1. Where is Keystone Canine
Club located?
2. What kind of classes does Keystone Canine Club Offer?
3. Can anybody participate in Keystone Canine classes?
4. Can any dog participate in Keystone Canine classes?
5. What should I bring with me to class?
6. How large are Keystone Canine classes?
7. How long are Keystone Canine classes?
8. What does it cost to take a class at Keystone Canine Club?
9. What kind of facilities does Keystone Canine Club have?
10. What does Keystone Canine do with the money that people pay
for classes?
11. What are the qualifications of the instructors at Keystone
Canine Club?
12. What if I want to skip Basic and start at the Novice level?
13. What are the benefits of belonging to Keystone Canine Club?
14. How do I become a member of Keystone Canine Club?
15. How can I get a copy of the latest Club Newsletter?
16. How can I get a copy of the KCC Information Flyer?
17. How do I prepare for my first class at KCC?
Where is Keystone Canine Club
located?
Keystone Canine Club is located south of Pittsburgh in Bethel Park,
Pennsylvania. Please visit our Contact Us page
for addresses, phone numbers, directions to the Club and a map.
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What kind of classes does Keystone Canine Club Offer?
Keystone Canine Club offers group classes to the
general public in Introductory/Basic Obedience, Canine Good Citizenship and
Intermediate/Novice Obedience. Keystone Canine can arrange private classes
as well as lessons for special needs dogs and humans. The Club also offers
classes for MEMBERS ONLY in Advanced Obedience, Agility and Utility.
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Can anybody participate in Keystone Canine classes?
Any human in good enough health to walk and jog around a large, indoor room
for an hour may handle a dog in class. Only ONE person may work with a dog
at a time. Keystone Canine Club does require that any child handling a dog
in class be AT LEAST TWELVE (12) YEARS OF AGE! Friends and family of any
age are welcome to come and learn by observing the handler and the dog in class.
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Can any dog participate in Keystone Canine classes?
For health reasons, Keystone Canine Club requires that any dog or puppy
attending a class must be in good health and have no dangerous or contagious
medical conditions (such as mange, fleas, worms, kennel cough...). Dogs
must also be up to date on all rabies, parvo and distemper vaccines.
Just as importantly, dogs must pose no behavioral
threats to the class. Keystone Canine Club cannot allow any aggressive or
threatening dog into the class environment without the previous knowledge and
consent of the class Instructor.
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What should I bring with me to class?
Your dog, of course!! And a positive, open attitude! You should
also bring a six (6) foot leather, cotton or nylon leash (no chain leashes,
please); small, soft chewy treats that your dog LOVES and will gobble down
immediately; and a traditional buckle collar or a training collar (choke collar)
that fits properly. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and be prepared to
HAVE FUN!
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How large are Keystone Canine classes?
Keystone Canine Club reserves the right to limit class size so that each
student and each dog gets the time and attention that he/she deserves.
Typical class size is between 10-15 dogs, although during the slow summer
months, classes of only 5-6 dogs are not uncommon.
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How long are Keystone Canine classes?
Basic Obedience and Canine Good Citizen classes run for seven (7)
consecutive weeks. Classes meet once a week for an hour at a time, and
follow a progressive series of lessons. Novice Obedience classes are also
seven (7) weeks long, but since the Novice level curriculum is continuous and
ongoing, there is no set "start" and "end" date to the
classes. Novice students may attend any seven (7) Novice class sessions
that they choose.
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What does it cost to take a class at Keystone Canine Club?
The cost for a seven (7) week program of Basic, Novice or Canine Good
Citizen classes is $90.00.
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What kind of facilities does Keystone Canine Club have?
Keystone Canine Club holds its classes in its own leased indoor
facility. The training floor is approximately __x__ feet and is rubber
matted for better footing and sanitary convenience. There is ample free
parking behind the building. A restroom, microwave and refrigerator are
available on site for the use of students and members.
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What does Keystone Canine do with the money that people pay for classes?
Keystone Canine Club is a not-for-profit organization. All monies that
the Club collects from instruction fees, fund raisers and sporting events go
directly to paying Keystone's rent and operating expenses. No Club members
receive any monetary compensation for the hours that they dedicate to teaching,
coaching and maintenance at the facility.
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What are the qualifications of the instructors at Keystone Canine Club?
Keystone Canine Club instructors are all Club members who have practically
demonstrated their dog training expertise by successfully winning Obedience
titles and/or certifications for one or more of their dogs. Each
instructor has served an apprentice period as an Assistant Instructor before
he/she is given permission to run a class on his/her own. Keystone's
instructors are also periodically reviewed by the Club's Training Director to
insure the most uniform and up-to-date teaching methods.
Since Keystone Canine Club is a not-for-profit
group, all of the Club's instructors are volunteers. Teaching dog
obedience is not a "job" to these people. Keystone instructors
do what they do because they love dogs, they love educating people about dogs,
and they want to help others experience the pleasure of owning a well-behaved
dog. Keystone Canine instructors receive ABSOLUTELY NO financial
compensation for sharing their training expertise. Their reward is seeing
rowdy puppies and rookie owners become partners in well trained canine/human
teams.
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What if I want to skip Basic and start at the Novice level?
Keystone realizes that there are many other clubs, private trainers, stores
and shelters that offer Basic or Puppy obedience training. Keystone Canine
Club welcomes privately taught or transfer students from these
organizations. All that Keystone Canine requires is that these incoming
dogs and their handlers meet with Keystone's Training Director for an assessment
of their skills, so that the new student can be brought into the Club at the
appropriate level of training.
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What are the benefits of belonging to Keystone Canine Club?
Lots of benefits!!!
Financial: after paying the annual membership
fee of $70, members may attend as many classes as they wish. Although some
classes require a $10 or $20 charge, most classes are free to members.
Educational: members get to work their dogs and get personal tips
and attention from some of the most successful amateur and professional dog
trainers in Western Pennsylvania.
Family: members not only develop a well behaved dog, but also get
to participate in wholesome, healthy activities like Agility and Freestyle that
the whole family can enjoy together!
Emotional: Keystone Canine Club members and their dogs serve the
public good in many different ways, including school demonstrations and nursing
home visits. There is no more enjoyable way to feel good about yourself
and give back to the community at the same time!
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How do I become a member of Keystone Canine Club?
Anyone over the age of 16 who owns and works a dog at Keystone Canine Club or who actively participates in club events, may apply for membership in the Club. To be considered for membership, a candidate must have completed two classes at the Club and received the endorsement of two members. Potential members are then voted on by the Board of Directors at their monthly meeting. All members must volunteer their services annually for at least one of the Club's dog shows, fun matches, or special events. You can download a membership application by clicking Here.
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How can I get a copy of the latest Club Newsletter?
1) Click on the link below, 2) Choose "Open" or "Save", 3) Use MS-Word to view the newsletter.
