|
|
|
|
Home - Training Classes - About Us - Registration - Contact - Training Schedule - Private Training - Links - Class Photos - FAQ - AFDTC News |
What types of training do you offer?
We offer group training classes as well as private instruction in obedience for all breeds of dogs
of all ages. We have four different group classes: Puppy, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Obedience.
Puppy class is for puppies from 12 weeks to 6 months. Basic class is for all dogs over 6 months of age.
Our Intermediate and Advanced classes are for dogs who have successfully completed a basic training
level and are continuing training.
We teach “traditional” obedience – “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “heel,” and the recall (‘come”). We give particular
attention to staying and recalling with distractions (other people, other dogs, noises, etc.) --those skills
that could one day save your dog’s life. In addition we use our agility equipment to expose your dog to a
variety of different situations – all of which make your dog more confident and reliable. We teach you how
to set limits for your dog’s behavior and how to have a well-mannered canine friend.
At various times of the year we also offer "Fun With Agility" class. Check our training schedule for course offerings.
How long are your Group Classes?
Group obedience classes last for nine weeks. Each class is an hour long. At this time, all of our classes are on Saturday.
We ask that you and your dog arrive at the training center 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start of the class
to give your dog time to “settle down” or “warm up” before class. Most dogs become very excited when they get
to the training center, so this gives you an opportunity to work with them before class begins. After class is over,
we generally allow the dogs that play well with other dogs to socialize with each other – off leash – for about 10
minutes. Plan to be at the training center for 1 ˝ hours.
How much does the training cost?
Tuition for the group training course is $150.00 or $125.00 if you are currently enrolled as a student and continuing
training. Private instruction is $75.00 per session at our training center and $100.00 per session at your home.
We also offer a Private Intro/Group Class Discount Package that includes one private lesson at our training facility and the
nine week group training classes. The tuition for the package is $200.00.
How can I register for your classes?
If you have access to the Internet, you can download our registration form directly from our website. Since you
are reading this, you are already on our site. Go to “registration” and print the form. We can also mail the
registration form to you. The registration form should be filled out, the health certificate completed by your vet
and the release should be signed. Send the completed form, with your check to: American Family Dog Training
Center, 4978 Jewell Terrace, Palm Harbor, Florida 34685. Please Note that this is mailing address only. Classes
are held at our training facility on Lutz Lake Fern Road in Odessa, Florida.
What is the Health Certificate for?
We require that all new canine students have current vaccinations certified by your veterinarian. We do this to
make sure that all dogs and trainers are safe and are comfortable knowing that all dogs in the class are healthy.
Dogs that are continuing training with us from a previous session do not require a new health certificate as long
as the effective dates on the vaccinations certified by the veterinarian on the previous registration are good
through the end of the session.
How will I know that you have received my registration form?
We will e-mail you a confirmation or, if you do not have e-mail capability, we will mail you a confirmation.
Can I just bring my registration form and check to the first class?
Because our class size is limited, we strongly recommend that you register before the class session begins so we
can reserve a place in the class for you and your dog. Also, we will send you an orientation letter with your confirmation
e-mail, which will make the first class/orientation more efficient for all. If you are not sure you can get the
registration form to us before class, please call us to let us know you will definitely be attending a certain class during
a specific session. Our classes fill up quickly, so you can also register for a later session at any time. Check our
schedule for the next training session.
What equipment will I need for class?
For Puppy class we use a nylon or cotton buckle or snap collar, a six-foot leash and a 15-foot training lead. For all
other classes – Basic, Intermediate and Advanced we use a training collar, unless the breed of your dog would dictate
not using such a collar. The training collar is a traditional “slip” collar. We never choke our dogs with these collars and
we don’t call them “choke” chains. We will teach you how to properly fit and use this training collar during the first
session of class. Basic class trainers will also need a six-foot leash and a 15-foot training lead. Intermediate trainers and
Agility class trainers will need a four-foot leash and a training loop. Advanced trainers will need a training loop. For Puppy
and Basic class we also ask that you bring some food treats for certain exercises.
Where can I get the equipment I need?
You can buy the equipment at most pet supply stores. For your convenience we have all of these items available to
purchase at our training center. Because we buy in bulk and are not in the retail pet supply business we can offer these
items to you at a significantly discounted price. As long as you have the appropriate equipment for class we don’t care
where you buy it. However, we do recommend that you purchase your training collar at our facility so we can be sure that
it is fitted properly. We also have treat dispensers available to purchase.
Do you use food treats in your training?
