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Meet Your Instructor!
Deb Helfrich, Gold Star Dog Training LLC
Email: deb@goldstardog.com

Deb is owner of Gold Star Dog Training LLC, based in Fairfax, Vermont. She enjoys working with dogs and their handlers to solve their challenges, build a healthy dog-handler relationship, and achieve their training goals. She is highly student-focused—adept at explaining concepts, helping every student feel successful, and creating training experiences that are meaningful and effective. Deb’s sense of humor, enthusiastic teaching style, and ability to work with a wide range of students are what clients seem to like about her. 

Deb has been a therapy dog handler since 1996 and the volunteer Director of Training and Certification for Therapy Dogs of Vermont (TDV) since 2005. Deb also volunteers with rescues and other organizations as an advisor, training resource, and author.  Read more: www.goldstardog.com

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Deb directly at 802-849-2363 

DOG/PUPPY ESSENTIALS: BASIC TRAINING AND SOCIAL SKILLS
We’re busy people.  We’ve got other priorities.*  Dog training can feel like One. More. Thing. But, you want a dog you can live with, be proud of, and about which others glowingly remark “What a great dog!” This class shows you how to have a happy, confident, well-behaved dog.  It consists of 3 important skills: practical straight-up obedience (don’t drag me down the street, come when I call, etc.), life skills (don’t jump on my friends, chill out, etc.), and understanding your dog’s body language.
 What you get: My simple 4-step approach for teaching your dog almost anything; course booklet and weekly training guides; force-free training; ongoing free email/phone support after the class ends; and a student-focused instructor with 20+ years’ experience teaching people and dogs.  And, we’re gonna get results while having  fun!
 So, to all those wiggly puppies and wonderful dogs out there: are you ready to earn your gold star (get it, Gold Star Dog Training)?
 *Course is also suitable for those who aren’t all that busy.
 
BEYOND BASICS (Pre-requisite: Deb's BASIC dog class, or instructor approval)
Time to take off the training wheels! This course takes your training to the next level. What's the next level? Well, that's the beauty of this class—you decide!! Like many exercise classes that show you various intensity levels of a given exercise, this course shows you various levels of each command or behavior. This permits "perfect fit" training for you and your dog! We teach and use an easy-to-apply, standardized approach to dog training and management that is designed to be useful no matter what level your dog is at with a given command or behavior. The course also continues to build a foundation of manners, training, and social skills. It’s perfect for adolescent and young adult dogs who need help weathering this “teenage” stage in a way that’s constructive and positive.
 
THERAPY DOG ACADEMY(This course does not result in therapy dog certification, nor does it guarantee certification.)

Requirements: There are particular requirements for this course; please review the policies for more details (link below). Pre-requisite: Participants and their dogs must have taken Gold Star Dog Training’s Essentials/Basic class.

So, your dog wants to be a therapy dog?  Well, we’ve got a course for that!  This 6-week course gives dogs and handlers the necessary skills for taking a therapy dog test, working safely and effectively as a therapy dog team on duty, and developing a close working relationship with your dog. The course is suitable for those: working toward therapy dog certification; already working as a therapy dog team but wanting to develop new skills or hone existing ones; and looking for skills useful for working with his/her dog in public (e.g., in the workplace, for service dog training). Your instructor, Deb, has been a therapy dog handler since the mid-1990s, has had 6 therapy dog partners over the years, and has directed a large therapy dog certification and training program since 2005.
 
There are 2 ways to attend these classes. 

Option 1: Register with your dog
This registration reserves a spot in class for one dog and one person.  

Option 2:  Register without a dog
This registration is for anyone who would like to attend the class without a dog. Only one person per registration.

Attending without a dog--receive the benefits of attending class for a reduced rate:  




  • Access to Gold Star Dog Training's effective, easy-to-follow training program: Training materials, weekly step-by-step training guides, exercises, and videos


  • Instructor support: To help you learn the techniques and answer questions.


  • Not having to delay your training if your pup is too young or you don't have a dog yet


  • Maybe your dog isn't a good candidate for a group class: fearful, reactive, or out-of-control dogs need basic training just as much (if not more!), but sometimes aren't ready to join a group class.  This allows you to work on your dog in the comfort and safety of his or her own home, with full training support.         






