Frequently
Asked Questions For Training
What are the Requirements for attending
class?
- Your dog must be at least 16 weeks old and be fully
immunized. Puppies younger than four months are not physically
or mentally ready for this class, please inquire about
our Puppy Primer class.
- Full payment is required prior to registering anyone
and their dog into an available class.
- There are no refunds.
- Dogs and their owner's must be free from injury in order
to safely perform the physical tasks required in this class.
- Please inform us if your dog is going to be spayed or
neutered during the course of a class.
- Dogs which are aggressive towards people or other animals
will not be accepted into this beginning training class.
Please inquire about our Problem Aggession classes.
- Dogs can, at times, be unpredictable, so for the safety
of your dog and others attending class keep all animals
separated and under control.
- Highland Pet Supply is not responsible
for any injuries incurred by dogs or owner while attending
class on the premises of 1186 N. Highland Ave. Atlanta
,Ga.,or other grounds where training instruction might
take place. Highland Pet Supply will not be held responsible
for any injuries that might occur to dogs, owners or
other parties during any practice sessions out side of
class.
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What is my dog going to learn in class?
You will learn an understanding of canine behavior and how
dogs learn. Regardless of breed, size, conduct or character,
dogs share instincts, motivations and needs, understanding
these will help you to gain control of your dog. You'll be
taught how to read your dog and anticipate it's actions,
how to increase your dog's attentiveness towards you around
distractions, and what it takes to be your dog's leader.
You'll learn how to extinguish any unwanted behaviors, like
destructive chewing, jumping up, pulling on the leash, crashing
doors, and bolting.
How to train! We'll explain what goes into the shaping process,
so you can, successfully teach your dog whatever you want
it to learn. Simply decide what behaviors suit your lifestyle.
We'll show you techniques, so you can teach your dog to reliably
sit, stay, down, heel, fetch and come to you when called.
Ultimately, our goal is to teach you how to teach and how
to have a great relationship with your dog.
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Is my dog too old? Too young? Too hyper?
A dog is never too old to learn new things. The brain doesn’t
automatically lose it’s capacity to process information
at a certain age. A good analogy is can your grandfather
learn something new? Of course he can. Learning is ubiquitous.
Any dog four months or older is old enough for the group
class and understand that dogs begin learning at birth so
it’s never too early to begin your training. From the
womb there are consequences to actions. For dogs under the
required age for the group classes we offer puppy primers.
Lastly, many feel their dog is too hyper for the group class.
If you feel this way you are not alone. We immediately begin
to show you how to strengthen calmness.
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Can we stop unwanted behaviors like
peeing in the house? Chewing? And other destructive behaviors?
Indeed, with an understanding and an execution of the sound
principles that you will learn in this class, you can stop
any unwanted behavior you would like.
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Can this class help with hyperactivity?
Over exuberance? Being timid? Being aggressive? Phobias?
Like fear of the vacuum cleaner?
Yes, our class is designed to teach the dog owner an understanding
of how the problem started in the first place and how to
begin modifying the problem.
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What if my dog already knows how to
sit? Stay? Come? Heel?
We will help you to raise your standards such as sitting
around distractions and sittting reliably and quickly in
emergency situations. And by gaining an understanding of
dog behavior you will gain an understanding of why your dog
might refuse to sit in certain situations.
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What if I have more than one dog?
We recommend you bring one dog to class and take home your
education and apply what you’ve learned to all the
animals in the house, including cats, kids and spouses.
In addition we as multiple dog owners ourselves will offer
advice on what to expect in terms of multiple dog ownership
and considerations you will need to make in your signaling.
We charge per dog however if you want to have both dogs
in class we welcome you provided there is a second handler.
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What if I've had training elsewhere?
If you can't stop unwanted behaviors or shape behaviors
then you did not get the kind of education we offer. If your
dog elicits behavior you do not understand or understand
how to modify you would greatly benefit from our class. If
you're happy with your dogs behavior but want to learn more,
we can make you a better trainer and teach you exactly why
you've been successful. The course is an intensive study
of behavioral science applied to dogs.
