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Frequently Asked Questions
Get Started. Got Questions. Get Answers.
By k9HS - Canine High School
Please choose from each category below to see a list of questions and answers for each topic. Click on any question to learn more and find the answers you're looking for. As always, we are only a text or email away if you want to speak with a human!
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How do the school programs work?We pick up your dog during our morning route between 9-11 am and drop them off in the afternoon between 3-5 pm. Our trainers will be working with your pups for at least 4 solid hours of training to meet their specific school curriculum and objectives. This includes 1-on-1 training, pack walks and dog sports with water and rest breaks in between. We will send you a photo update during the day and weekly report cards.
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How do I get my pup started?Your first step to get started is to schedule a call with Admissions and fill out our Assessment Questionnaire. Our Admissions coordinator will join you on the phone to answer your questions, start a file for your pup(s), and walk you through the admission process. We will also help you schedule your in-person Admissions Interview during this call. Sometimes it is nice to just talk to a human, and we got you! Here is a link to schedule your Call with Admissions: Here is a link to the Admissions Questionnaire:
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What is the admissions process?1. First, schedule a Call with Admissions and make sure to fill out our questionnaire before your call. Our Admissions coordinator will join you on the phone to answer your questions, start a file for your pup(s), and walk you through the admission process. We will also help you schedule your in-person Admissions Interview during this call. Here is a link to schedule your Call with Admissions: Here is a link to the Admissions Questionnaire: 2. Next is your Admissions Interview. Our head trainer Carlos will meet you and your pup at your home. He does an assessment and lets you know what the next best steps for you and your pup are. This takes about 30-40 minutes. After your Admissions Interview you will find out if your pup is approved for school or which training package is recommended for you. 3. Purchase your Pricing Plan. Choose a pricing plan based on the number of days you want your pup to attend each week. When setting up your plan, make sure to select the Friday before their first day as the "Effective Start Date." This ensures that your plan renews each week on the same day and time as you purchased it, giving you the weekend to book your dog for the following week. Once you purchase your plan, it will renew each week on the same day and time. You will use our Online Booking system to schedule the days you want your dog to attend school each week. Here is a link to our Pricing plans: 4. Schedule the First Day of School. There is a dedicated First Day of School class each Monday exclusively for our newest members. This carefully designed introduction ensures a safe and positive experience for your furry friend. Our head trainer, Carlos, will personally pick up your pup on their first day and guide them through a fun-filled session that will leave them eager for more.
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How do I schedule an assessment for my pup?We are excited to meet your pup! Schedule a Call with Admissions and make sure to fill out our questionnaire before your call. Our Admissions coordinator will join you on the phone to answer your questions, start a file for your pup(s), and walk you through the admission process. We will also help you schedule your in-person Admissions Interview during this call. Here is a link to schedule your Call with Admissions: Here is a link to the Admissions Questionnaire: The assessment will be conducted by our head trainer, Carlos F Morales - CPDT-KA. He is a certified temperament test evaluator by the AKC and will be conducting the assessment personally. Afterward, you will receive his recommendations for your pup and create a training plan. There is a $99 charge for this service; however 100% of this charge will be applied to your Private Training or School Pricing plan when you sign up for services.
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What is the price to train my pup?We offer various affordable pricing plans and packages depending on your training goals - Private Training or our School Program, and how many days per week you prefer. Here's a link to our Pricing Plans where you can explore all our options:
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What paperwork do I need?Please be sure to fill out and sign your Service Agreement before your in-person Admissions Interview. We will also request vaccination records and spay or neutering records. As part of your Admissions Call, please fill out this Assessment Questionnaire about your pup’s details, including history, health, home and neighborhood environment, etc. All factors will be taken into consideration for your training plan. Your information will be safely put into your file, and we can move forward to scheduling your in-home Assessment
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Can I drop off and pick up my dog myself instead of having you come pick up?No, we are a mobile service and our trainers transport our pups. We do not have a facility where you can drop off and pick up your pup.
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How does pick up and drop off work?We pick up your pup on our morning route between 9-11 am and drop them off during the afternoon route between 3-5 pm. You do not need to be home for pick up and drop off; we can use a lockbox to come in and out or we can pick up from your backyard. If you are home, we ask that you meet us outdoors in front of your home. Each time the trainer is on their way they will send a text message confirmation with their ETA.
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What happens during the School Day?We will be working with your pups for at least 4 solid hours of training to meet their specific school curriculum and objectives. This includes 1-on-1 training, pack walks and dog sports with water and rest breaks in between as we work to increase each pup's attention span. We will send you picture updates during the day.
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What should my dog take to school?Please make sure that your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag every day that you send them to school. This is mandatory. You do not need to send a leash. You will receive a uniform for your pup on their first day of school. We ask that you put your pup's uniform on each morning before school. If you forget, we have uniforms that your pup can borrow for the day. Please do not send expensive leashes or other items that you do not want to be chewed up while we are driving.
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Should I pack Treats & Lunch?No, you do not need to provide lunch or treats, but you may if you’d like. Please let us know if your pup has any food allergies or restrictions. We use freeze-dried beef liver because it is a high-reward treat with no additives. We buy only US-made products.
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How do I schedule our First Day of School?This option is for clients that have already passed their Admissions Interview and purchased their Pricing Plan to send their dog to Puppy School, Dog School, Social School or Agility School for the first time. You can schedule your First Day of School through the link below: We want to ensure a successful and safe introduction to the pack. Carlos, our head trainer, will personally pick up your pup on their first day of school. Your pup's first day will begin and end with a great experience that they will look forward to in the future!
