Registration closes on Wednesday, January 19th, 2022 at 5 pm. Or when class is full.  3 spaces left!

Class Description: 

Your puppy’s proper socialization should start pronto! A well-socialized puppy – one that welcomes the interaction of friendly people and dogs is not only a happy pup but also a pleasure to live with. Kinder Pup 1 curriculum supports learning at your dog’s level as well as real-life scenarios because after all, puppies are still puppies even when you leave the classroom! 

Chaco’s Kinder Pup 1 is designed to teach your pup that people and dogs mean good things for him/her.

In addition, together we will work in teaching your puppy basic obedience (sit, stay, leave it, come and loose leash walking) as well as real-life manners.

You will also learn how to minimize problems such as excessive chewing, house-soiling, home alone, and puppy play biting.

During class, puppies will have an opportunity to play with other friendly pups, pay attention to you while gaining confidence and social skills.

The Details: Class is open to 6 puppies and their parent. For puppies between ages: 8-18 weeks old. The class is held in a temperature-controlled classroom. The class fee includes a handbook (printable pdf).

Dates & Time: Saturdays Jan. 22nd, 29th Feb.5th, 12, 19th, and 26th. From 10am -11am.

Required Vaccinations: Puppies should have had 2 DHLPP vaccines. 1 of them is given after 8 weeks of age and at least 7 days prior to first class and should be kept current with their vaccines throughout the class. Proof of vaccination is required in the first class.

NOTE: If your puppy gets sick please consult your veterinarian before coming to class. You are encouraged to attend the session even if you need to leave your pup at home. Enrollment for the class closes when class is full or 3 days prior to the class starting date.

COVID protocol for people: Folks may choose to wear a mask or if vaccinated refrain from wearing one. If I approach you, I will be wearing a mask.

Instructor: Almudena Ortiz Cué M.A. CTC, CPDT, Tellington TTouch™ Cert.

Fee: $214.25 (Santa Fe County sales tax included.)

For clients interested in Kinder Pup 1,  you must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class. 

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for classes.

Plus, I’m giving away this Puppy Culture Exercise Booklet to the 1st four people that enroll in Kinder Pup 1.

Here are the details on the book:

The Puppy Culture Exercise Booklet is an important guide to raising a puppy in a healthy and safe way. If every puppy owner would read and follow these guidelines, a huge number of behavioral issues and fractures could be avoided! Indispensable for new puppy owners.

******Additional add-on class for Kinder Pup 1******

Online Puppy Support Group

Registration closes: on Saturday, January 22nd, 2022, at 5 pm.

Taking your puppy to a reputable puppy class will help you and your puppy in many ways. You will learn essential skills and how to perform them correctly, allow your puppy to feel comfortable around other people, and hone crucial play skills and bite inhibition. However, because a puppy class is a busy learning environment for both puppies and their parents, it is nearly impossible to delve into detail with some of the most pressing issues puppy parents encounter at home.

The weekly 45 minutes online puppy support group is the perfect space to have your questions answered and get the help you need at home.

Here is how it works.

Members of the group submit questions about their specific situation – note that other people might be experiencing something similar and benefit from the information. You can also submit videos via my private Dropbox account so that I have a better understanding of what the situation is.

The Details:

A minimum of 4 puppy parents must enroll to run the group.

It will run for eight weeks, and we will meet via Zoom once a week.

A replay of each session will be available to participants if they cannot attend the live meeting.

Fees: $107.13 (tax included) for both months.

Meeting dates: Wednesdays from 10am -10:45am.

January 26th, Feb. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, March 2nd, 9th, and 16th.

Please note: There are no refunds.

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for classes.

Registration closes: on Saturday, January 22nd, 2022, at 5 pm.

Taking your puppy to a reputable puppy class will help you and your puppy in many ways. You will learn essential skills and how to perform them correctly, allow your puppy to feel comfortable around other people, and hone crucial play skills and bite inhibition. However, because a puppy class is a busy learning environment for both puppies and their parents, it is nearly impossible to delve into detail with some of the most pressing issues puppy parents encounter at home.

The weekly 45 minutes online puppy support group is the perfect space to have your questions answered and get the help you need at home.

Here is how it works.

Members of the group submit questions about their specific situation – note that other people might be experiencing something similar and benefit from the information. You can also submit videos via my private Dropbox account so that I have a better understanding of what the situation is.

The Details:

A minimum of 4 puppy parents must enroll to run the group.

It will run for eight weeks, and we will meet via Zoom once a week.

A replay of each session will be available to participants if they cannot attend the live meeting.

