Dog Training Tips and Information for Good Dog! School Classes in Medford and Ashland

Q: How do I register for classes?
A: Register online (at a discount) or Register by Phone, 541-779-0655. We cannot process last-minute applications; please allow 2-3 business days for us to process your application. We will send an email or call you to confirm your enrollment

Q: What are the costs of a Training Pass?
A: A two-month Pass is $160 ($80 per month)
A four-month Pass is $260 ($65 per month)
Required Text (good for all Levels) $22
A ten-dollar discount is available for those registering online with a Standard Enrollment

Q: Where are classes located?

A: Group classes are held at teh Good Dog! School at the Shoppes at Exit 24 in Phoenix, Oregon--near McDonalds and the Factory Outlet Stores. Find Good Dog! School. See Dog Class Schedule for times and days.

Q: I really need to get my dog into a class! What is the fastest way to get registered for classes?
A: The fastest way to register for class is to apply online (discount available with a Standard Enrollment). Your application is processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow 2-3 business days to process your application. Alternatively, you may call us at 541-779-0655 to register.

Q: Can I just show up for class without registering first?
A: All of our students MUST be pre-registered for classes. Once enrolled, you will be sent important information designed to prepare you and your dog for the first class. If your class is full, your registration will preserve priority placement in the waiting list.

Q: I don't see any starting dates on your class schedule. When do the classes start and end?
A: Our classes feature ongoing enrollment. This gives you the flexibility of choosing a starting date based on what is good timing for you. Move up to a more advanced class once you and your dog or puppy have mastered skills and are ready for more advanced work.

Q: Which class should I take?
A: If your puppy is less than five months old, you will begin in our Puppy Kindergarten classes. If your dog or puppy is older than 5 months, begin in Grade School. See Good Dog! School Class Schedule If your puppy is in between those ages, you maybe able to join either Grade School or Puppy Kindergarten. Confused? Please contact Good Dog! School to determine best placement.

Q: When will I be able to begin?
A: Once you are enrolled, you will receive training instructions via email and can begin training immediately to prepare for your first class. Once we receive your paid application, we will enroll you in the class of your choice. If your class is full, your enrollment will reserve your place on the waiting list.

Q: How are the classes designed?
A: Our innovative class structure was designed in collaboration with Becky Schultz, Manager of Training and Behavior at the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley, Minnesota. Ongoing enrollment represents the newest thinking among dog training professionals in helping dog owners achieve their training goals in group classes.

Q: How long are the classes, and how often do they meet?
A: Class meet once weekly for 55 minutes. Missed classes may be made up in most cases. See Schedule for details.

Q: What will I learn?

A: Beginning classes teach basic skills such as meeting people without jumping on them, walking on a leash without pulling and coming when called. Upper level classes are designed to help you achieve off-leash control.

Q: When should I start my puppy in classes?
A: Most people find that training is easiest and most rewarding during early puppyhood. Puppies are in their optimal learning long before they hit adolescence between the ages of 5 and 7 months. The age and vaccination requirements for puppies enrolling in Puppy Kindergarten follow the guidelines of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior: "In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age...it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated."

Q: I have a very young puppy and am concerned about safety. What precautions are taken to ensure my puppy's well-being?
A: Vaccinations: Many of the puppies enrolled in Puppy Kindergarten have not yet finished with their vaccination series. In order to attend class, all puppies must be current on their vaccination series and all vaccinations must be given by a licensed veterinarian. Written proof of vaccinations must be provided in order to attend class. Our class space is indoors and limited to our vaccinated puppies.
Play: To make sure that your puppy is safe during play, your pup may be separated into a playgroup that is optimal for his or her confidence level. Rough play that intimidates the puppies involved is not allowed. We monitor and interrupt play in class as you might monitor children at a playground.

Q: My dog is no longer a puppy and already knows how to do quite a few things. How will the classes help me?
A: Wonderful! Having prior training simply means that your dog will move more quickly through the class series. Once your dog meets the skills criteria for Grade School, you are free to move up to Middle School--even if it is after only one or tow sessions.

Q: What Is a Level and what skills are taught at each Level?
A: A Level consists of a specific set of skills and exercises. To give you some idea, below is an abbreviated list of some of the skills and exercises taught at each Level:

Q: How would I begin?
A: If you have a puppy under 6 months old, you may begin in Puppy Kindergarten, moving up to Middle Scbool (yep--you get to skip Grade School) when ready. Puppies over 6 months and older dogs begin in Grade School. If your puppy is at least 4 months old and Grade School is a better fit with your schedule, you may join Grade School instead of beginning in Puppy Kindergarten. However, play and socialization are maximized in Puppy Kindergarten, so if your schedule allows and your pup is the right age, Puppy Kindergarten is the best place to begin. Check out Playgroup for more socialization opportunities if your pup is under six months old.

