Spring & Summer 2019 Class Schedules

Join us!  Check out our SCHEDULE of CLASSES.  We look forward to seeing you and your hound soon.

October – November 2016 Class Schedule READY for Sign-ups!

ready to sign up? Check out our October – November 2016 Class Schedule

New Students REGISTER here

1.5 Class REGISTER here

2.0 Class REGISTER here

Please be in touch if you have any questions! Call 415-779-6550 or e-mail us.

 

Canine Circus School: 2016 Schedule February – March Classes

• Great for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
• No training experience needed.
• Learn a creative way to have fun training your dog.

(scroll down for list of classes)

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in North Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Canine Circus School has classes for every age, breed, and temperament, offering performance routines meticulously crafted by award-winning dog trainer, Francis Metcalf.

You can journey into the world of Canine Circus School through this  backstories video. 

 Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550 or email 

Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. We will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice if you wish to pay using a credit card. 
How do I sign up? 

1. Scroll down to the list of classes.
2. Find a class time and date that suits you.
3. Fill out the new student form.

Watch our latest video.  Nothing fancy, just a bunch of footage that ended up on our phones. The first half shows Francis and his dog, Schwartz, a little terrier mix he found roaming the streets of Oakland.  The second half shows some nice moments we captured during our classes last year, including seminars in Spain and New York.

 Start Here

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.)

Circus 1 Class:

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs.

To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers while working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Class times and dates for Circus 1:

• Tuesday afternoon class, 12:30 PM, starts February 2, meets weekly through March 8, 2016;
• Wednesday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts February 3, meets weekly through March 9, 2016;
• Saturday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts February 6, meets weekly through March 12, 2016.

(Classes are for dogs of ALL SIZES: big, medium and small dogs welcome! We have a Small Dog only class listed below.)

*New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

Small Dog? We have a class just for you. Learn how to teach your small dog to do anything you can dream of.

Circus 1 Small Dog Class (this class is for Small Dogs ONLY, up to 25 lbs.)

 Small Dog Class: 

• Saturday morning class, 11 AM − 12 PM, starts February 6, meets weekly through March 12, 2016.

*The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1. The class costs $260 for new students and $195 for repeating students, 6-week course.

* New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

 

Are you ready for the next step?

Circus 1.5 Class:

In the Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated. The dog works with more independence from the handler and with more control. Graduates of Circus 1 and Small Dog Circus 1 who are ready for the next level of training can sign up for Circus 1.5.

 Class times and dates for Circus 1.5

• Wednesday afternoon class, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, starts February 3, meets weekly through March 9, 2016;
• Sunday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts February 7, meets weekly through March 13.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and first time your dog is taking Circus 1.5. The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1.5. The class costs $260 for new students/first time in the 1.5 Class; and $195 for repeating students of 1.5 level, 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW!Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

~Scroll down for Circus 2 Classes~

  BIG or small any dog can join Canine Circus School!

Advanced Class

Circus 2.0 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

 Class times and dates for Circus 2

• Tuesday morning class, 11 AM-12 PM, starts February 2, meets weekly through March 8, 2016;
• Sunday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts February 7, meets weekly through March 13, 2016.

*This class is for both returning and new students. Repeating Circus 2 students pay $195; New students to Circus 2/first time in Circus 2 pay $260; 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions or give us a call at 415-779-6550.

We pride ourselves on being able to train a wide variety of dogs. The Canine Circus School pedagogy is designed to work with a wide variety of learning types.

Your dog, big or small, rambunctious or shy, is in safe hands with Francis as your teacher.  Read more on our press page

Below: Schwartz holding a vodka bottle in his front paws, which goes to show that you can take a dog off the street, but you can’t take the street outta the dog…. you gotta put it to good use at Canine Circus School!

Below: Some photos from the last few sessions:

We would like to say thank you to all of our amazing students, from the people we meet for one class, to the people who come back year after year.  We are so lucky that you found us and it’s been a true pleasure sharing these hours with you.

 

 

 

Canine Circus School: Fall Class Schedule September – November 2015

• Great for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
• No training experience needed.
• Learn a creative way to have fun training your dog.

