L & L Dog Training

Every dog should have the opportunity to learn basic obedience with their person. A dog given ample opportunity to learn obedience gains confidence, patience, and self-control, and has the tools needed to be a life-long family member. 

Instructors for L & L Dog Training include Linda Bowman, Chuck Bowman, Linda Moore, Pat Kelm, Joanne Matthews, Kathi Gullace, Agatha Miconi, Melanie Reeger, and Sally Porter.

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Scroll down for class descriptions and registrations!

Class start dates are delayed due to the closure of non-essential businesses.

• I am a certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, AKC Star Puppy Evaluator, and Therapy Dog International Evaluator. 
• I am also a certified member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI). 
•  I am a member of Westmoreland County Obedience Training Club, Greater Pittsburgh Golden Retriever Club,Three Rivers Shetland Sheepdog Club, and Loyalhanna Agility Club. 
• I am a judge for both CPE scent work and Hide N' Seek.
•  I have been training dogs for 30 years, competing for 20 plus years, and teaching various dog obedience classes for over 15 years. 

Puppy Class
​Prerequisites: Dogs need to be 12 weeks to 6 months old and must have current shots.
​Description: The goal of the puppy class is to help you and your new puppy get to know each other and to introduce basic obedience concepts to the puppy. A major part of this class is socialization with other people and other dogs. This is done in a class setting where concepts of attention and walking on a leash are introduced. AKC Star Puppy test is available at the end of this class. 

Puppy Plus/Manners
​Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed a puppy class or have equivalent skills. For small-breed dogs up to 18 months-old, and large-breeds up to 12 months-old with Instructors approval.
​Description:This class is designed for further socialization of young dogs. Basic skills of heeling, recalls, sits, downs, and stays will be reinforced. Manners for a having a well-rounded family pet will be a focus of this class. Class will be fun and motivational with games and attention work, to build a solid relationship with your young dog.

Foundations of Obedience I Class
​Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed a puppy class or have equivalent skills.
Description: This class will teach the foundation skills for having a well-rounded family pet, and competitive obedience. Attention, heeling, sits and downs, sit/wait with attention, stand for exam, recall games, and stays will be covered. Class will be fun and motivational with games and attention work to build a solid relationship with your dog. This class is also useful for dogs starting in agility. 

​Foundations of Obedience II Class
Prerequisites:Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I, or have equivalent skills.
​Description:This class is designed around families that wish to add to the skills their dogs have acquired through the Foundations of Obedience I, and want to continue to strengthen the training their dog has already received. Behaviors such as stay, coming when called, walking on-leash & off-leash, are practiced with distractions using creative, fun games and exercises. Teaching your dog to focus on you as the environment gets busy is essential to a happy life with your dog. This class provides excellent preparation for trainers interested in dog sports: agility, competition obedience, and rally obedience. The AKC Canine Good Citizen Exam will be available after this class. 

Pawsitively Fun
Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I & II, or have equivalent skills.
​Description: Pawsitively Fun is for those who want a more well-rounded family pet and for those considering both advanced training, and competition. The course is designed to develop your dog’s confidence both at home, and in social settings. Practice and refine the skills learned in Foundations of Obedience I & II, while applying them to games in a social setting, with other dogs and owners. Each one-hour session is filled with games, challenges, obstacles, and fun! 

Advanced Obedience/Rally
Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I & II, or have equivalent skills.
​Description: Traditional Rally class for those wanting to compete and earn their Rally title. 

Tricks Class 
Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I & II, or have instructor’s approval.
Description: This class will present and practice the novice, intermediate, and possibly start advanced tricks. Your dog can be certified in both Do More with Your Dog  tricks program or AKC. Pat Kelm is a certified evaluator for both programs!  Tricks testing will take during instructional time.  Each one-hour session is filled with challenges, obstacles, and fun!  

Competition Obedience Class
Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I & II, or have equivalent skills.
Description: Traditional CD/CDX class for those wanting to compete and earn their CD and/or CDX.  

Beginners Scent Work Fun Class

Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I or have instructor’s approval. 

Description: This class will introduce you and your canine partner to the fun sport of Scent Work. In this class you will learn how to stimulate and refine your dog’s desire to hunt by scent. By the end of this course, you will learn how to train your dog to hunt for specific odors. Equipment and gear overview will also be covered. Class instructor is Kathi Gullace. 

Advanced Scent Work Fun  

Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I, Scent Work Fun I or have instructor’s approval.

Description: This class builds on skills from Beginners Scent Work Fun, and introduces new skills. Class instructor is Kathi Gullace. Class size limited to six handler & dog teams.

Canine Fitness  

Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I, or have instructor’s approval.

Description: Instructor, Pat Kelm is a certified Canine Fitness Coach with Do More With Your Dog! Your dog will practice five components of fitness: flexibility, balance, stamina, coordination, and strength, using a variety of props. This class is not intended for dogs who are under a vet’s care for rehabilitation, or health problems such as heart complications, obesity, etc. Canine fitness certification testing will take place during instructional time. Each one-hour session is filled with challenges, obstacles, and fun! Maximum of six students.  

Performance Puppy Class  

Prerequisites: Dogs need to be 4 months to 16-months old, and must have current shots. 

Description: This class is designed for the experienced handler who plans on competing in any dog sport. Puppies in this class must be able to work around other puppies and people without being reactive. Confidence building activities, and an introduction to a variety of different canine sports, will be interwoven into the class. Puppies will be moving at an accelerated rate.

Advanced Family Dog Obedience Class  

Prerequisites: Dogs should have completed the Foundations of Obedience I & II or have equivalent skills. 

Description: The curriculum for this class will be fluid, and based on student needs. Distraction training will be a big part of this class.