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How many people can attend the class
with the dog?
Two provided that they live with the dog.
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Can I bring my child?
This is adult education and we find that the lectures are
long and late for a young child with little patience. Children
ten years and up and teenagers seem to do well, enjoy the
class and make excellent dog trainers.
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What techniques are used?
We use operant principles and concepts and their applications
relevant to modifying canine behavior. We do not use a single
technique, for there are innumerable techniques for affecting
any behavior. We stay focused on the physical and mental
welfare of the dog, as the techniques we use in class will
prove. We have a responsibility to enhance the relationship
between dogs and their owners. Our techniques are designed
to do this
We teach the science of behaviorism which includes both
positive and negative reinforcements. You will first be taught
what these reinforcements are and then be taught where and
when to apply them in order to modify behavior.
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How long does the class last?
The lecture is approximately 2 hours but due to questions
interjected throughout the class we will often go until 9
pm.
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What
if my dog’s attention span
isn't that long?
We will not be putting you or your dog through drills for
a full 2 hours. It’s a time to teach your dog to remain
calm and at your feet for a long duration in the midst of
distractions. We are here to help you reinforce calmess by
helping you teach your dog to remain relaxed in a stimulating
environment. We feel this mimics time spent at home; the
time spent watching a movie, working on the computer, figure
your taxes, making and eating dinner; the time when you would
enjoy your dog’s company when he's or she's in a relaxed
state.
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What if my dog is aggressive?
Any dog that is a serious danger to other dogs or people
will not be permitted in the group class. However, the majority
of our students who feel that their dogs are too aggressive,
we find the aggression is not as bad as it appears and adjust
well in the class situation. Occassionally we get a dog who
has never shown aggression and will act out aggressively
during the class. Our methods of dealing with aggression
are effective and no nonsense. And our methods are better
than the alternative - euthanasia. We ask that you consult
with highland pet supply. Usually a phone interview will
allow us to evaluate your dog’s aggression and determine
whether it is suitable to begin in a group class. If at that
timewe feel your dog is not suitable for the group class
we do reserve individual training lessons for these cases.
Often after some individual instruction these dogs are soon
adjusted well enough to be permitted in class. We often find
that these animals flooded with other dogs and people can
be taught to be more social.
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What are we required to bring?
Your dog. Have it wearing a secure collar with current rabies
vaccination (if over 6 months old), identification tag and
a six foot leash. You may use nylon or cotton, but we highly
recommend leather. After the first class you will need a
15 foot leash and a properly fitting training collar. We
have all of this training equipment available at both the
retail store and the training center.
If you're unsure about 15 foot leash widths or the fit of
the chain please stop by and we can help you get what you
need. Do please note that retractable leads cannot be used
for the long leash.
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What do we get out of class?
You will learn how to teach your dog what you need or want
it to do for you. You will learn how to solve your unwanted
behavioral problems. Basically, you will learn how to train.
You will receive a book, and each week you will also receive
class notes outlining the techniques used in that evening's
lesson. During the course of the class we will hand out some
other relevant training equipment.
We do cover the traditional obedience commands and although
they are practical and a good way to communicate with your
dog, this class is more about your daily life with your dog,
not just SIT, STAY, COME, DOWN.
In a lecture forum you will be able to listen, ask questions
and observe the changes being made in your dog's behavior.
We've designed a class that will be beneficial to both you
and your dog.
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Do we need to take notes in class?
Like any schooling it certainly can’t hurt-we do give
classnotes. Most people can easily understand and retain
the information with the lecture and demonstrations.
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Why should we train?
Training enables you to stop unwanted behavior, provides
physical and mental stimulation, and promotes cooperative
behavior. Training goes on all the time but much of it is
accidental and unwanted. We teach how to utilize the principles
of teaching and learning so that your dog training is purposeful
not accidental.
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