SMART DOGS CANINE TRAINING RULES

• WE EXPECT YOU TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK
• Always keep dogs at least four feet apart.
• Do NOT allow dogs to play, or to sniff each other when you come to training or before or after class when you are on class grounds. This is not a social experience for the dogs, but rather the dogs learn to work and behave around other dogs. Keep a distance of 4-5 feet apart.
• You MUST maintain control of your dogs at all times. Those who are incapable of controlling their dogs will be asked to get a different handler.
• No children under the age of 12 are to handle dogs in class. They are welcome to watch, but must remain seated.
• Respect everyones personal space, both dog and human.
• Pick up after yourself and your dog (bring bags). Dog waste MUST be thrown in the garbage outside the building.
• If your dog has an accident inside the building, you are responsible for cleaning it up.
• Do not bring sick dogs or females in heat to class. However, handlers should continue to attend in order to keep up with the assignments.
• No smoking allowed during class.
• Remember to wear proper clothing for training - we will be moving around, so comfortable shoes and clothes that do not interfere with the dog’s work.
• Do not feed your dog right before coming to class, if you must feed him/her do it at least 2-3 hours before, or feed when you get home after class.
• Walk (Potty) your dog before you leave home and right before you come inside. This gets them more relaxed.
• Please be prompt and attend class regularly. Check in with the instructors. Notify them if you are unable to attend class. Class starts at the allotted time, if you are late, you will be disrupting the lesson. If you are consistently late, marks will be docked from your final test.
• Make up classes are NOT available unless otherwise stated. Basic Class and Puppy Class will have video homework to reference back to. DO NOT rely on this as your lesson - attention in class is required.
• Use a properly fitted training collar. Collars should be snug and the dogs SHOULD NOT be able to back out of them. You will only receive one warning on this.
• No refunds after the first session, The only exception being dog/handler injury or dog/handler severe illness.
• Abuse will NOT be tolerated and you will be asked to leave.
• If your dog can not handle a group environment due to behavioural issues, you will be asked to continue with private training (at the private training rate).

TRAINING SUGGESTIONS

• Don’t train when you are angry.
• Don’t train in the heat of the day.
• Stop training if you get frustrated, take a break and go back to it later.
• End every training session on a good note with something that you know your dog can be successful at doing.
• Think positive. Be enthusiastic; make training fun for your dog by being happy.
• Remember, even if your dog gets it wrong, you must praise/reward your dog when they finally get it right.
• Be consistent in your training. Don’t punish your dog for doing something one day, and then allow him to get away with it at other times.
• Remember to use a firm but calm tone of voice when giving commands.
• Make training fun, especially for puppies - intersperce with play and even agility.
• The more uptight, annimated, anxious, out of control you are, the more your dog will be.
• Do not shout at your dog.
• Practice, practice, practice - training is only as good as you, the owner, make it. We are not training your dog, we are teaching you how to train your dog, so the efforts you make will be reflected in your dogs responses.