Q: How long do we remain in a given class?
A: You remain in a given class until you can master the Move Up Skills for that class (you will receive a list of these once registered) and as long as you are finding the classes at a given level of value to you. Stay only as long as necessary to achieve your goals and to form the skills you will need to move up to a more advanced class.

Q: What is a Training Pass?
A: When you buy a Training Pass, you are purchasing a block of time in which to train your dog. Two-month and Four-month Passes are available, with classes meeting once a week. The Training Pass begins the date you first bring your dog to classes and ends the same day of the month 2 or 4 months later. Your pass is credited if any class meetings are scheduled on a holiday, or any other day a class is canceled due to any other cause. Once your Pass has expired, you will be given the opportunity to renew.

Q: What if a class is canceled due to a holiday or for any other reason?

A: Your pass will be credited extra time.

Q: How far will I go through your program during my Training Pass?
A: This is a difficult question to answer—it depends on how quickly you and your dog master the Move-Up Skills for your class. Our skills-based program means that the time frame is not as important as the skills that you learn. How long you remain at a given class will depend on you, your dog, and how much time you make to train your dog during the week.

Q: Under what circumstances will you extend the time on my Training Card?
A: We are able to be flexible in the case of emergency or illness. We are unable to extend passes for vacations or having your dog spayed or neutered. You are encouraged to schedule any upcoming spay/neuter surgery for the day after your class, so you will have as much time as possible between the surgery and the next class.

Q: I am going on vacation and don't want to miss classes. What options are available to me?
A: If you are going out of town and expect to miss class, please contact us at the Good Dog! School. If your class is available, you will be given an opportunity to make up the class you missed by attending twice a week either before you leave or after you return. If your class is not available, you might be able to attend a make-up at another class. Please check with us for availability. Make-Ups must be scheduled and used before the termination date of your current Pass and are only given to those who notify us in writing (email is fine) at least 24 hours in advance of an absence.

Q: My dog barks and lunges at other dogs. I am concerned about his behavior in a group class.
A: If your dog barks and lunges at other dogs when on leash, you will be better served by beginning in a program designed to deal with that problem specifically. Once you feel more comfortable in controlling your dog around others, you can join the our group classes. Please ask me for details about a class that will better fill your needs; this problem is normally quite fixable!

Q: What training methods do you use?
A: Training methods taught in class utilize primarily positive reinforcement. To speed learning, we suggest using a communciation tool called a clicker. Positive reinforcement training using similar communcation tools have been well-researched and are currently used in training marine mammals in sea parks such as Sea World and in zoos to ease handling. If trainers can train whales to come out of the tank to pee into a paper cup for a urine sample, training dogs should be a snap!
Most people think it is great fun to train with a clicker. The clicker is a tool that can be used to speed learning. Once something, like coming when called, is learned, the clicker is phased out. The clicker is never a substitute for voice commands; it is simply a training tool, like a leash.

If for some reason you don't wish to use a clicker, please let me know and we can substitute a verbal marker in place of the clicker.

Q: How long should my dog be in my home before I start classes?
A: It is necessary for dogs to be in their new homes for two weeks prior to starting classes to ensure that they are not going to “break” with a communicable disease, such as “kennel cough.”

Q: Where are your classes held?
A: Group classes are held at teh Good Dog! School in Phoenix at the Shoppes at Exit 24, Suite G, 205 Fern Valley Rd. Find Good Dog! School:

Please check our schedule or give us a call at 690-8783 to find out when and where classes are held. Once enrolled, you will receive directions.

Q: When do the different classes meet?
A: See Group Class Schedule for details.

Q: How many dogs or puppies are in a class?
A: It depends on the class, but generally there are no more than ten.

Q: What are your health requirements for attending classes?
A: Your dog needs to be free of signs of communicable diseases to attend classes. Even if your vaccinations are current, it is possible to pass minor illnesses among other dogs, so please do not bring your dog to class if he or she is ill. Please watch for signs of coughing, sneezing, discharge from the eyes or nose, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Even if your dog does not “seem sick,” if they are displaying these symptoms, please do not bring them to class, but take them to your veterinarian instead. If your dog misses class due to illness, please call and time will be added to your card. Please do not bring your dog to class if there is a chance that he or she is ill.

