Thank you for your interest in our Training and Workshops! Ahead of your first class, please review our training policies below.
These policies are design not only for your and your pet’s safety, but to ensure classes run smoothly and effectively.
Remember, both for shelter animals and public classes, all of ARF’s dog training is done via positive reinforcement methods.
Attendance
The first class of Basic Manners, Small Dog Manners, Puppy Manners, Canine Good Citizen Prep, and Wallflowers series is an orientation without dogs. The orientation is an important class filled with all the information you will need succeed in training. Attendance at the orientation is mandatory. Students who miss the orientation are assumed to have dropped out of the class, and will forfeit their class fee. If you are unable to attend a session (aside from orientation) please contact the training department to obtain the class material. Make-up classes are not available.
Vaccinations Required
Adult dogs must show proof of current parvo/distemper (DHPP) and rabies vaccinations. Puppies not adopted from ARF need to show proof of at least one DHPP vaccination, given a minimum of one week prior to class attendance. We recommend bordetella vaccination for all dogs as well as routine flea/tick preventatives.
Family Members in Class
We encourage family members to attend training classes, but due to space capacity, we ask that a maximum of two adults and two children attend per dog. Children under 18 years of age should be supervised at all times. Please plan to have an adult handle your dog during class.
We ask that all children attending training classes be focused on the learning process and respectful of the other class participants. In order to be fair and courteous to the other participants, our training instructors reserve the right to ask any disruptive participants to leave class. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Please note: Some dogs may not be comfortable with small children. Should a student’s child express interest in another dog, the child’s guardian should obtain permission from the dog’s handler at the end of class to meet with the dog prior to approaching.
Payment
For all classes, payment is required at the time of registration to reserve your spot in the class. Students will receive registration confirmation once the completed form and payment are received. Please read our cancellation and refund policies before registering for a class.
Cancellations
A minimum number of students must be met for a class to begin. If the minimum number of students have not enrolled, the class may be canceled or the start date may be postponed. Our team will notify you three days before the class is scheduled to start; you will be given the option to enroll in a different class, receive credit towards a future class, or receive a full refund.
Refunds
Refunds can be provided if you notify us that you are unable to attend a class or puppy social at least one week (seven days) before the class start date or puppy social date. Refunds can be credit card refunds or credit toward a future class. Credit card refunds may take up to four weeks to process. We do not issue credit or refunds for partially completed courses or puppy social late cancellation.
