Training

Positive, Proven Training Methods that Feature:

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Over 25 Years of Experience

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Positive Training Methods

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Group & Private Lessons

Building Skills For Both You and Your Pet

We are happy to offer obedience training for your dog. Excellent dog manners come from the consistent positive reinforcement of desirable behaviors. Our obedience training classes will help you learn gentle techniques to promote what comes naturally to a dog. Sitting, staying, walking on a leash, allowing grooming (including nail trimming), tooth brushing and medication administration will be among the subjects covered. Other issues such as house training, chewing, biting and barking will be addressed. Obedience training not only improves behavior and your pet's safety, but also strengthens the bond you have with your dog. Please contact our staff to get more information on obedience training classes.

A behaviorist and obedience classes are available to help you make your dog an active, integral part of your family.

Dog Obedience Training Classes

Offerings include:

  • Kindergarten Puppy Training
  • General Obedience
  • Advanced Obedience
  • Canine Good Citizen
  • Square Dance Team
  • Private Consultations for Canine Behavior Problems

For more information on dates, times and costs of classes, call Kimm Pontiff at 239-481-4746 and download these two:

Obedience Training Registration Form
Preparing for Obedience Class

Kindergarten Puppy Training

Does your puppy nip, chew, bark, jump on you, house-soil or dig? We will help you understand your puppy's nuisance behaviors, establish your leadership and build a solid foundation for future learning while building confidence.

Learn the commands:

  • Come
  • Sit
  • Stay
  • Down
  • Heel
  • Stand
  • Leave it
  • Where are you?

This class is for puppies 8-16 weeks of age. Classes are offered on Thursday evenings and are held once a week for 6 weeks.

Beginner's Obedience

We will help you:

  • Train and reinforce your dog's basic obedience and good manners
  • Understand how your dog learns
  • Become a strong leader
  • Eliminate nuisance behaviors
  • Build your dog's confidence and trust
  • Improve bonding and communication
  • Learn the same commands as in Kindergarten Puppy class

This class is for dogs 6 months of age and older. Classes are offered on Saturday mornings and are held once a week for 6 weeks.

Advanced Obedience

This class includes:

  • Off lead heeling
  • Retrieving and carrying on command
  • Distance control
  • Voice and hand signals
  • Teaching your dog to do a job

This class is offered on Saturday mornings and is held once a week for 6 weeks.

Canine Good Citizen

This course will prepare you and your dog for the canine Good Citizen exam offered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The purpose of the canine good citizen test is to ensure that your dog can be a respected member of the community because it is trained and conditioned to act mannerly in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs. At the end of this course a certificate will be awarded to those who pass the exam.

This course is only offered twice yearly, so check with Kimm Pontiff for the next available date. It is held once a week for 4 weeks.

About the Trainer, John Zakens

“Think like the dog!” That’s a quote from Charlotte Schwartz, Coral Vet’s long time canine obedience instructor. After her passing in September, 2011, her legacy still lives on.

Charlotte’s protege, John Zakens uses her humane dog training philosophies to help pet owners build that special bond with their dogs that will literally last a lifetime! John worked closely with Charlotte at Coral Veterinary Clinic for nearly ten years. In fact, John has been teaching the Kindergarden Puppy Class at Coral for the past five years. With Charlotte’s guidance, John has developed his own unique approach to dog training. His methods prove to be a logical and very effective way to achieve incredible results with your dog, in a very short period of time!

John’s affiliations:

  • APDT-Association of Pet Dog Trainers
  • NAPPS-National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
  • AKC Certified Instructor & Evaluator
  • NADOI – National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
  • Evaluator – Trainer: American Kennel Club - Canine Good Citizen & S.T.A.R. Puppy programs

He is also involved in therapy dog development as well as continually building relationships with various canine shelters, adoption agencies and rescue organizations throughout Southwest Florida.

Attend one of John’s classes at VCA Coral. You’ll instantly recognize that his first priority is to create a learning environment that’s informative, empowering and fun!