Clean Run - June 2015 - 66

How do you communicate
student absences to
instructors?

Most students will email
or text and let me know if
they're missing a class and
whether they found a substitute to take their place.

What is your policy on
when a handler misses
class due to vacation, dog
show, etc.?

There are no credits given for
a missed class but they do
have the option of "selling"
their spot to another student.

How do you handle classes
canceled due to weather?
Do the students make
them up?

How do you handle it when
you just don't mesh with a
particular student and you
need to part ways?

I'll credit the cost of the class
to the next session.

Generally we agree to
disagree if it's training or
handling issue. I'm open
minded if they think something is working better for
their dog than what I might
recommend; there are many
ways to accomplish getting
through a course. If I feel
the dog's safety is at risk, I'll
speak with them privately
and let them know of my
concerns. For instance, when
someone wants to continue
running a dog with a health
issue, such a luxating patellas, I try to put the dog's
well-being first and foremost.

Do you observe holidays? If
so, how do they affect the
class schedule?

We observe major holidays
and the class fees are prorated.
How do you accommodate injured dogs or handlers that will be out for a
month or more? Do you
keep their place in class?

Handlers need to pay to keep
their spot if they need time
off for any reason. They also
have the choice of finding a
substitute to fill their place
temporarily. If neither of
these alternatives work, then
their name is placed on a
wait list for that class.

What program do you
use to schedule and book
classes?

DogBiz Pro,
www.dogbizpro.com.

Do you offer private
lessons? Do you offer discounts on privates to existing students? How/when do
you recommend a private
lesson to work on a team's
speciﬁc issues?

I have two days a month that
I set aside just for lessons
and occasionally I'll schedule weekend lessons if there
are no trials. I do not offer
discounts on lessons. If I see
a student struggling with a
skill or concept, I'll recommend that they set up a lesson for some extra help and
feedback.
Do you have items for sale
at your facility like treats,
toys, and human food and
drinks?

Each facility offers a few
items for sale, mostly treats
and toys.
How do you feel about instructors running students'
dogs in class to demo concepts, or help a handler
who is struggling either with
their dog, or with their own
technique?

made to feel badly because
an instructor can get their
dog to do something they
can't! If I ask to run someone's dog, my goal is to help
the student understand the
dog does have the ability
or understanding to do the
skill I'm asking of them. And
sometimes the dog clearly
lets me know that it's lacking
that skill or understanding
and the handler isn't at fault.
From there we can formulate a training plan for some
homework.
Thank you, Dana, for letting
us know how you run K9s in
Motion! D

I think it can be a useful
tool when used correctly,
as long as the handler isn't

Brenna Fender is a writer and editor who works for Clean Run magazine and the United States Dog Agility Association. She lives in Florida with her husband, two children,
a Papillon, a Beagle, and a Border Collie, as well as various other furry and not-so-furry creatures. The Border Collie is currently competing in agility and, occasionally,
disc dog events. Over the years, Brenna's dogs have been titled in conformation, agility, Junior Hunter, Junior Courser, rally, obedience, and Canine Good Citizen. Brenna
can be reached at brennafender@gmail.com and you can read her humor blog at www.laughingattherain.blogspot.com.

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Clean Run | June 15
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Clean Run - June 2015

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