Circus Classes

Circus 1:

This class is for dogs of all ages(including puppies), shapes, and sizes.

Learn the basics of trick dog training, make shy dogs more confident, and get control of the overly bold.  Our tried and true method has been educating dogs of the Bay Area for over a decade.  Dogs and handlers will both gain skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Here, you and your dog learn basic obedience and basic tricks routines. Small classes allow us to offer individualized instruction. We focus on setting a strong foundation so that your dog can excel at advanced work.

Circus 2:

Circus 2 is for students who have completed Circus 1 and their dogs show a complete grasp of the Symmetrical Foundation. A 1 minute stay, 20-foot Send to a pedestal, 10-foot Send Around Cone, Sit Pretty, Bow, spin. More importantly, Circus 2 dogs show an ability to work away from the handler in a distracting situations. Level 2 dogs practice syncopated group drills at a faster speed and with more precision. Our trick repertoire is expanded and handlers are expected to start cueing the dog from a distance. This is a 6-week course (meets once per week for six consecutive weeks, 1 hour per).

Circus 3:

This is our advanced trick class, except we take it a step further and include stunts and gags. Circus 3 will teach you to get creative with your dog’s training. More advanced students work on agility, stunts, synchronized behaviors with other dogs,and useful service dog behaviors. Get your creative juices flowing while conditioning physically and building confidence. This is a 6-week course (meets once per week for six consecutive weeks, 1 hour per).

Pre requisites: Circus 1 & 2; or if you have trained privately with Francis.

Circus 4:

In this class we work on building up your schtick. Circus 4 focuses on advanced object manipulation and service dog skills as well as performance and improv drills. Teaching you to put your audience into a state of awe with just your dog and few props. This is a 6-week course (meets once per week for six consecutive weeks, 1 hour per).

Pre requisites: Circus 1-3 , Shaped Retrieve competency. This class relies on the dogs understanding of the Shaped Retrieve exercise learned in Circus 3. If you do not have a good grasp of the Shaped Retrieve please continue in Circus 3 until you have.

Mailbox routine: The old Lassie routine with a few twists

Light switch: easily score this service dog classic by recombining already learned behaviors.

Rope hoist: a mind bending string of behaviors first seen as performed by Benji

Quoits: An ancient bar game now fun canine challenge
Continued perfection of other routines learned in prior classes and how to build new ones.