Obedience Training
Our classes range from puppy head start classes to basic, intermediate, and advanced levels!
Kirk L. Gillette formally began professionally training dogs in January of 1992 when he developed and opened Gillette Obedience Training.
The boarding kennel was added to the business in early 1998. Mr. Gillette’s qualifications are unsurpassed in the Kalamazoo, Portage, and Battle Creek area. In addition to holding a Master’s Degree in Behavioral Psychology from Western Michigan University, Mr. Gillette also obtained a diploma from West Virginia Canine College in professional dog training and kennel management. He also holds two certifications from Cornell University’s Canine Study Program.
Kirk L. Gillette continues to lead the way in conscientious dog training and client education.
Our classes range from puppy head start classes to basic, intermediate, and advanced obedience!
Group training is ideal for individuals who want to save money and socialize their pets. Our small group size (10 dogs) enables us to give you individual attention. Classes are held once a week, and each class lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Enrollments are assigned on a first come first served basis.
Intro To Basics
Lessons include:
- General problem solving/orientation
- Sit/Stay
- Attention training and introduce down
- Heel
- Come
Back To Basics
Lessons include:
- Review previous course exercises and practice
- More on down, down at a distance
- Stand/stay
- More on recall (come)
- Control Center (go to your place)
- And more…
Problem Solving Workshop
Lessons include:
- Jumping
- Mouthing
- Crate Training
- House Breaking
- Separation Anxiety
- Dominance Aggression
- And more...
We are presently offering the following group lessons.
New class schedule coming soon.
Let us train your dog for you! Want a trained dog but just too busy to do it yourself? Boarding school may be the answer. This service is ideal for the busy dog owner or the family on vacation. We use a humane, motivational approach to training dogs. This is not shock collar training! Using a combination of praise, encouragement and correction we teach your dog each new command and get reliable responses through consistent repetition.
Does this service really work? YES! Providing that you follow through with the training. We offer a valuable follow through option, one private handling lesson at pick up, and another private lesson two weeks later. Additional private lessons can be purchased at a nominal fee.
This fourteen day course is offered to dogs that are five months old or older.
During their stay, your dog will learn:
Problem Solving
Inappropriate behaviors (e.g, jumping, mouthing, door dashing, etc.) that can occur in the kennel environment are eliminated
Leave it
Dog will leave an object and focus on handler when commanded
Sit-Stay
Reliable around INTENSE distractions
Attention Training
Dog attends to the handler and ignores other stimulation
Heel
Walking on a loose leash in heel position
Come
Comes to the handler when called
Down-Stay
Will lie down to a verbal command
Down at a Distance
Will respond several yards away
Down Hand Signal
Will respond to hand signal at a distance
Stand-Stay
Will hold a standing position when commanded *other exercises are frequently mastered when working with outstanding canine students.
From puppy head start through advanced obedience, we will help you to design a program that meets your needs. Advantages of private training include one-on-one instruction and minimal initial distractions. The truth is that the best way to train a dog is initially with few or no distractions, and then distractions are gradually added as the dog learns, building on successful responses.
One on one instruction provided at our training center. The other advantage of private lessons is that the instructor will teach your dog each new command while you observe. When your dog responds to the instructor he is turned over to you and direct instruction ensures that he also responds to you. It is then your responsibility to practice with your dog throughout the week so that he is ready to progress to the next lesson. Another advantage of private lessons is that the training is tailored to fit your needs and we can usually teach much more than we can accomplish is a group format.
Fun for owners and dogs. Your dog will learn how to negotiate jumps, tunnels, and obstacles. Unlimited practice time during scheduled course hours while enrolled in class.
Having special problems with your dog? We can help! Most behavioral problems can be changed but not always 100% “cured.” It really depends on many variables. A comprehensive evaluation followed by a private consultation will enable you to eliminate or reduce the frequency of most behavioral problems.
A consultation is a meeting with you and your dog provided at Gillette Kennels Training Center. Ninety percent of the process entails gathering information about your dog and their environment. After the information is gathered and analyzed the results are discussed and sound advice is offered. The consultation will take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. The fee is to be paid at the time of the consultation. If you are interested in a consultation please fill out the form located on this page. Please provide a brief description of the problem during your initial contact. After we receive the initial contact form we will ask you to fill out a comprehensive questionnaire so that we can profile your dog and determine the best course of action.
Interested in our training services?
Fill out the form below to get started.