Desert Dog Obedience

06/09/2026

Kix is the first dog that I trained using a front foot target. It made so many behaviors way easier than they had been with previous dogs. And it was fun. For the obedience nerd in me I got pretty reliable stays and accurate position changes. For the pet owner, Kix learned to put his feet up on the back of the car when he was 5 months old as a prelude to jumping into the car. And just for the fun of it I got him to spin like a top with his feet on a raised target bowl. How fun it that!

Dana is offering her very popular Fun with Front Foot Targets workshop again this summer. The two-week workshop starts on Sunday, June 21st at 10:45 a.m. and will be held inside the Ahwatukee Swim and Tennis Center fitness room (cool indoor classroom!)

If you’d like to join us for the fun, email me at [email protected]

05/25/2026

I recall a Rally trial not long ago where Kix and I were entered in Excellent. He did very well. I don’t remember the score but be was attentive, mostly precise and energetic. We came to the last sign; the sit stay (to get my leash). I lined up with the sign to my right, told him and signaled him to stay, stepped off on my right foot and walked 15 feet to the folding chair where my leash was waiting. I usually walk fairly quickly on this exercise, grab my leash, turn and return to Kix. And that’s what I did this time, walked away, grabbed my leash, turned and there was Kix directly behind me smiling happily up at me. I smiled back, put my leash on, thanked the judge and left the ring.

What went wrong? Had I moved too fast, had I cued him properly, did he get distracted or scared, did he not understand that he was to stay put. Had I proofed him enough under various circumstances and in multiple locations. What had gone wrong?

Dawn is offering a Steady Stays Workshop starting on Saturday, June 6th at 9:30 a.m. This two week workshop will cover developing the stay behavior in a step by step process, we’ll troubleshoot problem areas and then proof the behavior to make sure it works under lots of situations.

Steady Stays will benefit not just students interested in competition but also those of us who just want our dogs to down stay on the patio at Starbucks with friends while we run inside for a latte.

If you’d like to sign up or have questions, let me know: [email protected]

05/23/2026

About 5 months ago Eliza joined my family. After six and a half years with Kix, a new puppy was to say the least a rude awakening. I don't want you to think Eliza was not an angel puppy, she was; slept through the night from day one, used her litter box consistently, and happy with entertaining herself with toys when left alone. But as with all new canine family members a basic obedience class was needed to give her the formal training all dogs need.

Enter Mari and Desert Dog Obedience's Beginner 1 class. Eliza and I are loving it! Easy to grasp concepts, basic behaviors I can use in our every day life plus skills I'll need as she grows, all taught by a knowledgeable trainer.

If you (or a friend or family member) have a new puppy or rescue dog check out our summer Beginner class schedule. Classes are held inside (can you say cool a/c). Beginner classes start Saturday, June 6th or Sunday, June 7th.

Contact Jean, [email protected] for more information or to register.

05/18/2026

Can I brag on two of our Desert Dog instructors from last weekend’s Rally Trial at Westworld? Dawn and Mari (and their teammates Ellie and Sky respectively) are working on their AKC Rally Championship title (RACH). Without going into all the particulars (and there are many) to earn a RACH teams need 20 triple q’s (that means qualify in Rally Master and Rally Excellent and Rally Advanced on the same day/trial) as well as accumulate points (a lot of them) based on their scores (scores have to be 91 and over, out of 100). This is no easy task!

Teams have to be well trained, resilient and tenacious. 20 triple q’s! That means consistent work going on, loads of training and the ability of the dog to focus and stay engaged through three rally classes, 20 times minimum!

All title journeys take time and have their ups and downs. Trials when you think you’ll never get there, where thoughts of giving up lurk just under the surface, when doubts in your or your dog’s ability can overwhelm. Mari and Dawn are sticking with it and showing us how it’s done.

Thank you ladies for being such bright lights at every trial We’re behind you all the way.

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Congratulations to Sam and Border Collie, Chaser on completing their Rally Intermediate title in beautiful form with a second place. This team is a joy to watch!

05/12/2026

The wait is over! Here's the summer class schedule you've been asking for. Lots of fun workshops and classes for everyone! Join us inside the cool, comfortable community center. Space is limited. Contact Jean at [email protected]

05/10/2026

Congratulations to Stacey and Whippet, Tallulah on passing the Canine Good Citizenship test with flying colors this past week. Everyone agrees a really lovely team. Good work.