Take Your Dog's Obedience Training to the Next Level​​​
Ready to move beyond the basics? If your dog has graduated from Pup Scouts (beginner class) at Barks and Rec, or has mastered the fundamentals of sit, down, stay, and loose-leash walking, it’s time to level up! In Junior Ranger, we prepare your dog for real-world distractions at our dog training facility in Traverse City.
Mastering the Three D’s: Distance, Duration, and Distraction
Our intermediate dog training program focuses on "proofing" obedience behaviors. It’s one thing for your dog to sit in your living room; it’s another to stay seated while a squirrel runs by, or a neighbor approaches to greet you!
Our Junior Ranger curriculum focuses on:
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Distance: getting your dog to respond to cues, even when you aren't standing right next to them.
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Duration: holding behaviors for longer periods of time (like settling on a mat at a restaurant patio).
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Distraction: teaching your dog to choose you over the tempting smells, noises, and other distractions around them.
Class Prerequisites
To ensure all students are successful, we require the following prerequisites for Junior Ranger:
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Graduation from Pup Scouts at Barks and Rec, or equivalent (contact us for approval).
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Your dog should already have a basic understanding of Sit, Down, Place/Settle, and walking nicely on leash.
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Dogs should be 6 months+ and up to date on DHPP, Rabies, and Kennel Cough vaccinations.
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Note: Our group classes are not appropriate for dogs with aggression, reactivity, or severe anxiety. If you are struggling with these behaviors, please contact us to schedule a behavior consultation and private training first.
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Your Path to Therapy Dog Certification
Did you know that Junior Ranger doubles as our Canine Good Citizen prep and Therapy Dog Level 1 class?
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If you have dreams of visiting hospitals, schools, or nursing homes with your dog, this is where your journey begins. We start to introduce advanced obedience and relaxation skills required for therapy work, ensuring you and your dog have a rock-solid foundation before moving on to the next steps for certification.​​
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