Training Facility Rules, Regs and Tips
Be Patient!
Remember classes are to teach YOU the skills to teach your dog, so
listen while you are in class. Much of the dog's learning will
happen when you practice at home (1-3 minute sessions, 2-10 times per
day). Sometimes it may get frustrating, just keep coming
and ask questions! It is AMAZING to see how much progress our
classes make in only 5 or 6 weeks!
Class Structure
- Most group classes are 50 minutes long (except for the required Beginner and Puppy Kindergarten week 1 "humans only" class which is approximately 90 minutes).
- Feel
free to come in 5-10 minutes before your class time. We do
try to start prompty and don't want you to miss anything.
- There is usually a question period
at the beginning
and end of each class. Don't be shy! Please ask questions
then (no such thing as a stupid or embarrassing question here) since
after class is dismissed there is not enough time to respond. You
may always call during the week also.
- The entire family, including children are able to participate in Puppy Kindergarten classes, due to the stationary nature of most exercises.
- Beginner Group classes are designed for adults. Children are welcome to attend and encouraged to work with the dog at home
with parental supervision. but may not handle in Beginner groups unless
previous arrangements have been
made. Adult handlers may take turns during class
so more than one person gets to practice.
Dress the Part/What to Bring
(We will also go over this material the first night of class when you attend without your dog)
- Comfortable, closed backed shoes
(NO FLIP FLOPS!). You may be asked not to participate in walking
exercises if footwear is considered a potential safety issue.
Keep a pair of
old tennis shoes in the car if necessary. We have toyed
with the idea of renting extra ugly bowling shoes, so its just better
to
come prepared...
- Pockets or a bait bag. You need something to carry training treats and allow your hands to be free.
- Tons of soft, easy to chew treats. Dry dog food, carrots or biscuits are too crunchy for class. (We will cover the proper use of rewards and avoidance of treat dependency, don't worry!)
- 6 foot leash is required. Bolt snap, please. Any material except chain or retractable leashes.
- Escape proof collar. Be sure your dog's collar is tight enough that you cannot wiggle it over his/her head before
you leave the house! Beware of plastic clips that can
break. Training collars/equipment will be decided on an
individual
basis once we meet you and the dog. For now, safety is our main
concern to prevent escape so close to Route 1! We will show a
variety of training collars and their uses during week 1 class.
- Clicker and training aids as needed!
Clean- Up, Outside
Please try to get your dogs to "empty" at home before coming to class. The small grass area to the right of the driveway
(by condos) is for our dog's elimination needs. Please clean up
after your dog (poop bags inside if you do not have your own).
The
bakery is kind enough to share the dumpster with us, so after tying up
your bag, please dispose of it in the garbage (not cardboard) dumpster
on the other side of the building. Please do NOT walk dogs near
the other businesses in our plaza as we try to be good neighbors!
Clean-Up, Inside
Everyone is responsible for clean up after his/her own dog. Please use the kennel disinfectant soaked mop for urine and to mop up after solid waste has been picked up with toilet paper
and flushed. Please do not use paper towels - we want to
avoid urine drippage and subsequent "marking" behavior, as well as
additional trips to the dumpster.
Attendance
Each class builds
on the previous class, so please call if you cannot attend. Don't
forget we are training you to train the dog and sending in a substitute
person with your dog will not work! If
we have another class on a similar schedule, you are welcome to attend
it, but usually dates are staggered so that may not be an option.
We are happy to fax or send you the homework. Scheduling a
private
make-up class (30 minutes) is usually well worth the $35 to review the
class material and often address other issues a well. Group
students need not buy entire training packages to have private sessions
at ABC or in home.
Merchandise
We are proud to
offer the best training treats at great prices! Everything at ABC
is all natural, no preservatives, coloring or chemicals. You
will find a variety of soft, easy to break training treats, all made in
the USA. A great variety of training collars and leashes (6') are
available too, including martingale collars, gripper leashes and our
custom hands-free leash. Behavioral chews are easy to find here
too: our long lasting bully sticks are odor-free (very hard
to find!) and we do not sell any rawhide due to the risk of intestinal
blockage and the use of arsenic and formaldehyde as
foreign preservatives. You may purchase what you need before or
after classes as well as during our "weird, but worth it" hours: Mon
3-6, thurs 12-6 and Sun 11-1. When buying your treats, we do
recommend you AVOID artificial colors such as those in "bacon",
'sausage" and "pepperoni" themed treats (linked to skin problems and
cancers). We also suggest you do NOT buy treats containing BHT,
BHA, propyl glycol
and ethoxyquin. Ingredients for treats from other countries such
as China do not have the same regulatory controls for safety as those
from the USA.
Have Fun and Don't Worry!
Most dogs will be
a bit unruly and distracted at first and most owners will be thinking
that they alone have the ONLY not-perfect dog in
the room! Just listen to the best of your ability and try to get
the techniques right! Although we are happy if you have
managed to get the behavior "at home", remember that during class your
goal is to figure out how to teach that behavior
anywhere, anytime, even with distractions. It can be
done!
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