(scroll down for list of classes)

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in North Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Canine Circus School has classes for every age, breed, and temperament, offering performance routines meticulously crafted by award-winning dog trainer, Francis Metcalf.

You can journey into the world of Canine Circus School through this  backstories video. 

 Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550 or email 

Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. We will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice if you wish to pay using a credit card. 
How do I sign up? 

1. Scroll down to the list of classes.
2. Find a class time and date that suits you.
3. Fill out the new student form.

Watch our latest video.  Nothing fancy, just a bunch of footage that ended up on our phones. The first half shows Francis and his dog, Schwartz, a little terrier mix he found roaming the streets of Oakland.  The second half shows some nice moments we captured during our classes last year, including seminars in Spain and New York.

 Start Here

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.)

Circus 1 Class:

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs.

To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Class times and dates for Circus 1:

• Tuesday afternoon class, 12:30 PM, starts September 29, meets weekly through November 3;
• Tuesday evening class, 5 PM – 6 PM, starts September 29, meets weekly through November 3;
• Wednesday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts September 30, meets weekly through November 4;
• Saturday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts October 3, meets weekly through November 7.

(Classes are for dogs of ALL SIZES: big, medium and small dogs welcome! We have a Small Dog only class listed below.)

*New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

We have a class just for you. Learn how to teach your small dog to do anything you can dream of.

Small Dog? We have a class just for you. Learn how to teach your small dog to do anything you can dream of.

Circus 1 Small Dog Class (this class is for Small Dogs ONLY, up to 25 lbs.)

 Small Dog Class: 

• Saturday morning class, 11 AM − 12 PM, starts October 3, meets weekly through November 7.

*The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1. The class costs $260 for new students and $195 for repeating students, 6-week course.

* New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

 

Are you ready for the next step?

Circus 1.5 Class:

In the Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated. The dog works with more independence from the handler and with more control. Graduates of Circus 1 and Small Dog Circus 1 who are ready for the next level of training can sign up for Circus 1.5.

 Class times and dates for Circus 1.5

• Wednesday afternoon class, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, starts September 30, meets weekly through November 4;
• Sunday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts October 4, meets weekly through November 8.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and first time your dog is taking Circus 1.5. The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1.5. The class costs $260 for new students/first time in the 1.5 Class; and $195 for repeating students of 1.5 level, 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW!Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

~Scroll down for Circus 2 Classes~

  BIG or small any dog can join Canine Circus School!

Advanced Class

Circus 2.0 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

 Class times and dates for Circus 2

• Tuesday morning class, 11 AM-12 PM, starts September 29, meets weekly through November 3;
• Sunday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts October 4, meets weekly through November 8.

*This class is for both returning and new students. Repeating Circus 2 students pay $195; New students to Circus 2/first time in Circus 2 pay $260; 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions or give us a call at 415-779-6550.

We pride ourselves on being able to train a wide variety of dogs. The Canine Circus School pedagogy is designed to work with a wide variety of learning types.

Your dog, big or small, rambunctious or shy, is in safe hands with Francis as your teacher.  Read more on our press page

Below: Schwartz holding a vodka bottle in his front paws, which goes to show that you can take a dog off the street, but you can’t take the street outta the dog…. you gotta put it to good use at Canine Circus School!

Below: Some photos from the last few sessions:

We would like to say thank you to all of our amazing students, from the people we meet for one class, to the people who come back year after year.  We are so lucky that you found us and it’s been a true pleasure sharing these hours with you.

                     

                                              

 

Canine Circus School: August – September 2015 Class Schedule

•  Great for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
• No training experience needed.
• Learn a creative way to have fun training your dog.

(scroll down for list of classes)

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in North Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Canine Circus School has classes for every age, breed, and temperament, offering performance routines meticulously crafted by award-winning dog trainer, Francis Metcalf.

You can journey into the world of Canine Circus School through this  backstories video. 

 Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550 or email 

Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. We will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice if you wish to pay using a credit card. 
How do I sign up? 

