Our Training Policies
Private Lessons
Training Policies
Consultations
All new clients begin with an initial phone consultation to determine if our trainers are a good match for your needs. During this meeting, trainers will review your training goals, assess your dog’s motivations and sensitivities, discuss training equipment, and cover the basics of behavior and learning theory, in addition to answering any questions you have.
Schedule
Private lessons are scheduled at a frequency agreed to by the client and trainer (usually weekly) upon meeting. As our trainers must commute to different sites for each private lesson, we ask our clients to be flexible with the start time. Our trainers will make every effort to arrive at the scheduled time, please understand that this is not always possible with traffic. Our trainers will always communicate via text, email or phone call if they are running behind.
Cancellations
Sit’s Getting Real reciprocates your scheduling flexibility with a generous cancellation policy. We understand that you may experience last minute circumstances that prevent you from attending lessons as scheduled. As our trainers are often booked weeks in advance, we ask our clients to give as much notice as possible if a cancellation is needed. However, a fee is not charged for your first cancellation, unless your trainer is already in transit to your lesson. Cancellations after a trainer is already in transit to your lesson, or excessive cancellations (more than one cancellation in a single pack of lessons), will incur a cancellation fee equal to the value of one lesson.
Payments & Refunds
Lessons are available for purchase either individually or as discounted packages of lessons. Payment of one lesson is due in full prior to the first lesson. Clients will not be added to a trainer schedule until full payment has been received. Accepted methods of payments are cash, check, Venmo and Zelle. Bounced checks will incur a $40 fee. Partial or full refunds are not available once the first lesson in a pack of lessons has been rescheduled, canceled or used. Single lessons are nonrefundable.
Transfers & Expirations
Single lessons expire and are forfeited three months from the date of purchase. Lessons purchased as a package expire and are forfeited 120 days from the date of purchase. Lessons are non-transferable without prior written approval from Sit's Getting Real. Transfer requests may not be granted unless the recipient of the transfer maintains the lesson schedule of the original lesson purchaser.
Reasonable Communication
During lessons, all clients receive an explanation and demonstration of training exercises, in addition to the opportunity to practice exercises with the trainer present. When applicable, trainers will follow up lessons with a courtesy email or text to include step-by-step instructions on how to continue practicing exercises between lessons, in addition to any information the trainer considers to be helpful. Our trainers are also available to answer your questions between scheduled lessons, within reason. Please understand the trainers are often driving or teaching lessons and may not be immediately available to respond. Trainers are not available to respond to questions outside of normal business hours. For all medical and nutrition-related questions and/or emergencies please consult with your veterinarian.
Group Lessons
Training Policies
Schedule
Class meets on the same day and time for five consecutive weeks unless otherwise noted. All five weeks are held in-person with your dog. Due to space limitations, make-up classes are not always available if you miss a session, but you will still receive the weekly homework.
Vaccinations
We require proof of vaccinations for distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus-2), parvovirus and parainfluenza, otherwise known as DHPP or DA2PP vaccination series. Puppies must have received the first round of vaccines, and a first deworming at least seven days prior to the first class. Puppies without proof of these vaccinations will not be allowed in class for the safety of others. We also strongly encourage vaccinations for leptospirosis, bordetella and canine influenza. We require proof of rabies vaccinations for dogs 20 weeks or older. Please consult with your veterinarian.
Appropriate Behavior
Not every dog is behaviorally appropriate for a group class environment. If your dog is reactive toward people or other dogs, is extremely shy or fearful, or barks incessantly at people or other dogs, we encourage you to consider private lessons instead. If you are uncertain of your dog's suitability for a group class, please fill out our pre-consultation questionnaire and one of our trainers will assist you in finding the most appropriate option. Trainers reserve the right to remove dogs from a class for the safety of others.
Refunds
Due to limitations in class enrollment, refunds are only available if you notify us of the writing that you are withdrawing from a course more than 72 hours in advance of the first class and we are able to fill your spot with another student. We will make every effort possible to fill your spot, but we are unable to guarantee a refund. Owners with dogs who are removed from the class due to behavioral inappropriateness are not eligible for a refund. Please think carefully about your schedule and the suitability of your dog prior to enrolling. A $50 deposit is required to hold your spot for class and the remainder of the balance is due 72 hours before the class start date and time.
Cancellations
All group classes must meet a minimum enrollment of four students in order to be held. Courses that do not make this minimum 48 hours before the start of the first class are subject to cancellation; a full refund will be issued if a transfer to another class cannot be completed. Individual classes are subject to cancellation at the instructor's discretion, including but not limited to such reasons as illness, inclement weather or any other reasons that may occur.