Fees: $107.13 (tax included) for both months.

Meeting dates: Wednesdays from 10am -10:45am.

January 26th, Feb. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, March 2nd, 9th, and 16th.

Please note: There are no refunds.

For clients interested in Online Puppy Support Group, you must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class.

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for classes.

Registration closes on Wed. March 2nd at 5 pm or when class is full, which overcomes first.

Dogs, just like people, are not born with self-control. We must teach them to modulate their arousal levels when the occasion calls for it. This life skill will provide your dog with a calm demeanor in difficult situations such as the vet’s office, a hotel- lobby, cafe, a group class, and even at home! In order  for your dog to truly relax, we must set the appropriate environment so that your dog feels safe and learns that relaxing is the name of this game!

In addition, if sports with your dog is your game, both of you will benefit from being able to oscillate from periods of high energy to relaxation – a must for any sports situation.

Requirements:

Open to 4 dogs ages five months onward and their handlers.

Dogs must be comfortable with other dogs and people in Not suited for dogs that lunge or bark at other dogs or people in their proximity.

NOTE: If you are not sure your dog could handle the class environment, please contact Almudena.

Required Vaccinations: Dogs should be current on their DHLPP vaccines, OR provide a current titter test. Proof of vaccination or titer is required in the first class.

COVID protocol for people: Folks may choose to wear a mask or refrain from wearing one if vaccinated.

The Details:

Class meets in person for a 1-hour PEOPLE ONLY orientation and 3 45 minutes sessions working sessions with the dogs.

We will begin working with our dogs in a less distracting environment. As they are able and *choose* to relax in this environment, we will progress to working with more distractions such as other dogs, people, movement, and sound. For our final session together, we will be meeting in a Santa Fe location (TBA) so that people and their dogs can practice their newfound skills in a more realistic situation.

Dates: Saturday, March 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th 2022 from 1 pm-2 pm ORIENTATION and 1 pm-1:45 pm class with dogs.

Fees: $ 247.00 (Santa Fe tax included).

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for classes.

For new clients, you must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class. If you are a current (or have taken a class/private training with Almudena) C.H.A.C.O. Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC. client, please complete the form on this page here.

Registration Closes on Wed. April 6^th at  5pm OR when class is full.

Do you share your life with a (or a few) herding-breed dog? Congratulations! Your life will be full of adventures, requests for activities that seem never to stop, a loyal companion. The characteristics above describe the beautiful part of living with a herding breed. I personally love them! My current family members include two Border collies and a Cattle-dog mix. I also had a Kelpie, who taught me so much about living with a herding dog.

Now, to the aspect of living with a herding breed that will create massive amounts of misunderstandings and frustration. While everyone agrees herding dogs need a “job,” I ask, what does “giving them a job” really mean?

And here is where our exploration begins.

Herding dogs often do not make good pets because they are bred to work around livestock. However, their unique capabilities in gathering, directing livestock are at the crux of what makes them challenging pets.

Among the genetic traits selected to carry on their (real) job are:

1. Stamina,
2. Sensitivity to any movement. Desire to stop movement (manage movement).
3. Ability to focus and not disengage (from the stock).
4. Hyper-sensitivity to their environment and changes in the environment (SEC).
5. Strong responsiveness in working with a handler. Sensitivity to the handler’s demeanor.
6. A very robust “work ethic.”

How do the qualities above translate to herding dogs living as our pets? When being kept as pets, their genetic make-up regularly becomes the reason behind their intense and problematic partnership within the household.

Consider the following:

1. Their high stamina needs an appropriate daily outlet.
2. Controlling the movement of family members, including the family child, cat or, other dogs, any moving object (ball, car, bicycle) becomes an exercise in ongoing management.
3. In general, trouble disengaging from movement and the environment leads to an over-aroused dog that is hard to re-direct and unpleasant to live with.
4. Their refined sensitivity to changes in their environment (SEC) often leads to arousal in the form of excessive barking, frustration, and OCD behaviors (chasing shadows, biting flowing water, the like). Sound sensitivity to everyday noises and events such as fireworks and thunderstorms.
5. Their high desire to pair with a handler often translates to “neediness – a “velcro” dog that hates being left behind.
6. Suspicion or lack of trust for others besides the handler they trust. And yet, we love them! But loving them is not enough!

What our herding dogs deserve from their families is for us to acknowledge them for whom they are. They need for us to provided them which legal outlets (jobs) 🙂 so they can express their natural tendencies safely and often.

