Training Classes
Mini Classes
Stacey Larsen, a frequent guest on Channel 12's Midday Arizona,
teaches a series of single-subject mini classes at
Bark Avenue Pet Supply. Watch our events page for date & class topics.
Each class can be most effective, offering the ability to stick with a single behavior for the duration of the class session. With only one
behavior to focus on, in-class instruction time is increased and as a
class we can raise levels of distractions to aid in our success. The
increased in-class practice of a specific behavior can also help
students begin to fully understand what is needed for their dog to think
and become consistent in a behavior.
For further information and class registration, please contact:
Stacey B. Larsen
Puppy Prep School, LLC
phone (480)766-1781
email hugapup3@gmail.com
APDT #63285
CGC Evaluator #17427
Dog Etiquette ~ Manners for Life
Sonoran Tails People's Choice Award "Best Trainer 2008"
blog http://puppyprepschool.typepad.com
Basic Obedience and Tricks Class
October 16 Saturdays from 11:00am - noon 
Trainer: Sharon Witherspoon
Class will include a special emphasis on loose leash walking and coming when called. Instruction for training a new trick will be included each week.
Class fee: $130 for seven lessons
This class is limited to 8 dogs
Supplies:
Regular buckle collar or, preferably the Premier martigale.
No choke chains or prong collars.
Might also use for some dogs the Easy Walk or the Gentle Leader.
A treat bag and treats.
A leash (leather leash is prefered, but not required)
Students will need to bring water for the dog and for themselves.
For further information and class registration, please contact:
Sharon Witherspoon
phone 480-892-8862
email lovesdogs_85234@yahoo.com
www.homedogtrainingaz.com
Foundation Obedience
Saturdays 8:00am - 9:00am
Saturday class schedule varies, as classes will not be held on show weekends. Please contact the trainer to obtain the schedule.
Trainer: Carol Lynn Fox
Class Fee: $10
Foundation Obedience is for dogs of all ages including those under 1 year
old who would like to earn the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy award, dogs and handlers
preparing for the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test and those working on basic
control exercises preparing for AKC Rally or Pre Novice Obedience.
Class lessons will cover:
Allows petting by a person other than the owner Grooming - Allows
owner/instructor handling and brief exam (ears, feet) Walks on a
Leash-Follows puppies, healing on a loose leash adults Walks by other people
Walks on leash past other people/dogs Sits on command Down on command Stay
on command Comes to owner when called Reaction to Distractions-distractions
are presented 15-ft away Stay on leash with another person Reactions to other dogs
Supplies:
6 foot leash
well fitting buckle or slip collar
LOTS of soft treats!
Potty bags
For further information, please contact:
Carol Lynn Fox
AKC CGC Evaluator #39910
Pres., GCSBMDC
MahaRaja Bernese
www.bernesemtndog.com
www.AKCdogTrainer.com
602-743-2460
Rally Obedience
Saturdays 9:15am - 10:15am
First Class Dec. 5, 2009
This is a "Drop in" classes pre-registration not necessary.
Please visit www.akcdogtrainer.com for Saturday class schedule,
as classes will not be held on show weekends.
Trainer: Carol Lynn Fox
Class Fee: $10
*All levels of dogs and handlers looking to explore a fun sport that
focuses on the teamwork of the dog and handler. *Handlers and dogs
working towards a Novice, Advanced or Execellent AKC Rally title.
Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course of
designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). The team of dog
and handler moves continuously at a brisk, but normal, pace with the dog
under control at the handler's left side. There should be a sense of
teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises
and between the exercise signs;Unlimited communication from the handler
to the dog is to be encouraged.
Rally provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to
obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. In addition,
rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition.
Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still
be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.
Supplies:
6 foot leash
well fitting buckle or slip collar
LOTS of soft treats!
