Online Registration for Basic Obedience Class

ABOUT THE CLASSES:

1. There are usually 2 instructors (Donna Malone and Jean Guarr) and 6 and 10 students per class.
2. 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 so our focus is on shaping better behavior and not on competition level obedience responses.
3. 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 have been 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!

 

 

 


2010 SCHEDULE: 

Effective JANUARY 16, 2010, you can register for our basic obedience classes any Saturday at 9 A.M. (with the exception of our Summer break from August 21 to September 12 and our Winter break from December 12 to January, 2011.)  The registration process including class initiation and lasts approximately 3 hours.  DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG. Bring your completed registration form and proof of vaccinations. We require all normal vaccinations, plus kennel cough. For your convenience, proof of vaccinations can be faxed to (901) 357-7443 by your vet. For the next week, hand feed your dog everything it eats for the week.

 

 


THE HANDS-ON TRAINING CLASSES are every Saturday at 10 a.m. and run from one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes.  Keep these instructions in mind:

1.Do not feed your dog after :6:00 p.m. the day before class and do not feed it before class. A hungry dog will be more attentive to you.  Unless instructed otherwise, do not hand feed for more than seven days.
2. BRING YOUR DOG.
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 100 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, not hard or crunchy.
4. Bring 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.)
5. Normal "shedding" is expected and not a concern; however, if your dog is shedding excessively, you should groom your dog before class each week to remove excess hair.

 

 

 

 



 


LOCATION: RAOT obedience classes are held UPSTAIRS at 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: Broad no longer goes all the way to East Parkway.

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.

DRESS CODE:  CASUAL and COMFORTABLE. Acceptable shoes are loafers, tennis shoes, or similar footwear, absolutely no flip-flops or clogs are permitted.  You should avoid tight-fitting clothing as it tends to restrict movement.

COST: The fee is $80 for the course (six weeks), unless your dog qualifies for a discount, and includes course materials and a clicker. Note: Discounts are available as noted below. Be advised that those who pay full or close to full price are NOT directly or indirectly subsidizing the discounts that we provide to rescues.   

REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM:

1. Pre-register to qualify for any and all 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 come to the first class without registering..
3. Bring your application, proof of vaccination, and, if you paid online, proof of payment, to registration and initiation class.

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 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.