<h1>Agility Training</h1>Fun for owners and dogs. Your dog will learn how to negotiate jumps, tunnels, and obstacles. Unlimited practice time during scheduled course hours (while enrolled in class).<a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/contact">Contact us</a> for more information, or view our class schedule for upcoming classes.

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<h1>Boarding School</h1>Let us train your dog for you! Want a trained dog but just too busy to do it yourself? Boarding school may be the answer.This service is ideal for the busy dog owner or the family on vacation. We use a humane, motivational approach to training dogs.<blockquote>This is not shock collar training! Using a combination of praise, encouragement and correction we teach your dog each new command and get reliable responses through consistent repetition.</blockquote>Does this service really work? YES! Providing that you follow through with the training. We offer two follow through options:<ul><li>One private handling lesson at pick up, and another private lesson two weeks later. Additional private lessons can be purchased at a nominal fee.</li><li>One private handling lesson at pick up and a discounted group course. This is the recommended option when available, as it tends to be more comprehensive. Remember, boarding school is a good fit for anyone who truly makes a commitment and follows through.</li></ul><h2>Basic Obedience Boarding School</h2>This fourteen day course is offered to dogs that are five months old or older. During their stay, your dog will learn:<ul><li>Problem Solving - inappropriate behaviors (e.g, jumping, mouthing, door dashing, etc.) that can occur in the kennel enviornment are eliminated</li><li>Leave it - dog will leave an object and focus on handler when commanded</li><li>Sit-Stay - reliable around INTENSE distractions</li><li>Attention Training - dog attends to the handler and ignores other stimulation</li><li>Heel - walking on a loose leash in heel position</li><li>Come - comes to the handler when called</li><li>Down-Stay - will lie down to a verbal command</li><li>Down at a Distance - will respond several yards away</li><li>Down Hand Signal - will respond to hand signal at a distance</li><li>Stand-Stay - will hold a standing position when commanded *other exercises are frequently mastered when working with outstanding canine students.</li></ul>Follow though options include: A) One private handling lesson at pick up, and another private lesson two weeks later. Additional private lessons can be purchased if necessary. B) One private handling lesson at pick up and a discounted eight-week group course when available. This option is recommended when available as it is much more comprehensive. The Cost of this service is $1,550.00 and includes one of the follow through options described above.Basic Training Boarding School is offered to dogs five months or older. Your dog will be boarded and trained for 14 days and the cost is $1,550.00.

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<h1>Gillette Kennels Obedience Training</h1>Kirk L. Gillette formally began professionally training dogs in January of 1992 when he developed and opened Gillette Obedience Training. The boarding kennel was added to the business in early 1998. Mr. Gillette’s qualifications are unsurpassed in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek area. In addition to holding a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology from Western Michigan University, Mr. Gillette also obtained a diploma from West Virginia Canine College in professional dog training and kennel management. He also holds two certifications from Cornell University’s Canine Study Program. Mr. Gillette who is a member of the Association for Behavioral Analysis and the International Association of Canine Professionals, continues to lead the way in conscientious dog training and client education.<blockquote>New class schedule and tuition costs coming soon. Our classes range from puppy head start classes to basic, intermediate, and advanced levels!</blockquote>

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Kirk L. Gillette&nbsp;continues to lead&nbsp;the way in conscientious dog training and client education.Our classes range from puppy head start classes to basic, intermediate, and advanced obedience!

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<h1>Consultations</h1><blockquote>Having special problems with your dog? We can help!</blockquote>Most behavioral problems can be changed but not always 100% “cured.” It really depends on many variables. A comprehensive evaluation followed by a private consultation will enable you to eliminate or reduce the frequency of most behavioral problems.A consultation is a meeting with you and your dog provided at Gillette Kennels Training Center. Ninety percent of the process entails gathering information about your dog and his environment. After the information is gathered and analyzed the results are discussed and sound advice is offered. The consultation will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. The fee is $225.00 to be paid at the time of the consultation.If you are interested in a consultation please contact us using the form below. Please provide a brief description of the problem during your initial contact. After we receive the initial contact form we will ask you to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire so that we can profile your dog and determine the best course of action.Contact form coming soon.

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<h1>Group Lessons</h1>Group training is ideal for individuals who want to save money and socialize their pets. Our small group size (12 dogs) enables us to give you individual attention. Classes are held once a week and each class lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Enrollments are assigned on a first received basis.<h2>Puppy Head Start</h2>Puppy socialization is paramount to raising a well-adjusted puppy. Covers comprehensive problem solving and prevention, housebreaking, and a fun introduction to obedience commands. Positive reinforcement is emphasized in this six-week course. Flat buckle collars are used (absolutely no choke chains, pinch collars, or head collars!). For puppies 8 to 16 weeks old.<blockquote>First class attendance is required. Please DO NOT bring puppy to first class.</blockquote><h2>Basic Obedience</h2>Help your dog to unleash his/her potential by attending basic obedience training. This eight-week course is offered to dogs five months and up.Lessons include:<ul><li>General problem solving/orientation</li><li>Sit/Stay</li><li>Attention training</li><li>Heel</li><li>Come</li><li>Down/Stay</li><li>Stand/Stay</li><li>Review/Practice/Graduation</li></ul><blockquote>First class attendance is required. Please DO NOT bring dog to first class.</blockquote><h2>Intermediate Obedience</h2>Prerequisite: enrolled dog and owner must have attended Gillette’s Basic Obedience or receive Instructor's approval. Teach your dog advanced commands and get him/her ready for off-lead in this seven-week course.Lessons Include:<ul><li>Sit hand signal</li><li>Down hand signal</li><li>Finish</li><li>Stand in motion</li><li>Stand for examination</li><li>Control Center</li><li>Stationary Watch</li><li>Moving Watch</li><li>Discrimination Training</li></ul><blockquote>Please bring dog to first class.</blockquote><h2>Advanced Obedience</h2>Prerequisite: enrolled dog and owner must have attended Gillette’s Basic Obedience or higher. Introduce advanced exercises and obtain off-lead control. E-collar optional.<blockquote>Please bring dog to first class.</blockquote>

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<h1>Private Lessons</h1><blockquote>Our Best Service</blockquote>One on one instruction provided at our training center. From puppy head start through advanced obedience, we will help you to design a program that meets your needs.<blockquote>Advantages of private training include one-on-one instruction and minimal initial distractions. The truth is that the best way to train a dog is initially with few or no distractions, and then distractions are gradually added as the dog learns, building on successful responses.</blockquote>The other advantage of private lessons is that the instructor will teach your dog each new command while you observe. When your dog responds to the instructor he is turned over to you and direct instruction ensures that he also responds to you. It is then your responsibility to practice with your dog throughout the week so that he is ready to progress to the next lesson. Another advantage of private lessons is that the training is tailored to fit your needs and we can usually teach much more than we can accomplish is a group format.A six week private lesson course is $600.00 and each lesson lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours.Interested in private lessons? <a target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="/contact">Contact Us</a>.