COVID-19 Updates:
Friday, July 3rd, 2020
It's been a strange few months! But I'm pleased to announce that in-person private lessons have resumed (with modifications due to COVID-19) and this month, in-person group classes will also resume starting the week of July 13th-16th. Online options will also remain available for those that would prefer that option.
Group Classes
In-person group classes will resume at the Muskoka Dog Education Center. You can find more information on the individual class pages and the schedule.
Changes to keep everyone safe during COVID-19 will include:
- smaller class sizes (maximum 3 dogs) to allow for physical distancing
- increased frequency of disinfection
- hand sanitizing station available
- mandatory masks/face coverings for all people attending
- mandatory self-screening for potential COVID-19 exposure prior to attending class.
Private Lessons
I have resumed in-person private lessons at the client's home. The re-opening guidelines have also affected the delivery of my in-person private lessons by stating that pet services should be provided outside the client's home, that I should refrain from entering the home, and that a physical distance of 6 feet needs to be maintained. However, for those that prefer that I be physically present to watch them practice with their dog in real time, this is now an option. Please contact me for more information.
Online Lessons & Classes
I will continue to make online lessons and classes available for those that either prefer online learning, need to continue to remain more distant from others or can't get into an in-person class. More information is available here: online learning.
It's been a strange few months! But I'm pleased to announce that in-person private lessons have resumed (with modifications due to COVID-19) and this month, in-person group classes will also resume starting the week of July 13th-16th. Online options will also remain available for those that would prefer that option.
Group Classes
In-person group classes will resume at the Muskoka Dog Education Center. You can find more information on the individual class pages and the schedule.
Changes to keep everyone safe during COVID-19 will include:
- smaller class sizes (maximum 3 dogs) to allow for physical distancing
- increased frequency of disinfection
- hand sanitizing station available
- mandatory masks/face coverings for all people attending
- mandatory self-screening for potential COVID-19 exposure prior to attending class.
Private Lessons
I have resumed in-person private lessons at the client's home. The re-opening guidelines have also affected the delivery of my in-person private lessons by stating that pet services should be provided outside the client's home, that I should refrain from entering the home, and that a physical distance of 6 feet needs to be maintained. However, for those that prefer that I be physically present to watch them practice with their dog in real time, this is now an option. Please contact me for more information.
Online Lessons & Classes
I will continue to make online lessons and classes available for those that either prefer online learning, need to continue to remain more distant from others or can't get into an in-person class. More information is available here: online learning.
Friday, May 15th, 2020
Although the province of Ontario continues to be under a state of emergency, it was announced yesterday that in-person dog training services could resume as of Tuesday, May 19th provided that they could meet all of the guidelines for doing so safely. I have been reviewing the guidelines to make sure that I will be able to comply with all of them once I reopen and considering their impact on my services.
For the near future, all of my in-person training including group classes and private lessons remain on hold.
Group Classes
Most of my in-person group classes are held at the Utterson Hall. The town of Huntsville announced on Wednesday this week that the Utterson Hall will remain closed until at least June 30th. This means that it will likely be July at the earliest before most of my in-person classes can resume. I will update if the situation changes. In the meantime, I have online options available - please check out my online learning page for more details.
Private Lessons
I am tentatively planning to resume in-person private lessons starting mid June, provided all continues to go well. I will begin by resuming lessons with the clients that were in the midst of their lessons when the pandemic hit, and then once spots become available I will take on new clients.
Two of the guidelines for pet services will alter the way that I am able to interact during my private training sessions, as they state that pet services should be provided outside the client's home, that I should refrain from entering the home, and that a physical distance of 6 feet needs to be maintained. This means that there isn't an advantage to my being there in person vs. virtually, unless a client is unable to access virtual services. So if you want to get started with private lessons sooner rather than later, please contact me about either online classes or virtual private lessons as both of those are available to start now.
Although the province of Ontario continues to be under a state of emergency, it was announced yesterday that in-person dog training services could resume as of Tuesday, May 19th provided that they could meet all of the guidelines for doing so safely. I have been reviewing the guidelines to make sure that I will be able to comply with all of them once I reopen and considering their impact on my services.
For the near future, all of my in-person training including group classes and private lessons remain on hold.
Group Classes
Most of my in-person group classes are held at the Utterson Hall. The town of Huntsville announced on Wednesday this week that the Utterson Hall will remain closed until at least June 30th. This means that it will likely be July at the earliest before most of my in-person classes can resume. I will update if the situation changes. In the meantime, I have online options available - please check out my online learning page for more details.
Private Lessons
I am tentatively planning to resume in-person private lessons starting mid June, provided all continues to go well. I will begin by resuming lessons with the clients that were in the midst of their lessons when the pandemic hit, and then once spots become available I will take on new clients.
Two of the guidelines for pet services will alter the way that I am able to interact during my private training sessions, as they state that pet services should be provided outside the client's home, that I should refrain from entering the home, and that a physical distance of 6 feet needs to be maintained. This means that there isn't an advantage to my being there in person vs. virtually, unless a client is unable to access virtual services. So if you want to get started with private lessons sooner rather than later, please contact me about either online classes or virtual private lessons as both of those are available to start now.
Monday, April 27th, 2020
The province of Ontario continues to be under a state of emergency, and all of my in-person training including group classes and private lessons are on hold.
The re-opening plan released today is a framework for reopening, with no details with regards to dates as the restrictions we have been living under will be relaxed in stages, evaluating the response as we go. So at this point in time, I do not know when we will be able to resume in-person training.
The good news!
I have made the transition to online teaching. I currently have two online classes open for enrollment - a puppy class and a manners class so you can get started teaching your dog in the comfort of your own home at whatever time is convenient for you. More information is available on the online learning page.
The province of Ontario continues to be under a state of emergency, and all of my in-person training including group classes and private lessons are on hold.
The re-opening plan released today is a framework for reopening, with no details with regards to dates as the restrictions we have been living under will be relaxed in stages, evaluating the response as we go. So at this point in time, I do not know when we will be able to resume in-person training.
The good news!
I have made the transition to online teaching. I currently have two online classes open for enrollment - a puppy class and a manners class so you can get started teaching your dog in the comfort of your own home at whatever time is convenient for you. More information is available on the online learning page.
I am also offering private lessons online, so if you have a specific training issue you would like to work on, and don't feel that the group class curriculum will address your needs please contact me so we can discuss your options.
As of Tuesday, March 16th, all of the group classes have been cancelled or postponed.
The upcoming classes due to start the week of March 23rd were postponed to the week of April 6th, and are now postponed until further notice.
I am continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus outbreak, and will continue to communicate future updates to students once I know more details.
I am also in the process of launching online classes to help support people that are looking to start training their dog now. My online puppy class is launched, and I will move on to other classes so if you are interested in online learning and don't want to wait until April to start training let me know!
The upcoming classes due to start the week of March 23rd were postponed to the week of April 6th, and are now postponed until further notice.
I am continuing to monitor the evolving situation with the novel coronavirus outbreak, and will continue to communicate future updates to students once I know more details.
I am also in the process of launching online classes to help support people that are looking to start training their dog now. My online puppy class is launched, and I will move on to other classes so if you are interested in online learning and don't want to wait until April to start training let me know!