While dogs do not need to be spayed or neutered to attend class, we ask that females in heat do not attend. All dogs must be in good health and free of parasites and infectious diseases. For adolescent and adult dogs we require proof of rabies vaccination and distemper. Bordatella is not required but highly encouraged. For puppies we strongly encourage early socialization, therefore puppies may attend classes if you have made at least one visit to your personal vet and the vet agreed the puppy is in good health. Puppies should have received age-appropriate shots.

Please note that any concerns about whether your dog is friendly enough to attend a group class should be addressed with the trainer before enrolling.

We do not evaluate dogs in person to ascertain which class is the right fit, however if you have questions or concerns we are happy to talk with you before you enroll to help you make the best choice.

You can also email the Training Department with any questions.

It is very important to us that you are in the appropriate class. If it is not the right fit we will transfer you to a more suitable class option or you can transfer the balance to private lessons.

On Demand training is a service we offer while your dog attends daycare (we can also schedule these to take place at your home). The trainer will pull your dog from playgroup to work individually with your dog. By having an experienced trainer work directly with your dog, it helps speed up the learning process. If you purchased a package, we will schedule a follow up consult where we then transition the skills we worked on with your dog, so that you can continue to build on them at home in your every day life.

Private lessons occur with you, the trainer, and the dog. We will work with you and show you how to teach your dog skills to get the results you want from the training.

Both On Demand training and private lessons can be conducted at our training facility or at your home.

We require students to register so we can limit enrollment in our group classes and keep class sizes manageable. If you need to cancel your registration, please notify us with advance notice, before the class start date so that we may offer the seat to another student. If we are able to fill your seat, we can move you to another class or refund. However, we do not provide refunds once class has begun. If for some reason the class you are enrolled in, is not suited to your needs, speak with our training department about your concerns. We make every effort to work with you on your training goals and may have other options for you to meet those goals.

We do not offer makeup classes. Every class has a max dog limit. Most of our classes fill up far in advance, particularly our more popular classes, therefore we do not have room in our classes for additional students to makeup missed classes. That said, it is not uncommon for students to miss a class due to work commitments, travel, personal or dog well-being reasons. If notified in advance, it's possible the trainer can email you topics or hand-outs that are planned for that session so that you have information and/or assignments to work on, before returning to class the following week.

You also have the option to register for a private 30-min phone consult to ask the trainer questions, receive personalized advice, and discuss the lessons that were taught in your absence.

The short answer is no.

All the illnesses listed are highly contagious to other dogs. If your dog is diagnosed with any of these health conditions, your vet will advise that they self-isolate until your dog is not at risk to easily spread the illness to others. Once your vet determines your dog is no longer contagious and approves your dog to be around other dogs again, it is safe to return to class.

For females in heat, the pheromones excrete a strong odor that is residual long after the dog has left the room, peaking interest from any dog that passes by the location your dog has been. Even after disinfecting the area, we have still found that the residual odor raises arousal of dogs in our training school. For the purpose of creating a focused learning environment, it is important that we reduce stress and arousal levels that we can control and for that purpose we cannot have dogs in heat in our building.

In all cases, we recommend that you attend class without your dog. There is a lot of information you can absorb from classes without having your dog present. If you are unable to attend, we can also email any handouts on topics we discuss in the classes that you miss so that you have something to work on at home in the meantime.

You also have the option to register for a private 30-min phone consult to ask the trainer questions, receive personalized advice, and discuss the lessons that were taught in your absence.

Classes are cancelled and our training facility is closed on holidays. Click here to see our full holiday schedule.

Click here to see our inclement weather policy.

We offer discounts through our rescue and training partners. If you've adopted a dog from Homeward Trails, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, or Lucky Dog Animal Rescue check your adoption packet. There is a flyer in your adoption packet with instructions on what and how to register, along with the coupon code. Must be used within the first 30 days of adopting your dog.