Check this out!
 

Wahoo! Take a look at our new class schedule.  Lots of terrific changes for the New Year!

New!  SNIFF IT! Introduction to K9 Nose Work class starting Monday evenings at 8:00pm.  Call 508.821.7587 for more info.

Think Tuesday - Tip Top Training Opp!  New format!  
5:00-8:00pm Competition Obedience Run-Thrus with Sheila Bennett - we run til we're done!  Must register by 8:00pm to guarantee a run-thru.  Before and after your run-thru freelance training in the ring will be available for an additional $5.

Wahoo! Wednesday - Pat Scribner is joining the team.
NEW NOVICE, OPEN, UTILITY CLASSES!  Click here for more info.          

NEW!  Daytime Classes.  
Nose work and pet obedience classes. Wahoo!  Call for start dates.
      9:00am Perfect Pups
    10:00am Basic Manners for Every Day Life
    11:00am Sniff It! Intro to Nose Work

K9 Nose Work FIELD TRIPS with Gail McCarthy CNWI
Exciting training opportunities for advanced nose work students.  Classes for NW1 and NW2 concepts and scenarios.  Mark your calendar so you don't miss out on the 2012 challenging field trips - February 12th, March 11th, and April 1st.  These off site classes fill fast, so don't delay in signing up.  Class size is limited.  Registration and prepayment will reserve your spot.  We will email you the location of the site prior to the class.  Call for more info 508-821-7587.                                     

In stock now!  CANINE CAVIAR
Supporting a healthier lifestyle for your pets. Click here to learn more.          

Mayflower Pembroke Welsh Corgi Obedience and Rally trials - February 4th and 5th, 2012 at Performance Plus.  Open to All Breed and Mixed Breed.  Optional titling classes and Wild Card Utility available.   Click here for premium list.            

 

Workshops for Competition Obedience
Is your performance in the ring less than what you get in training? Foster attitude and enthusiasm while you learn to teach your dog to work through distractions using positive methods. Learn how to make teaching the exercises FUN and strengthen your relationship as well. Presented by Nancy Droukas, accomplished trainer of multiple OTCh dogs, member of the 200 Club, professional member of the APDT, and a CPDT-KA.  Check back or call 508.821.7587 for more info. Click on the name of the event for a registration form.

February 25th -  Drop on Recall
March 10th -      Play with a Purpose
March 25th -      Beginning Utility
March 31st -       Positive Retrieve
April 21st -         Competition Obedience Jumping
May 12th -          Go Outs
June 3rd -           Walk the Line:  Heeling Clinic 

 

 
Canine Good Citizen / Therapy Dog prep class & Tests
Our CGC/TDI preparation class is extremely successful in preparing handlers for the test. Demand is high for this 7 week class so we are offering it again January 10, 2012.  Pre-registration is required. Click here for class registration form.  The cost of the CGC/TDI test is included in the class tuition. Skills required in both tests will be covered.   Test date March 3, 2012.  Click here for test registration form only. 
 
Have you ever desired greater OFF LEASH control or the ability to stop your dog from a flat out run? Click here for more info on this NEW funfilled and challenging class.
 
Who's Walking Who?
Are you tired of having your dog yank your arm out of your shoulder as he pulls you down the street?  Want a solution?  Click here.     

Wahoo! a new PUPPY.  Start the puppy off right so that it brings joy and happiness to everyone for life. Our Perfect Pups class is the perfect place to start!  Puppies 8 weeks to 18 weeks old are eligible for this class.  Don't miss out on your puppies optimum learning period.
Daytime class Saturday February 11th at 10:00am. 
Daytime class Monday March 5th at 9:00am. 
Evening class Monday February 20th at 7:00pm.  You can still join this class! Call for details.
Click on Classes tab for link to Registration form.  Call 508.821.7587 for more info.
 
