Puppies, adult dogs, and adolescents are all welcome - no previous training required! This class focuses on helping you build a strong foundation for the behaviors you want to see from your dog. Besides teaching basic commands like sit, down, stay, and come, you'll learn how to improve your dog's focus, self-control, understanding of boundaries, and bond with you. Classes will use positive training methods that help you understand why your dog does what they do and make sure it's the behaviors YOU like that are rewarded and increased. This class is not appropriate for dogs who are aggressive or defensive (barking, growling, lunging, snapping, or biting) towards other dogs or strangers. Handlers of dogs who are fearful of other dogs or people should reach out to the instructor at pawsibilitiesottumwa@gmail.com to discuss their dog's temperament before signing up. Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and be up to date on vaccines for parvo and rabies. (Puppies must have had at least 2 rounds of vaccines but are not required to have their rabies vaccine until 16 weeks of age.) Pitt Bulls and Staffordshire Terriers cannot be accepted in this class due to city ordinances.  The first week is a handlers-only informational session, please bring vaccination records to this class.