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How do I know what my dog is learning at school so I can reinforce it at home?Each pricing plan comes with four Pop Up Sessions included per school term. Our 30 minute Pop Up Sessions provide personalized support tailored to your dog's needs. Whether you require a hands-on demonstration, follow-up on a recurring issue, or simply want an in-person review of what you've learned in group classes, our experienced school trainer teachers are here to help. We offer weekly parent classes to learn the skills necessary to take the AKC Certification Exams. k9HS Dog School clients will be able to join these classes to learn what we have been working on with their dogs during our school week. These classes are for you, the parent, so that you can learn what we teach your dogs in school and be consistent and maintain your dog's new skills at home
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What are the Requirements for School?• Proof of vaccinations • Dogs past 12 months of age must be spayed or neutered • Temperament evaluation • City licensing • Lock-box for keys or backyard access (we do not store keys) • Basic training required Puppy School Specifics : Puppies must be between 12 weeks and 12 months old to be eligible for enrollment 12 week School Term requirements - 2 days per week minimum Puppy School corresponds with the AKC STAR Puppy Program Dog School Specifics: Dogs must be 12 months and older to be eligible for enrollment 12 week School Term requirements - 2 days per week minimum Dog School corresponds with the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program For Social School: Ongoing enrollment - 1 day per week minimum Social School corresponds with the AKC Community Canine (advanced CGC) or AKC Urban Canine CGC programs
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What's the School Syllabus?Monday through Friday schedule • Convenient at-home pick-up 9-11am & drop-off 3-5 pm • Daily updates and photos • Weekly report cards • Weekly in-person Parent Group Classes • 4 Pop-up Sessions at-home with a trainer • Graduation Certificate • Corresponding AKC Certification Preparation and Exam • Unlimited access to our Online School classes, courses and self-study materials • Dedicated trainer for: daily class and training exercises, on-leash walking at public access areas, corresponding AKC program, play sessions, and sports sessions • School Closures - The following Holidays there will be no school: Presidents Day, Easter Monday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Day.
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What's the School Curriculum?Puppy School specifics: • Puppy play and puppy share sessions • Puppy and New Adoption Training • Basic canine training - Verbal & Hand Commands • House Training - Crate & Potty Training • Mouthing, Barking & Jumping Correction • Basic Manners & Politeness • On-leash Walking • Dog Training Commands • Socialization & Exercise • Boundaries, Impulse Control & Recall • Approaching other dogs • Obedience • AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification Exam and Preparation Classes for parents Dog School Specifics: • Dog play and dog share sessions • AKC CGC Canine Good Citizen Behavior Training • On-leash Walking in Public Access Spaces • Intermediate Dog Training Commands • Intermediate Socialization & Exercise • Intermediate Boundaries, Impulse Control & Recall • Confidence around distractions • Calm for petting and grooming • Personal space and polite around dogs • Intermediate Obedience • AKC Canine Good Citizen Certification Exam & Preparation Classes for parents Social School Specifics: • AKC Urban CGC & Community Canine Behavior Training • On-leash Walking in Public Access Spaces • Advanced Dog Training Commands • Advanced Socialization & Exercise • Advanced Boundaries, Impulse Control & Recall • Advanced Difficulty Indoor Environments like elevators, public transport, etc. • Advanced Difficulty Outdoor Environments like beaches, crosswalks, etc. • Confidence around distractions in City Environments • Calm for petting and grooming in City Environments • Personal space and polite around dogs in crowds • Advanced Obedience • Public access socialization training • Public space field trips • AKC Community Canine (advanced CGC) and AKC Urban CGC Exam & Preparation Classes for parents
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How much does School cost?The cost depends on how many days a week you would like to send your pup. The minimum weekly attendance is 2 days per week for Puppy School and Dog School, and 1 day per week for Socialization School. Our pricing plans are like a membership, they renew every week on the same day you purchase your plan. It works like a weekly school pass that is renewed every week. View the different school Pricing Plans here:
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Is the AKC Certification exam included with School?Yes. Parents must participate in at least 6 weekly in-person AKC Certification Exam Preparation Group Classes with their pup to take the corresponding exam. There will be an exam about every 12 weeks or when needed.
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What are the AKC Certifications?Puppy School corresponds with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification program, S.T.A.R. stands for socialization, training, activity and responsibility. This certification is an incentive program for loving dog parents who have taken the time to take their puppies through our basic training class and school curriculum. This is the first step in preparation to move on to the AKC Canine Good Citizen training program. Dog School corresponds with the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Certification program. This is a 10 skill training program that’s open to all dogs that focuses on teaching the basics of good manners and obedience, instilling the values of responsible ownership, and strengthening the bond between you and your dog at home and out in the community. Socialization School corresponds with the AKC Community Canine and AKC Urban CGC Certification programs. The AKC Community Canine program is the advanced level of AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. It is a 10 skill program that tests a dog’s skills in a natural setting, such as walking through a crowd instead of an isolated setting. The AKC Urban CGC program is a public access exam that demonstrates dogs are well-behaved and well-trained when in public settings including crowds, noises, and other distractions. The Urban CGC test can be used by dog- friendly businesses (e.g., lodging, retail, transportation, public facilities) to recognize and accept dogs with good manners. For more information about the AKC CGC programs, please visit our AKC Certifications Page.
Call us today!
562-270-3961
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