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How long are classes and what do they entail?Each class is one hour long. During the hour, you will be shown how to do certain exercises and practice them with your dog. We will guide you so you are doing them correctly. Weekly lessons are available on the Lessons tab. Your instructor will give you the password to access them. You will work on these exercises over the week so you are ready for the next class. There are discussion periods to help you understand your dog and question & answer periods to address issues. Puppy Preschool is off leash - training is interspersed with play. There are short playtimes in Puppy Primer. Other classes may have playtimes depending on the personalities of the dogs in the class. Each dog receives a personalized certificate on graduation night.
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How many dogs will there be in the class?Generally, there is a maximum of 6 dogs in each class. This allows us to give more one-on-one attention to each student. Focus & Control is limited to 4 dogs. Puppy Preschool could have up to 10 pups.
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Can I come and watch a class before registering?Most definitely!! We encourage you to observe a class before signing up. Check the schedule on our home page to see what nights and times classes are running. Just give us a heads up if you plan on attending.
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How do I know which class to take?First, read over the class descriptions, particularly age requirements and prerequisites. If you are still unsure, please contact us either from our contact page, by email, facebook message or phone. We will help you determine which class best suits you and your dog.
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What do I need to bring to class?We use lure and reward training so you will need treats that can be broken into very small pieces. They must be something your dog really likes. You will also need a collar or harness and a 4 to 6 foot leash (no retractable leashes). NOTE: We do not allow choke or prong collars. Martingale collars are allowed for dogs that can escape a normal collar. Gentle Leaders can be used temporarily for training purposes. Bring your positive attitude, dress comfortably and be prepared to have some fun!
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Can you suggest what type of treats to use?First and foremost, they must be something your dog likes. You also want to consider the fat content. For the first couple of weeks, you will be using a lot of treats. Keep them small - about half the size of your pinky fingernail. Your dog will be somewhat distracted by the activity in class and may need something enticing. These would be considered high value treats. Dried liver treats work particularily well. Boiled chicken is also good. Weiners and cheese tend to be of high value to dogs but use them sparingly. Some dogs love carrots, cucumbers or apples so you could cut some into tiny pieces. Check at your favourite pet store for good quality soft treats that you can break into pieces. Dogs will work for kibble when they are hungry and is a good option when you are training at home without distractions. You can use part of their daily food allowance.
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How do I register for a class?There are a couple of ways to register. 1. You can preregister on this website on the Register tab. 2. You can preregister by sending us an email, messaging us on our facebook page or giving us a call. Check the Contact page for contact info.
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What do I need for registration?You will need to supply your dog's most recent vaccination (or titer) records as well as any discount coupons you may have. You will be required to read and sign a Waiver. This can be done on the website under the Register tab. Payment is due upon registration. This can be done by e-transfer. If this is not an option for you, we can make arrangements to accept payment by cash or cheque (payable to The Doggie Bag)
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Why should I preregister?By preregistering, you assure yourself of a spot in the class. This also helps us determine what classes we should schedule to meet the demand.
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What is your REFUND POLICY?Do we give refunds? The short answer is no. Only under special circumstances will we give you a refund which is decided on a case by case basis. We will sometimes give you a Credit for an upcoming session. For example, if your female dog goes into heat. Please understand that we are holding a space in the class for you and may have to turn other clients away if the class is full.
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