Q: What vaccinations are required?
A: Proof of vaccination is required at the first class or your dog will not be allowed in the classroom. We expect puppy owners to continue their vaccination series and to bring in updated vaccination records. Puppies attending Puppy Kindergarten must have their shots given by a licensed veterinarian–no exceptions.

Q: What proof of Rabies vaccination is required? Can I just bring my dog’s tags?
A: Rabies is a fatal disease and we absolutely must have proof of vaccination in the form of a statement from your veterinarian indicating that your pet was vaccinated. Rabies tags alone are not acceptable proof of vaccination. Your pet will not be allowed in class without the proper vaccination records.

Q: My dog has had his “kennel cough” shot, so I don’t need to be concerned if he’s sneezing, right?
A: It’s not that simple! Dogs and puppies can still get “kennel cough” even though they have had all their vaccinations, because there are many things that can cause an upper respiratory infection in pets. The best practice is to fully vaccinate your dog, observe for signs of illness, and take them to your veterinarian and keep them at home if they are showing possible signs of illness.

Q: My dog had sterilization surgery—how long do I have to be out of class?
A: For a normal spay or neuter surgery, your dog does not need to miss classes if you schedule the surgery for the day after a class. Dogs should not play while they still have stitches, so please talk with your instructor if your dog has recently had surgery.

Q: Do you offer playtime in classes?
A: Playtime is offered in Puppy Kindergarten but may not be available at other levels if the instructor has safety concerns due to the combination of dogs in the class.

Q: What dogs shouldn’t come to class?
A: Dogs that are aggressive to other dogs or people, or those who are showing signs of illness are not appropriate for group classes. Please call 541-690-8783 for an appointment to help address any aggression issues before bringing the dog to group classes. Once your dog is enrolled in class, please don't bring them if they are showing signs of illness or infection.

Q: What should I bring to class?
A: See below:

Q: What treats should I bring to class?
A: Becky Schultz, Training and Behavior Manager at the Golden Valley Animal Shelter in Minnesota, advises: The standard of excellence for food rewards in class is: “The treats need to smell more interesting than your classmate’s dog’s rear end—because that’s your competition!” Something that smells really wonderful and enticing will work best in class to keep your dog’s attention. We recommend small tasty bits of meat, cheese, small and soft prepared dog treats, or anything else that your pet wants. Please keep in mind that treats really need to be exciting for your dog to want them around other dogs. We have delicious, healthy, nonmessy treats available for purchase in class.

Q: Can my children come to classes?
A: Absolutely! All family members are welcome, including children. If your child is young, please bring an extra adult who can tend to his or her needs. Young children may become bored, tired, or disruptive. Older children may handle their dog in class provided they have the necessary physical strength to control their dog and are willing to work with the dog during the week. (Parents! Great incentive!) We encourage children to come to class, but for their safety and the safety of the dogs, an adult must be present to ensure physical control of the dog. Please encourage all family members not to chat while the instructor is speaking.

Q: Who should train the dog? Can my partner and I alternate coming every week?
A: We recommend that the entire household get involved in training the dog and to come to class. It is not necessary to have the same person come to class each week, but each person who comes to class should be able to pass the class skills with the dog.

Q: How much time should I spend training my dog?
A: Dogs are always learning, therefore every moment is a teachable moment. Ideally, every interaction with your dog should be that type of moment in which you do not allow them to “practice it wrong.” For best results, practice formally ten times a day for minutes at a time. Keep your training sessions short and frequent.

Q: How should I practice with my dog?
A: In class, we will show you the how-to of training your dog: We are training you to train your dog! In order for your dog to learn the lesson well, your dog will need to practice on a daily basis. Once your dog performs well at home, train your dog in as many new environments as you can dream up. Dogs who only practice at home will be very easily distracted and will embarass you when you are out and about. Practice is what makes the dog a trained dog, so we really emphasize practicing training correctly, frequently, and in a variety of different places.

Q: Tell me about Playgroups!
A: Playgroups is a private play session for dogs and puppies. Please Contact Us or check our Schedule for availability.

Q: Cancellations/Refund Policy:
A: After the first class session, refunds will be given only in case of medical or other emergency. We must be notified before the end of the last scheduled class to ensure a refund. We encourage students to observe a class without their dog if they have any questions about our training methods.

Private training classes are available, both in-home and at our Good Dog! School location in Phoenix, Oregon. The fee for private lessons is $60 per hour; additional trip fees apply if the lesson is scheduled in your home.

Q: Who do I talk to if I still have questions?
A: Call Wendy Pool at (541) 779-0655 or email: wendypool@clearwire.com