Training Levels: Learn to Earn!

Color Coded Training Levels

Discounts: Member Dogs earn the following boarding, daycare and training fee discounts for training achievements: Green -10%   Blue -20%,   Purple/black -25%.
Orange dogs are typically newbies to training, and may need their space. Provide 6 feet of space around orange dogs and handlers. Newbies are on-leash except under instructor supervision.

Green dogs respond to “name,” “hand,” “sit,” “off,”  and “down” around moderate distractions, and they may play and train off-leash during dog park hours and on-leash around other dogs and people. Green dogs can use areas marked for enjoying green dog privileges. Green dogs are able to rest calmly in an open or closed crate while the handler is nearby. Handlers’ understand safe ways of handling their dog. Green dogs will “drop” something when asked. Green dogs walk nicely on a leash (often, with a head halter). A green dog is strongly conditioned to a hand target, mat and a reward marker signal (RMS).

Navy Dogs In addition to passing Green level response to cues, Navy level handlers have taught their dogs to target, tug, drop it, find it, retrieve, deliver, and alert. Handlers are proficient in training five basic agility obstacles (a-frame, jump, table, boardwalk, and chute), shadow handling, and may independently train on camp agility equipment or in our training fields.  Navy bandana dogs can walk nicely on a flat collar, and handlers are proficient in handling them. Navy dogs are conditioned to a Reward Marker and a No-Reward Marker, as well as a release cue. Navy dogs receive a 20% discount on all Whole Dog Camp services, classes and seminars.

IN ADDITION TO PASSING LOWER LEVELS, black dogs have entered a clearly defined “career,” and can remain down around moving distractions, recall through moderate distractions, settle, wait alone quietly for 3 minutes, crate quietly for ten minutes, respond to 10 cues from a distance of 50 feet. These dogs are mentally healthy, happy and eager to learn with no severe behavior problems, they are conditioned to understand and use all four of the basic signals (RM, NRM, KGS, release cue)  and as such they have full Whole Dog Camp privileges and 25% discounts for boarding, daycare, classes and seminars. Trainers achieving “black” status dogs may earn additional Camp credits and privileges by volunteering as training assistants.

Purple Dogs: Got a sweet old dog who really has no problems (and no big ambitions) beyond the need for a soft place to sleep in the sun? Sweet old dogs get a 25% discount at Whole Dog Camp. Dogs must be 9 years or older, and have approval of our head trainer to qualify.

Red dogs may have potentially dangerous behavior problems. Dogs that are evaluated as “red” level dogs must enter our muzzle training program, wear a wire basket muzzle, and remain leashed and under an individualized training program. Please speak with Jenny for details.
 We aspire to create a healthy and inclusive training environment where diverse trainers are supported in growing and sharing their experiences with each other.