Before you come to Class

Important Information about Classes

Where is the class?

Unless otherwise stated, classes are held at Unit 3, 171 Hutcheson Beach Rd. in Huntsville - just off of Ravenscliff Rd past the fairgrounds. The space is also used by HP Harrow Performance during the day for private personal training and Paws In Motion Canine Rehabilitation on Saturdays and the flooring in the room we will be using is mostly soft gym mats (so no outdoor shoes on those mats). We are in an industrial building, which is heated in the winter (by a ceiling heater, so layers are recommended) but is not air conditioned in the summer.

*** Access is by registration/appointment ONLY ***
Please do not just show up. I cannot stop a class to chat with you.
Send me an email: [email protected] and I'd be happy to answer your questions.

A map of where we are:

A sneak peek inside:

Where do I park?

I'm so glad you asked! Since we share the lot with other business, please review the picture and park in the designated parking area. You can park behind the unit we are in, and behind the unit to the left of us (left if you are standing outside in the parking lot facing back of the building) with the front or back of your vehicle up close to the building on the concrete (regular stall parking, not parallel parking). Please utilize the space and park in front of the garage door to our unit. We will not need to open our garage door. You can do the same behind Hatchet Athletics immediately to our left and Auric Yoga on the end.

Please do not park elsewhere. Parking elsewhere may interfere with the movement of heavy equipment into or out of the unit to our right, elsewhere on the property resulting in you needing to leave class to move your vehicle. I realize that will limit the parking spaces available. I have scheduled a 15 minute turnaround time between classes. This time is to allow students that are finished class to exit the building, for me to set up for the next class, and then for students to enter the building for the next class. If you arrive and the parking spaces are full, please go ahead and temporarily park, potty your dog, and then return to your vehicle to move it into one of the spots vacated by a departing student.

Who can attend with my dog?

At least one adult (over the age of 18) must attend class with your puppy/dog. In all classes, another person is also welcome to attend class in addition to the adult. In the Puppy Preschool & Puppy Kindergarten class, families are welcome to attend with their puppy, however, please be aware that I only have enough chairs to set out 2 per puppy. Also, anyone that attends needs to abide by the class policies and procedures, including leaving the gym equipment alone and not climbing on the stairs.

Can my kids attend class?

Yes! Provided:

At least one adult is also attending the class with the child, and will be responsible for supervising them
The child is interested in participating or is content to settle at your station for the duration of class

I often have kids in puppy classes, and it can work out really well with the kids learning how to interact with the puppies as well. However, occasionally it doesn't work out quite so well - usually if the child isn't that interested in what is going on, or is very interested, but isn't quite old enough to participate in certain exercises or the puppy isn't sure yet about what to do. Therefore, you are also welcome to attend the first class without your child, so you can get the lay of the land and see how class goes and then have your child attend future classes with you.

What do I need to bring?

Please bring the following things with you to class. If you'd like to see examples, click here: Equipment

your dog on a properly fitting flat collar, martingale collar, head halter or harness (no Lupi harnesses please, others are fine)
a 4-6 foot nylon or leather leash. (no chain or flexi leashes)
Poop bags, should you need to pick up after your dog
a mat big enough for your dog to lie on (a door mat, kitchen mat or bathmat are all fine if your dog fits)
a generous supply of high-value treats (hint: bring twice as much as you think you will need) High value treats are usually soft and smelly! https://www.positivelyobedientcanines.com/blog/the-scoop-on-training-treats
some of your dog's regular meal
a toy or two should we need it to occupy your puppy/dog while waiting, or as a reward
a kong with some soft food smeared inside or an edible chew to occupy your puppy/dog while waiting
a short word to indicate that your dog has acted correctly and will receive a reward. For example "Yes" or "Treat" "Good" tends to get tagged on to "Good Girl/Boy" and used at times when a reward is not coming.
your indoor shoes, unless you wish to work in socks or bare feet
clothes with a pocket for treats, or a treat pouch to keep treats on your person but out of your hands.
any extra things needed for your specific class, for example:
- Puppy Preschool - items that your puppy likes to hold on to so we can practice trade & drop it
- Advanced Manners - 20-30' long line
- The Nose Knows - a Tupperware container to transport the scent tin, non-restrictive harness

How do I help my dog have the best first class?

Come prepared with all of the things you may need.
Review the directions and parking instructions.
Decide if you would like to bring in your mat and supplies first, then come in with your dog that is fine! It often is easier to manage an excited dog if your hands are free.
If your dog tends to get excited going new places or seeing new people, you may wish to make sure you have some treats handy in your pocket/treat pouch when you enter.
Once inside, please remove your outside shoes/boots on the entrance mat, then make your way to a station (there will be chairs set out for people to sit on), set out your dog's mat and encourage your dog to settle on the mat with a toy or few bits of kibble or treats.

Dog Etiquette
- Please don't let your dog approach the other dogs in class. In class, we want to practice listening to you in the presence of other dogs, and that will go better if the dogs aren't expecting interaction.
- If your dog is fixedly staring at another dog, please interrupt your dog and redirect them to another task. Some dogs can find even friendly, curious stares intimidating or exciting.
- If you want to allow your dog to greet another dog outside of class, please ask the other dog's person first, and graciously abide by their response. Some dogs may have had previous bad experiences, and another dog approaching them, friendly or not, may be upsetting. A dog may be completing their recovery from surgery or an injury and not be allowed that type of interaction. A dog may need to practice not greeting every dog they see. In short, there can be many reasons why someone may not want other dogs approaching their dog.
- If you want to arrange social opportunities to meet up or go for walks together outside of class please feel free to do so. But when dogs are in class they are here to learn.
Some dogs are very excited to meet other dogs, and if they always get to greet every dog they see, the appearance of a dog can cause them to get very excited. If, however, dogs also practice walking calmly past other dogs without interacting with them, they won't develop such a strong see dog = interaction association. That allows them to be calmer when they see another dog because they aren't immediately anticipating interaction.

What are the COVID19 Policies?

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