Beginnings

This 4-week class teaches essential obedience skills. Topics include heeling, leave it, polite greetings, recall, and stay. It covers everything your dog needs to know before enrolling in the Therapy Dog Foundations class, while also being a great basic obedience course for any dog. Successfully completing Beginnings Test Out is required to enroll in the Therapy Dog Foundations class. The fee for Beginnings Test Out is included in Beginnings. Dogs may begin the Beginnings class as early as six months old. This allows handlers to build a solid foundation of skills and confidence before pursuing therapy work. However, dogs must be at least 16 months old to take the Beginnings Test Out and enroll in HABIC Therapy Dog Foundations. With a natural age gap before the Beginnings Test Out, this class meets teams wherever they are. Some join for basic obedience, others continue as their dog matures (with a re-enrollment discount!), and others start early and come back once their dog is old enough for the Test Out. This is payment only and does not enroll you in the class; you must confirm your enrollment with a HABIC trainer. Email Kate.J.Miller@colostate.edu. HABIC class fees are nonrefundable. Makeup sessions are not available for missed classes. Participation in HABIC classes does not guarantee certification.