See Spot Sit, LLC, offers small group training classes for pups and dogs who are 4.5 months or older. (Pups 18 weeks and under should enroll in Puppy Kindergarten.) Small group classes have 4-6 dogs per class. The following classes are available:
| Class | Covers | Pre-Requisites | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Basic obedience and manners training: respond to name, come when called, sit, down, stay, walk politely on leash, greet politely. Addresses common behavior issues such as barking, jumping up, chewing, etc. | -none- | 6 wks. $120* |
| Puppy II | Continuation of Puppy Kindergarten. Increased emphasis on leash walking, coming when called, stay, (not) jumping up, and working near distractions. | Kindergarten and < 1 year old | 6 wks. $105 |
| Intermediate | New format! See details below. | Basic or Puppy II | ongoing; pay per lesson |
All dogs in group classes must have been examined by and received a clean bill
of health from a veterinarian. Specifically, all dogs must:
For safety and out of consideration to the other students, aggressive dogs or dogs who have ever bitten a person or another dog are not permitted in group classes. These dogs should enroll in private lessons or consider behavior counseling.
First, check the group class schedule to see what upcoming classes are scheduled. Then, you can download the registration form, fill it out, and send it in along with the registration fee and the health certification information. Your registration form and fees need to be received before your place is guaranteed. You will receive notification when your place in class is confirmed.
For Basic classes, there is an equipment fee which ranges between $0-$35 if you need to be fitted with an appropriate leash and collar for your dog. Dogs who cannot be controlled on a plain buckle collar will be fitted with a Gentle Leader head halter. Please bring your checkbook to the first class.
Cancellations made at least 48 hours prior to the first class of the session will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between 48 hours prior to the first class of the session and the first class of the session will receive a 50% refund. No refunds of class fees will be made after the session begins. There is a $35 fee for returned checks.
If a class meeting is cancelled due to weather or other reasons, a make-up class will be held at the end of the session. If you have to miss a class for any reason, try to have another family member bring the dog to class. There are no refunds or discounts for missed classes.
The whole family is welcome (and encouraged) to attend class. Although children will be permitted and encouraged to participate in training the dog, we require that an adult handle the dog during class.
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In the winter (January/February), Intermediate is held as a standard six-week (one hour per week) course limited to six students. It is held both indoors and outdoors as weather permits. Skills emphasized include attention, advanced heeling and stays, distraction work (especially dog-dog distractions), hand signals, distance work, manners at the door, and exercises from the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
For the remainder of the year (Mar.-Jun. and Sep.-Nov.), the Intermediate class has open enrollment with flexible scheduling. Hopefully this format will give more people a chance to participate and more flexibility for students. The Intermediate class will meet approximately three Saturday mornings per month from 10:45-11:30 a.m. (see the schedule below). Students do not have to attend every class in succession. Instead, you may pay for a given number of lessons and have the flexibility to use them as you wish within a certain period of time. You may join into the class at any time.
Each class meeting, half of the class period will be dedicated to working on basic obedience skills, particularly attention and leash walking (heel). To make these exercises more fun, we will practice a Rally Obedience course from time to time (you will learn more about this in class!) The other half of the class period will be dedicated to working on advanced skills such as hand signals, distance work, distractions, and exercises from the AKC Canine Good Citizen test.
You can purchase any number from one to the maximum number of classes. The more you buy, the cheaper they get - but NOTE how long you have to use them. If you use up all of your lessons and wish to continue, you can buy more according to this same fee schedule. If you are joining in later in the season, count how many classes remain and decide accordingly.
| Class meets from 10:45-11:30 a.m. on the dates below. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar. 27 | Apr. 10 | May 8 | Jun. 5 | |||
| Apr. 17 | May 15 | Jun. 12 | ||||
| Apr. 24 | May 22 | Jun. 26 | ||||
| # Lessons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | $20.00 | $32.00 | $47.00 | $62.00 | $76.00 | $90.00 | $103.00 | $116.00 | $128.00 | $140.00 |
You may sign up for any number of lessons you wish, from one to ten. You may use your lessons on any of the dates listed; however, all lessons must be used by June 26, 2010. There are no cancellations and no refunds once you have begun your lessons. Thus you should not purchase more lessons than you think you will use by the expiration date. Classes are held outdoors! Cancellations are extremely rare. Class will not be cancelled except in severe inclement weather: blizzards, hurricanes, lightning, or dangerous heat. Cold weather, rain, or light snow will not result in a cancellation.
To register for Intermediate, please fill out and mail in the registration form along with your fee and any necessary health certification. Your registration form and fee must be received in order to hold a place in class.
I will accept up to 12 active registrations for Intermediate at one time. That means that on any given day, there might be as many as 12 dogs in a class. However, assuming that some percentage of people will be absent on a particular day, there will probably be fewer. My goal is to average about 8 dogs per class. If you want a lot of individual attention, come on the rainy days!
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©2002-2010, See Spot Sit, LLC
rev. 22 Feb. 2010