Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I register for a class?
All classes require submission of a registration form along with payment.
Go to the Classes Menu and find the page for the class. Click there for information and the Registration form. There is always a Registrar you can email for additional information.
2. How many weeks do your classes run, and how long is each session? What do they cost?
Competition Level Session Classes are 8 weeks and time of classes vary depending on number of registered dogs.
Pet Level Session Class sessions are 6 weeks long and sessions are usually one hour.
3. How many dogs are in each class?
Pet classes have no more than 8-10 dogs per class.
This is so the instructors can give adequate individual attention to each member of the class.
Competition classes can vary depending on number of dogs and length of class.
4. My kids would love to do the training! And my parents often watch the dog. Can they come help train the dog too?
We encourage all family members to come observe the training. (Young children can come if they are supervised.) Dogs learn very quickly when everyone uses the same rules and cues. We prefer if ONE consistent person is out on the floor to train the dog in class, to avoid confusion and having to re-instruct different handlers each week. At home, everyone should practice all the skills, using the class notes given with each class. The minimum age to train is 10 years old, with a signed waiver, but the instructor will make the final determination as long as they feel the dog is well-controlled by the child and the situation is safe. Important: This decision may be influenced by the size and behavior of the other dogs in the class. The instructor must have the final say.
5. Where is your facility?
At 75 Ellis Street, on the south shore of Staten Island, conveniently located only minutes from the Outerbridge Crossing, West Shore Expressway, and Korean War Veteran's Parkway. When making a right on to Ellis Street from Arthur Kill Road, we on the right-hand side of the road, adjacent to the new Arthur Kill Road train station construction. More detailed instructions can be found on the location page on our website
6. Do I need to be a member of your club in order to train my dog?
No. Anyone is welcome to train here! However, members receive a large discount on registration fees for classes. One starts the membership process by filling out and submitting an application, attending two sessions (eg. Puppy and Beginner One or Beginner One and Agility for Fun), Working 2 hrs. at any club event (see calendar) and attending two of our monthly meetings (Maybe be in person or on ZOOM).
Members are expected to help out at events and volunteer for club tasks. For more information and application, see our membership page.
7. What is the difference between Pet and Competition classes?
Most of the members of the general community are interested in having an obedient and well-controlled dog. Our Pet Classes-- Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner One and Beginner Two-- should give them the basic skills they need for a well-behaved pet. But if you want to do more with your dog and consider competing or doing other Performance Events, then our Competition Classes will offer the training needed to learn those skills.
8. Who do I contact if I have a question or a problem with a class?
You can call our voicemail number 718-948-2147 and someone will return your call. In addition, at our home page there are links for you to use so you can get answers to any question about our facility. And, each registration page has a Registrar with an email contact. Feel free to ask them questions. Click to fill out our Contact Us form.
8. Agility looks like fun—how do I get started with my puppy?
Our Beginner Agility classes teach young dogs and new handlers how to approach each piece of Agility equipment in a safe manner and how to build the many skills that go into this wonderful sport. Contact our Agility Director at [email protected] to find out when the next class will start.
9. What is Rally?
Rally is a form of Obedience that is based on the skills and behaviors needed to manage in the home and in the community. Training for Rally starts with our Beginner One and Two classes, and then continues with our Rally Foundation class. Rally titles can be earned at trials we have right here or at shows throughout the region. Contact Rally registrar/Director-[email protected]
10. What is the Canine Good Citizen Test and can I take it there?
The CGC Test is a 10-part test designed to demonstrate you have worked with your dog to produce a well-mannered pet that is obedient at home and in the community. Upon passing the test, the American Kennel Club will issue you a CGC certificate. We offer the training and the test as part of our Beginner Two class.
11. Who teaches your classes?
The members of our club have many years of experience training and competing with dogs. They attend seminars and get instruction on all kinds of behavioral problems. The more experienced members of our club teach Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner One, Beginner Two, Agility for Fun, Tricks, Therapy Dog and Nose Work classes.
We have Professional Instructors for Competition Agility classes, Competition Obedience classes & Competition Rally classes.
