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General Group Class FAQs

Group Class FAQs
What vaccinations does my puppy need before they can attend class?

Puppies: All puppies attending class must be current on vaccinations and deworming. Puppies under 16 weeks are required to have their first round of DHPP administered by a vet at least 7 days before first class.

 

Adult Dogs: All adult dogs must be up to date on DHPP and Rabies vaccinations administered by a veterinarian

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**Vaccinations will need to be sent in prior to the first day of class or at the point of arrival.

 

What should I bring to class?

  • Proof of current vaccines to the first class

  • Standard six-foot leash and a flat collar, martingale collar, and/or harness that your dog can’t slip out of. Please DO NOT bring your dog on a retractable leash.

    • Dogs in a harness should also be wearing a collar for identification. If your dog is in a harness and is over 15lbs, a front and back clip harness is recommended.

  • Bring your dog’s kibble and some higher value treats (at least % meat) for your dog (small, soft treats broken into pea-sized pieces work best)

  • A portable, grippy mat for your dog to lay on, water, and poop bags.

  • Things that are not allowed in class: Choke chains, prong collars, pinch collars, electronic collars, and/or retractable leashes

 

How many dogs will be in class?

Between 2-6 puppies/dogs.

 

What precautions are taken to keep my puppy safe from disease?

The floors are mopped with a veterinary grade cleaning agent that kills viruses and bacteria (Rescue) right before classes start.

Dogs attending class should appear healthy and are behaving normally. If they are  showing signs of illness such as runny eyes or nose, lethargy, lack of appetite, sneezing, coughing, vomiting, watery or bloody stool, and diarrhea they will be sent home and dismissed from class.

 

What if my female dog goes into heat? Can we still attend class?

Dogs in heat may still attend class as long as they are wearing a diaper to keep the space sanitary. Dogs in heat will need to be kept away from the other Dogs. Puppies will not be allowed to participate in the play sessions.

 

Please keep in mind that dogs in heat are more likely to be lethargic and may have a harder time working.

 

What if I miss a class?

If your dog is unable to attend the class we recommend that you come to class and participate in the discussion and observe the exercises without your dog. Otherwise, you will be offered a time either 15 mins before or after the next class to cover the material that was missed.

 

What is the class refund policy?

Full refunds will only be accepted if requested at least 7 days before the start of the first class. Please email Ace’s Pace at aces.pace.sacramento@gmail.com to request a refund

 

What if my puppy is over 18 weeks old and is too old to qualify for the Baby Bark Beginnings class and the AP Puppy Playbook Series?

Older dogs who aren’t reactive to dogs and/or people would be a better fit for the Mannered Mutts series. Please reach out if you are unsure whether or not your dog is considered “reactive”

 

Is the Mannered Mutts Series a good fit if my adult dog is fearful or reactive to dogs and/or people?

Group classes are generally not a good place to start for fearful or reactive dogs. Please reach out to Ace’s Pace at aces.pace.sacramento@gmail.com so that we can help you find the best fit for you and your dog.

Private Training FAQS

Private Training and Behavior Consulting FAQs

How long does it take to fully train a dog?

On average, it takes a minimum of two years of active training to build the relationship and rapport needed for good foundations. However, the progress of each dog will depend on the individual dog and people in that dog’s life. Asking a trainer how long it will take to fully train a dog is like asking a teacher how long it will take a child to graduate college. There are milestones we have in mind but there are many variables that can impact the answer to the question.

 

My dog barks/lunges at other dogs/people. Can you help?

Yes! I’d be happy to help you with your reactive dog. As the pet parent to a reactive dog, I am very familiar with how reactivity impacts both the dog(s) and their people. Please fill out my contact form or shoot me an email at aces.pace.sacramento@gmail.com with details about what you’re hoping to work on.

 

My dog growls/snaps/bites when I try to pick up food/toys. How can I stop this behavior?

When we approach a dog that is near, around, or actively engaging with something they value, sometimes their response can be to do whatever necessary to prevent us from taking this valued item away. Even if our intentions weren’t to remove anything, if from the dog’s point of view it may have seemed that way, there is a possibility of guarding behavior. 

 

Think about a scenario where you’re having dinner with a friend. You’re super hungry and you’ve been looking forward to this meal all day. All of a sudden, mid meal, your friend decides to reach into your bowl and grab some of your food without asking. How would you respond? Would you have been okay with it if they had asked? What about if it was the last bit of your food? What if you knew that what you had isn’t even something they like?

 

So what should you do? You need to remove this item but you don’t want to get growled at, snapped at, or bit. Well, the first thing you should do is stop taking things from your dog (counterintuitive right?) especially without trading them with another valuable item. Then you should seek out a professional that can help you change how your dog feels when you approach valuable items and make it a positive experience. Please reach out to aces.pace.sacramento@gmail.com if you’d like to work together on changing this behavior!

 

Do you offer a guarantee?

Yes, this is my promise to you:

  • You will learn more about your dog, why they do what they do, and how to be the best pet parent you can be. I guarantee that working with me will be full of insightful learning that will help you grow as a guardian

  • Your relationship, communication, and bond with your dog will improve. I guarantee that I will not ask you to do anything that will compromise your dog’s mental health, physical health, or relationship with one another but rather, help you strengthen and build a lifelong love for one another

  • I will support you and your dog as a team. If you’re not happy, your dog probably isn’t either. I guarantee that I will always listen to you and your concerns with the utmost kindness and respect to find a solution that will work for both you and your dog

  • You will always be approached with kindness and empathy. I guarantee that you will not be judged on your past or present because we are all doing our best and we don’t know what we don’t know until we do. 

 

How long will it take to resolve my dog’s issues?

This depends on you and your dog! How often do you train? How often are you working on the specific behavior you’re trying to change? How much of the issue is genetics? How much of the issue is learning history? As you can see, there are a lot of factors that impact the behaviors of a sentient being when the behavior is rooted in emotional responses.

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