1. Scroll down to the list of classes.
2. Find a class time and date that suits you.
3. Fill out the new student form.

Watch our latest video.  Nothing fancy, just a bunch of footage that ended up on our phones. The first half shows Francis and his dog, Schwartz, a little terrier mix he found roaming the streets of Oakland.  The second half shows some nice moments we captured during our classes last year, including seminars in Spain and New York.

 Start Here

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.)

Circus 1 Class:

Our Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs.

To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Class times and dates for Circus 1:

• Saturday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts August 1, meets weekly through September 12 (skip week of Sept. 5 for Labor Day);
• Wednesday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts August 5, meets weekly through September 9.

*New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

 

Small Dog? We have a class just for you. Learn how to teach your small dog to do anything you can dream of.

Circus 1 Small Dog Class (this class is for Small Dogs ONLY, up to 25 lbs.)

 Small Dog Class: 

• Saturday morning class, 11 AM − 12 PM, starts August 1, meets weekly through September 12, (skip week of Sept. 5 for Labor Day).

*The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1. The class costs $260 for new students and $195 for repeating students, 6-week course.

* New Students fill out this form to sign up. Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

Students wishing to repeat Circus 1,  email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

 

Are you ready for the next step?

Circus 1.5 Class:

In the Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated. The dog works with more independence from the handler and with more control. Graduates of Circus 1 and Small Dog Circus 1 who are ready for the next level of training can sign up for Circus 1.5.

 Class times and dates for Circus 1.5

• Wednesday afternoon class, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, starts August 5, meets weekly through September 9;
• Sunday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts August 2, meets weekly through September 13 (skip week of Sept. 6 for Labor Day).

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and first time your dog is taking Circus 1.5. The classes above are for both first time students and students who want to repeat Circus 1.5. The class costs $260 for new students/first time in the 1.5 Class; and $195 for repeating students of 1.5 level, 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW!Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

 

~Scroll down for Circus 2 Classes~

Circus 2 students learning to cross their paws.  Big or small any dog can do Circus School.

Advanced Class

Circus 2.0 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

 Class times and dates for Circus 2

• Tuesday morning class, 11 AM-12 PM, starts August 4, meets weekly through September 15, (skip week of Sept. 8 for Labor Day);
• Sunday morning class, 11 AM – 12 PM, starts August 2, meets weekly through September 13 (skip week of Sept. 6 for Labor Day).

*This class is for both returning and new students. Repeating Circus 2 students pay $195; New students to Circus 2/first time in Circus 2 pay $260; 6-week course.

Click here to sign up NOW.Once you’ve completed the sign-up form, we will e-mail you a check/or PayPal invoice to complete your registration.

E-mail us if you have any questions or give us a call at 415-779-6550.

We pride ourselves on being able to train a wide variety of dogs, such as this Malimute or Boston Terrier.  The Canine Circus School pedagogy is designed to work with a wide variety of learning types.

Your dog, big or small, rambunctious or shy, is in safe hands with Francis as your teacher.  Read more on our press page

Below: Schwartz holding a vodka bottle in his front paws, which goes to show that you can take a dog off the street, but you can’t take the street outta the dog…. you gotta put it to good use at Canine Circus School!

Below: Some photos from the last few sessions:

We would like to say thank you to all of our amazing students, from the people we meet for one class, to the people who come back year after year.  We are so lucky that you found us and it’s been a true pleasure sharing these hours with you.

         

 

February-March 2015 Class Schedule

Canine Circus School: February – March 2015 Class Schedule

 Class Schedule (scroll down for list of classes)

-All Classes meet for 6-weeks of fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in North Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Canine Circus School has classes for every age, breed, and temperament, offering performance routines meticulously crafted by award-winning dog trainer, Francis Metcalf.

You can journey into the world of Canine Circus School through this  backstories video. 

Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550 or email 

Please visit our policy page to see age requirements, vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options: You will find prices for classes listed under each class description. To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check. If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA 94609.

~Scroll down for list of Classes~

Our  Circus 1 Class is where all new students begin their training at Canine Circus School. (You’ve never been in a training class? No problem.) In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs. To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.

