Before You Come To Class

Thank you for registering for one of our Group Classes.  Please read this entire page, as it contains important class information.

For In-person Group Classes:

  • For the first session of BASIC TRAINING ONLY, we meet WITHOUT DOGS. All other classes, dogs will attend session #1. 
  • Vaccination requirements:
    • All dogs must be current on rabies, distemper, and parvo vaccinations. We DO accept titers for distemper and parvo but not rabies.
    • For puppies, we need age-appropriate vaccinations, so if they have not had their full set of vaccinations yet, including rabies, that is ok!
    • You might also consider bordetella for kennel cough but we DO NOT require it. (Much like the flu vaccines for humans, they work with certain strains but do not guarantee your dog won’t contract a strain not covered by the vaccine.)
  • Equipment you will need for class:
    • OPTIONAL: We encourage you to try clicker training. We sell clickers/wrist coils for $2 or you may bring your own. For more information on clickers, click here.
    • Six-foot or eight-foot leash. Retractable or flexi-leads are NOT allowed in class.
    • Properly fitted flat buckle collar, martingale collar, head halter or harness. NO choke chains, prong or electronic collars.
    • Three or more kinds of treats. SMALL, SOFT and SMELLY are best. See ideas on this page. 
    • For high-quality healthy treats, we offer our Peak Power Treats that we source directly and produce ourselves.  They can be purchased from our website or directly from us in class.
    • For Puppy Preschool, bring 2-3 different toys. A food-filled Kong, chewing bone or similar toy is recommended for at least one of these toys for your puppy to work on when we are between exercises if they have trouble settling.  
    • For Basic Training or Juvenile Delinquents Class, if you have a dog who has trouble sitting still, you might also want to bring a food-filled frozen Kong or chew item for between exercises.
  • Please give dogs space in class and only allow dogs to greet with permission from both people. Remember, not all dogs are ready to say hello right away. Err on the side of giving everyone some extra space until you have permission to greet. Some dogs are gung ho to say hello, but we also want them to learn how to be polite and not rush up to others without permission.
  • If class is near your dog’s mealtime, you might want to wait until after class to feed your dog. For some dogs, especially if they tend to get carsick, you might feed a small amount but not a full meal.
  • Please do not bring a sick dog to class. However, we do recommend that YOU come to class if possible so you don’t miss anything.
  • We encourage the entire family to participate. Your dog benefits if everyone in the house is consistent. However, we ask that small children who will not be able to sit still stay at home. For kids able to sit still during class and/or participate, please bring them along!
  • Dress appropriately, including shoes that will not easily fall off. Weather and daylight permitting, most classes will be held outdoors. We recommend layers as weather can change quickly!
  • In the case of inclement weather, we reserve the right to postpone a class. If this happens, you will be contacted as soon as possible, and the class will be rescheduled.
  • If you know that you will not be able to attend a class, please let us know as soon as possible.
  • For those who have purchased access to Client Corner, our online library of handouts and video clips for the exercises in this class, you will be given access within a day of the first class session.
  • Please note there are NO MAKEUPS for missed sessions. If you know you will miss a session or two, we recommend purchasing the Client Corner for Puppy or Basic Training so you can review all materials missed. If you will miss too many sessions, you might want to wait for the next round of class.

We look forward to seeing you at class!

Beyond Training: The Light of Dog Experience

In addition to our classes, we have much more going on at The Light of Dog:

  • Private Dog Training & Consultations: Need one-on-one training to address specific issues? Book time with Sue to address any training or behavior need.
  • Peak Power Dog Treats:  Produced on our farm in small batches in our USDA-licensed kitchen. So healthy and delicious, people call them “Puppy Crack”. You’ll want to eat them, too! But please, save them for your dog.
  • Home-style dog boarding: People have joked that if reincarnation's real, they’re coming back as a dog—just so they can board with us on our farm!
  • Juvenile Delinquent Dogs – The Complete Guide to Saving Your Sanity and Successfully Living with Your Adolescent Dog: Much like human teenagers, dogs go through an adolescent stage that can really test an adult's patience. Discover how to effectively navigate this challenging period in our book.
  • Power Tugs Dog Toys:  We make functional products to fill the gaps from products we don't find in the market already, which includes our tug toys.
  • Private Dog Park Rental: We’ve transformed 6.5 acres into a slice of doggy paradise—complete with open spaces to run, trails to explore, parkour obstacles for the adventurous, and breathtaking views. It’s a place where dogs can truly feel free, and their humans can soak up the joy of seeing them thrive.
  • Dog Gear Swap: An easy and fun way for dog owners to recycle old, outgrown gear—and maybe discover the perfect new treasure for their pup!
  • Events: Join us for regular events where dogs and their humans connect, explore, and enjoy the magic of our farm! With stunning views, scenic trails, and exciting dog parkour obstacles, it’s the perfect setting for fun and friendship.
  • Content Library:  We have an extensive knowledgebase with text, video, infographics and other tools to help dog owners positively impact the lives of their pets. Start your search on our website home page.