Schedule Updates!

Check out the newly updated schedule page to find out what fantastic new classes and events we're offering!

Memorial Day Weekend

Remember no classes this Saturday through Monday, enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Schedule Changes and New Class Offerings!

First, thank you to everyone who stopped by and participated in our Health Fair!

I hopes that good spring weather is finally here, we've changed the class schedule just a bit.  Please check the schedule page for details!

We've also added:

Growly Dogs (Mondays at 6pm starting 5/16)
Puppy Parties: a chance for puppies under 16 weeks who are up to date on vaccinations and healthy to socialize off leash, we will also try to take walking field trips for this one!  Call for more details.

In the upcoming months we also hope to add:

Nose Games!
Trick Class
Dog Walks

So watch for those and let us know if you'd like to enroll.

Hope everyone is getting out with their dog and enjoying the beautiful weather today!

Spring!?

It looks like we may finally get some nice spring weather.  Please let us know if you prefer Saturday or weeknight classes, and which days and times are best for you.

Schedule Change!

To even out our weeks off a little bit since we have the Mountain View Veterinary Health Fair coming up Saturday April 30th and will be unable to hold classes that day, we will not be having classes this Saturday April 2nd, but we will be having classes Saturday April 9th.  This is reflected on our schedule page.  Please call or email us if you have any questions!

Class Time Struggles

Dogs act bored when the rate of reinforcment is too low.  Some of our Level 1 students have been having a hard time keeping their dog's attention during class, remember to keep your rate of reinforcement high, especially in the beginning of training a new behavior and especially in the distracting dog and people filled environment of class.

Don't get frustrated or upset, training needs to be fun for you and for your dog in order to be the most successful.  If you or your dog is struggling think about what you can do to change that, or if there is something that I as the instructor can do please let me know.  Remember to have fun!

Leashes

I've noticed a lot in classes lately that people are relying pretty heavily on their leashes to control their dogs.  Try to remember that in class your leash is your safety net, and if you're using it to drag your dog into place, he's probably not learning what you want him to.  Remember that we need to be interesting to our dogs, a challenge in the class environment, but certainly not impossible.  If your dog is having a hard time paying attention to you in class move him farther away from the other dogs and people in the room, and increase your rate of reinforcement (this may mean you have to lower your criteria to start), or increase the value of your reinforcer. 

It's your job to teach your dog what to do and to set him up for success!  It may be more difficult for some dogs to stay focused during class time than it is at home, lower your expectations and reward your dog accordingly until your training makes up for the difference.  If you find yourself dragging your dog around the classroom set yourself and your dog up for success by tethering him or tying the leash around your waist or bring a partner and ask them to hold the leash while you train.  We don't want you or your dog to become dependent on the leash, work on building your relationship with your dog instead of relying on the leash to do your work for you.