Circus Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher. We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class. We build confidence to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

  Circus 1 Class:

• Tuesday evening class, 5 PM – 6 PM, starts February 3, meets weekly through March 10;
• Wednesday morning class, 11 AM– 12 PM, starts February 4, meets weekly through March 10;
• Saturday afternoon class, 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM, starts February 7, meets weekly through March 14;
• Sunday morning class, 11 AM – Noon, starts February 8, meets weekly through March 15.

*New Students fill out this form to sign up. $260 for 6-week course.

Returning students email us which class to hold or call 415-779-6550.

Circus 1 Small Dog Class (this class is for Small Dogs ONLY, up to 25 lbs.)

• Saturday morning class, 11 AM − 12 PM, starts February 7, meets weekly through March 14.

* New Students fill out this form to sign up. $260 for 6-week course.

Returning Students email us which class to hold or call us 415-779-6550

Prepay to reserve your spot

Circus 1.5 Class:

In the Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated. The dog works with more independence from the handler and with more control.

• Wednesday afternoon class, 12:30 PM- 1:30 PM, starts February 4, meets weekly through March 11;
• Sunday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts February 8, meets weekly through March 15.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and students who are returning to the 1.5 Ring; $260, 6-week course for new students; $195 for returning students.

email us which class time to hold and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

~Scroll down for Circus 2 Classes~

email us and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

Circus 2 Class:

Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor. Circus 2 Class is our advanced class. We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready. Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

• Tuesday morning class, 11 AM-12 PM, starts February 3, meets weekly through March 10;
• Sunday evening class, 5 PM – 6 PM, starts February 8, meets weekly through March 15.

*This class is for both returning and new students. Returning Circus 2 students pay $195; New students pay $260; 6-week course.

email us which class time to hold, and prepay to reserve your spot.

Please call 415-779-6550, if you have any questions!

 

 

August – September Class Schedule

August – September 2013 Canine Circus Class Schedule

-All Classes meet for 6-consecutive weeks of  fun, held beneath the East Bay sun in Oakland (on the border of Emeryville).

Where do I begin?    At Canine Circus School, all new students begin with Introduction to Circus 1.   No prior dog training experience needed to take our Introductory Circus Class. Call us if you have any questions. 415 779 6550

Please visit our pretty policy page to see age requirements,  vaccination and refund information.

Price and payment options:

You will find prices for classes listed under each class description.  To reserve your class, you have the option to pay online or to mail a check.    If paying by check address to, Friends of the Family Dog Training, and mail to 1005 53rd Street, Oakland, CA  94609

Buy Now

Our Introductory class is geared toward people that have never done a Circus Class, or any dog training class. In this class we teach you many of the obedience and trick drills that we do in our more advanced classes in easy steps that anyone can follow. A big part of Circus 1 is getting your dog used to working around other dogs.  To do this we start spaced at a distance, over the course of the six weeks we get closer and closer until the dogs are maintaining complete focus on their handlers but working in close proximity to other dogs.  Circus 1 Class is much more than just trick training, Circus 1 is about becoming an excellent handler and teacher.  We cover more real world scenarios than any obedience class.  We build confidence  to perform in challenging environments and set a great foundation that does not conflict with, but only enhances, other training disciplines.

Introduction to Circus 1 Class Summer Schedule:

• Thursday morning class, 11 AM – Noon, starts August 15, meets weekly through September 19;
• Saturday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts August 17, meets weekly through September 21;
• Sunday evening class, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, starts August 18, meets weekly through September 22.

*The classes above  are for first time students to Canine Circus School.  The class costs $260, and meets weekly  for 6-consecutive weeks*  New Students fill out this form to sign up.

Prepay to reserve your spot

BUY NOW

Continuing Circus 1 Class is for students who have completed the Introductory Circus 1 class but need more time to work on their foundation.  Often it takes more than six weeks to master this material, so we created continuing level for students who know our basic drills but need more time before they continue onto the next level.