12. Do you make home visits?
Unfortunately we don’t. We teach classes in a group setting in our large facility. This is so people can learn to manage their dog in a community-like setting. There is enough space here for teams to spread apart and the equipment here is available for many types of special training. It can be helpful to watch other teams as well, rather than be limited to just working at home.
13. Is it true that it is unsafe to train a new puppy? Must I wait for vaccinations to be done?
Most new puppy owners will vouch for the fact that annoying behaviors do not wait for vaccinations to be done. Training early will help prevent negative behaviors and help reinforce positive behaviors and help with bonding experiences. We ensure all puppies attending are under the care of a veterinarian and have started their vaccination series before coming to class. Only healthy dogs should attend class, and in this way, we have had an excellent record of keeping even young puppies healthy.
14. My dog still has house training accidents; can we still come for training?
Walking a dog well before class, as well as limiting large meals and lots of fluids before class can all help control this. But accidents happen. We are prepared for clean up and will help you manage this should it happen.
15. Where do I walk my dog once I am there? Where do I park? What do I bring? I have so many questions!!!!
Once you register for Puppy class or Beginner One you will receive an Orientation document as well as Notes for your class. You will learn about where to park, what to bring, our Potty area (directly across the driveway from our building), our dress code, what to do if the dog is sick, what sorts of collars and leashes we suggest, what kinds of treats we use in training—and the answers to many many more questions that will prepare you for your first-class session.
16. I can’t find the equipment I need for class—do you sell anything?
We have a lovely little store, Barkingham Palace, where we sell training supplies, treats, toys, and equipment. As a non-profit organization, we can offer these things at very competitive prices. Ask your instructor to show you what is available at the store.
17. My bitch is in season, can we still come in for training?
Bitches in season may come to class wearing well-fitting panties. You may choose to keep your dog at home during her time in season, however, the owner should come in to observe class and learn the lessons. The dog should be bathed before returning to class.
18. My dog just got neutered—when will he/she be able to train again?
Confer with your Vet, but some male dogs can participate within a day or two as long as their wound is clean and dry, and they do no jumping or have no physical contact with other dogs. Females may need a week or so to recover. Even if the dog is unable to attend class, the Owner should attend to observe and learn the class lesson that week.
19. I had to miss (or drop out of) class. Can I make up classes or get a refund?
We cannot offer make up classes, so if your dog is sick, we suggest YOU come to class even without the dog so you can observe the lesson. We limit the number of dogs in each class so we can maintain control and give individualized attention to each team. Therefore, when you take a spot in a class, someone else is unable to have that spot. If someone drops out, we do not offer refunds because we cannot then put another dog in the class. In extraordinary situations, eg the death/severe illness of the dog or handler or in an extreme emergency, our Training Director handles it on a case-by-case basis.
20. I had to drop out after just a few classes. Can I still get a certificate of completion for Beginner One? My breeder / landlord / insurance company wanted to make sure I completed the full session.
Beginner One students need to attend for at least 5 classes in order to qualify for a certificate of course completion.
Beginner Two students with dogs under one year of age need to attend at least 6 classes to take the Puppy STAR CGC test. For the adult CGC test there is no attendance requirement, but it is not likely the dog will pass with less than 6 classes attended.
Students are welcome to repeat class sessions, and many do like taking classes a second time to hone their skills.
(Unfortunately, if you miss a class, you may not repeat individual classes)
21. My dog goes crazy when he sees other dogs. Can you help me with him?
Learning to tune out other dogs and pay attention to the handler is a very important skill. We work on this in our Beginner Classes. It can take a lot of work for some dogs.
22. I want to be able to walk my dog totally off leash. Can you help me train my dog?
Dogs should be off leash only where it is legal and safe, and then only if they are 100% reliable when called. Getting to the point of 100% reliability off leash can take many months, or even years of training for most dogs. Yes, we do work to that level of recall precision in our Competition classes. However, most of the dogs hit by cars each year are off leash. Many dogs and people are attacked by off leash dogs. So, we do not recommend keeping your dog off leash during regular walks.
