.  Stressed here is consistency in performing exercises, praise, and motivation.  You and your dog begin to work as a team, and you begin working
with your dog off leash.  Practice taking your dog over jumps continues in this class.  Training to the fullest extent this class offers, you and your dog are performing all exercises well enough to pass the AKC Companion Dog Degree (CD).

Advanced Class - By the time you get to this class, you have realized the joy and fun you and your dog are having through obedience training.  Most participants here are showing their dog for their CD or have earned that
degree.  They are now training for the next two AKC degrees, Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) and Utility Degree (UD).  All exercises for both these degrees are performed with your dog off leash.  The basic difference between
exercises performed for these degrees is their difficulty.  Most exercises performed for the CDX (called the Open class at AKC shows) require your dog to be working with you or to be coming to you.  Most exercises performed for the UD require your dog to leave your side to go do something different each time.  Successful completion of these degrees is very challenging and very rewarding for you and your dog.

Competition Class - This class may be offered dependant upon interest.  Its goals are to obtain absolute perfection when performing the required exercises for the three degrees described above.

Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from a beginners program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing.

A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not quite as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is expected and perfect heel position is not required, but teamwork is emphasized.

The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of purebred dogs at all times and under all conditions.

Most of all, it's an opportunity for bonding and fun between you and your dog.

Agility began in England in 1978 and is a fun competitive sport for both dogs and humans.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) held its first agility trial in 1994. Agility is now the fastest growing dog sport in the United States and is the fastest growing event at the AKC. An agility team consists of a dog and a handler running an obstacle course designed by the judge.

The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different size of dogs.

The AKC offers two types of agility classes. The first is the Standard Class which includes obstacles such as the dog walk, the A-frame, and seesaw. The second is Jumpers with Weaves. This class only has jumps, tunnels and weave poles. Both classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. Because the same handling skills are used, the GSDCW teaches both of these classes together.

Safety of the dogs is a primary concern in agility. At the GSDCW, there are three prerequisites to joining agility class: (1) The dog must be at least one year of age; (2) because agility is performed off-leash, the dog must come when called; and (3) the handler must be a current club member with paid training dues.

Agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, is extremely fun and provides great exercise for both!

Flyball is a fast-paced team sport for dogs. It began in the late 1960’s when a group of dog trainers in Southern California created scent discrimination hurdle racing, then put a guy at the end to throw tennis balls to the dogs when they finished the jump line. They decided to build an automatic tennis-ball launcher and the sport was born. America took notice when Flyball was featured on the Johnny Carson Show in the early 1970’s.

Soon after, dog training clubs in the Toronto-Detroit area added Flyball to their curriculum. The first Flyball tournament was held in 1983. The North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was founded in 1984 and continues to be the primary governing agency for the sport.

Flyball races match two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. The course consists of a start/finish line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start/finish line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle. Each dog must run in relay fashion down the jumps, trigger a Flyball box which releases the ball, retrieve the ball, and return over the jumps carrying the ball. The next dog crosses the start/finish line when the previous dog reaches the start/finish line. The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the course without error wins the heat.