In this class we introduce new material so students are always learning new things but we are careful to keep the criteria perfectly balanced  so students have continued success.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1 Ring; $195, meets weekly for 6-consecutive weeks.

• Saturday evening class, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM,  starts August 17, meets weekly through September 21;

email us  and prepay to reserve your spot in class

BUY NOW

In the Introduction to Circus 1.5 Class our drills get faster and more complicated.  The dog works with more independence from the handler and  with more control.

• Thursday evening class, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, starts August 15, meets weekly through September 19;
• Saturday morning class, 11 AM – Noon, starts August 17, meets weekly through September 21.

This class is for students who have completed Circus 1 and are new to the Circus 1.5 Ring; $260, meets weekly for 6-consecutive weeks.

email us  which class time to hold and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

BUY NOW

Continuing Circus 1.5 Class is for students that have completed Circus 1.5 but need and want more time to work on their skills before continuing to the next level.  Continued 1.5 students are prepped for Circus 2.

• Sunday morning class, 11 AM – noon, starts August 18, meets weekly through September 22.

*This class is for students continuing their education in the Circus 1.5 Ring; $195, meets weekly for 6-consecutive weeks.   

email us  and prepay to reserve your spot in class.

 Buy  now

Circus 2 Class:  Circus 2 students must be approved by Instructor.  Circus 2 Class is  our advanced class.  We begin to get our drills and team work to be performance ready.  Dogs work in close proximity on advanced tricks.

• Tuesday evening class, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, starts August 13, meets weekly through September 17;
• Sunday afternoon class, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, starts August 18, meets weekly through September 22;

*This class is for both returning and new students.  Returning Circus 2 students pay $195;  New students pay $260; meets weekly for 6-consecutive weeks.

email us which class time to hold, and prepay  to reserve your spot

Buy now

 

Note to the American Public: Belgian Malinois, Look Don’t Touch

I know what you are thinking. Since a Belgian Malinois was used by Navy Seal Team Six on the raid of the Bin Laden compound, it would make a perfect family pet.  Just park it in the living room  next to your Apache Helicopter!

The work of the Belgian Malinois in Bin Laden’s assassination placed a spotlight on the breed  likely to spike the breed’s popularity.  Think of it as the 101 Dalmatians effect.  Think of Creulla De Ville in Fauve Charbonné (the top-secret Malinois coat color).

Balzac working on former Department of Defense trainer Andrew Ramsey.

The fact is Malinois do not make good pets, as they are strictly working and sporting dogs.  If you are NOT already involved with dog sport, you should not get a Malinois.  (I said that ten years ago, click to watch, and I’ll say it again-  Malinois do not make good pets)

Who should get a Malinois?:

1. Do you dream day and night of improving your performance as a dog trainer?
2. Do you have reflexes like a Chimpanzee? Can you take a punch without feeling the need to retaliate?
3. Are you calm in the face of embarrassment, danger,and even  chaos? Can you remain calm around a very hyper dog?
4. Do you want  a dog that can’t and won’t be a couch potato? A DOG JUST FOR TRAINING?
5. Do you have at least 2-hours per day to devote to training and exercise?
6. Do you have access to a Ringsport or Schutzhund club where you can find a mentor?
7. Are you versed in  positive and negative training modalities?
8. Are you willing to put canine performance before your own physical and psychological comfort?

If you answer these questions with a round clear YES, you have what it takes to become a Malinois Handler.

Balzac showcasing the full driving grip of the Belgian Malinois

Sandra Mannion and Havoc du Metcalf earn blue ribbons in Rally

Hard Dogs, Soft Arts:  If you think a Malinois is perfect for Agility, Rally, Obedience, or Herding, think again. Be smart and get a Border Collie.  Border Collies are  ideal dogs for sports not requiring bite work.  Malinois are designed for Hard Arts like: French Ring, Belgian Ring, Mondioring, Schutzhund and KNPV. Sure, they also excel in non-bitework competitions. But drive-building, grip-development, and stimulus-control techniques make the Malinois Temperment complete.