23. I have two dogs I want to train at the same time.
It is not physically possible for one person to handle two dogs at the same time. And we have found splitting the sessions between the two usually ends up with two untrained dogs. We suggest training both at the same time, but with two handlers or same handler in two different classes
24. I have done a lot of training in my home and at other places. How will I know what class to enter at your facility?
Each of our classes has a description to give you an idea of what levels of training they offer. In general, puppies up to 20 weeks of age can go into the Puppy Kindergarten class. Dogs of 20 weeks or older will enter the Beginner One class. For additional questions on classes, call our voicemail or click on one of the class links at the home page and email the Registrars.
25. My dog is four years old. Is he/she too old to train?
NO! Your dog may need a little longer to learn some things, but with patience, persistence, and calm and clear instructions he/she can learn whatever you need to teach him/her. Don’t give up!
26. What are some other things I can do with my dog after we do Obedience training with you? I think my dog is smart, but bored.
There are so many activities to do as you train your dog, it may surprise you. First, continue your training with higher levels of Obedience classes. Also, take a look at the Rally Foundations class and then follow up with Rally classes which can lead to Rally titles. We have a full complement of Agility classes, from Agility for Fun to Agility Foundations, on to every level of class to help you and your dog master the obstacles and skills to excel in this amazing sport. We have been offering a series of Nose Work classes, helping dogs' harness one of their most amazing natural skills. We sometimes offer a Tricks class and a Therapy Dog class.
27. If I pay ahead of time to secure a spot and circumstances change before the start of the session, can I get my payment back?
Anyone can withdraw from a session prior to the first class meeting. They would be able to either get a refund or apply it to another session.
28. What immunizations are needed to join a class?
For our Puppy Kindergarten class one round of Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza (DA2P+PV) is required. Rabies is not required in NY until the age of 4 months. For other classes, we expect all dogs to be followed with regular vet care and Rabies vaccinations. We do not require Lepto, Corona, Lyme or Bordatella—these are at the owner’s discretion.
All classes require submission of a registration form along with payment.
Go to the Classes Menu and find the page for the class. Click there for information and the Registration form. There is always a Registrar you can email for additional information.
2. How many weeks do your classes run, and how long is each session? What do they cost?
Competition Level Session Classes are 8 weeks and time of classes vary depending on number of registered dogs.
Pet Level Session Class sessions are 6 weeks long and sessions are usually one hour.
3. How many dogs are in each class?
Pet classes have no more than 8-10 dogs per class.
This is so the instructors can give adequate individual attention to each member of the class.
Competition classes can vary depending on number of dogs and length of class.
4. My kids would love to do the training! And my parents often watch the dog. Can they come help train the dog too?
We encourage all family members to come observe the training. (Young children can come if they are supervised.) Dogs learn very quickly when everyone uses the same rules and cues. We prefer if ONE consistent person is out on the floor to train the dog in class, to avoid confusion and having to re-instruct different handlers each week. At home, everyone should practice all the skills, using the class notes given with each class. The minimum age to train is 10 years old, with a signed waiver, but the instructor will make the final determination as long as they feel the dog is well-controlled by the child and the situation is safe. Important: This decision may be influenced by the size and behavior of the other dogs in the class. The instructor must have the final say.
5. Where is your facility?
At 75 Ellis Street, on the south shore of Staten Island, conveniently located only minutes from the Outerbridge Crossing, West Shore Expressway, and Korean War Veteran's Parkway. When making a right on to Ellis Street from Arthur Kill Road, we on the right-hand side of the road, adjacent to the new Arthur Kill Road train station construction. More detailed instructions can be found on the location page on our website
6. Do I need to be a member of your club in order to train my dog?
No. Anyone is welcome to train here! However, members receive a large discount on registration fees for classes. One starts the membership process by filling out and submitting an application, attending two sessions (eg. Puppy and Beginner One or Beginner One and Agility for Fun), Working 2 hrs. at any club event (see calendar) and attending two of our monthly meetings (Maybe be in person or on ZOOM).
