Frequently Asked Questions
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What are open enrollment classes?
>These classes allow you to start at any time (as soon as
there is a spot open). No more having to wait 6 weeks to enter a class!
When
you sign up for a class, you will choose a class start date and time and
receive a punch card with a certain number of classes to be attended before you
can graduate and move to the next level. This makes for an easy way to keep
track of which classes you have taken and which you still need to attend to
complete the course.
Classes are structured so that each week does not depend
on the previous week, and if you need to skip a week you can make it up at a
later date without getting behind. Punch
cards will be sold at a discounted price during the open house so come on by to
sign up!
All classes are on a rotating schedule so that you typically have to wait no longer than 2 weeks to make up a class that you missed. For example:
Each level class has a specific number of topics:
Lean Your Manners is broken down into 6 rotating classes:Lets say on Saturdays at 10am, starting May 28th the rotation looks like this
May 28: A June 4: B June 11: C June 18: D June 25: E July 2: F In order to graduate, you need to take all 6 classes. But let's say when you start class, let's say you start in week C. You would then continue coming every week so you would take C, D, E, F, A, B but lets say you can't make it to weeks E & A because you are going camping. You can then make up those classes whenever the rotation comes around and you can even jump into a different day/time. So if you wanted to make up week E but didn't want to wait 6 weeks for it to come around again,
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Do you guarantee your training?
Unfortunately, dog training results are never guaranteed because dog behavior is not static. It is fluid and always changing. I will instruct you on modern day positive methods that should work for your dog. However, every dog is different and more importantly, every owner is different. Do you guarantee to work with your dog, following my instruction, every day no matter what other situations come up? It is essential that training continues for a lifetime, but it will continue to get easier! Because I can not guarantee that owners will continue with the training, I can not guarantee that the training will stick. However, I will always be available to refreshers or further training, as well as phone consults just to get the owner back on track!
Don't worry - you are not expected to know all the ins and outs of dog behavior. That's my job! As the owner, your job will be good management, and understanding your individual dog's personality in order to strengthen your bond and understand your dog's needs.
My dog listens GREAT at home but when I take him out in public, he seems to have lost all his training! Why is this?
This is one of the most common complaints in dog training but makes so much sense once you really understand how dog learning works.
With every new command, dogs must first learn what is expected of them and what they are supposed to do. Every new command has either a weak response, strong response, or no response. For dogs who seem to "lose" all their learning when outside your home, it is because they still have a very weak response to the command. In order to strengthen this, you need to take your dog out to new places, armed with some extra good reinforcement (cheese, chicken, and hot dogs are great choices). This is called generalization.
Your dog generalizes by learning that "sit" means butt on floor in the kitchen, living room, outside, at the vet, the pet store, etc. In order to do this, your dog needs to practice. The bigger the variety of places to practice, the more your dog will generalize and understand that 1+1=2 no matter where they are! However, remember that the more distractions present, the more difficult it will be for your dog to focus on the task.
Give lots of breaks, reward good behavior, and don't expect perfect! Just expect "better than yesterday". Set your dog up to succeed - don't put him in situations that would be too difficult. Use distance to your advantage - don't remain too close to distractions. Group classes are great for practice.
If all else fails, or you just want a little more guidance, contact Miss Behavior or your local "positive reinforcement trainer"!
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