DTGuidelines

Canine Life Coach

Dog Talk LLC

A Training and Wellness Sanctuary for Dogs and their Humans!

Awareness, Education, Relationship, Well-Being

DT Guidelines for Class - Printable Responsibility and Respect

ALL TEAMS, please be considerate and enter the sanctuary (double doors) with dogs on leash (no flexi-leads).

Explore, have fun, BUT be pro-active and aware of your surroundings. Not all dogs want to interact.

10/5: Be aware of what’s going on around you within 10-feet. Within 5-feet ASK before entering someone’s (human or dog) spatial / comfort zone.

Do not walk your dog anywhere but behind closed gates in the sanctuary.

Clean up after your dog (and children). Pooper Scoopers, bags and disposal are available. You should carry your own bags at all times for planet earth.

All attendees must register (and pay) for group or private training / coaching before the start date.

Pups as young as 4-months are accepted into Level-I. We cannot guarantee an age group of 4-6 months.

Adopted dogs should be assessed before joining a group class and have seen a Veterinarian.

Socialization precedes classes, when safe, and with frequent call backs. Owners learn how to safely engage and disengage their pups / dogs from groups. These essential interactions teach empowering communication skills (calming signals).

Be mindful that dogs are dogs! There is no guarantee of a positive dog-meet-dog interaction. It is your responsibility to take care of and know your dog, while leaning body language signs.

Energy flow makes a difference. Signals and cues from other dogs change the dynamics and response.

Weather Cancellations

You will be notified by email called a Tail Flash. Make-up dates will be honored.

Missed Classes (Make-Ups)

Please make an effort, for your dog’s continuity, to attend every class. If you know in advance that you will miss class (travel, vacation) notify your coach. Homework is given and included in hand-outs. We offer 1-make-up class that needs to be taken within 3-months. Otherwise, you will need to re-schedule.

Children

We encourage families to attend class. Children under 16 require supervision. Children under 12 require a primary handler to work with the dog. Children can hold a second leash. For young children with short attention spans, bring activity books or homework to occupy their time.

Health/Safety Concerns

Dogs must be healthy and have a Veterinary Wellness Check before attending a class where there will be multiple dogs and families. Do not bring your dog to class If are not feeling well (coughing, sneezing, skin disorders, diarrhea, lethargic). Come and observe. Get your Veterinarian’s advice, letting them know that your dog is attending a class. Be sure your dog is free of fleas and ticks by checking their entire body often. See your Vet annually, keeping your dog up-to-date on vaccines or immunity response titers.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

There are no refunds after a class session has begun. If there is a serious family illness, death or other extenuating circumstances, contact Dog Talk. Only 1-make-up class is provided for missed classes that need to be honored within 3-months. You are welcome to switch to another class within 2-business days of the group class start date. Our business days are Monday through Saturday. Ex: Let us know by Thursday if you are not attending on Saturday.

How do I Prepare Myself and My Dog(s) for a New Learning Experience?

Training puppies (and older dogs) can be a positive life changing experience! It’s about developing a relationship with a different species and learning together. Pups learn quickly in the first 6-months. Visualize the adult dog. Then, teach & shape the behaviors you desire using positive-life rewards (healthy treats, kibble, scratch, play, sniff or walk). What are the top 3-things your dog absolutely loves?

Here’s some other helpful tips you can integrate into your lifestyle on a daily basis and prepare you for the journey to class:

B r e a t h e ~ e x h a l e ~ let – It – go. Walk your dog for some healthy exercise and energy balancing.

Emotions travel like a conduit from you, down the leash and to your dog, so try to relax.

Set an intention for your training practice allowing for flexibility. Throw judgment aside for a while and develop a beginner’s mind. Set some realistic intentions & expectations.

No free lunch! The mantra is “you do something for me and I’ll do something for you (sit, “OKAY”, here’s your dinner). Dogs need boundaries and a leader they can count on. It’s less confusing and gives their life meaning. Dogs learn faster when they think & do!

Train with the same qualities that you expect and enjoy when learning something new yourself: patience, compassion and understanding.

Catch your dog in the act of doing something right! Focus on and reward positive behaviors pronto! Timing is everything.

“Bone-up” on your life management skills, while integrating a dog(s) into your family.

Learn to quiet your mind, be present, observe & listen. It makes it easier to find solutions.

We are hoping to motivate you to develop a relationship with your dog that is trusting, respectable, reliable and inspires confidence in a broad range of circumstances. Be mindful that dogs live in the here and now, but learn from associations. We can learn from that.

What to Bring to Class

Leash and collar to securely guide your dog around the sanctuary.

Some healthy treats and/or the dog’s dinner kibble.

Do not feed your dog a lot before class.

Bring your dog’s favorite toy and/or blanket.

Bring a positive attitude.

Look forward to a new learning experience.

Responsibility and Respect - Breathing is a requirement.

ALL TEAMS, please be considerate and enter the sanctuary (double doors) with dogs on leash (no flexi-leads) or floating leashes.

Explore, have fun, BUT be pro-active and aware of your surroundings. Not all dogs want to interact.

10/5: Be aware of what’s going on around you within 10-feet. Within 5-feet ASK before entering someone’s (human or dog) spatial / comfort zone.

Do not walk your dog anywhere but behind the closed gates in the sanctuary.

Clean up after your dog (and children). Pooper Scoopers, bags and disposal are available.

You should carry your own bags at all times for planet earth.

All attendees must register (and pay) for group or private training / coaching before the start date.
Pups as young as 4-months are accepted into Level-I. We cannot guarantee an age group of 4-6 months.
Adopted dogs should be assessed before joining a group class and have seen a Veterinarian.
Socialization precedes classes, when safe, and with frequent call backs. Owners learn how to safely engage and disengage their pups / dogs from groups. These essential interactions teach empowering communication skills (calming signals).
Be mindful that dogs are dogs! There is no guarantee of a positive dog-meet-dog interaction.
It is your responsibility to take care of and know your dog, while leaning body language signs and skills.

Energy flow makes a difference. Signals and cues from other dogs change the dynamics and response.

What to Bring to Class

Leash and collar (no prong collars) to securely guide your dog around the sanctuary.

Some healthy treats and/or the dog’s dinner kibble.

Do not feed your dog a lot before class. We use positive training techniques including food luring.

Bring your dog’s favorite toy and/or blanket.

Bring a positive attitude.

Preparing for a New Learning Experience - Training Your Dog, Can Change Your Life.

B r e a t h e ~ e x h a l e ~ let – It – go. Walk your dog before class to release energy.
Emotions travel like a conduit from you, down the leash and to your dog, so try to relax.
Set an intention for your training practice allowing for flexibility.
Throw judgment aside, develop a beginner’s mind, set realistic intentions and expectations.
Mantra: “you do something for me and I’ll do something for you.”
Teach with patience,compassion and understanding.
Catch your dog in the act of doing something right. Focus on and reward desired behaviors pronto.

Children

We encourage families to attend class. Children under 16 require supervision. Children under 12 require a

primary handler to work with the dog. Children can hold a second leash. For young children with short attention spans, bring activity books or homework to occupy their time.

Health/Safety Concerns

Dogs must be healthy and have a Veterinary Wellness Check before attending a class where there will be multiple dogs and families. Do not bring your dog to class If they are not feeling well (coughing, sneezing, skin disorders, diarrhea, lethargic). Come and observe. Get your Veterinarian’s advice, letting them know that your dog is attending a class. Be sure your dog is free of fleas and ticks by checking their entire body often. See your Vet annually, keeping your dog up-to-date on vaccines or immunity response titers.

Refund/Cancellation Policy