PopUp! Classes

See below for upcoming PopUps or check the calendar on our main page!

Get ready for a doggone good time at our Pop-Up Dog Training classes! 🎉 Join us at for tail-wagging lessons that turn training into a playful adventure. Our dynamic trainers bring the fun to every session, making learning a joy for your furry friend. No boring routines here – just games, treats, and high-fives that transform your pup into a well-behaved superstar! Come join the bark-side of training, where every class is a celebration of wagging tails and happy paws. Because who said learning can’t be a paw-ty?

Join our email notification list (email Jessica.GRKC@gmail.com to be added to the list!), and we’ll fetch the details straight to your inbox.

General Info:

·       Pre-Registration required and must be received no later than Noon the day prior to the scheduled PopUp. Pop Up classes must have at least 3 dog/handler teams to run.

·       Cost: $20 and due at the start of the PopUp. Cash or Check (made out to Greater Racine Kennel Club) is preferred, but PayPal is also available.

·       Duration: 45 minutes

·       All dogs in attendance must be under control, not aggressive, and current on vaccines required for their age.

·       The challenge level of all exercises within the PopUps can be adjusted based on the dog/handler team skill level, however, dogs should have a good understanding of the basics and not be dragging their handlers all over the place without any attention to the handler unless the PopUp is specifically geared toward brand-new-to-training beginner dogs.

Reserve your spot by emailing: Jessica.GRKC@gmail.com

Schedule as of April 27, 2025

Rally Course and Skills

o   Wednesday, April 30, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
o   Thursday, May 15, 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
o   Wednesday, May 21, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
o   Wednesday, May 28, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Whether you’re new to AKC Rally or looking to practice your existing skills, this PopUp is for you! We will run through a Rally course and practice useful skills (such as heeling, sits/down/stays and turns in heel) and more! The course level may be adjusted based on the dog/handler teams attending the PopUp.

Distractions (Advanced Level)

o   Friday, May 2: 9:00a - 9:45a
o   Sunday, May 4: 2:00p - 2:45p
o   Sunday, May 11: 6:00p - 6:45p
o   Friday, May 23: 7:00p - 7:45p

Dog/Handler teams in this PopUp should be training for AKC Open Level obedience, already competing at Open level, or be prepared for off-leash exercises. Distractions will be scattered throughout AKC Open Obedience Exercises (dumbbell retrieves, drop on recall, heeling, broad jump, etc.) along with plenty of non-obedience competition related distractions created specifically for the advanced level dog. The challenge level of each exercise can be adjusted based on the skill level of each dog/handler team i.e. seasoned competitors as well as those just getting started at this level are welcome!

Distractions (General)

o   Saturday, May 3: 7:00p - 7:45p
o   Friday, May 9: 10:00a - 10:45a
o   Tuesday, May 13: 5:00p - 5:45p

All skill levels are welcome, but it is essential that dogs are not completely out of control. In this session, we will focus on various exercises, including stays, heeling, walking nicely on a leash, and recalls with distractions. Each exercise will be tailored to suit the individual skill levels of the dog-handler teams, ensuring that everyone is both challenged and able to succeed. This approach encourages growth and builds a strong foundation for further training.

Puppy Skills & Confidence (5 months and under)

o   Saturday, May 3: 6:00p - 6:45p
o   Friday, May 23: 6:00p - 6:45p

In this PopUp, we will practice/learn some basic skills and introduce puppies to some new experiences that will help them gain confidence in the big world! The class curriculum will be adjusted based on the puppies in the class, i.e. if puppies already have some basic skills, we will work on helpful skills for puppies that will one day be competition dogs!
Note: This PopUp is designed for puppies under 5 months of age. Exceptions may be made for smaller breed dogs that would benefit from more world experiences to help increase their confidence or puppies just over 5 months. Please reach out with any questions.

Fun with cones! (All Levels)

o   Sunday, May 4: 1:00p - 1:45p

Cones are valuable tools in dog training, enhancing both basic and advanced skills. They serve as visual guides to establish clear expectations. Using cones to teach commands like sit or down can help to increase engagement. For heeling, cones can mark a path, helping with smooth turns. They also assist in developing straight fronts an are great for practicing turns in heel. Join us to explore the benefits are using cones in your training and play some fun games along the way!

Recall Games! (All Levels)

o   Tuesday, May 6: 5:00p - 5:45p
o   Tuesday, May 20: 5:00p - 5:45p

Having a solid recall (come when called) is vital to your dogs safety. Whether you’re wokring on recalls for competition (with straight fronts) or simply looking for a fun way to practice recalls in your regular day-to-day training, this PopUp is for you! We will cover a few different ways to practic recalls while keeping it fun and engaging for your dog.

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Skills (All Levels)

o   Thursday, May 8: 4:00p - 4:45p

Working toward your Canine Good Citizen evaluation, looking to sharpen your skills or curious what Canine Good Citizen is all about? Join us for this fun and informative Popup where we will review and practice the skills needed for you and your dog to earn their Canine Good Citizen. Note: This is not an evaluation, this is review and practice only.

Training in Small Spaces (All Levels)

o   Friday, May 9: 6:00p - 6:45p

Training games for small spaces! (Heeling, recalls, Fast sits/downs with distance, mental stimulation). Training games specifically designed for small spaces will equip you with practical skills you can implement daily, regardless of your living space. These games can also be adpated for use in outdoor settings with limited room, such as crowded parks, stores, or other busy areas.

Heeling! Fronts and Finishes! (All Levels)

o   Friday, May 9: 7:00p - 7:45p

Ready to tighten up your heeling? This PopUp is all about buiding better engagement, cleaner turns, and smoother teamwork! We’ll focus on heling with attention, adding turns, fronts and finishes. Whether you’re just starting out or polishing up for the ring, exercises will be tailored to each dog’s current level. Join us for a fun and focused session!

Recalls, Fronts/Finishes, and Stays (All Levels)

o   Thursday, May 29: 4:00p - 4:45p

Ready to tighten up your recalls, fronts/finishes and stays? Whether you’re just starting out or polishing up for the ring, exercises will be tailored to each dog’s current level. Join us for a fun and focused session and work through any sticky spots with your current routine!

Beginner Novice

o   Sunday, May 11: 5:00p - 5:45p

Working on preparing for your AKC Beginner Novice title or curious wat it takes to get there? Join us for this PopUp and we’ll run through the required exercises (heeling, turns, figure 8s, change of pace, recall and sit for exam). Work on sharpening your current skills or learning some new ones needed for AKC Beginner Novice level.

AKC Novice Obedience

o   Thursday, May 22: 4:00p - 4:45p

Working on preparing for your AKC Novice title or curious wat it takes to get there? Join us for this PopUp and we’ll run through the required exercises (heeling, turns, figure 8s, change of pace, recall and stand for exam). Work on sharpening your current skills or learning some new ones needed for AKC Novice level.