Frequently Asked Questions
Does “rewards-based training” mean I will always have to use treats with my dog?
Not at all! The rewards foster the motivation to continue practicing new behaviors your dog acquires; this facilitates the development of a solid foundation in a significantly shorter period. Part of the reward-based training process involves gradually “fading” or reducing the amount of the reward as your dog becomes more proficient at performing the behavior. Providing frequent rewards at the outset of training ensures your dog associates positive feelings with new behaviors from the beginning, making them more eager to learn and more willing to perform the behavior later on when treats are no longer available.
Furthermore, most dogs benefit from a diverse array of rewards or reinforcers: toys, play, and the opportunity to sniff are also highly favored among our canine companions. We are delighted to assist you in determining what works best for your dog in various contexts!
Can my children come to class?
Children are very welcome to attend group classes. Involving children in learning, training, and relationship-building activities with your canine companion is an excellent way to ensure that your household remains cohesive and well-informed. If you plan to bring one or more children under the age of 10, we kindly ask that a second supervising adult accompany them to foster a positive and safe learning environment for all participants. Please contact us in advance if you require assistance in securing a supervising adult, and we will do our best to assist you. For further information regarding children and minors in class, please refer to our policies outlined below.
My dog is nervous around people or other dogs, but I really want to socialize them. Can we come to class?
That largely depends on your individual dog. Group classes may be stressful for some dogs and might not be the most suitable environment for altering their perception of pressure. Certain dogs excel in a structured setting and develop a strong focus on their handlers. If you have any uncertainties, please feel free to email coachwagsk9@gmail.com or call us at 608-658-0083 to discuss your dog’s behavior before registering. Kindly refer to our policies below for further information regarding dogs that may feel uncomfortable in class.
Do you require vaccinations?
In the interest of dog health and wellness, dogs attending group classes must be current on DHPP and rabies vaccines or provide titers showing immunity. We provide instructions for sharing documentation before you begin class. We strongly recommend that your dog be current on bordetella and canine influenza vaccines to mitigate the risks associated with groups of dogs sharing space. Puppies under the age of 6 months must be on schedule with their veterinarian’s protocol; puppies over 6 months must be fully vaccinated.
My dog is not spayed or neutered; can we come to class?
Yes, provided you can ensure that no unwanted interaction occurs between intact dogs. Female dogs in season may attend with some limitations (see policies below), though we do recommend they stay home during standing heat. Dogs in season are an excellent training opportunity for other dogs in the class (talk about distraction!), but standing heat is risky. Please email coachwagsk9@gmail.com for more information.
My dog is sick, or I am sick. Can we come to class?
Please refrain from attending class in the event of canine or human illness. If you, a member of your household, or a recent close contact is a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case, we kindly ask that you adhere to the Dane County Health Department’s quarantine and isolation guidelines.
If you need to miss one or more classes during the session due to illness or other reasons, we are here to support you. Our instructors will send weekly email summaries of the class content, including suggestions for progressing with the topics covered at home. Upon your return to class, we will ensure you are provided with any necessary updates to catch up.
Please note that, at this time, we are unable to offer reimbursements or make-up classes for cancellations.
To succeed in class, my dog and I require accommodations. Can you help?
We strive to make the class accessible. Our intake forms include a section for accommodation requests, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions prior to registering or attending the class. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Policies
These policies are established to ensure that every student, canine, and human has the most positive possible experience. We appreciate your compliance with these guidelines and your efforts to foster a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable learning environment for yourself and fellow participants. Should you have any questions regarding these policies or wish to discuss accommodations, please contact us via email at coachwagsk9@gmail.com or by phone at 608-658-0083 before registration.
Payment & Fees
The Dog Owner agrees to pay the Dog Trainer the fees as follows for the Services. The service fee is currently set at____________. The payment for the Services is due before the first day of Services, which is scheduled to begin on __________. If the payment is not made by the specified due date, a late payment fee of $30 may be charged. In the event of non-payment, the Dog Trainer reserves the right to withhold or terminate the Services.
