Hey kids!


There's been an incredible response to classes of 3.  There will be a 2 week break in classes (NOT private lessons) no matter what the virus does.  We won't begin before the first week of April.  At that point, we will probably have to break into classes on 2 different evenings.  Right now, it will be Wednesday and Thursday.  I'lll be doing my best to keep you with the folks you've been working with............you just won't be together simultaneously.

Northam just announced the closing of non-essential businesses but pet supply is considered an essential business.  Non-essential businesses may also remain open if they clean more and limit it to groups under 10.  We already are cleaning up a storm and there will NEVER be 10 people in the training room.  In actuality, there will never be more than 4 people in the training room because we are going to keep the total number of people in the building under 10.  

I'll be sending out more organizational information as we get closer to the time classes will commence.  UNLESS the virus shuts us down completely.  

Please take care of yourselves and take all precautions to stay healthy!

Patrice

Hey Folks!

Hopefully you will remember last week because I'm going to spend most of this email addressing the growing concern about continuing classes with the spread of coronavirus.  I really don't feel panicked at all.  I do believe that precautions need to be taken though.  I WILL DEFINITELY be teaching both classes and private lessons unless I should become ill.  Because I have a better than average immune system, I feel comfortable with social distancing etc.  If you are immune compromised or symptomatic please be safe and stay home.  There will be cleaning solutions at Woof and I will be frequently wiping down surfaces and door knobs etc.  If you feel the need to leave class and wash your hands multiple times, I'm more than fine with that.  There are usually only 6 per class so maintaining the 10 foot suggested distance shouldn't be a problem.  When we do the stand or sit for exams, we'll only be walking up to the dog and not actually touching them so there won't be any transmission that way.  Please feel free to discuss any concerns with me if you decide to do classes but feel there's something more we can be doing to make you feel comfortable.

One thing I did want to pass along was this heeling challenge.  There was a formula used to make rewarding heeling variable and unpredictable while building endurance.  For the I+ and II classes, I'd love for you to add one of these groups a week.  Do one and then the following week, do the next one up.  People tend to lose track of the cookies they're shoving at the dogs.  This will help to make you more accountable and it's a bit of fun to see how far you can push it.

Stay safe and healthy!
Patrice