Your puppy or dog must be healthy and up-to-date on vaccines to participate in training. Proof of required vaccinations performed by a veterinarian must be shown before your puppy or dog will be admitted to his/her first training class or playgroup. No exceptions!
You may bring in or fax your veterinarian’s proof of vaccinations to us in advance at 435-755-6808 or bring proof with you to your “people-only” class orientation. If you are a client at Mountain View Veterinary Health Center
o Puppies are required to have received at least their first round of the Parvo-Distemper series before they can attend and then they must be current based on the schedule below.
o 6 weeks: Parvo Distemper (DA2PPV) + Corona
o 9 weeks: Parvo Distemper (DA2PPV) + Corona
o 12 weeks: Parvo Distemper (DA2PPV) + Bordetella (Kennel Cough)
o 16 weeks: Parvo Distemper (DA2PPV) + Rabies
o Dogs over 6 months must be current on Rabies, Parvo-Distemper, and Bordetella.
Sick puppies or dogs may not attend training classes. Immediately consult your veterinarian at the first sign of coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, skin eruptions, or any other unusual symptoms.
Pre-Registration and Payment
In order to reserve and guarantee your place, payment in full must be received at the time of registration, and you must let us know which classes you will be attending no later than 3:00pm on the day of class. Please be advised that we are not able to hold a place for you or guarantee your registration in a specific class until we’ve actually received your full payment and you've notified us that you'll be attending. Thank you for your understanding.
Multiple Dogs
For reasons of safety, each dog must be handled by an adult who is physically capable of training and controlling the dog without risk to himself or other class participants and their dogs. So if you are registering and bringing multiple dogs to a training class please be sure that you have a capable handler for each dog.
Behavioral Suitability for Classes
In order to ensure the safety of all participants in our training classes Mountain View Veterinary Health Center
Children
We encourage all family members to participate in the training process. Well-behaved, calm children are welcome to attend and participate in our training classes. The following guidelines will help to ensure an effective, fun, and safe learning experience for everyone:
o Children must remain with their parents and be under parental supervision and control at all times, and must not run, scream, or yell in the training area (this can incite any dog to chase and nip).
o Please teach your children that some dogs are not well-socialized and may not be comfortable around or friendly to children. For this reason, your children should never approach or pet a dog in class unless explicitly given permission to do so by the dog’s owner or the instructor (this is an important rule to follow anywhere!).
Bad Weather/Cancellation Policy
If there is a need to cancel classes due to weather, illness, or because fewer than 2 pre-registered students are able to attend that class, we will contact everyone by phone and/or email and the cancellation will also be posted on our blog. If you have registered for a class which is cancelled you will not be charged for that class, your payment will be applied to a future class.
Unaltered Dogs
Dogs that are not spayed and neutered are welcome and encouraged to participate in our full range of training classes. Exception: If a female dog is in estrus (“heat”), she may not attend classes until her cycle is over. No exceptions will be made to this policy.
Training Method and Tools
We disallow the use of pinch/prong collars, choke (unlimited slip type) collars, or electronic stim/shock collars in our training programs. If you have any questions or concerns about our training method and tools of choice, please feel free to call us to discuss them before you enroll in one of our training programs.
Orientation Classes
You must attend an Orientation Class before attending any other training class, please do not bring your dog to this class. This is a very important class that is crucial to preparing you and your dog for a successful first-time training experience. Please don’t miss it! If something unexpected happens and you are unable to attend, please call us and we’ll see if there is another orientation that you can attend before your dog’s first attendance at class. Pre- Registration is required for Orientation Class just like any other class, but you will not be charged for this class.
Attendance and Suitable Attire
If you are unable to make a class that you have pre-registered for please let us know at least 1 hour in advance and you will not be charged for that class. Due to the nature of our modular format classes make-up sessions will not and need not be scheduled. If you need to miss a class the material that you missed will be covered again in the regular rotation. However, if you must miss a class PLEASE LET US KNOW at least 1 hour prior to the start of that class so we can plan accordingly.
Please be on time. It is very difficult and disruptive for the dogs when latecomers enter the training area.
Suitable Attire: We recommend that everyone attending and participating in our training classes, puppy parties, and other events that include dogs, wear comfortable, casual attire (you may be sitting on the floor with your dog occasionally) and safe, comfortable, closed-toe footwear with good traction. Untrained puppies and dogs love to jump up on people, and their sharp little toenails can sometimes scratch bare skin and damage clothing.
What to Bring to Classes
o Your dog, wearing a flat collar, head harness, body harness, or martingale collar.
o A 4-6 foot leash made of fabric or leather.
o Something to keep your treats in, preferably hands free.
o Treats should be small or easily broken into small pieces (about pea sized or slightly larger), and soft treats or a variety including some soft treats are best for the incredibly distracting class environment.
o Your clicker and training flash cards (these will be provided at your Orientation Class).
Feeding before class
Do not feed your dog his regular meal before class. We want the dogs to be highly motivated to accept their food rewards.
Walking your dog before and during class
Try to give your dog a walk before entering class to give the dog a chance to eliminate. Poop bags are available and please be sure to use them if your dog eliminates outside in the parking area. Take your dog outside at any time if he/she acts like they need a potty break.
Clean Up - What to do if your dog does ‘potty’ in class
Don’t make a fuss over it. Act like nothing happened. Recognize it could be the result of stress and your dog simply cannot help itself. Or, it just may have had to go potty. Your dog isn’t home and when in an unfamiliar place has no idea there is an “outside” or how to get there. Please clean up after your dog, there will be supplies for clean up inside, but we would encourage you to carry your own "poop bags" and clean up after your dog in any public area.
The benefits of physical exercise prior to class
It is important that your dog come to class ready to give attention and learn. You may find it necessary to take you dog for a walk or some other type of activity before class, especially if you have a particularly “high-energy” dog (young labs come to mind!!!). Some physical activity before class may help to “take the edge off” which may allow him to better focus and motivated to learn.
First Night of Class with Your Dog
Dogs will be nervous, excited and stressed. Some will be shy; others will be agitated and barking. Give each dog its personal space. Maintain a short, but loose, leash. Give many treats and try to keep their attention on you. Bring your dog’s favorite toy and its blanket or bed if he/she has one. These will help to comfort your dog.
You may bring your dog to the classroom before class if you think your dog will be shy or fearful in a group class setting. It may help if your dog’s first experience with the classroom is a positive experience and free from the stress of other dogs. This visit should take no more than 15 minutes. Contact us to schedule during the week before your class starts.
Shy dogs: give them time to relax and their own space even if it is under a chair, ignore them for a while and offer a treat from time to time.
Barking or agitated dogs: Keep yourself between your dog and the object of his reaction and give plenty of treats to distract his attention. Visual barriers will be set up if needed.
