About DF Canine Training

DF Canine Training is the class program attached to Doberman Fields in Rock Tavern, and it runs under the tagline "Dogs FIRST". The training pages are separate from the kennel's breeding pages and carry their own schedule, their own registration forms and their own published prices, which makes this one of the easier local programs to price before you call.

What is on offer

The class list is built around the AKC ladder: AKC STAR Puppy, Basic Manners & Obedience, AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Prep, AKC Trick Dog Classes, AKC FitDog Level 1, and Intermediate & Advanced Training Classes. The site was advertising a "Basic Manners 5 Week Class" at the time these pages were read. Private lessons are available by appointment only and are priced on the page at "$50.00 per 45 Minute Lesson". The kennel also boards dogs, which is listed as a separate service rather than as board-and-train.

Testing and titles

The program doubles as an evaluation point. It publishes "AKC CGC Evaluator/Testing Services Available: $25.00 per Dog/per Test", in person for CGC, CGCA and CGCU, and in person or by video for Trick Dog at all levels and Virtual Home Manners for puppies and adults. There is also a practical page for owners of mixed-breed or unregistered dogs explaining the AKC Purebred Alternative Listing and Canine Partners programs, which is what lets those dogs enter AKC companion and performance events at all.

How the classes run

The published class structure is small and outdoor-leaning: "Most classes are small, with 4-6 dogs, allowing for individualized attention", sessions usually last 45 minutes, and "Many training classes are held outdoors, giving dogs fresh air and the benefit of training amid real-world distractions." Intermediate and advanced sessions move off site to parks, trails and outdoor plazas so that skills generalize.

Practical terms

The program is strict about administration and says so: payment in full before the session starts, checks and cash only with no credit cards or electronic transfers, classes non-refundable and non-transferable, two people per enrolled dog, and no make-ups for missed classes – except for weather cancellations, which the trainer reschedules. Registration is by downloadable form, and the site notes the forms "download best on a desktop/laptop", with an email fallback to DFCanineTraining@gmail.com.