Frequently Asked Questions

 

A few common questions…..

#1 – What is the difference between Puppy and Tweener classes?

Puppy class is a four week course for dogs between the ages of 6 week and 12 weeks. It is the perfect time to socialize your pet to other humans (men, women, children, people in wheelchairs), new situations and experiences. There will be a play period in which your puppy will be able to interact with other puppies of a similar age. The instructor will also give tips on common training issues such as housetraining, teething, mouthing hands and management of resources (feeding schedules, toys and play). Basic instruction on training the beginning of sit and down will be given. Your puppy will be ready for Level I classes when you graduate from this class.

Tweeners class is a four week course for dogs that are 13 weeks to 20 weeks old and have not had the opportunity to attend a puppy socialization class. The focus of this class is management of the dog and basic manners. Tweener dogs are neither a very young puppy or a young adult. The tweener dog is adventuresome and beginning to become an independent thinker. Class participants will learn how to get the dog to settle, not jump up on people and to accept strangers. Each week, some time will be used to teach the beginning of sit, down, and come. The tweener dogs will have short play sessions. Dog handlers will learn how to safely release and collect the dog during play. Your puppy will be ready for Level I classes when you graduate from this class

#2 - Can I take both Puppy and Tweener classes?

It is rarely necessary for you to take both of these classes. Ask your puppy class instructor but most of our dogs graduate puppy class after the first 4 weeks and do not need to go on to Tweeners.

#3 – How young can my puppy be to start Level I?

Your puppy only needs to be 12 weeks old to start regular Obedience classes. We highly recommend our Puppy classes if your pet is under 12 weeks or our Tweeners class if your dog is between 12-20 weeks old and we do not have any openings available in Level I classes.

#4 – What shots are required for Puppy Socialization, Tweener and Level I classes?

Your veterinarian will give you the proper protocol for the vaccinations your puppy requires. TCOTC recommends every dog owner should have a good relationship with a professional veterinarian and further recommends that you bring your new puppy to a veterinarian for a puppy check up as soon as possible. You should bring a copy of the paperwork from your veterinarian to your first class. This paperwork will have any shots listed and the name of your veterinarian.

#5 – What if I have taken a class somewhere else? How do I know the class my dog and I should join?

Unless you are fairly advanced in your training, it is always best to start with Level I. At TCOTC, we use positive teaching methods. We mark (either verbally with a "yes" or mechanically with a clicker) the correct behavior offered by the dog and reward with something the dog likes (food, toy, enthusiastic praise). If you are unfamiliar with the training method, it is best to join a Level I class. If you feel you and your dog are familiar with positive training methods, check your calendar and decide the day or night you wish to train. Call the front desk and explain that you would like your dog tested for a Level II class on (fill in the night or day). The desk person will give you the name of the individual who will test you and your dog for that day or night. This test is not a pass/fail type test. It will be an assessment of your skill as the handler and your dog’s response to the following exercises: sit cue, sit stay, down cue, down stay, recall (come), stand cue, stand stay and loose leash walking (umbilical cord). It may take 7-14 days to get your dog scheduled for the assessment since these are scheduled between classes by instructors who are teaching. The goal of the assessment is to properly place you and your dog in a class where you will be successful.

#6 – If I miss a class can I make it up on another night with another instructor?

Unfortunately, this will not work because at TCOTC, we try to offer at least one new class of Level I every month or less. That means, Monday night might be on week 2 of Level I, Tuesday morning may be on week 8, Wednesday night might be on week 3 and Thursday night might be on week 5. Your class instructor will mail the homework sheet to you when you are gone OR you may request the next week’s homework sheet if you know you cannot make the class.

#7 – Can I get on a waiting list for a full Level I class?

To save a spot in one of our Level I classes all handlers must pay in full in advance and the fee is non-refundable. For this reason, we rarely have anyone cancel out of a full class. You may put a full class down as your first choice on your application on the chance someone may cancel but always put down a 2nd and 3rd choice also. You must pay in full to be considered for the full class. If the class remains full, you will be put in your #2 or #3 pick.

#8 – How do I know if the class date/time I want is full?

First, look at our web site. We try to keep it updated as timely as we can. If it does not say that the class is full there, then call our front desk during regular class hours and ask the desk volunteers. There are notes at the desk that are updated several times a week that list how many openings there are left in each upcoming class. Just be aware that there may be applications that have been hand-delivered that day that have not been processed yet. If your class is close to full, it is best to hand deliver your money and form and have the desk person sign your form and note the time they received it. You will be notified within 48 hours by phone or mail if you are in the class or not. Always note a 2nd and 3rd choice in case your 1st pick is full.

#9 – Can I fax my registration, shot information, etc to you?

Sorry, we do not have a fax machine.

#10 – Can I pay with a credit card?

We only take cash and checks.

#11 – How do I sign up for Agility or Flyball?

Both Agility and Flyball can only take a limited number of new students a few times a year. Both of these classes also have special prerequisites.

To find out when the next Flyball class will be offered you can contact our Flyball Dept Head – Jane Jacobson

We will not be taking any new students in Agility in the foreseeable future.

#12 – What are the prerequisites for Flyball and Agility?

The minimum is your dog must be at least 1 year old and have completed Level II obedience. For more information please contact …
Flyball – Jane Jacobson
Agility – Jan Heck