Congratulations: You are now registered!
You should receive an email from us shortly that will let you set your password (check your SPAM folder).
If you do not recieve the email within 24 hours, please email us at sparksk9services@gmail.com.
For those that already have acces to our homework system, you will not receive a password creation email!
If you do not recieve the email within 24 hours, please email us at sparksk9services@gmail.com.
For those that already have acces to our homework system, you will not receive a password creation email!
We've put together some important information for you in the same format as your Course Homework, so you can learn how our homework system works, what equipment you will need for class, and why we don't allow dogs at the first class session!
BEFORE CLOSING THIS PAGE: Bookmark this page or save the web address so you can reference it again.
BEFORE CLOSING THIS PAGE: Bookmark this page or save the web address so you can reference it again.
Click the BLUE bars below to expand.
How to Access your homework (Access limited to index page until class starts)
Now that you are registered in our homework system, you can simply go to www.sparksk9.com and use the navigatation bar to go to COURSE HOMEWORK-->NOVICE OBEDIENCE. If you are using a mobile device, the navigation menu can be accessed by tapping the three horizontal bars. To access the sub-menus that appear, just click the small arrow to the right of the menu options.
Once you enter your Login information, you will be taken to the Novice Obedience Index Page.
Once class starts you will gain access to everything contained within the Basic Knowledge & Lesson 1 sections; you will gain access to additional lessons each week as class progresses.
Once you enter your Login information, you will be taken to the Novice Obedience Index Page.
Once class starts you will gain access to everything contained within the Basic Knowledge & Lesson 1 sections; you will gain access to additional lessons each week as class progresses.
Equipment required for class
The basic equipment needed for class will be:
Longe Line For this class: each student will need a 15’ longe line. The basic 15’ x 5/8” cotton web longe line is what is .. Longe lines MUST have a good quality swivel spring clip.
Collars: I recommend German made choke collars, specifically, those made by Herm Sprenger, Mueller, or Titan. We typically have common sizes available for sale to our clients (measure the widest point around your dog’s head prior to the 1st class). Sizing collars Use the heaviest practical for the application. For most dogs, 3mm chain is the size to buy. For bigger dogs (90 lbs+) I use 4mm chain. The length of the collar should be equal to a measurement of once around the dog’s head (widest point), plus about 2 inches……or, just long enough to slip over his head and not have to pry it off.
Leash Material: I prefer and strongly recommend good quality leather leashes. Synthetic leashes are not comfortable in the hand and can cause burns/cuts. Length: 6’ (typical). Professional trainers will often find and optimized length based on several variables, but for our purposes in this class, you will want a good 6’ leash. We will have some leashes available for purchase at the 1st and 2nd classes.
- 15’ Longe line (required for week 1 homework)
- Properly fit chain choke collar (Herm Sprenger, Titan or Mueller brands only) or martingale collar (required starting day 1)
- 6’ Leather leash (required starting at week 2 class)
- The BOOK! This class follows the principles taught in the Koehler Method of Dog Training. You can buy a hard copy or get the Kindle version by following this LINK.
Longe Line For this class: each student will need a 15’ longe line. The basic 15’ x 5/8” cotton web longe line is what is .. Longe lines MUST have a good quality swivel spring clip.
Collars: I recommend German made choke collars, specifically, those made by Herm Sprenger, Mueller, or Titan. We typically have common sizes available for sale to our clients (measure the widest point around your dog’s head prior to the 1st class). Sizing collars Use the heaviest practical for the application. For most dogs, 3mm chain is the size to buy. For bigger dogs (90 lbs+) I use 4mm chain. The length of the collar should be equal to a measurement of once around the dog’s head (widest point), plus about 2 inches……or, just long enough to slip over his head and not have to pry it off.
Leash Material: I prefer and strongly recommend good quality leather leashes. Synthetic leashes are not comfortable in the hand and can cause burns/cuts. Length: 6’ (typical). Professional trainers will often find and optimized length based on several variables, but for our purposes in this class, you will want a good 6’ leash. We will have some leashes available for purchase at the 1st and 2nd classes.
Why are there NO DOGS at the first class?
Yes, you read that correctly!
There are NO DOGS at the 1st class..........this first session is for the humans, not the dogs.
Why? The first reason is safety (for you, your dog, other students, your instructors, etc). There will also be a LOT of information coming your way, and a lot that you need to learn to get started correctly. By the time we bring dogs to class for Lesson 2 (on his 6' leash attatched to his proper training collar, your dog should be a bit more manageable.
The 1st class will include:
-a chance for all of the humans to meet
-go over important safety rules
-teach the lesson for the 1st week's homework
-watch a demonstration of the expected results from a student and dog from the last class session
-go over equipment that will be needed for class
-purchase equipment (if you still need longe lines, chain collars or leashes). Make sure to measure the widest point around your dog's head so you can purchase the correct size chain collar. It should just fit easily over his head, but not be overly loose; correct fit matters.
This class is the starting point in the Koehler Method of Dog Training catalog, and is one of the most comprehensive and proven basic obedience classes that has ever been developed for training companion dogs to a high level of reliability, on and off leash, in areas of reasonable distractions.
Each week's lesson will build upon the previous week(s) work, step by step in a predictable and and logical progression. It will be important for each handler to work with their dog EVERY day, as described in the lesson plans and demonstrated in class/website videos.
I'll warn you right now, the 1st four weeks of this class are challenging; there is a lot of homework for you and your dog each week. The first 4 weeks are meant to train the gross aspects of behavior, while the remaining weeks are for polishing and finishing work. Don't worry, once you get past Lesson 4, things really start to come together and get easier.
My staff and I will be there to support you throughout this 10 week training journey. You will receive detailed written and video homework each week that supports the information and demonstration taught at the corresponding class.
If additional help or support is needed or desired outside of the above resources, we offer reduced rate private lessons to class students. Contact us via email to schedule these.
There are NO DOGS at the 1st class..........this first session is for the humans, not the dogs.
Why? The first reason is safety (for you, your dog, other students, your instructors, etc). There will also be a LOT of information coming your way, and a lot that you need to learn to get started correctly. By the time we bring dogs to class for Lesson 2 (on his 6' leash attatched to his proper training collar, your dog should be a bit more manageable.
The 1st class will include:
-a chance for all of the humans to meet
-go over important safety rules
-teach the lesson for the 1st week's homework
-watch a demonstration of the expected results from a student and dog from the last class session
-go over equipment that will be needed for class
-purchase equipment (if you still need longe lines, chain collars or leashes). Make sure to measure the widest point around your dog's head so you can purchase the correct size chain collar. It should just fit easily over his head, but not be overly loose; correct fit matters.
This class is the starting point in the Koehler Method of Dog Training catalog, and is one of the most comprehensive and proven basic obedience classes that has ever been developed for training companion dogs to a high level of reliability, on and off leash, in areas of reasonable distractions.
Each week's lesson will build upon the previous week(s) work, step by step in a predictable and and logical progression. It will be important for each handler to work with their dog EVERY day, as described in the lesson plans and demonstrated in class/website videos.
I'll warn you right now, the 1st four weeks of this class are challenging; there is a lot of homework for you and your dog each week. The first 4 weeks are meant to train the gross aspects of behavior, while the remaining weeks are for polishing and finishing work. Don't worry, once you get past Lesson 4, things really start to come together and get easier.
My staff and I will be there to support you throughout this 10 week training journey. You will receive detailed written and video homework each week that supports the information and demonstration taught at the corresponding class.
If additional help or support is needed or desired outside of the above resources, we offer reduced rate private lessons to class students. Contact us via email to schedule these.