Malinois temperament:  When we speak about Malinois temperament, we mean a temperament for work.  The Malinois is highly trainable, totally driven. and immensely responsive to outside factors, unlike a breed with a phlegmatic temperament such as the Labrador or Pit Bull, for example.   

If you are not a relaxed, happy person who loves physical activity, and has a willingness to take a challenge head on, life will not go well for your Malinois puppy.  No doubt it will devolve into a simpering-anti-social-fear-biting-paranoid-walking-liability and not the k9  super hero it was meant to be!

Leon Destailleur, Founder of French Ring Sport.

Tempered Steel:  When a blacksmith makes a sword he  heats raw ore until it’s red hot, and then shapes it into form.   The sword remains soft and pliable, useless for its purpose, until the Smith tempers the blade by successive heatings and coolings. Thus causing a molecular alignment that hardens the edge. By this process, too, the Malinois trainer tempers a Malinois in the forge of Ring.

One of my prize possessions: My old dogs score book with an autograph from Leon Destailleur, Founder of French Ring Sport. It reads, "For Francis my new American Friend"

Every Malinois starts off soft. Eventually, as he matures, if the dog is not tempered through work, he will either end up out of control or fearful.  The trainer taps into the pups drives, heating the steel, and gradually exposing the pup to stressors.  Eventually, as he matures, The trainer brings the pup from the euphoric prey drive state to a state of control and focus, metaphorically tempering the steel.  This plunging from hot to cold, lends the Malinois its solid temperament.

After years of daily training, your Malinois can show the same  temperament as a Lab or German Shepherd, yet have the sharpness to work.  This is how a dog with the bidability of a Border Collie becomes able to perform in stressful environments such as found in Middle East war zones.  It is the trainer’s job to insure good temperament. This happens through work, mostly bite work and character development that are part of the Ringsport foundation.  No surprise to students of the breed– since Malinois and Ringsport evolved together.

If you are interested in dog sports, start with your own dog, and work up to a Malinois.  Even in my household where Malinois are part of our lifestyle, we have them for training and not as pets. Our other dogs are pets.

So, if the dog recruited for the raid on the Bin Laden complex sparked your imagination, before you go out and get one, be aware of the commitment it takes to live with and train a Belgian Malinois.

Two Paths Diverge

If you need a dog for your secret-mission or life-journey or coming-of-age,  I recommend a pit bull from a shelter. Teach and learn from him as best you can. Use this dog as your guide.  Ask him if you are seeking emotional comfort or the honesty of the hunt.  Both inclinations express your love for dogs.  But  check your priorities.  The type of dog you get will decide your path for the next decade.

Emotional Comfort and psychic protection: 

Nothing is more comforting to the lone hominid than the company of a dog.  A furry shoulder to cry on, a best friend that sees you at your worst without passing judgment.  This is one of the pure joys of having a dog.  This is the path most dog lovers travel.  There is a dog waiting out there to share this vision with you.  He is loving, protective and stable.  He is in a shelter BUT he is not a Malinois.

Not deterred.  Keep reading.

Canine Intuition, Earned not Learned

Intuition in training on a street corner in Oakland with a blind Akita

If you have lived in California for a while, you might have forgotten about the California glow.  The best place to see it is after a trip, at the airport, waiting by your gate.  I know the SF bound gate immediately, everyone is a shade hipper from the babies to the grandparents.  I usually balance a ball on my head, and when asked, I simply whisper “I worship the Orb” and everyone is quietly respectful.  The people of California have a glow, it twinkles when they adjust their posture, do breathing exercises or peer out from hip eyewear.  Even the cops in California are hipper.  Recently, Hayward Police K9 Handler, Loring Cox had this to say about us:

“Francis is one of the most dog intuitive people we know. If you need dog training, are interested in protection sports, or just want to have more to do with your dog give him a call. Check out his blog and see what they have going down in Emeryville!”

