Teamworks Dog Training, llc

   Which class for my dog?

    Please see this page. Is your dog 8 weeks to 6 months of age?  If so, you should probably consider a Puppy Class.  Has your dog already taken a puppy class?  Consider our Puppy Confidence & Agility Class.  Is your dog over 6 months of age and just needs some manners training?  Try our Canine Good Citizen Class. Does your dog have all of the basic Canine Good Citizen skills, but needs to practice them around distractions?  Take a look at our Distraction Proofing Class.  Has your dog already passed the Canine Good Citizen test? You are eligible to take agility classes, tracking classes, flyball classes, or the Therapy Dog class.

   I just got a dog -- shouldn't I enroll in a class immediately?

    Actually, that's the most common thought of new dog owners -- and the desire to get started off on the right foot is certainly to be commended!  While that might be a good idea for a puppy,  it is much more beneficial with a rescue dog to wait at least one month to give the dog time to adjust to his new home environment before coming to class.  During this time you and the dog will get to know each other...and the dog will come to see you as his "pack".  This way, when he comes to the new and exciting environment of class for the first time, he has a familiar face to look to for guidance...you.  As it turns out, the CGC  class usually fills up at least one month ahead of time.  So, if you enroll now, you'll be ready to take the class in a month or so.

  Why do I have to show proof of vaccinations for my dog? 

    There are several diseases for which all dogs should be protected against. Rabies is a zoonotic disease (meaning it can be passed from animals to people) and can be fatal to both.  Parvo virus is an extremely tough virus that can live almost anywhere in the environment for years. When contracted by a dog, it destroys the dog's intestines, often leading to death.  Since there are so many dogs coming through our building, we must make sure that every one of them is protected against the most dangerous, but preventable, canine diseases -- Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo virus.  Yearly Bordetella vaccines and the Canine Influenza vaccine are highly recommended.  Any type of print out or statement indicating the dog's vaccination record is acceptable. Please send us a photocopy, though, so we can keep it on file.  Once you've sent in one copy, you only need to send us updates. Please note:  if you are registering for the Puppy class, you may bring your most recent copy of vaccinations to the first class. Please send us a copy of what your puppy currently has with your registration.  We MUST have proof of rabies vaccination due to insurance regulations, but will accept it as per veterinarian's protocol.

  What if my female dog comes into heat while we're enrolled in class?

    Females in heat will get the attention of every dog in class - male and female.  Generally, all dogs behave very differently around females in heat and will be extremely distracted by her.  Moreover, females in heat can leave scents behind that will distract dogs for many days forward.  We ask that you leave dogs in heat at home. Under these circumstances, we'd be happy to reschedule you to a future class at no additional charge.

  Are antibody titers o.k.?

    Antibody titers (the amount of antibody to a particular virus that a dog has in its "immune system memory") can be done instead of vaccinations at your veterinarian's office.  The veterinarian will draw blood and send it off for testing.  The results will show whether your dog has enough "antibody" (which is what is produced when we vaccinate dogs) to protect against disease.  You should send in the titer report in lieu of vaccination records.

  What is clicker training?

    Clicker training is a type of precise tool used in positive reinforcement training that can allow you to train specific behaviors at a distance from your dog.  Our Puppy and Canine Good Citizen classes offer instruction in clicker training, but clicker training is not required. Clicker training is very useful in agility training, flyball training, and treibball training.

   What kind of training methods are used? 

  Excellent question!  As a dog owner, you should be concerned about the training methods that are used in class.  We use positive reinforcement training in this class.  We start off by rewarding the dog for figuring out itself what it should be doing -- not by punishing the dog.  While most people say "I don't want my dog to pull on a leash", they might not know what to say when you ask "Well, exactly what do you want your dog to do instead?"  The key is to define, in black and white, the exact behavior the dog should be doing and to associate that behavior with lots of rewards.  The dog figures it out, the tail wags, and an understanding between the dog and the handler happens. With increased communication and humane leadership techniques, the relationship between the dog and the handler strengthens.  We don't use fear, intimidation or inhumane physical force methods because these methods cause aggression to increase and the relationship between the dog and handler to break down. While we do use toys and treats, we also teach you how to wean the dog off of receiving treats for every behavior.   We also adopt a "work-to-eat/work-to-play" philosophy that lets the dog understand that it can earn its rewards in life by being obedient. 

 Why is there a Canine Good Citizen test requirement for some classes?

