Online Registration for Basic Obedience Class

 
ABOUT THE CLASSES:
 
1. There are usually 2 instructors (Donna Malone and Jean Guarr).  The number of students varies from week to week because of our class structure.
2. There are a total of six classes per session.  The first class, however, in an initiation class.  You do not bring your dog and you come early for that one class. (Should you opt to continue working with your dog, subsequent classes will consist of 6 training classes.  You may, at any time during your three month window as long as you are an active student, come to an initiation class early without your dog and watch the DVD again, .
3. We teach sit, down, stand, stay, come, heel and six tricks. We understand you want a well-behaved pet, whether it is "on command" or not.  Our goal is helping your dog be better-behaved generally, not just responds to commands..
4. We use operant conditioning with an emphasis on clicker training and positive reinforcement. Most of the animals on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel that are trained are clicker-trained. Our methods can be used to train any animal, including pets (such as birds, cats and dogs), livestock (such as chickens, cows, horses, pigs) and exotics (such bears, elephants, lions, tigers, whales and dolphins) and even fish!


LOCATION:  The classes are held UPSTAIRS in RAOT’s Education and Activity Center at 2648 Broad above Hollywood PetStar. Enter Hollywood PetStar, turn immediately to your left and go through the double blue doors, go up the stairs, follow our signs (with the logo above) to our Center. (DRIVING DIRECTIONS: On Broad in Midtown Memphis, west of Scott Street, click MAP to see a map of the general area or DIRECTIONS for "point to point" driving directions). NOTE:  For long-time Memphians who have not been in the area in a while, Broad no longer goes all the way to East Parkway.

2010 SCHEDULE: 
 
Effective JANUARY 16, 2010, you can register for our basic obedience classes online or  any Saturday* at  9:15 A.M.  The registration process including class initiation takes approximately three hours. Bring your completed registration form (available below) and proof of vaccinations.

We require all regular vaccinations, including kennel cough. For your convenience, proof of vaccinations may be faxed to (901) 357-7443 by your veterinarian.

To prepare for your first training class, hand feed your dog everything it eats for the week between your initiation class and first training class. Do not feed your dog after :6:00 p.m. the day before class and do not feed it in the morning before class. A hungry dog will be more attentive to you. Unless instructed otherwise, do not hand feed for more than seven days.



 


THE HANDS-ON TRAINING CLASSES: We meet every Saturday* at 10 a.m. for an hour.  You may attend at your convenience, as long as you complete your classes within three months.** Keep the following instructions in mind:

1. BRING YOUR DOG.
2. Bring your dog on a five or six foot leash – NO CHAIN LEASHES, FLEXI-LEADS OR HARNESSES – and a flat or buckle style collar. Additional equipment may be necessary in some cases, if so, the cost is usually under $30. (Unless your veterinarian has advised you to use a harness for medical reasons, in which case one is permissible.)
3. Bring THREE types of treats, cut into pieces no larger than an English (green) pea or the eraser on a number two pencil. You need at least 200 pieces per class. The treats can be dog treats (Beggin’ Strips, Pup-Peroni, Snausages, Nutro Training Bits) or people food (cheese, chicken , beef, or hot dogs.) Whatever you use, it should be soft or semi-soft, rather than hard or crunchy.
4. Normal "shedding" is expected and not a concern; however, if your dog is shedding excessively, you should brush your dog thoroughly before class each week to remove excess hair.

 


DRESS CODE:  CASUAL and COMFORTABLE. Acceptable shoes are loafers, tennis shoes, or similar footwear, no flip-flops, clogs or open-toed shoes allowed.  Avoid tight-fitting clothing that restricts your movement.

COST: The fee is $80 for the course (six weeks), unless your dog qualifies for a discount (see below), includes course materials and a clicker. Discounts are available as applicable, see below. Those who pay full or close to full price are NOT directly or indirectly subsidizing the discounts provided to rescues.   

REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

1. You must pre-register to qualify for discounts!  Only one discount applicable at a time, no double-discounting.
2. No personal checks accepted. Pay online or bring certified check, money order or cash. Credit/debit cards only available for online payments. If you are uncomfortable paying online, you can pre-register by mailing your registration form to us along with a certified check or money order postmarked at least seven (7) working days before class to ensure we receive it in time or you can bring cash to the first class to register...
3. Bring your application, proof of vaccination and, if you paid online, proof of payment to initiation.

CHOOSE APPLICABLE PAYMENT OPTION

1. PRE-PAY NOW and get a $5 Discount using your DEBIT/CREDIT card - $75.

2. Animals adopted from any government run Animal Shelter (i.e., Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, Marion, etc.), Responsible Animal Owners and affiliated rescues within the last six months are eligible for a 25% discount - $60. To be eligible, you must: Provide proof your dog was adopted from a rescue or shelter within the last six months by bringing your adoption paperwork to class the first day. No extensions.  

3. Rescues and animal adopted from other rescues are eligible for a $10 discount - $70  To be eligible, you must: Provide proof your dog was adopted from a rescue or shelter within the last six months by bringing your adoption paperwork to class the first day. No extensions.

4. Dogs currently in foster homes or shelters in need of behavior modification, socialization and/or training to help prepare them for adoption are eligible for a 75% discount - $20. To be eligible, you must: Provide proof your dog is currently being fostered for a rescue or shelter on their letterhead the first day of class. No extensions.

PARKING: Hollywood PetStar asks that you park at either end of the parking lot so their "shopping" customers can access the store while you train and that you clean up after your dog if it eliminates anywhere in the building. Should you want to shop after class, please take your dog outside first for a "potty" break before doing so.

*With the exception of major holidays (posted in the training room) and "snow days" (any day you feel uncomfortable driving to class because there is ice or snow on the roads - if you have any doubt, call us.) 

. **Special arrangements are available should your schedule prohibit you from completing the classes within 3 months.