What will I need to bring the first night of class?

The first night you will need to bring your dog on a collar, a 4 to 6 foot leather or cotton/nylon leash and soft treats! Often the best treats are things like Cheese, Hot Dogs, Deli Meats (chicken, roast beef, etc) or Pup-A-Roni or Liver Bites dog treats. We want something the dog does not normally get and that is extra special. The treats need to be soft so they are easily eaten quickly by your dog without leaving crumbs that would be tempting to eat off of the floor. It is a good idea to bring a variety of rewards with you to every class. The leash should be cotton, nylon or leather. No chain leashes and no retractable (Flexi) leashes the first night! Don't leave home without your sense of humor also!

I am going to be gone and will miss a class, is that a problem?

Generally speaking, this is not a problem. If you know you are going to miss a class or two I offer a make-up session for you and your dog either before or after another class.

Is my dog is too young/old for training?

As long as your puppy is vaccinated, they are ready for the class! This is around 10 weeks of age. Methods used are tailored to each dog or puppy's needs and age. No dog is ever too young or old to start training! My own dogs are started in training the day I get them at around 8 weeks. Veterinarians suggest puppies be at least 10 weeks of age to attend group classes because we want your puppies protected with their vaccinations.

How often do you hold classes?

In the winter months we have class on one day a week, Sundays. In the summer months we have classes offered on 2 or 3 nights a week. Check the Class Info Page for more information.

I want to enroll, but money is tight right now. What options do I have?

My goal is to help you with your dog! Generally, the fee is required the first night of class. If you need special consideration, just ask and I will work with you.

My child would like to do the training, is this ok?

It will depend on your dog and the age & maturity of your child. Call me so we can discuss it!

Who should do the training?

I encourage all adults in the family and older children to attend the classes whenever possible. However, one person should do the initial training. Once the dog has learned a command from one person, others in the family can then also work with the dog.

My dog is scheduled to be spayed or neutered during the scheduled session what do I do?

Dogs usually recover very quickly from these surgeries. If the surgery took place more than 48 before the next class, come to class. If the dog is really under the weather, than by all means skip the week.

I heard that I should wait until my dog is six months old to start training, is this right?

This is a myth that gets a lot of dog's and their owners is trouble.  If you start training your puppy immediately, you can avoid instilling problem behaviors, and have your puppy behaving appropriately at a very early age and into adulthood.

My dog had basic obedience at another facility. How do we know what class she is ready for?

We will test your dog to determine which class she is most suited for.

What kind of collar should I use?

We actually discuss this in class. It is hard for us to say without seeing the dog and handler. We may have suggestions for a specialized training collar, or will suggest that you keep using what the dog is already wearing. There are too many factors to place here. If we do decide a training collar would be benificial for you and your dog, I generally have collars for sale.

Do you board my dog and train it for me?

No - for most people and most situations, this option makes very little sense. If you and your family do not learn the requisite skills, any progress your dog makes on training or behavior issues while away will quickly be lost. Particularly for behavior issues, the learning is not likely to transfer. Training is a gradual process which depends on consistency, repetition, and incremental improvement. You must learn the skills needed to shape your dog's behavior, and be prepared to apply them yourself. If I train your dog; he listens and responds to me, ask yourself, what good will this do when I do not live with you?

If your question was not answered here, call me or email  me!