Members are expected to help out at events and volunteer for club tasks. For more information and application, see our membership page.
7. What is the difference between Pet and Competition classes?
Most of the members of the general community are interested in having an obedient and well-controlled dog. Our Pet Classes-- Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner One and Beginner Two-- should give them the basic skills they need for a well-behaved pet. But if you want to do more with your dog and consider competing or doing other Performance Events, then our Competition Classes will offer the training needed to learn those skills.
8. Who do I contact if I have a question or a problem with a class?
You can call our voicemail number 718-948-2147 and someone will return your call. In addition, at our home page there are links for you to use so you can get answers to any question about our facility. And, each registration page has a Registrar with an email contact. Feel free to ask them questions. Click to fill out our Contact Us form.
8. Agility looks like fun—how do I get started with my puppy?
Our Beginner Agility classes teach young dogs and new handlers how to approach each piece of Agility equipment in a safe manner and how to build the many skills that go into this wonderful sport. Contact our Agility Director at [email protected] to find out when the next class will start.
9. What is Rally?
Rally is a form of Obedience that is based on the skills and behaviors needed to manage in the home and in the community. Training for Rally starts with our Beginner One and Two classes, and then continues with our Rally Foundation class. Rally titles can be earned at trials we have right here or at shows throughout the region. Contact Rally registrar/Director-[email protected]
10. What is the Canine Good Citizen Test and can I take it there?
The CGC Test is a 10-part test designed to demonstrate you have worked with your dog to produce a well-mannered pet that is obedient at home and in the community. Upon passing the test, the American Kennel Club will issue you a CGC certificate. We offer the training and the test as part of our Beginner Two class.
11. Who teaches your classes?
The members of our club have many years of experience training and competing with dogs. They attend seminars and get instruction on all kinds of behavioral problems. The more experienced members of our club teach Puppy Kindergarten, Beginner One, Beginner Two, Agility for Fun, Tricks, Therapy Dog and Nose Work classes.
We have Professional Instructors for Competition Agility classes, Competition Obedience classes & Competition Rally classes.
12. Do you make home visits?
Unfortunately we don’t. We teach classes in a group setting in our large facility. This is so people can learn to manage their dog in a community-like setting. There is enough space here for teams to spread apart and the equipment here is available for many types of special training. It can be helpful to watch other teams as well, rather than be limited to just working at home.
13. Is it true that it is unsafe to train a new puppy? Must I wait for vaccinations to be done?
Most new puppy owners will vouch for the fact that annoying behaviors do not wait for vaccinations to be done. Training early will help prevent negative behaviors and help reinforce positive behaviors and help with bonding experiences. We ensure all puppies attending are under the care of a veterinarian and have started their vaccination series before coming to class. Only healthy dogs should attend class, and in this way, we have had an excellent record of keeping even young puppies healthy.
14. My dog still has house training accidents; can we still come for training?
Walking a dog well before class, as well as limiting large meals and lots of fluids before class can all help control this. But accidents happen. We are prepared for clean up and will help you manage this should it happen.
15. Where do I walk my dog once I am there? Where do I park? What do I bring? I have so many questions!!!!
Once you register for Puppy class or Beginner One you will receive an Orientation document as well as Notes for your class. You will learn about where to park, what to bring, our Potty area (directly across the driveway from our building), our dress code, what to do if the dog is sick, what sorts of collars and leashes we suggest, what kinds of treats we use in training—and the answers to many many more questions that will prepare you for your first-class session.
16. I can’t find the equipment I need for class—do you sell anything?
We have a lovely little store, Barkingham Palace, where we sell training supplies, treats, toys, and equipment. As a non-profit organization, we can offer these things at very competitive prices. Ask your instructor to show you what is available at the store.
17. My bitch is in season, can we still come in for training?
Bitches in season may come to class wearing well-fitting panties. You may choose to keep your dog at home during her time in season, however, the owner should come in to observe class and learn the lessons. The dog should be bathed before returning to class.