Dutch Police Dog, Albert was the forefather of modern Police k9

Only in the Bay Area would your local Police k9 unit appreciate your intuition!  Thanks Hayward!  And I appreciate the personal dedication of the Bay Area Police K9 handlers that take it upon themselves to study dog training. Officers like Loring Cox of Hayward who has an encyclopedic knowledge of all things k9, or Colin Jones of Alameda PD who recently certified as a French Ring Decoy.  These are just two of the many Bay Area Police K9 Handlers that go to great lengths to learn their craft.

Here is a video demonstration of my Intuitive abilities & hard work!  The Decoy is Andrew Ramsey, the dog is Balzac of the infamous Contes d’Hoffmann Kennel.  He is 1 year and 7 months old.

Note to Balzac Fans:  I will be continuing my series on his training shortly.  I got bogged down in the details of describing some difficult to express concepts.  Instead of writing a novel, I wanted to get back in the swing by posting Balzac’s latest training video, he is now a year and seven months.  I will fill you in on his prior development and current training as we go.

Balzac Des Contes d'Hoffmann

Intuitive as hell

As for intuition, if it means competency gained by years of practice, then sure I’m intuitive.  I would be very skeptical of anybody who claimed to have intuition not derived from years of practice, but rather by some outside force.

Bad Energy

Many people in California are into “energy”.  Like good energy and bad energy. Often I hear people talking about their dog reading peoples energy and responding by acting a certain way.  It doesn’t work that way.  If you blind yourself with superstition you will just use it as crutch to support your own bias.  If you are talking about the energy created by perception, then we might agree.

Chomsky demonstrates energy generated from perception. Stare at the quarter. Do you feel the energy?

Dogs respond differently to different people based on how we move, where we look and how we respond to them. As a decoy, this becomes very clear. Decoy’s manipulate the dogs behavior by responding with actions that trigger drive states brought on by movement patterns. Tools in the decoys bag are: Eye Line, Menace, Flinch, Startle, Flee, and Charge, all stereotypical movements that can trigger the dog to respond in certain predictable ways.  These same decoy techniques can be triggered by people who have no idea they are triggering them.  These very people may be pure of heart and deed, or not, they just act in a way that triggers the dog.  I have seen many dogs with a hypersensitivity in their temperament be labeled as “Intuitive” or able to “read energy”  It’s not true they are responding to body language.

Fake magic banished/ true magic found

I hope this doesn’t take the magic out of it for anybody.  For me, it adds magic. Knowing that I can make a dog feel more confident by how I respond to his actions. Knowing that  with just the right movement I can tap into ancient predatory instincts.  Watching how my eye-line informs of my intentions.  With this in mind,  I accept the title of Dog Intuitive, bestowed on me by the Hayward K9 Unit.  I am honored and if nothing else it will stoke my California glow!

Nothing creates intuition like the school of hard knocks.  This is a glimpse into a training session with the Hayward PD.

Wiener Nationals at Golden Gate Fields

Check out these photos I took last week at the 2011 Wiener Nationals Dachshund Race at Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley.  I was rooting for Andrew Ramsey and Mitzi, his 9-year old Mini Dachshund.  I figured Andrew would have it nailed because I saw the race last year and most of the dachshunds didn’t even run directly to the handler.  Instead, they got distracted and meandered about.  Basically all you had to do was run, and the chances of winning were pretty good.  This year was a big improvement in the speed and focus of the teams.  For Mitzi it really sucked to be a Mini on a Standards field, although she did win one round.

Next year, I’m expecting an even bigger improvement in the speed and conditioning of the teams.  I find this really exciting to see people motivated to improve the health and fitness of the Dachshund. A breed that at its worst is a weak backed show monstrosity with a temper, but at its best is a magnificent Tolkienesque hunting dog, versatile, stable and useful.  The irony of racing Dachshunds shows a humility that can bring a smile to your face.  It was nice to see people being serious, yet light-hearted about their passion. The handlers and fans were stylish and all the dogs got along.  Now if they just learned how to build drive, instead of relying on whats already there, the Wiener world would be a faster place.

Favored to win! Sammy Davis, supreme Dachshund Disc Dog.

The Fastest Dachshund in the Bay Area! Diva Duches and Petra Reynolds of Petras People Training for dogs

Check out Mitzi’s Security Detail: