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Mission 

The Mission of the Kona Coast Dog Training Club is to cultivate a community of Responsible Dog Owners in West Hawaii by offering high quality AKC training classes, and other public services related to that goal.

Membership is required to train with Kona Coast Kennel Club

Kona Coast Dog Training Club is Kona’s community-based Club of all-breed dog lovers. Canine Good Citizen classes are scheduled on Saturday mornings. Other classes may be on Thursday afternoons or Saturday mornings.  Annual memberships expire at the end of each calendar year. New members are encouraged to join with a $25/year Voting Membership to be on the priority mailing list and have an opportunity to sign up for upcoming classes.
Click here to Join the Kona Coast Kennel Club

Classes We Offer:

S.T.A.R. Puppy - S.T.A.R. Puppy is an AKC beginner class for puppies up to 1 year old. In this class, puppies will learn basic skills. Puppy training is a natural lead-in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program. Dogs over 1 year old will begin with Canine Good Citizen classes.
Canine Good Citizen (CGC) - Our core class for dogs over 1 year old (OR that have completed S.T.A.R. Puppy.) This class focuses on basic obedience, responsible pet ownership and good manners. Passing CGC is a prerequisite for any advanced classes or special events that we offer.
Community Canine - Canine Good Citizen skills in real-world public settings. This class is open to dogs that have passed CGC.
Obedience (Open to dogs that have passed CGC.)- Advanced obedience skills that include complex heeling, with off-leash sit/down/stays. 
AKC Rally (Open to dogs that have passed CGC.)- Navigate a course following signs where the dog is asked to perform different exercises. ​
Special events and Fun Days for current Members with dogs who have passed CGC and/or S.T.A.R. Puppy.

Dogs with Special Needs

The focus of a dog training class is to foster a positive relationship between each handler and their dog. Dogs that are very shy, aggressive, have special needs or who have had traumatic experiences can be very stressed in group training situations. 

These dogs generally need more personalized instruction to focus on becoming calm and confident when working with their owner and learning new skills.  We want your dog to have the best experience possible.  
Unfortunately, we are not currently able to provide this type of individual training.  If you think that you have a dog that needs extra assistance, or may not do well in a group training session, we recommend that you talk with your veterinarian or consult a private trainer.

If you would like to discuss whether your dog is a good fit for group training, please email us with a brief description and your phone number. One of our instructors will call you, and we may arrange for temperament testing prior to enrolling your dog in a class.

If you do not believe your dog is appropriate for group training, please see the RESOURCES page of our website for information on alternate training resources.

Kennel Cough

​Kennel cough, a canine respiratory disease, continues to be active in Kona. Dogs vaccinated for Bordetella have been affected. The risk for transmitting Kennel Cough is minimized by holding classes outdoors and maintaining 6’ social distancing for both humans and canines. Dogs are on leash at all times and may not meet nose-to-nose. Please check with your veterinarian for further information.

Vaccinations

  • Dogs need to be current on vaccinations and flea/tick preventative.
  • ​​Current membership with Kona Coast Dog Training Club is required to train with the Club.

Skills Tested 

​Canine Good Citizen - Candidates must successfully complete all skills.
1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger
2. Walking on a Loose Leash
3. Sit or Down on Command
4. Sitting Politely for Petting
5. Coming When Called
6. Appearance and Grooming
7. Walking Through a Crowd
8. Reaction to Another Dog
9. Reaction to Distraction
10. Supervised Separation

S.T.A.R. Puppy - Candidates must successfully complete all skills.

Group Testing:  5  puppy behaviors
1. Puppy Sits On Command- Treating permitted in STAR Puppy
2. Puppy Downs On Command
3. Puppy Allows Petting by another person
4. Puppy Allows Grooming by another person
5. Puppy allows owner/ handler to take away a treat or toy
 
Individual Testing:  5 puppy behaviors
1. Puppy Walks on loose leash in a straight line for 20'
2. Puppy Walks by other people- 5' away ( small crowd)
3. Puppy comes to handler when called from 6"- end of leash                                                                         
4. Puppy reactions to distractions- (distractions presented 15' away)
5. Puppy stays on leash with another person , owner walks away 15-20' and returns

Community Canine - Candidates must successfully complete all skills.

Dogs must pass all 10 items of the test to receive the CGCA title.
  1. Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while the owner:
    • sits at the registration table and fills out paperwork, or,
    • if the test is done in the community, dog waits while the owner sits and has a snack or visits with another person (e.g., at a park)
  2. Walks on a loose leash in a natural situation (not in a ring) — does not pull.
    • left turn
    • right turn
    • stop
    • fast and slow pace
  3. Walks on loose leash through a crowd:
    • at a show or in class, this item is tested in a real crowd, not in a ring
    • in the community, dog walks on sidewalk, through a crowd at a community fair, park, on a trail, through a busy hallway, etc.
  4. Dog walks past distraction dogs present; does not pull.
    This item may be tested along with #3 if there are dogs in the crowd, etc.
    • at a show or class, dog walks by dogs waiting in the crowd–dogs 2 ft. apart
    • in the community, dog walks by other dogs on a trail, sidewalk, in a hallway, etc.
  5. Sit — stay in small group (3 other people with dogs).
    Owners and dogs are in an informal circle/square while owners have a conversation.
    Dogs are all on the owner’s left side, on leash; 3 ft. apart. (At least 30 seconds)
  6. Dog allows person who is carrying something (backpack, computer bag, etc.) to approach and pet it.
    “May I pet your dog?” (Item is placed on floor/ground before the person pets the dog)
  7. “Leave it.” Dog walks by food and follows owner instructions, “Leave it.”
    This can be food placed by the evaluator on the floor or ground in a food dish with a wire cover as in Rally.
  8. Down or sit stay — distance (owner’s choice).
    Dog is on 20–ft line, owner walks away with back to dog, picks up an item (e.g., backpack, training bag, clipboard, folder etc.) placed on the floor/chair/ground by the evaluator and returns to the dog.
  9. Recall with distractions present (coming when called). Handler goes out 20–ft. **(off center) and calls dog.
    Dog is on the 20–ft. line from #8 above.
  10. Dog will sit or stand stay (owner’s choice) while owner enters/exits a doorway or narrow passageway. Owner calls dog through door when ready.
    Owner may also choose to:
    1. send the dog through first and have the dog wait for the owner, or
    2. the owner may choose to have the dog go through the doorway at the owner’s side.
    Whichever method is used, the dog must not pull the owner and must be under good control. Think of the handler having the leash in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other.
    Doorway or gate can be real or simulated with ring gates, two chairs, or a natural passageway (e.g., entrance to trail) in the community.
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