18. My dog just got neutered—when will he/she be able to train again?
Confer with your Vet, but some male dogs can participate within a day or two as long as their wound is clean and dry, and they do no jumping or have no physical contact with other dogs. Females may need a week or so to recover. Even if the dog is unable to attend class, the Owner should attend to observe and learn the class lesson that week.
19. I had to miss (or drop out of) class. Can I make up classes or get a refund?
We cannot offer make up classes, so if your dog is sick, we suggest YOU come to class even without the dog so you can observe the lesson. We limit the number of dogs in each class so we can maintain control and give individualized attention to each team. Therefore, when you take a spot in a class, someone else is unable to have that spot. If someone drops out, we do not offer refunds because we cannot then put another dog in the class. In extraordinary situations, eg the death/severe illness of the dog or handler or in an extreme emergency, our Training Director handles it on a case-by-case basis.
20. I had to drop out after just a few classes. Can I still get a certificate of completion for Beginner One? My breeder / landlord / insurance company wanted to make sure I completed the full session.
Beginner One students need to attend for at least 5 classes in order to qualify for a certificate of course completion.
Beginner Two students with dogs under one year of age need to attend at least 6 classes to take the Puppy STAR CGC test. For the adult CGC test there is no attendance requirement, but it is not likely the dog will pass with less than 6 classes attended.
Students are welcome to repeat class sessions, and many do like taking classes a second time to hone their skills.
(Unfortunately, if you miss a class, you may not repeat individual classes)
21. My dog goes crazy when he sees other dogs. Can you help me with him?
Learning to tune out other dogs and pay attention to the handler is a very important skill. We work on this in our Beginner Classes. It can take a lot of work for some dogs.
22. I want to be able to walk my dog totally off leash. Can you help me train my dog?
Dogs should be off leash only where it is legal and safe, and then only if they are 100% reliable when called. Getting to the point of 100% reliability off leash can take many months, or even years of training for most dogs. Yes, we do work to that level of recall precision in our Competition classes. However, most of the dogs hit by cars each year are off leash. Many dogs and people are attacked by off leash dogs. So, we do not recommend keeping your dog off leash during regular walks.
23. I have two dogs I want to train at the same time.
It is not physically possible for one person to handle two dogs at the same time. And we have found splitting the sessions between the two usually ends up with two untrained dogs. We suggest training both at the same time, but with two handlers or same handler in two different classes
24. I have done a lot of training in my home and at other places. How will I know what class to enter at your facility?
Each of our classes has a description to give you an idea of what levels of training they offer. In general, puppies up to 20 weeks of age can go into the Puppy Kindergarten class. Dogs of 20 weeks or older will enter the Beginner One class. For additional questions on classes, call our voicemail or click on one of the class links at the home page and email the Registrars.
25. My dog is four years old. Is he/she too old to train?
NO! Your dog may need a little longer to learn some things, but with patience, persistence, and calm and clear instructions he/she can learn whatever you need to teach him/her. Don’t give up!
26. What are some other things I can do with my dog after we do Obedience training with you? I think my dog is smart, but bored.
There are so many activities to do as you train your dog, it may surprise you. First, continue your training with higher levels of Obedience classes. Also, take a look at the Rally Foundations class and then follow up with Rally classes which can lead to Rally titles. We have a full complement of Agility classes, from Agility for Fun to Agility Foundations, on to every level of class to help you and your dog master the obstacles and skills to excel in this amazing sport. We have been offering a series of Nose Work classes, helping dogs' harness one of their most amazing natural skills. We sometimes offer a Tricks class and a Therapy Dog class.
27. If I pay ahead of time to secure a spot and circumstances change before the start of the session, can I get my payment back?
Anyone can withdraw from a session prior to the first class meeting. They would be able to either get a refund or apply it to another session.
28. What immunizations are needed to join a class?
For our Puppy Kindergarten class one round of Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza (DA2P+PV) is required. Rabies is not required in NY until the age of 4 months. For other classes, we expect all dogs to be followed with regular vet care and Rabies vaccinations. We do not require Lepto, Corona, Lyme or Bordatella—these are at the owner’s discretion.