Your dog must be current on all vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian.  Please upload your dog’s current vaccination history to your online pupDOGS account and email a copy to susan@pupdogs.come before their first class. 

Puppies under four months old must have their first set of vaccinations at least 72 hours prior to attending class. Young puppies may attend class before receiving all of their vaccinations as long as they are following their veterinarian’s recommended schedule.  For more information about puppy classes and vaccinations, please read the position statement by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior:  

Puppies and Dogs over four months old must have at least two distemper/parvo combinations, rabies, and bordetella vaccinations.

Please plan spay or neuter surgery carefully around your intended class schedule. Dogs typically need 7-14 days (and sometimes more) of limited activity after surgery. Please note that we cannot offer make-up classes for any sessions missed due to surgery recovery. 

For the safety of all dogs, your pet must be free of signs of communicable diseases to attend class.  Even with current vaccinations, minor illnesses can spread. Please watch for symptoms like coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. If your dog shows any of these signs, please do not bring them to class.  You are encouraged to come to class without your dog to observe the training that day and get the week’s homework.

Due to high demand, full payment is required to reserve your space in a training class. Please note that unpaid registrations do not hold a space in the class. You have a few convenient payment options:

Online: Pay with a debit or credit card via PayPal. A PayPal account is not required for this option.

Mail: You can also mail your payment. If paying by check, please send it to the address provided on your class invoice.

No refunds will be given for cancellations within 14 days of your class start date, with no exceptions.  We kindly ask for your careful planning when registering. 

We maintain small class sizes, with a maximum of 8 dogs, to ensure each student receives personalized attention. When you reserve a spot, it means another individual misses out on that opportunity. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation, which helps us keep our classes small and effective for everyone.

Why two weeks notice? Unlike a tangible product, we cannot simply put our services back on the shelf to “resell” without sufficient notice. We have a limited number of spots, and while we sometimes have a waiting list, those individuals require time to adjust their schedules. Thank you for understanding. 

In the event of bad weather, please check for an email notification of cancelled classes before leaving home. When cancellations occur, due to weather or unforeseen emergencies, an additional class session will be added.

We want to make sure you get the most out of your classes. Regular attendance is crucial for the full benefits of the program. Please note the following regarding missed classes:

• There are no make-up classes available for any missed sessions.
• You will still receive the homework for any classes you miss.
• If your dog is ill, we encourage you to attend class without your dog to observe the training and collect the week’s homework.
• No refunds will be given for missed classes.

 Rolling Admission Puppy Classes:  Your registration fee guarantees you a spot for six consecutive weeks.  Please remember that no make-up classes are available for these sessions either.

Please be aware that if your dog displays aggression towards people or other dogs, or causes disruptions during the class, they may be dismissed without a refund.

We understand that group classes aren’t the right fit for every dog, and that’s perfectly fine! Private training sessions are a great alternative for many dogs. If you’re unsure whether a group class is suitable for your dog, we highly recommend scheduling a private training consult before enrolling. Since we haven’t had the opportunity to meet your dog prior to the start of the class, we rely on you to provide us with this important information.

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at susan@pupdogs.com.

High value treats and PLENTY of them:  These should be special treats, different from what you usually use. For small dogs, aim for pea-sized treats, and for larger dogs, jelly bean-sized. Some good options include:

• Chicken, cheese, hot dogs, lunch meats (avoid ham).
• ​​Instinct Freeze-Dried Boost Mixers
• Wellness Soft Well Bites
• Any kind of freeze-dried treats – just be sure to check the size and consistency to see what works best for you.

Dog Food:  Please bring your dog’s regular food in addition to the treats.

Treat Bag:  A good treat bag is essential for easy access and proper timing. I highly recommend a treat bag that clips to your pants and has a magnetic opening (instead of a drawstring). My favorite is the “Trek-n-Train” by Doggone Good.

• Fanny packs can work.
• Large pockets only work if the treats are loose and not contained in a plastic bag. Jeans pockets do NOT work at all.

Dog Training Clicker

Mat or Rug for your dog

Collar or Harness and a Leash:  Please bring a buckle or martingale collar or a harness.  We do not permit the use of metal collars including choke chains or prong collars or electronic collars.  A standard 6-foot leash is also needed – please do not bring a retractable long line.