If the above description of chaos resembles your life with your herding dog, this course is for you! It will help you identify a myriad of possibilities for change and improvements in the life of your at-home-herding dog. It will also transform your relationship with your working dog and provide depth to your understanding and appreciation for who they are.

The Details:

Six weeks course. Week one is a people-only orientation. The remaining sessions are working sessions with the dogs. This course is hands-on, and folks need to commit to practicing at home in between sessions if they want to see results!

Open to 4 herding dogs (or herding mixes that exhibit herding-dog behaviors), ages five months of age and onward, and their handlers.

Requirements:

Dogs must be comfortable working around other dogs and people; they should not lunge or bark at either people or dogs and vaccines:

Required Vaccinations: Dogs should be current on their DHLPP vaccines, OR provide a current titter test. Please bring proof of vaccination or titer test (if not previously uploaded on my website) for the first class.

COVID protocol for people: Folks may choose to wear a mask or refrain from wearing one if vaccinated. Primarily we will be working outside.

Dates:

Saturdays, April 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd, 30^th, May 7^th and 14^th. 2022 from 1pm- 2pm.

Fees:

Option 1: $ 300 +  Santa Fe County tax = $ 322.00

Option 2: Take $50 off from Living Harmoniously with a Herding Dog if you also enroll in How to Teach Your Dog to (Really) Relax Anywhere class.

$ 250 + Santa Fe County tax = $ 268.00

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for classes.

For new clients, you must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class. If you are a current (or have taken a class/private training with Almudena) C.H.A.C.O. Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC. client, please complete the form on this page here.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Registration closes on Wednesday, May 25th 2o22,  at 5 pm. Or when class is full, whichever comes first.

Before reading below, check out the essence of social play in this video.

Cutting-edge research in psychology has helped us understand the importance of play in general and social play, particularly for the rehabilitation of timid and fearful dogs. I define social play as the engagement between a person and their dog that is voluntary and with no purpose other than to have a “good” time and “connect” or “re-connect.”

For the most part, social play is devoid of typical reinforces such as food and toys; however, these can help in some circumstances in making the dog more comfortable with the interaction.

Do you wish you knew how to bring out the comical, engaging side of your dog? Do you find yourself at a loss in not knowing how to best interact with your “soft” dog? Do you find that your dog does not respond to food or toys – as you would like him to while training? Do you struggle with your dog’s ability to focus on you when he is upset and overly aroused? Be it at home or during walks, or in public environments?

During this course, you will learn what constitutes good social play. Learning how to play with your dog could be the ultimate tool to help your dog thrive or re-focus when over-stimulated.

You will discover what sort of social play your dog (and you) enjoy and how to elicit your dog’s most playful nature. The course includes:

• Learning essential concepts of Social play.

• Watching video clips of appropriate and non-appropriate play.

• An opportunity to play with your dog during the virtual class while you receive feedback.

The class is open to all dogs (timid or not) and of all ages. They are no pre-requisite to join the class. Open to six pet parents and their dogs.

Dates: Tuesdays, May 31st  June 7th, 14th, 21 from  1-2 pm (US Mountain time) and

Private Zoom meet-up Friday, June 10th  from 1-1:40- pm, and Friday, June 24th, from 1-1:40 pm.

Fees: There are two options in taking the class and two fees:

Option 1: Includes 4, 1-hour classes and 2, forty minutes, zoom group discussion to answer questions and watch videos of play sessions with your dog. Submitting videos is optional, but live attendance is very much encouraged. If you cannot attend the “live” session, you can watch the recording later on your own.

Fee: $322 (Santa Fe County tax included).

Option 2: In addition to the above, option 2 includes two, 30 min. Private zoom sessions where we explore your dog’s play style as well as individual attention to problem-solving in more detail. To be scheduled jointly.

Fee: $422 (Santa Fe County tax included).

Testimonial:

I really enjoyed this class (How to Play with Your Dog), I learned that Gala (my dog) was playing when I thought she wasn’t and I learned how to focus her energy in a way that made me, her, and my 7m baby feel happy and secure. We have this new game where she shows off all her tricks at a distance which is fun and very friendly for newcomers and kids, especially since she is a Bernese and size tends to startle a bit. I can happily say we have grown for the better and we have had a happier family interaction since this class. Almudena’s approach is direct, clear, and always so gentle both for the dog and the owner. 

Very very happy client!

Macarena Blanco, Mexico City, Mexico.

You must complete the form on this page and submit the payment below before registering for this class.

Visit CHACO’s Waiver, Payment and Cancellation Policy for ONLINE/ REMOTE classes.

OPTION 1:

OPTION 2: