As Nevada adapts to live with COVID-19, here are our changes in policy and sanitation protocols. We hope you will continue to feel confident coming to classes and referring others to us!
Cleaning and Sanitation
- Increased disinfection of trouble spots. We have always cleaned the training center and mopped the floor once a week (before Puppy classes) with Trifectant. As each trainer leaves, she will spray door handles, bathroom fixtures, and other commonly touched surfaces with Lysol spray.
- Increased air flow. You’ll notice that the front and back doors are propped open (blocked with baby gates) during your class, and that a fan is running. If it’s cold we’ll run the heat too, so you’ll want to dress in layers to stay comfortable.
- Hand sanitizer has been placed at each client’s seat. Clients will be reminded to sanitize their hands upon entering the building, during class, and before leaving.
Policy Changes
- Every human in the building will be required to wear a mask which properly covers their mouth and nose. This includes children. If you or your children are unable or unwilling to wear a mask, please consider one of our online class options instead. Please be kind if your trainer reminds you to pull the mask up over your nose – it’s for everyone’s safety.
- Each station in the training center will be spaced 6 feet apart. Watch for the tape on the floor to help you know when you’re crossing into another person’s space. Please try to stay 6 feet from other students. Since our class sizes are so small, this won’t be difficult.
- In order to accommodate social distancing protocols, please bring no more than 2 handlers per dog. Normally we LOVE to have the whole family, plus Grandma and the dog sitter, involved in training! But in these bizarre times, Grandma’s safety is more important than dog training consistency (never thought we’d say that …). If you’d like some training for the entire family together, please consider private lessons – we’d love to do that.
- Don’t bring it in. If you, or anyone in your immediate family or social “bubble,” are experiencing any symptoms of illness, please stay home. We will work with you to make sure you get to make up your class in a fair way.
- The likelihood of your dog catching the novel coronavirus is very low. It’s even lower in our training center. As always, toys, Kongs, and water bowls – in short, any items that may transmit saliva or dogs or may share – are one-use only. After use by one dog, they are either washed or recycled. Here is what the CDC says about COVID-19 and pets.
- Should we need to cancel in-person classes to comply with government regulations or keep our clients, trainers, and staff safe, we will switch to online class delivery. Because of our dedication to small class sizes, a collegial environment, and plenty of teacher-student attention, classes depend on every student committing to attend. A change in class delivery method (such as in-person to online) will not be grounds for class postponement or a refund.
A Note on Puppies
- Sadly, many puppies have missed out on critical socialization during this time. Unfortunately, it’s also impossible for puppies to pick up where they left off. The critical socialization period actually ends at about 3 to 4 months of age, which means that to be socialized properly, a puppy has to be exposed, in a positive way, to the stimuli he or she will be expected to handle with grace later on in life before they will be done their vaccines. This puts us and puppy owners in a conundrum, because if a puppy misses this critical period, they can’t effectively pick up where they left off. Of course, we’re still happy to help owners with any difficulties that arise in 6 months to a year due to lack of socialization – that’s what we do.
Our goal is to make our training classes as safe as possible for the clients who trust us with their family members. Please reach out if you have any questions.
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