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Day and Time of classes are usually Mondays at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.
Go Dogs! is one of the first training clubs in the area to use positive reinforcement methods (also sometimes referred to as shaping) for training obedience. The method we use was originally developed for training marine mammals (such as dolphins and whales) for exhibitions and shows at aquariums. We do not use any physical corrections; instead, we reward correct behavior with a "click" or with a marker word, and then give the dog a treat. Incorrect or undesirable behavior is ignored. Training with this method allows our dogs to think; it also makes it more enjoyable for dog and trainer.
Class Requirements:
Obedience Class Descriptions:
Puppy/Adolescent Life Skills Class or Puppy Essentials: (9 weeks to 32-36 weeks, depending on the breed and size of your puppy) Puppies in this class should be no younger than 9 weeks (and should not have been taken from their mothers yet) and no older than 32-36 weeks of age if you have not taken an obedience class with them before. All young pups must have had at least their first two sets of shots. The maximum age may be adjusted at the discretion of the training director or class instructor depending on breed and size of your puppy/adolescent.
In Puppy/Adolescent Life Skills or Puppy Essentials Class, we work on establishing the trainer-dog relationship. We teach the importance of eye contact between you and your dog, along with name recognition. We also focus on teaching the "marker word" to open up the lines of communication between the dog/handler team. Puppies also learn sit, down, settle, collar-grab, touch, corrected jumping, the beginning of coming when called (recalls) and crate games. There may be an optional short period of playtime at the end of class if the class structure, size and time allow.
Adult Dogs: (6 months and up)
Our first class for dogs over 6 months of age is Life Skills. The exercises taught in this class consist of eye contact, name recognition, marker word/click, sit, down, stand, collar-grab, touch, corrected jumping, the beginning of coming when called (recalls), loose leash walking (controlled walking) and crate games. We also focus on the dog/handler relationship so both you and your dog have fun with your training.
Family Dog is the next class after Life Skills. In addition to continuing to work on the exercises learned in Life Skills, the main concepts taught in our Family Dog class focus on honing your loose leash walking (controlled walking), sit stays, leave it, fronts, wait, stay, finish, hand signals, "go to your place", stand, and "get around". This class also works on the exercises which make up the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. As always, the relationship between you and your dog continues to be a topic of importance and something we continue to work on in all of our obedience classes.
Each of the above training levels has a set of specific exercises that the team (dog and trainer) must accomplish and then demonstrate successfully in order to advance into the next class. Each level blends from one class right into the next class.
Costs for Puppy/Adolescent/Adult: For Go Dogs! Members, a six-class session costs $60.00 plus $4.20 tax, totaling $64.20. The cost for non-Go Dogs! Members is $75.00.00 plus $5.25, totaling $80.25. Instructors will work with students in a group setting as well as one-on-one for the students having particular needs. Successful demonstration of specific exercises will be needed to pass from one level to the next.
Specialty Classes: At times, Go Dogs! offers some additional classes like Canine Good Citizen classes, 4-week specialty classes that focus on certain behaviors (such as loose leashing walking). These classes are not offered on a regular basis so please check our calendar to see if any of these classes are offered that would be of interest to you.
Applications can be downloaded below (or above), or we can mail one to you. Just call 393-0507, and leave your request along with your name and mailing address. Send payment along with your application to the address on the application. Your signature is necessary and indicates to us that your dog is current on all shots required by the City of Omaha. Exceptions regarding dog inoculations may be made in regard to a home address that is outside of the Omaha/Douglas County area and has different requirements for dog inoculations.
Competition Classes:
Rally Ho ! (prerequisite: completion of Family Dog and/or with permission of the Rally class instructor)
Rally Obedience was created by taking the idea of a numbered course from Agility and exercises from competitive Obedience (and adding a few unique ones that are not part of competitive Obedience). Put those both together, and you have Rally Obedience. It is not as strict as formal competitive obedience; you can talk to and encourage your dog by patting your leg, giving hand signals and verbally praising him/her in the ring. You can compete in Rally with purebred and mixed breed dogs in AKC and APDT (American Pet Dog Association) trials. If your dog is proficient with basic obedience exercises, including sit, down, controlled walking (walking beside you and not pulling), stays and finishes, then you are set to take this class. If you have been taking obedience from Go Dogs!, you need to have completed Family Dog prior to enrolling in this class. If you have not taken classes at Go Dogs!, you will need to have permission to take the class from either the venue coordinator or the class instructor.
For more information about Rally, check out these links:
Novice Class: This class focuses on the exercises needed for you and your dog to enter the Novice competition ring. Class consists of focused attention, L-pattern heeling, automatic sits, take-offs, stand for exam, figure 8s, fronts, recalls, long sits and downs. This class is for those dog/handler teams who wish to participate in competitive obedience in AKC, CDSP and UKC. Admission into this class is by permission only.
Open/Utility: In this class, dog/handler teams focus on those exercises needed to compete in the Open/Utility rings. Particular attention is paid to retrieves, scent articles, directed jumping, broad jump, and signal exercises. Admission into this class is by permission only.
Costs for Intro to Competition and Rally (Novice), Rally, Novice and Open/Utility classes: The cost for a 6-week session of these classes is $60.00, plus tax of $4.20, totaling $64.20 for Go Dogs! members, and $75.00, plus tax of $5.25, totaling $80.25 for non-Go Dogs! members. Please contact GoDogs Obedience for more information on these classes and when the next session will be starting,
Breed Requirements: Any dog can learn obedience, and now the AKC, which used to allow only purebred dogs to compete in obedience and Rally, has now opened up these companion events to all dogs, purebred or mixed breeds.. The United Kennel Club (UKC) maintains the AMBER Registry, which is for mixed-breed dogs, and would allow them other venues in which to compete besides AKC. Also, CDSP (Companion Dog Sports Program by St. Hubert’s) is the newest venue for purebred, mixed breed and handicapped dogs to compete in obedience. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a Rally venue, also allows both purebred and mixed breeds.
Join a class: Check the calendar to determine what classes are currently being offered, call the Club at 402-393-0507 or send an e-mail to kwoodke7618@yahoo.com (please put Go Dogs classes in the subject line). If you have questions about any of our Obedience classes, please send an e-mail to GoDogs Obedience or call the Club 402-393-0507 and leave a message. Please note that Go Dogs is staffed by volunteers only so your phone call may not be returned immediately. However, we do try to return all calls within 48 hours. Please make sure to leave a number at which you may be contacted after 5:00 p.m.
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How do I get a Class Application:
To get an application for the next available session please email Kris at 
What is it? Obedience training is a great opportunity to strengthen the relationship between dog and owner. It teaches the basic commands that make living with your canine more enjoyable. We work on strengthening the relationship between you and your dog, whether you are interested in basic obedience or competition training.
PLEASE NOTE: NOT ALL CLASSES DESCRIBED BELOW ARE OFFERED EVERY SESSION. PLEASE CHECK THE CALENDAR OR E-MAIL KRIS AT 
Intro to Competition Obedience and Rally (Novice) Class: In this class, the dog and handler are learning the Novice exercises for competition Obedience and Rally. The first three weeks of this class cover the basics of traditional obedience trials for the AKC "CD" (Companion Dog) title, the UKC Novice title and the CDSP Novice title. The second three weeks builds on those exercises and also introduces the exercises for the Novice levels of AKC, APDT and UKC Rally.
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