We offer classes for Basic Manners for Everyday Life for dogs 5 months old or older.  We are proud to say that we don't advertise - our classes fill by word of mouth from great referrals from our satisfied Basic Manners for Everyday Life graduates! 
Daytime class Monday - starting March 12th at 10:00am
Evening class Monday - starting March 5th at 7:00pm
Evening class Tuesday - starting February 7th at 6:00pm
Daytime class Saturday - starting March 24th at 10:00am
Don't miss out - sign up early!  Wahoo! Let's train. Click on Classes tab for link to Registration form. For more info call 508.821.PLUS

Chill Ubu! Management Skills for the Difficult Dog
Click to read testimonials.  Does your dog react to other dogs, people, sounds, smells or other stimuli? Is your dog difficult to handle when he is excited?  Do you feel anxious, scared and at a loss of what to do? This class will provide you with the foundation and skills to effectively manage your dog, build your dog's confidence, lessen his or her fears, and learn to trust and rely on you as leader.  Using positive training methodology in a safe, controlled, and supportive environment, this six week class is taught by an experienced, compassionate instructor with one-on-one support from skilled assistants who understand and care about your dog and your success. Call (508) 821-7587 for more details or Click here.

SNIFF IT! K9 NOSE WORK for FUN - the new, hot, training 'scent'sation! Call now to get on the wait list for the next beginning class! Join in this exciting, FUN, rewarding training experience. Students in the current classes are having the best time witnessing their dog's amazing abilities! Great for building your dog's confidence. There is no prerequisite to take this class. Both pet and performance dogs welcome.  Call (508) 821-7587 for more info.

Obedience Ring Rental available select days and hours. Call (508) 821-7587 to schedule.          

New Classes!  Shaping the Performance Pup! (8-18 wks) and Shaping the Performance Pup PLUS! (5-12 mos).
Whether you're starting off with a new puppy or headed for the competition obedience ring, this step-by-step training on how to shape behaviors with a clicker will work for you and your dog.  You'll learn how you can use positive reinforcers to build reliable and accurate performance.  You will have a dog that is happy, eager and willing to work for you at all levels of training! Call (508) 821-7587 to register.

Performance Plus Caring K9's - Want to join?  Click here for more info. 

AKC Rally and Breed Handling with Jan Thomas-Silva Monday and Friday evenings.
Four week classes that cover all AKC rally levels - only $85. Classes available for beginners as well as those competing. For dogs 12 weeks and older. Contact Jan at nativefoxsft @comcast.net to sign up.

In remembrance of 9/11/01 - Never Forget!

Welcome to PERFORMANCE PLUS DOG TRAINING in Taunton, Massachusetts.  Performance Plus is a multi-faceted canine training facility serving dogs and their owners in Southeastern Massachusetts. We pride ourselves in offering the finest instruction for competition and companion obedience dog training, as well as agility and rally.

The PERFORMANCE part of our name reflects our commitment to excellence and the ultimate performance of our clients, both canine and human alike.

The PLUS part of our name reflects the unique nature of our organization. We are more than just a training school - we are a gathering place for dog enthusiasts.

It is all about being able to talk, laugh, and learn from each other about our dogs. We invite dog lovers to come to our facility to observe training in action and get to know other dog people and experience the fun, the joy, and the greatness dogs bring into our lives. We celebrate this by providing a casual place to come where you can relax and learn more about dogs and training.

Performance Plus Dog Training is a warm, friendly, FUN place to train your dog. We are open every day except Sunday. We look forward to you stopping by. 

 COME - SIT - DOWN - STAY  awhile and have fun!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

More Nose Work Titles!!!!