We use food treats as “rewards” for puppies and basic class dogs for certain exercises – particularly some of the
“attention” exercises. We train with the goal of your dog working for “praise” as a reward, rather than food; however,
we have found food treats to be effective in teaching a dog new exercises and commands. Eventually, the food
rewards are removed from the training.
How many dogs are in your group classes?
Our class size is limited to 16 dogs. Fun With Agility class is limited to 10 dogs.
What if it rains on the scheduled class day?
Because our classes are conducted on Saturday, that is, we have no scheduled classes during week days, any Saturday
class that is cancelled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled, weather permitting, on the next day -- Sunday -- at the
same time. If weather does not permit classes on Sunday, the class will be rescheduled on another Saturday.
What if I want private instruction?
Contact us and we will discuss your needs and scheduling. A private training lesson is a perfect way to get started
with training in between our group training classes. Our Private Intro/Group Class Discount Package gives you one
private lesson and a full 9-week group course – a great way to get started and continue training. This package is also
popular for people who want to start training right away when our class sessions have already begun.
Can we get into a class that has already begun?
Our obedience class sessions last for 9-weeks. For our Basic and Puppy classes, the first class is an orientation without dogs.
We will allow you to get into the class during the second week if you want to. After that time bringing a new trainer
and dog into the class is usually disruptive to the progress of the class and usually does not give the new trainer and
dog enough classes to effectively complete the training. We may allow this if the trainer and dog have taken a private
lesson to ensure successful completion of the group class.
Can my older dog still benefit from training classes?
You can teach old dogs new tricks! Dogs are never too old or “set in their ways” to learn obedience and good manners.
We have trained many “older” dogs (9 and 10 years old) with great success!
Is my puppy too young to start training classes?
We usually like puppies to be at least 12 weeks old before we start training. We abide by the recommendation and vaccination
protocols set forth by your veterinarian for you and your puppy. For an excellent article on when your puppy should be permitted
to start a group puppy class read Vaccines vs. Puppy Socialization: A Confusing Debate written by Sophia Yin, DVM.
Your puppy actually started its "training" many weeks before you brought it home – with its mother. Our Puppy class
focuses on those things that are really important to your puppy’s development – as well as getting a good start with
obedience. Puppies will be puppies – and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Our goal is to make your puppy a healthy,
happy, well-mannered, well-socialized and confident pup.
We want all participants in the training class to have fun and feel safe. During the group training classes, dogs and
trainers will be in close proximity to each other. Previous aggressive behavior is a good indication of incompatibility in a
group setting. If your dog has been aggressive toward other dogs or humans in the past, talk with us about how to
proceed with your training.
My dog has already had some obedience training. How do I know which class to enroll him in?
Because we have our own effective way of training, except in unusual cases, we will recommend that you start your
training with us in a Basic class. If, after the first few classes we believe that you and your dog have already mastered
the skills taught in that class, we can move you into a more advanced class.
Do you offer any classes on week nights?
We sometimes offer an agility course -- Fun With Agility -- on Tuesday evenings during daylight savings time.
We have seen your agility equipment at your training facility. Do you offer agility classes?
We sometimes offer an agility course -- Fun With Agility. For our obedience classes, we use our agility equipment
to introduce dogs to agility work, to further develop obedience skills and to enhance your dog’s confidence
when faced with new challenges. Dogs love it!
We understand that there are other commitments you may have during our 9-week session. The first two classes
are very important because they start the learning process with your dog. During class we teach you how to
effectively communicate with and train your dog. You must practice these skills and work with your dog between
classes to succeed with the training. Missing a class is not a problem as long as you keep up the work with your dog
during the week.
Can more than one trainer do the group classes?
We recommend that one person be the trainer for classes. In our experience, the training is more consistent and
more effective with one trainer. We encourage family members to come to class to watch the training. Even more
important is that all family members participate in the training at home and that they are consistent. The easiest way
to confuse a dog is to be inconsistent in training. If you think having one person being the trainer will be a problem
because of your schedule, please talk to us about it.
Can my child do the training with our dog?
We encourage the whole family to participate in training; however our experience has been that most children under
16 have generally not done as well as adults with training. There are exceptions and we will be glad to talk with you
about it should you wish your child to be the trainer. Head trainer approval is required before registering a trainer under 16.
Other Questions? Call us at (727) 798-3950 or contact us by e-mail at info@americanfamilydogtraining.com
MEMBER
|
Home - Training Classes - About Us - Registration - Contact - Training Schedule - Private Training - Links - Class Photos - FAQ - AFDTC News |
Copyright © 2005-2008 American Family Dog Training Center, Inc. All rights reserved.