TRAINING TUNE UP -  Practice makes perfect - and a dog who will do what you ask, when you ask it.  Our Dog Training Tune-Up is for any dog and owner wanted ton practice obedience skills in a fun, challenging group setting.  The instructor runs a variety of exercises and offers coaching.  So, come join us if you want to practice a variety of commands around other dogs and with a variety of other distractions-and just have a lot of fun doing it!  This is excellent practice for therapy dog certification testing!
Requirements:
Dogs must have taken a prior Gold Star Dog Training class, know the basics, and be completely free from reactivity/aggression/barking/lunging towards both dogs and people.  No admittance and no refund if you register and have not taken a previous class with Gold Star; dogs may be dismissed for behavioral issues or if they are disruptive.

Dog owner must provide proof of rabies vaccinations from veterinarian on the first night of class (NO ADMITTANCE AND NO REFUND if documentation is not provided.

People - Ages 18 years & up.
Dogs  - Ages 6 months and up.




  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ALL DOG CLASSES:
    Dogs do not attend the first class.






  1. Every dog owner must provide vaccination documentation (described in our policies).


  2. Please review all class policies/restrictions (regarding vaccinations, aggressive dogs in class, youth participants, guests, refunds) before registration.


  3. This class is not appropriate for dogs with reactivity (barking/lunging at other dogs/people), that are very fearful, or have any aggressive tendencies.  Please review course policies.  Should you have any concerns about your dog's suitability for a group class, contact the instructor at least 7 days in advance of the first class to discuss. 


  4. We've had inquiries about bringing children to the classes.  Due most importantly to liability and safety issues and secondly to space constraints, we CANNOT have children present at class. These training sessions are for adult participants and their dog only. 


  5. Once registered, there are no refunds.


  6. Covid-related and all other policies are available at the link below.  Participants should review before registering for class.
    https://www.goldstardog.com/find-classes
    or contact Deb directly at her email above.








   

Gold Star Dog Training
  • Payment must be made at time of registration.
  • Once registered, no refunds are issued unless class is cancelled.
  • We cannot accept wild-dog canine crosses (i.e. wolf hybrids)

Register Activity Ages Grades Days Date/Time Fees
 
   This Activity Full
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Dog/Puppy Essentials (6 weeks) 
16 and up N/A Tu  11/08/2022 - 12/13/2022
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$145.00 R, $176.00 NR
Training and Skills -1st class on 11/8/22 will be held at The Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack. No dogs, people only.
 
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Dog/Puppy Essentials (6 weeks) 
16 and up N/A Tu  01/10/2023 - 02/14/2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$145.00 R, $176.00 NR
Training and Social Skills
 
   Log In
Dog/Puppy Essentials (6 weeks) 
16 and up N/A Tu  03/14/2023 - 04/18/2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$145.00 R, $176.00 NR
Training and Social Skills
 
   Log In
Dog/Puppy Essentials (6 weeks) 
16 and up N/A Tu  05/16/2023 - 06/20/2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$145.00 R, $176.00 NR
Training and Social Skills
 
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Beyond Basics (5 weeks) 
16 - 99 N/A Tu  01/10/2023 - 02/07/2023
07:15 PM - 08:15 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$135.00 R, $155.00 NR
Participants must have taken the puppy essentials course to enroll in the Beyond Basics course.
 
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Beyond Basics (5 weeks) 
16 - 99 N/A Tu  05/16/2023 - 06/13/2023
06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$135.00 R, $155.00 NR
Participants must have taken the puppy essentials course to enroll in the Beyond Basics course.
 
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Therapy Dog Academy 
16 and up N/A Tu  11/08/2022 - 12/13/2022
07:15 PM - 08:15 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$150.00 R, $195.00 NR
1st Class on 11/8/22 will be held at The Greg Brown Lodge at Hard'ack. No Dogs - just people. This class does not result in Therapy Dog Certification. Participants must have taken Dog/ Puppy Essentials prior to joining this class.
 
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Therapy Dog Academy 
16 and up N/A Tu  03/14/2023 - 04/18/2023
07:15 PM - 08:15 PM
St. Albans City Hall Auditorium 		$150.00 R, $195.00 NR
This class does not result in Therapy Dog Certification. Participants must have taken Dog/ Puppy Essentials prior to joining this class.
* Adjustments and discounts will be applied during checkout if applicable. *

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