Potty bags
For further information, please contact:
Carol Lynn Fox
AKC CGC Evaluator #39910
Pres., GCSBMDC
MahaRaja Bernese
www.bernesemtndog.com
www.AKCdogTrainer.com
602-743-2460
Meet the Trainers
Stacey Larsen
Stacey B. Larsen, owner of 
Puppy Prep School, LLC has worked
as a Pet Dog Obedience Instructor
for over 17 years, but her famil-
iarity and experience with animals
goes back much further than that.
Stacey has been involved with dogs
all of her life, as her family had
been breeding and training dogs for over 50 years in Delaware County,
New York. Stacey grew up in a very unique environment learning animal
instinct and developed her training skills through interaction with a
variety of animals including horses, goats, squirrels, chickens and a
hedgehog. In the late 1960’s Stacey started learning positive
motivational training techniques through working with horses. She
competed in the show ring riding in equitation, hunters, and jumpers,
three-day events, including stadium jumping, cross-country and dressage.
However, Stacey’s first love is dogs. She has taught people how to
train their dogs, from total puppy management to becoming great companions,
canine good citizens and therapy dogs.
Stacey has developed her motivational training techniques through years
of instruction and practice. She believes in using the instinctual
approach combined with positive reinforcement. Stacey’s ability to blend
the dynamics of family lifestyle and personality taking into consideration
each individual situation is what makes her training methods unique.
Stacey is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Therapy Dogs
International, Inc., the Grand Canyon State Bernese Mountain Dog Club,
is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator #17427, AKC Public Education
Coordinator and a Canine Ambassador. She has been a frequent guest on
Channel 12 - Arizona Midday. She has volunteered at shelters, taught
pet safety skills to elementary school children and is certified in
Pet First Aid.
Sharon Witherspoon 
Sharon combines her love and respect for dogs and her years of experience as an educator and a counselor together with a positive, proven training program to help you have a well-behaved family pet.
She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), a professional group which emphasizes gentle training methods. She attends workshops throughout the year to continually update and provide pet owners with the most humane,effective and modern training methods available.
Sharon is also one of the first trainers to become a nationally
Certified Pet Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed by the Certification Council
for Pet Dog Trainers.
Sharon Witherspoon of Home Dog Training is very excited to announce that
she has recently become one of the first trainers to become affiliated
with Victoria Stilwell of It's Me Or The Dog fame on Animal Planet.
Victoria is organizing a team of trainers who share her dedication for
positive reinforcement training. All Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainers
have worked with Victoria personally and share her passion for positive training and her ability to
achieve unparalleled results without using force or dangerous dominance-based tec
hniques.
If you would like to know more about positive dog training, please call Sharon.
Sharon has a B.A. in Education and a M.A. in Sociology
Carol Lynn Fox
Carol Lynn has been involved with dogs since the age of 3 when she received
her first Beagle, "Snuffles". She has taught Conformation, Rally and
Obedience for several years in the East Valley. Currently, Carol Lynn is
an AKC, CGC Evaluator, working hard on obtaining her AKC Rally Judge License.
Carol Lynn believes in positive reinforcement, focusing on rewarding the
desired behaviors. Carol Lynn is an AKC Companion Event Trainer.
Kristyn Hayes
Kristyn is the Bark Buster for Mesa. She has been training
dogs for several years, and has successfully trained hundreds
of dogs in her career. Currently, she is an Advanced-Level
Certified Trainer, and this year will receive her
Master-Level Certification.
Bark Busters Home Dog Training is the world's largest and most
trusted home dog training company, celebrating 21 very successful
years. It is the ONLY dog training company ever to be endorsed
and awarded "Best of the Best" by SPCA, and has been given that
prestigious title 3 years in a row. Bark Busters uses the same
training methods used by dogs to train each other in the litter
and in the pack-- no clickers, force, treats, prong or
shock collars-- using voice control and body language
to change behavior.
Kristyn Hayes
Bark Busters Home Dog Training--
all dogs, all ages, all problems or issues
www.barkbusters.com
mesa@barkbusters.com
480-818-3473
