Additional Information

 

Training Methods

We teach with positive reinforcement, which involves lots of treats for the dog in your life! You won’t be asked to scold, punish, or correct your dog - there are more effective ways to teach your dog. We use clicker training (a mark and reward system of learning) so that your dog knows exactly what he did to earn the treat. The clicker is used during training of new behaviors, and, although it is not required, we strongly recommend trying it out! Once your dog has learned the new skill, the clicker is no longer needed.

Training Equipment

We recommend four essential pieces of training equipment for private training and group classes:

  • properly fitted harness or flat collar (buckle or martingale style)

  • 5-6 foot leash

  • treat pouch

  • high value treats!

Please note, dogs must be on leash at all times during group classes. The use of prong collars, choke chains, and shock collars are prohibited during private training and group classes. Please contact us if you have questions regarding training equipment, or check out our Resources page for our recommendations on training equipment!

Vaccination Policy

Dog owners are required to provide vaccination records for their dogs prior to attending a group class. Dogs six months and older must be up to date on Rabies, Distemper, and Parvovirus vaccinations. We also recommend Bordetella. Puppies under 6 months of age must be on schedule with their veterinarian's vaccination schedule*. You will have the opportunity to upload a scanned copy of your vaccination records when you sign up for a class online. Vaccination records must meet these requirements:

  • Records from a veterinarian must be on letterhead

  • Records from breeders or rescue groups must include the stickers from the vaccination vials

  • Records not on letterhead and without vaccination vial stickers are not accepted

​​This policy is in place to protect all of the dogs attending group classes - we are unable to make exceptions. These illnesses can be life-threatening and our clients appreciate our diligence in minimizing these risks.

​*Distemper and parvovirus vaccinations are part of a combination vaccination given in 3 rounds of boosters at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, and 14-16 weeks. Puppies must stay up to date and on schedule throughout participation in group classes. Rabies is administered between 10 weeks and 6 months depending on veterinarian preferences and existing vaccination schedule.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Private Training: 

If you must cancel or reschedule your private training session, please give us a minimum of 72 hours notice. There is no charge for cancellations and reschedules made more than 72 hours in advance. Cancellations or reschedules made within 72 hours of your session time will be charged as a full session. 

All sessions must be used within 1 year of the purchase date - unused sessions will not be refunded.

Group Classes: 

If you must cancel or reschedule your group class enrollment, please give us a minimum of 7 days notice prior to the start date of your class so that we can offer your spot to other clients who are waiting to schedule with us. There is no charge for cancellations and reschedules made more than 7 days in advance. There are no refunds (or class credit) given for cancellations made within 7 days of the start of your class UNLESS there is a waiting list for the class and we are able to fill your spot with another student.

There are no refunds (or class credit) given for cancellations made after the class has started.

If the trainer feels that a different class would a better fit for you and your dog, you can transfer into that class for no extra charge, provided the class fee is the same and there is space available.

There are no refunds for portions of group classes that are missed due to personal scheduling conflicts or not attended for other reasons.

Female dogs in heat: No refunds can be given for dogs that come into heat within the 7 days prior to the start of class or after the class has already started. Students that are unable to attend class for this reason (we ask that dogs remain absent from class from first sign of heat cycle until 10-14 days from last sign of blood in the heat cycle) may transfer into the next class section of the same class, provided that there is space available.

Children and Training

We love teaching children how fun clicker training is! We encourage parents to include their children in simple training sessions with the family dog if they are old enough to participate. Children 10 and older are able to attend group classes with a parent, provided that the child isn't a distraction and the parent handles the dog for the entirety of the class.