Numerous teams from Performance Plus participated in the NW1 and NW2 Nose Work trials held October 22 and 23, 2011 in Dighton, MA.   Our students were well prepared for the challenges presented at the trials.  Kudos to our instructors and their students.  Congratulations to all the new NW1 title holders:  Ellen Barnaby and Robbin, Nancy Droukas and Grab, Diana Veras and Reba 2nd place Overall Trial and 3rd place in Container Search on October 22nd, Sandra Brenneman and Teddy 3rd place Overall Trial and 3rd place in the Container Search and the Interior Search on October 23rd, Tracey Costa and Maisie 3rd place Overall Trial and first place in the Interior Search on October 22nd. Joyce O'Connor and Bailey took first place in the Vehicle Search and Cheryl Viera and Molly took 2nd place in the Container Search on October 23rd but for a minor glitch they both would have earned their title.

New NW2 Title!!!!

Congratulations to Nancy Droukas and Grip for achieving their NW2 title at the Dighton trial.  Nancy is one of the first 5 handlers to achieve the NW2 title on the East Coast.  To date Nancy is the only handler on the East Coast who has achieved 3 NW1 titles and 1 NW2 title in 2011.  It is a testament to her handling, training and instructing skills.

New  NW1 Titles!!!!   

Several Teams from Performance Plus traveled to Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York to compete in the NW1 nose work trial June 18 and 19th . The location was beautiful. The views were spectacular. Trekking up and down the hills in the heat was exhausting but the thrill of seeing the dogs ‘do their thing’ made it all worthwhile. 
June 18th - Congratulations to Nancy Droukas and Grip NW1 Pronounced,
2nd Place Overall Trial, 1st place Container Search .  A pronounced title signifies outstanding handling and team work.

June 19th - Congratulations to Nancy Droukas and Rocket NW1, 2nd Place Overall Trial, 1st place Container Search,  2nd place Vehicle Search, 1st place in Team.

June 19th - Congratulations to Karen Davito and Taz NW1, 1st place Vehicle Search, 4th place in Team.

June 19th - Congratulations to Diana Veras and Reba who had 3 perfect (pronounced) searches.  A little miscommunication on the Interior Search cost her the title but did not diminish the fun or appreciation of a job well done.

June 19th - More kudos….All the PP teams received pronouncements on 3 of the 4 elements. Wahoo! 

NOSE WORK MOCK NW1 TRIAL - MARCH 27, 2011
was a huge success!  Thank you all for attending.  For compilation of the results for each element click here - for placement results click here.  Thank you to photographer Nikki Shumway who took some great pictures at the mock nose work trial.  Photos are for sale.  Her website is nj-photo.com.  Check out the Nose Work Trial photos on these two facebook links:  https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=65551&id=100000205579477  and  https://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=212655772084607&id=100000205579477&aid=65555

WAHOO!  Another fabulous event at Performance Plus.

Thank you all for attending our Show n Go.  We love having you here. We are proud of offering a premium venue for your training needs. Several attendees went out of their way to express their gratitude and appreciation for having the opportunity to participate in the Show n Go.  We take pride in putting on organized and efficient events so that both the handler and the dog maximize the training experience to the highest level possible.  There were quite a few new faces in the crowd which was nice to see!  One first time attendee wanted to let us know just what she thought of the event so click here to read more...

Wahoo! Team Rush did it again!  
Congratulations to Paulette, John and Rush for making the 2011 Agility World Team.  It takes incredible skill and ability to make the team and Paulette and Rush did it for two years (2008, 2009).  Then Paulette gave John Nys the opportunity to run Rush and he made the team in 2010 and 2011.  Holy cow!  They are a great team to watch. They will be representing the USA at the World Agility Championship competition in Lievin France October 7-9, 2011.

WELCOME JOHN NYS and ERIN SCHAEFER!
It is our great pleasure to welcome John Nys and Erin Schaefer to our Agility Instructing Staff.  To read more on their accomplishments click on their names.

LOCAL TEAM WINS THE SILVER MEDAL!
At 2010 FCI Agility World Championship held in Reiden, Germany October 1-3 John Nys and Shetland Sheepdog, NAC MACH 3 Bare Cove Blu Lite Special "Rush" co-owned with Paulette Swartzendruber won the Silver Medal in the Medium Dog Individual event.  We are very proud of our talented agility instructors.

