Obedience Training
“Mental exercise tires a dog physically more than physical exercise does.”
– Dr. Ian Dunbar
Obedience 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.
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.
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 is designed to teach essential obedience commands, including sit, down, stay, recall (or “come”), loose-leash walking, and a place command. Our classes create an engaging and enjoyable learning experience for both dogs and owners. While we may introduce gentle guidance as needed, most participants will find their dogs comfortable in standard buckle collars. Should your specific situation call for alternative management tools, we are happy to provide recommendations to ensure the best fit for you and your dog.
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 Pre-Novice Obedience. This class focuses on improving loose leash walking, heeling, sit & down stays, recalls with distraction and will introduce the stand command.
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-Novice
To enter this class, you must have mastered beginning II 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.
Instructors: Susan Wright, Kevin West
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Novice
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.
Instructors: Susan Wright, Kevin West
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-Open
To enter this class, you must have mastered Pre-Novice skills or have instructor approval.
The Pre-Open class at WestInn Kennels focuses on foundational skills for advanced level obedience and introduces Open and Utility exercises. Dogs will refine off-leash heeling, master the retrieve, and practice essential exercises like the drop on recall, jumps, stand/stay, and go-outs. This class is designed to prepare students for advanced level obedience.
Instructors: Terry Hanley, Matthew Twitty
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.
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.
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Introduction to Rally
To enter this class, your pet must be 6 months of age or older, and you must have beginning obedience skills.
This brand-new class is geared toward the beginner rally enthusiast. Our instructors will help you learn about the sport and get you prepared for your journey through Rally.
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old, and an adult must accompany all minors.
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.
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.
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Performance “FUN”damentals
To enter this class, you must be ready to have a good time
A new course geared towards building engagement, teaching useful play, canine body awareness, and foundation games for obedience, rally, agility, and more. Performance FUNdamentals is a great class for all levels. This course will help build a bond between dog and handler while teaching skills and concepts to both! Come with your sport prodigy puppy, your hyper teenage pup, or your young dog who “needs a job”!
Instructors: Ashton Jakcsy
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.
Age restrictions: Students must be at least 12 years old and all minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Private Lessons
Private lessons provide individualized coaching tailored to each dog and handler team’s goals, experience level, and obedience training needs. Whether you are working on foundation manners, improving reliability, preparing for competition, or addressing specific behavior challenges, sessions are customized to help teams progress at their own pace. Training may focus on engagement, leash skills, heeling, recalls, stays, impulse control, and strengthening clear communication between dog and handler. Video review and discussion can also be incorporated to help handlers better understand timing, mechanics, and overall team development.
Hear 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."
“Reasonably priced, usually a coupon available in the paper. Very knowledgeable and good with my dogs. Truly everything under one roof.”
“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.”
“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!”