We have a Canine Good Citizen test requirement for some of our classes, like the agility, tracking, retrieving, and therapy dog classes.  The Canine Good Citizen test is a standardized test for dogs that is consistent across the country.  Canine Good Citizens are able to demonstrate obedience basics - sit/stay, down/stay, come when called, walk on a loose leash around mild distractions, sit politely for petting, pass a neutral dog calmly.   These are the basic skills needed before entering the more advanced classes at Teamworks. 
PLEASE NOTE:  AT TEAMWORKS DOG TRAINING, YOUR DOG MAY TAKE THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST WEARING A HEAD HALTER (GENTLE LEADER®). WHILE YOUR DOG CANNOT RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL CANINE GOOD CITIZEN CERTIFICATE WEARING THE HEAD HALTER, TEAMWORKS WILL ACCEPT A PASSING SCORE WITH THE HEAD HALTER ON FOR OUR CLASS REQUIREMENTS, SINCE THE HEAD HALTER IS ALLOWED IN THE Carolina Canines for Therapy THERAPY DOG EVALUATION.  DOGS WHO PASS THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN EVALUATION WITH THE HEAD HALTER ON WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR THE HEAD HALTER TO THE NEXT CLASS.  PRONG COLLARS AND CHOKE CHAINS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED, AS THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE COLLARS FOR THERAPY WORK, AGILITY, OR TRACKING.

   Can the other family members come to class?

    Sure!  Guests are always welcome to come watch our group classes*. However, for the sake of consistency for the dog, we ask that you choose one "primary" handler to actually work with the dog in every class (a spouse or a child between the age of 8-18 may sign up as the "assistant" and also attend class to help the primary handler).   For best results in the first class a dog takes, choose the person the dog already "looks up to" the most to be the primary handler in class.  With this person there, the dog will best be able to focus on the tasks and be less worried about distractions.  Then, that person can help other members of the family  train the dog at home (where there will be less distractions).   Especially during the period of time when the dog is learning, it is very important that the person training the dog be very consistent with commands and training; this is the reason for having a primary adult handler.   (There is also a legal requirement for a parent to accompany anyone under the age of 18. Please note that children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by another adult in class so that the primary handler can focus on training the dog.)  * Please note that only adult handlers are allowed in our Fearful Fidos, Reactive Dogs , Leash Manners & Polite Greetings, and Impulse Controls classes due to the nature of the behavior of the dogs in the class.

   Why is there an age minimum or maximum for some classes?

   The Puppy Class is designed for dogs that are still in the formative stages of life.  During this stage of development, puppies need lots of socialization and exposure to many different people, places, and things.  It is very helpful for them to also learn beginning obedience and to bond with their owners.  These elements are designed into the Puppy class.  There is an age maximum in this class of 6 months.

    The CGC  class will focus on training dogs in their adolescence. Teaching a puppy younger than 6 months is very different and usually much more straight-forward than teaching an adolescent dog.   Puppies normally follow humans readily and are very dependent on them. Many time new dog owners marvel at what a great puppy they have and then all of a sudden one day, there's a different dog at the end of the leash.  Dogs in adolescence are usually experimenting with rebellion and leadership challenge.  They seem to care more about impressing other dogs than they care about following their owners around anymore.   Not surprisingly, most dogs in animal shelters are surrendered during this period -- between 6 months and 2 years of age. Having dogs at two very different developmental stages in class would decrease the benefit derived from this class for all.  For this reason, we have designed the Puppy Class and the CGC  class to cater to the dogs' developmental stage. The age minimum of the CGC  class is 6 months because its designed for adolescent dogs.

            The Distraction Proofing class stresses distraction training and builds on the level of confidence gained from the Beginner basics.  The class involves lots of  noises and movement and having other dogs nearby.  For this type of training, the dog should be mature enough to handle distractions.  There is also a developmental fear period in dogs at around 10 months that can cause some dogs to react oddly to common distractions, like a mechanical toy.  For this reason, it is important that dog owners be aware of this stage and be willing to work through this period with their dogs.  Distraction Proofing  class will provide the format to help owners work through the fear period, as well as the other common issues of adolescence. 

    For the Agility classes, there are also age minimums. Most dogs have bones, joints, and tendons in their legs that are still growing and forming until they are 18 months of age.  For this reason, there are organizations in which dogs can't even compete in agility until they are 18 months.   Injuries that occur while the dog's growth plates are still forming can cause serious and irreparable damage.  It is highly recommended that dogs do not jump their full shoulder height until they are 18 months of age.  Thus, we ask that dogs be 7 months of age to take the Pre-Agility class (where we do no more than half height jumping) and 1 year of age to take the Novice level class (where dogs jump full height). 

    Is there a maximum age for any of the classes?

   As long as your dog is in good health, there isn't any reason an old dog can't learn new tricks.  In fact, many times the older dogs do quite well because they are more self-confident.  For this reason there is no age maximum for the Canine Good Citizen classes. However, the maximum age to participate in agility depends on a dog's health and state of being, particularly as far as the limbs, back and joints are concerned.  If your dog is over the age of 7 years old or has health problems, you should seek approval from your veterinarian before starting agility classes.