TRAINING

Many people inquire about the monastery's dog training program.

At New Skete we offer a three week course in standard, AKC type obedience, incorporating the values of our monastic environment with the teaching of the standard obedience exercises. The objective is to teach dogs the heel, sit, stay, come, down and extended down-stay in a manner that enhances the overall relationship between owner and dog. We also attempt to help owners with any behavioral difficulties they may have mentioned to us. Our method, described at length in our books, How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, and in our video series, Raising Your Dog with the Monks of New Skete, employs a philosophy of praise, fairness and discipline, set against a background of patience, repetition, and dedication.

The course runs for three to four weeks. This includes boarding, daily training, and a final interview with one of the monks, which explains in detail all of the training dogs receive in the course. In addition, this final session also includes a practical demonstration of the dog's skill, as well as a private training session with the owner, geared towards helping owners maintain the training once their dogs return home.

As of June 2010 the cost is $2495 plus NYS sales tax.

If you are interested in enrolling your dog in the program, you may use this webform. If it is not possible to use our webform please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, along with a brief letter which includes your full address, telephone number, cell phone number, and email address, along with the basics on your dog: breed, age, and any problems you might be having. This should be sent to:
Brother Christopher
New Skete Farms
PO Box 128
Cambridge, N.Y. 12816.