Nancy Droukas and Twist, one of her Golden Retrievers, for receiving an invitation to compete at the AKC National Obedience Invitational being held on December 12th and 13th, 2009 in Long Beach, California.  Twist is among the select few being honored with this invitation to compete at this prestigious event.  Wahoo!  Way to go Twistee.                      

Congratulations to Susan LeVasseur and her Airedale Callie for receiving an invitation to compete at the AKC Agility Invitational to be held in Long Beach, California in December 2009.  This is the fourth time in 4 years that Sue and Callie have been invited to attend!  AKC invites the top five dogs in each breed according to their rankings.  Callie has been the number 1 and 2 Airedale for all four years! 

Nancy Droukas and several members of the Performance Plus team attended the CLICKER EXPO held at the Crown Plaza in Warwick, RI  March 27-29, 2009.  The Clicker Expo is an educational conference on the science and application of clicker training.  The conference offered a wide variety of seminars covering everything from introductory theory to advanced applications, including competition skills, teaching techniques, behavior management and clicker-related science. Nancy and her team are looking forward to sharing what they learned with all their students.  Wahoo!  Let's train with a click.

Wahoo! Great news...
Paulette Swartzendruber and her Shetland Sheepdog, Rush travelled to Concord, North Carolina to compete at the AKC National Agility Championships 3/27-29/09. On Friday, March 27th they won the prestigious International Class in the 18" division. They went on to compete in the 2 day AKC National Agility Championships and won the 16" division.  They ran magnificently - 7 clean competitive runs. Wahoo!  Rush is now a NAC MACH II (National Agility Champion and Master Agility Champion II).

A group of students from Performance Plus Dog Training put on a dog show for the residents of the Golden Living Center in Taunton on Thursday, January 15th.  Upon arrival the group brought their dogs around to greet the residents.  The residents enjoyed petting the dogs and receiving doggie kisses.  The group performed various competition obedience exercises and fun tricks to the delight and awe of the residents and staff.  The dogs performed and behaved beautifully.  It was a pleasure for us to be able to bring joy and an afternoon of entertainment to the residents of the Golden Living Center. We look forward to doing it again.  Wahoo!  Let us know if you would like to join us.

(L-R) Carol Costa and Tedy, Rottweiler; Nancy Droukas and Twist, Golden Retriever; Shirley Cardello and Emmy, Labrador Retriever; Chris McCluer and Gage, Flatcoated Retriever; Susan LeVasseur and Callie, Airedale Terrier; Janet Steeger and Nealy, Australian Shepherd

                      

Team Performance Plus traveled to York, PA in August 2008 to compete in the All Star Obedience, Agility and Rally Championships.  For some of the team members this was their first time participating in such a high level competition.  They were thrilled to be there and enjoyed themselves tremendously.  They relished the opportunity to be part of such an event.  Participation in this event had to be earned by attaining a certain score level in the class or classes that constituted each division.  The divisions were Novice, Open, Utility and Super Star.  This event is a great experience for anyone who aspires to do well and earn above-average scores.  Everyone performed beautifully and Performance Plus is very proud of them.  We are looking forward to attending the next tournament…come join us! 
                                                                                 
                                               Wahoo!  Let’s train.

Nancy Droukas and her Golden Retriever, Twist placed  in the top 10 of the Open Division, Melissa DePasquale and her Doberman, Brody placed in the top 10 of the Novice Division, Beth Gwillim and her Yellow Lab, Jenna, Carolyn Goudreau and her Golden Retriever, Gunther, Janet Steeger and her Australian Shepherd, Nealy  showed superbly in the Novice Division (L-R) 

 
Email: performanceplus@wahoo-lets-train.com | 508-821-PLUS (7587) | 201 Alfred Lord Blvd, Taunton, MA 02780      APDT

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