Obedience

“Mental exercise tires a dog physically more than physical exercise does.”

– Dr. Ian Dunbar

CLASSES

Puppy Pre-School

This class is ideal for pets ranging in age from 10 – 16 weeks old
This course is designed to help teach your puppy basic commands such as how to walk on a loose leash, sit, lay down and name recognition. This class also focuses on responsible pet ownership and proper behavior around other people and pets as well as new or different environments. Grooming, nutritional needs and housebreaking tips are discussed as well as other topics as needed.
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Instructors: Kat Schmalz, Ashton Jakcesy, Annie Sandfort & Kay Brendle
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

S.T.A.R. Puppy / Puppy Kindergarten

This class is ideal for pets 16 weeks – 6 months old
This course will take you through the AKC’s S.T.A.R. puppy program. We help you teach loose leash walking, downs, sits and coming when called. The instructors also spend time discussing household problems such as jumping, digging and chewing. At the end of the six-week course a test will be given for those wanting their pet to become an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.
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Instructors: Ginger Kinion, Michelle Frasca, Annie Sandfort, Kay Brendle
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Beginning Obedience

This class is ideal for pets 6 months old or older.
This course focuses on teaching basic dog obedience commands such as sit, down, stay, a recall or “come”, loose-leash walking, and a place command. The methods used in this class include the use of treats, praise and fun to help the dogs (and owners) learn in the fastest and most positive way possible. Mild corrections are used, but most students have their dogs on regular buckle collars. If there is a better management tool for your situation, we will suggest it.
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Instructors: Kat Schmalz, Ashton Jakcesy, Michelle Frasca, Annie Sandfort, Kay Brendle
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Beginning II Obedience

To enter this class, you must have mastered beginning obedience skills or have instructor approval.
This course is for dogs and their handlers who have completed beginning obedience but wish to strengthen the skills learned before moving into Novice Obedience. This class focuses on improving loose leash walking, heeling, sit & down stays, recalls with distraction and will introduce the stand command.
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Instructors: Suzanne Johnstone
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Novice I

To enter this class, you must have mastered beginning obedience skills or have instructor approval.
This course is designed to expand on the skills learned in beginning obedience. Heeling, off-leash stays and other exercises are large components of this class. Heavy distractions and the foundations for showing in obedience are introduced.
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Instructors: Virginia Kinion, Tom Arns, Susan Wright
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Novice II

To enter this class, you must have mastered novice I skills or have instructor approval.
This course is designed to expand on the skills learned in novice obedience and prepare you to achieve a companion dog title. Off-leash heeling is introduced while other off-leash exercises and handling techniques are heavily stressed. Showing your pet is not a requirement to train in this class.
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Instructors: Tom Arns, Susan Wright
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Open

To enter this class, you must have mastered novice II skills or have instructor approval.
This course is designed to expand on the skills learned in the advanced novice classes and prepare you to achieve a Companion Dog Excellent title. This class focuses the advanced skills of jumping, retrieving, off-lead heeling and out of sight sits and downs. Showing your pet is not a requirement to train in this class.
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Instructors: Sharon West, Tom Arns, Lisa Stepanek, Terry Hanley
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Utility

To enter this class, you must have open obedience skills or have instructor approval.
This course is designed to expand on the skills learned in the open class and prepare you to achieve a Utility Dog title. This class focuses the advanced skills of scent work, hand signals, moving stands and directed retrieving. Showing your pet is not a requirement to train in this class.
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Instructors: Sharon West, Tom Arns, Lisa Stepanek, Terry Hanley
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Rally I Obedience

To enter this class, you must have passed intro to dog sports or have instructor approval
With the average pet owners in mind Rally was designed as a fun introduction into the world of dog obedience. Dog and handlers work closely as a team to navigate a predesigned course of activities. Students will spend time learning exercises ranging from simple sits and downs to more advanced components of the sport.
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Instructors: Tim Cutshall, Darlene Cutshall
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Rally II Obedience

To enter this class, you must have mastered rally I skills or have instructor approval
This course is designed for students looking to further their knowledge and skill in rally obedience. Students will work closely with instructors to learn how to navigate advanced and excellent rally obedience courses with an emphasis on handling skills and sign recognition.
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Instructors: Tim Cutshall, Darlene Cutshall
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Intro to Dog Sports

To enter this class, your pet must be 6 months of age or older and you must have beginning obedience skills or have instructor approval.
This popular class will introduce students to the different options in performance dog sports. You will spend 30 minutes in each area learning the basic skills in agility and rally. This is a fun class that allows you experience a range of class options.
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Instructors: Charlotte Mielziner, Barb Wielms, Tina Lass
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Tricks Class

This class is perfect for anyone looking to have fun with their pet. There is not a pre-requisite for this class.
This class is designed to be a fun, challenging, and a rewarding class for you and your pet. During this class, you will learn how to teach your pet specific tricks, more importantly however, you will learn the foundation of how to train your dog tricks, how to break down complicated tricks into specific parts, and how to put all those pieces together.
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Instructors: Jamie Heberlein
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Kidz n’ K9s

This is a fun class offered to children starting as young as 8 years old.
Children who train dogs have shown improved communication and leadership skills, greater empathy, and improved problem solving skills. Children taking this class are teamed up with the local 4-H chapter to train dogs in obedience, rally and agility.
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Instructors: Charlotte Mielziner
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 8 years old.

From our Happy Customers

We have been taking our dogs here for over 10 years and would not take them anywhere else. We have never been disappointed with the care they have received at Westinn Kennels, as opposed to other, larger kennels in the area. The staff is always friendly and courteous, even when they are getting slammed with customers. Mark I.

We have boarded our dogs at Westinn in Dardenne Prairie for 15 years and love it. As soon as the suitcases come out, our dogs are ready to go. Once inside the office area, they stand waiting at the next door to get back to the kennel area, tails wagging in anticipation. The staff is pleasant, efficient, compassionate and VERY competent. D.I.

Reasonably priced, usually a coupon available in the paper. Very knowledgeable and good with my dogs. Truly everything under one roof. Jessica S.

Just picked up my fur babies from their first kennel stay at Westinn B & B in Dardenne Prairie. Full disclosure, someone close to me works there but was not there during my dogs stay. The staff is sweet, knowledgeable, and well trained! My dogs both did great, and as one of them is 15 years old, I was extra nervous for her. She was relaxed and happy when we picked her up. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience for their first kennel stay! Jessica S.