No. The classes are group obedience classes designed for you to bring your dog. You learn to work with your dog in the midst of distractions (other dogs and humans). Your dog learns to pay attention to you and learns to ignore what is going on in class. This then transfers into your home (once you start to practice this at home). The best way to make change happen in your home, with your dog, is for you to come to class WITH your dog.

Yes!! I am a HUGE believer in the use of treats!! We want to work with motivating the dog. We will use treats, praise, toys - whatever works for the dog. Most of the time, dogs will work for food. The higher value the treat, the better it will work for you in class.

Absolutely not!

Giving your dog a treat for completing a task is not bribery. It is reinforcement.

Read more here:

Victoria Stillwell - Why Positive Training is Not Bribery

All of the dogs act crazy in class! The first week/session of class is the worst! ☺️ It is the first time all of the dogs are in the same room together. They've never seen each other before....they've never been in the building before. I do not let the dogs meet each other for this reason - we don't want any potential squabbles. Every dog keeps 6 feet apart.

If your dog is not doing well in the group class setting - we can work out private sessions or you can get a refund for the prorated amount of the class fee.

Yes. Your dog must come on a nylon or a leather leash - at least 6 feet in length. NO retractable leashes. Those are terrible and do not work in class settings.

You can bring your dog in a harness or nylon/leather collar -- no electronic/shock collars.

If you need help with finding the right equipment to help with your dog pulling on a leash (for instance, finding a no pull harness) I have a couple that I can recommend to you that will NOT cause harm or pain to your dog.

People have to miss classes all the time. The dog gets sick, people get sick, children get sick, etc. If you have to miss class, let me know. We will arrange a make up session. No worries.

Everyone that takes a class must submit vet records before they take a class. All dogs must be current on DHPP (Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus). Dogs also must have a current rabies vaccine. Dogs must also not show any current signs of illness. Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccine is recommended but not required.

I also ask that any dogs that have just been adopted from the shelter wait at least two weeks before coming to a class to make certain they are not showing any symptoms of an illness that they may have contracted from the shelter.

After each class, the floors and water bowls are sanitized to ensure that none of the dogs will catch any cooties.

For the level 1 obedience class, your dog must have all of its puppy shots - so 16 weeks old (4 months old).

There's really no age limit! I mean, I guess if the dog is 17-18 years old and can't walk.....is deaf and blind.....then that might be difficult.... 🤔😄 I've had senior dogs in beginning dog classes (ages 10-12) and puppies all in the same classes. If your dog is active and healthy, there's no reason why it can't come to class.

Yes. I do offer private lessons. Private lessons start at $50/hour.

Private lessons are typically reserved for specific problem behaviors. If we schedule a private lesson, I will always encourage a client to take a class if appropriate for the dog afterwards. I feel that most dogs/owners benefit from group classes.

Classes and dog training are a fantastic way to bond with your dog. Even if your dog knows some of the skills, there are always more things that you can learn.

Being a teacher (of human children) has taught me how to differentiate.....meaning, if a dog comes knowing more than the other dogs, I will try to do more things to challenge that one dog while the other dogs are learning more of the basic skills.

You and your dog will have fun! That's the whole point. ☺️

The classes are held indoors in AIR CONDITIONING!! ☺️