Group Training Class Policies
Directions – How to find us!
When you arrive at 14878 Cider Mill Road Hillsboro, VA 20132 your GPS will try to take you past the driveway entrance so look for a large 5×6 sign with a pinto horse head, butterfly and purple flowers on it with a black background. You will see 14878 and 14874 on the sides of the post in gold numbers. Come up the driveway to a “Y” and then go right at the Y towards the big white horse barn. Park by the two garage doors on the main house in the driveway.
Come through the front yard around to the back side of the house and enter through the basement steps. The door will be open even if you are early. Make sure to shut the back door behind you. Please make yourself at home and have a seat until I come down to start class. See you soon!
Please do not drive on the grass with your car, and please do not go to 14874 (the apartment on the barn) as there are tenants in there renting. Thank you!
What To Bring To Class
- Bring a copy of your vaccination records from your veterinarian. All dogs must have a rabies vaccination by 16 weeks or older. Puppies under 16 weeks must have had their first set of puppy shots for at least 1 week before attending a class.
- Don’t bring your dog the first night of class for Elementary Manners. This does not apply to Puppy Kindergarten, Intermediate Manners or Canine Good Citizen.
- A 6ft. nylon or leather leash. No retractable leashes. No-pull harnesses are also acceptable for class.
- Flat or buckle collar, or a martingale. Shock, choke, pinch, and/or prong collars are not permitted in class.
- A bag full of high value soft treats. Cut up about 4 boiled chicken breast, soft jerky treats, cheese cubes and Zuke’s Training treats make great rewards. (Hard biscuit treats are not favorable for class because they take too long to chew and dogs tend to choke on them)
- Wear comfortable and loose clothing. For shoes wear something comfortable that has a closed toe on it, no sandals or flip flops. Please dress according to the weather, sometimes we will be working outside.
- Do not feed your dog prior to a private session. For the best training results you want him/her hungry and ready to work.
- Walk your dog and give him/her a potty break before coming into class.
Contract & Behavior Survey
Please print, fill out and submit the agreement along with your payment at the time of registration. Right-click the link to save the file or left click to open it in a new tab. YOU MUST PRINT OUT THE CONTRACT AND BRING A PRINTED OUT COPY OF YOUR PUPS VACCINATION RECORDS FOR ME TO KEEP FOR MY FILES, DO NOT EMAIL TO ME, IT IS UP TO YOU TO PRINT AND BRING YOUR VACCINATION RECORDS TO ME!!!
Enrollment:
If you are interested in enrolling in a group class, please call us at 540-668-9095. We will contact you to discuss you and your dog’s needs, and set up a private behavior consult which is required in order to later sign up for a group class. I no longer allow a puppy or a dog to sign up for a group class without first doing one private behavior consult.
If you are interested in enrolling in a group class after doing your initial private behavior consult then, full payment is required to reserve a space in a class. There are no refunds after payment has been made. We accept cash or checks. Once your payment has been processed, you will be registered for the first available class among your choices and will receive a confirmation email.
Group Class Registration Fees are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Since our group classes are taught as a series, we are unable to offer make-up classes. Puppy Kindergarten is open enrollment and once you start you have to do 5 classes in a row if you miss one there is no make up class. If we are offering 2 classes a week you can mix and match to complete your classes earlier.
*Please do not assume your payment was received and you are enrolled in a class until you have received a confirmation email. We will no longer accept a paid for contract without the contract, behavior survey, vaccination records, and BOTH GIARDIA test Negative!!! Ova & Parasite with Giardia and Eliza Giardia Test. Fecal test must be negative of ALL PARASITES!!!
In order to protect all participants in a class, we reserve the right to decline entry to any dog who presents behavior issues that may be overly dangerous, disruptive, or that may be exacerbated by participation in a group class.
Training Methods:
Our progressive, force-free training programs are based on the scientific principles of animal learning theory and the use of positive reinforcement based techniques (including Clicker Training) to set your dog up for success. All methods are 100% dog friendly so you can truly be your dog’s best friend! Physical punishment is not necessary and will not be allowed in the classroom, as it may be disturbing and/or disruptive to other attendees.
Vaccination/Health Requirements:
Proof of your dog’s current (age appropriate) vaccinations must be provided by the first class session with dogs in order to participate. We require Distemper and Parvo within 7 days prior to the first class and then Rabies by 16 weeks of age. For puppies, the first set of shots must be given at a minimum of 7 days prior to the first day of class they are attending. Titters are acceptable for older dogs. All puppies at 16 weeks of age must have a rabies vaccination as required by law from a licensed Vet. Dogs must be healthy. Please do not bring your dog to class if she/he has been exposed to any communicable diseases in the past 30 days or if your dog has fleas, ticks and/or mites. Do not bring your dog to class if it has diarrhea or is vomiting.
