Class Rules
Attendance
For the orientation for Puppy or Beginner class, you are asked to attend without your dog. We suggest that you make a seven week commitment to training. You and your dog will benefit from training on a regular basis. Please plan to arrive on time so you will not miss any of the instruction and will not disrupt class already in progress. Arrive ten minutes early on the first night. Placement of dogs in classes is at the discretion of the trainers and training director.
Training Equipment
You will need a 4-6 foot leash (leather or fabric - no chains) and a buckle collar. We do not use choke or prong collars. If you use a harness or head collar please talk to us about it at orientation.
Dogs on Leash
All dogs must be kept on leash except when performing supervised exercises in a class.
Orange ribbons Dogs with Orange Ribbons need more space, for whatever reason. We do not allow aggressive dogs into our classes, but some dogs may be afraid or reactive, or have other reasons why they might not want to greet other dogs or people.
Quarantine
Dogs diagnosed with a communicable disease should not return to the armory for 7 days after the disappearance of symptoms. Please let us know if your dog has a highly contagious disease such as kennel cough or canine influenza, so that we may let others in your class know their dog may have been exposed.
Vaccinations
Dogs must be up to date on their shots (DHL, Parvo, Rabies). Puppies should be current for their age.
How Old Should A Dog Be For Training?
Puppy Class: puppies can be from 8 weeks to 20 weeks old (2-5 months).
Beginners Class: At least five months old minimum age, no maximum age if your dog can physically handle it. Adult dogs and adopted dogs can benefit from the owner-dog bonding of training class, we recommend that a new rescue have a month to settle in prior to taking a group training class.
Bitches in Season
Bitches in season may not attend class.
Children
While we encourage all family members to participate in training, children are not allowed in class without an adult present. Junior handlers (ages 13 and up) are welcome to come train their dogs with the permission of the instructor and the presence of their parent in the building
Clean Up
You are responsible for cleaning up after your dog in the event of an "accident." Carry a small plastic bag to collect all droppings for disposal in the nearest trash receptacle. Please clean up after your dog outside -- keep us welcome in the neighborhood. Materials for cleaning up are available by the front door. Inside the training facility, you may use the equipment provided by the Club. Do not feed your dog for two to three hours before class; this will reduce the chance of "accidents." Walk your dog before leaving home, and again, if necessary, before entering the building. The classes and activity can be especially stressful for beginning dogs and puppies. Even if you have followed the suggestions outlined above, you may need to leave the class to walk your dog. Keeping an eye on your dogs signals will help both you and the dog to have a more enjoyable experience. If you need to step out of the class for a moment at any time, feel free, joining back in as soon as you return.