Cancelation and Termination
To cancel or alter services without incurring a cancellation fee, the Dog Owner is required to provide written notice within 48 hours prior to the planned commencement date. If a cancellation is made after this period, a cancellation fee of $50 may be imposed. If the Dog Owner fails to attend a scheduled training session without providing notice or cancels with inadequate notice on multiple occasions, the Dog Trainer reserves the right to terminate the Agreement. Either party may terminate this Agreement with written notice if the other party breaches any terms of the Agreement. Termination due to a breach will only be effective [Notice Period] days after the non-breaching party provides written notice unless the breach is rectified within that period. In the event of termination, any prepaid fees for sessions not yet conducted will be refunded on a pro-rata basis, excluding fees for completed sessions and any cancellation fees incurred up to the termination date.
Canceling Class Attendance
If you need to miss a class or two during the course of the session, we’ve got your back! Our instructors will email weekly class summaries with ideas for how to advance the topics covered during the week at home. When you’re able to come back to class, we will make sure to get you caught up.
At this time, we cannot offer reimbursement or make-up classes for cancellations.
Inclement Weather or External Factors
In the event of inclement weather or public health emergency, we will decide no later than 2 hours before the start of class whether we will cancel that meeting. Students will be notified by email/text and information will be posted to our social media accounts. A make-up date for the entire class will be set, to take place at the end of the session.
Confidentality/Liabilty
Confidentality: The Dog trainer should keep all of the Dog Owner’s personal information strictly confidential and agrees not to disclose it to any third parties without written consent.
Liability: The Dog Owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Dog Trainer from any claims, liabilities, damages, expenses (including legal fees), or harm to the dog arising from the Services or breakage of the leash and other training equipment, except in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Dog Trainer.
Photo/Video Policy
I, hereby authorize [Coach Wags] to use photographs and video recordings taken of my dog(s) during the Services for promotional, marketing, and advertising purposes, which may include but are not limited to website content, social media posts, newsletters, flyers, brochures, promotional videos, and other digital or print communications.
I acknowledge that I will not receive any form of compensation or royalties for the use of these photographs and video recordings in promotional materials.
I understand that while these photographs and video recordings may be used for promotional purposes, my personal information (such as my full name, contact information, and address) will not be disclosed or shared without my additional consent.
I acknowledge that granting this consent is entirely voluntary, and I have not been coerced or pressured into providing permission for the use of my dogs’ photographs and video recordings.
Dogs Excused from Class
In the event that a group class proves an inappropriate learning environment for a dog/owner team, the team may be excused from class. If you and your dog are excused, you will be contacted by the office within 48 hours to discuss possible accommodations, arrangements, or recommendations. Inappropriate learning environments include but are not limited to those that require foundation skills the team cannot perform in the group class environment, or those that prompt uncontrolled, unpredictable, or potentially dangerous behaviors from the individual dog or owner. It is at the instructor’s discretion to determine whether the learning environment is not suitable.
Dogs in Heat
Dogs in heat may attend classes, though we do request as much notice as possible that your dog has gone into season. We ask that dogs in season wear sanitary pants in the building. We do recommend that dogs in standing heat not come to class, only because of the risk of an accidental breeding.
When we receive notice that a dog will be in heat, we will alert those enrolled in the class so they can prepare. It is important that we train our dogs to work through the distraction of a dog in season. “Boys will be boys” is not a useful mentality for humans or dogs.
Citizenship and Safety
Please clean up after your dog while on the premises. Dogs should be on 4–6′ non-retractable leashes in the parking lot and in the training space unless otherwise instructed.
For reasons related to safety and training, we recommend that dogs not be greeted on leash on the premises.
Emergencies
The Dog Trainer agrees to promptly report any incidents, accidents, injuries, or unusual behaviors observed during the training sessions. In the event of a pet medical emergency or illness during the training, the Dog Trainer will make every reasonable effort to contact the Dog Owner or their emergency contact immediately. If the Dog Owner or their emergency contact cannot be reached in time, the Dog Owner authorizes the Dog Trainer to seek emergency veterinary care for their dog if necessary for the dog’s health, safety, and well-being. The Dog Owner agrees to reimburse the Dog Trainer for any reasonable and documented expenses incurred for emergency veterinary services.
Training Tools and Methods
Dogs should attend class wearing flat (buckle) collars, martingale collars, standard harnesses, or gentle leaders. Choke or slip collars, prong collars, electric collars, or similar tools are not to be used in the parking lot, facility, or training space. Owners may be excused for failing to follow these guidelines or for employing forceful, aversive training methods while in the parking lot, facility, or training space.