You will need a Giardia test that is negative for both tests – regular and eliza – done by either Antech or Idexx Lab within 30 days of the start of your class. Your dog must be negative for ALL parasites on the test, not just giardia. This is done with a fecal sample freshly collected from your dog and taken to your vet for a test. The fecal must be sent out to one of the only two labs that do the test in the USA. I do not accept in house Vet results, must be sent out to one of the labs above and a copy of the report with the lab results given on the lab letter head that is sent back to the vet with the contract along with the vaccination records.
Important! You need both an “ova & parasite” (O&P) exam AND a second “ELISA” giardia test. This is two separate tests run at the lab at the same time the fecal is sent in. Please copy and print this and take to your vet to save yourself the headache of going back and forth getting multiple tests done. The results must be negative for all parasites not just giardia. Thank you!
Giardia: Could Your Pet Be Harboring This Miserable Little Parasite?
Hi Bridget. Just letting you know I just got the test results on (dog Doe) this morning, he had both tests and they are positive. I’m angry but glad I listened to you. We are going to do the medicine, bleach everything we own retest and hopefully be clear of it in ten days. At that time when he is clear I will sign up for the class if it is still available. Ugh!! I plan on getting him tested for the next four months just to be sure it’s gone for good. I really am irritated I was not informed how to prevent a re-occurrence, BUT grateful you knew and shared. I can’t thank you enough because I would have never known. Thanks and talk to you soon
Sick or injured puppy/dog:
If your dog is sick or injured DO NOT bring them to class. If your puppy/dog has diarrhea/loose stool DO NOT bring them to class, have your vet check the puppy/dog out and find the cause before returning to class, many diseases are transmitted through fecal matter in puppies/dogs. If your puppy/dog is in class more than one time with diarrhea/loose stool and it happens a second time you will be asked to leave class and not return, this is a serious health issue for the safety of all puppies/dogs in class. When a dog has diarrhea/loose stool in class, I then have to wipe down the entire room with bleach and spray with Lysol before the next class to ensure it is safe for all puppies/dogs to return safely to a clean environment. If you have an injured puppy/dog that can come to class per your vet, please make me aware of it so we can limit any play or things that might not be safe for your injured puppy/dog.
Refunds:
Group Class Registration Fees are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Since our group classes are taught as a series, we are unable to offer make-up classes.
Inclement Weather:
In the event of inclement weather, classes may be postponed to the following week at the trainer’s discretion.
Class Schedule:
Class schedules are subject to change prior to the class start date.
Attendance:
Orientations are the most important part of our classes! Therefore, students enrolled in classes with an orientation must attend their scheduled orientation to participate in the class. Students who miss their scheduled orientation (without making prior arrangements) are assumed to have dropped out of the class, and will forfeit their class fee. The space will be given to a student on the waiting list. If you miss a session (other than orientation) please contact the trainer to discuss what was covered. Our classes are taught as a series; therefore, drop-ins and make-up classes are not permitted. Students who were not pre-enrolled in a class can join at the trainer’s discretion, provided there is space available in the class.
Risks for Puppies:
It is your responsibility to monitor your puppy’s health daily. If your puppy seems ill or does not eat or play as usual, please take puppy to your veterinarian immediately. Pawsome Pups Dog Training is aware of varying and developing opinions regarding canine vaccination. There is some risk of disease when young puppies are exposed to the outside world before they are fully vaccinated. However, several critical developmental and socialization periods end prior to the completion of a normal puppy vaccination schedule and there is a definite risk of inadequate socialization if you wait to take your puppy into the world. We always follow a veterinarian’s professional judgment, in individual cases or situations, where special circumstances warrant further immunization for a special puppy before participating in classes. We recommend that you talk with your veterinarian about ways to reduce the risks for your puppy before taking classes.
Children In Class:
We are happy to have family members and children attend our classes. In order to make it a fun and safe experience for everyone in the class, please review our guidelines:
- Children 6 yrs and up are welcome in class as long as they remain supervised and do not distract the class.
- Children 12 yrs and older will be allowed to handle their dog in class as long as a parent or guardian attends class with them and helps supervise.
- Children are to remain seated and under parental supervision for the entire class.
- Children are not permitted to run, yell or otherwise act disruptive in the classroom.
- If your child wants to meet another dog, please obtain the owner’s permission first.
- Children can get bored during class. Please bring quiet toys or activities to keep them entertained.