FAQs
Welcome to the A & S Dog Training FAQ page. We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions from our members into one place. Check them out below - maybe you’ll have the same question that was on somebody else’s mind. Should you have any other questions that we may have missed, do not hesitate to get in touch.
At what age can I start my dog in classes?
Puppies can begin classes once they have received all their vaccinations and the vet says they are allowed to mix with other dogs.
How do I guarantee a place in the class?
Since class space is limited, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. We suggest that you register as soon as possible.
Once you have been allocated a place you will be sent details of your course and given 24 hours in which to pay for the course. If payment is not received, your place will be re allocated.
Are my fees refundable?
Since class enrolment is limited to a certain number of dogs, once payment has been made it is not refundable.
Some trainers allow only one handler per dog. Can my whole family be involved in your classes?
Yes. We feel that everyone in the household should attend classes as often as possible. If you feel that your child will not be a distraction in class for you or others in class and is mature enough to focus on the training, then we highly encourage children to join in with the lesson.
It says on the basic obedience registration form that our pet does not attend the first class. Why not?
You will come without your pet to the first class. The first meeting is for an hour and we will give you an overview of how to get started working with your dog at home and how you will be working with your pet in class. It is easier for you to concentrate if your pet is not with you.
Do you require special collars or other equipment? Some trainers, I have heard, require choke collars, for instance
We do not require any special collars or other equipment. A plain collar/harness is all that you need. We discuss issues of this type at our first class meeting.
Can we use food treats in class?
We give our students the right to choose whether or not they want to use treats for their training.
Treats are a wonderfully positive way to motivate your dog. However, a lot of basic training can be accomplished in a positive way without the use of treats; we will show you how. Positive reinforcement comes in many forms, for example play, praise, a toy; it is not limited to food treats.
My dog acts aggressively, barking and lunging at other dogs or people. Can I use classes to socialise my dog?
No. A 1-2-1 home visit would be needed in the first instance. I would then decide if your dog was suitable for a class environment. If not suitable for class, other avenues would be discussed.
The classes are not designed to socialize dog-aggressive or people-aggressive dogs. Aggression issues must be addressed in private sessions.
How long does it take to train a dog?
This depends on a lot of things:
Your experience
Type of dog
Your life style
What standard you wish to achieve
However, in general if you have passed your Puppy Foundation and Bronze award level, you should have a dog of a reasonable standard. Again this will take some people longer than others as explained above.
What happens if we miss a class during the 8-week session?
Unfortunately, if you cannot attend class and the class goes ahead, we do not owe you a catch-up class. This applies for all courses.
However, we will try our best to get you into another class of the same standard on a different day but cannot guarantee this. It depends if there is a space available.
If you are unable to attend a session (e.g. you’re going on holiday, have a school parents’ evening etc.) we ask that you give us as much notice as possible so that we can fill the spaces with catch up sessions.