Building, Grounds and Training Class Etiquette
1. Clean up after your dog, both inside the training building and outside in the grass. We share the fields with many children's sports teams. Please pick up solid waste and deposit it in the dog waste station outside the front doors. Please try not to let your dog pee/mark on the bushes directly outside the building/doors, or on sports equipment in the fields. (kids soccer goals, pitching mounds, bleachers, etc.)
2. Highly motivating objects are used in training such as food, treats, toys, balls, real fur tugs, etc. Please pick up any dropped food and treats so that it doesn't distract other dogs. Please be considerate in your use of toys (tugging, ball throwing/catching, etc.) so that they do not distract other dogs in the training building.
3. Excessively harsh verbal or physical corrections are not allowed in the training classes. This is completely disruptive to the positive atmosphere we try and maintain in the building.
4. Do not leave your dog in a "long stay" or "stay with distractions" unless you are in a class, directly supervising, working with your dog, and remaining in eye contact with them. Too many times the dog breaks your stay attempt while your back is turned, and wanders into the space of another dog. This can create a potential hazard for other dogs. If you need to leave your dog for any reason, please bring a crate, a friend to hold their leash, or return your dog to your car for moment, while you need to be separated.
5. Keep your dog on a short leash when in the parking lot, entering and exiting the building, and when moving to and from class rings. Constantly be aware of your dog's interactions with other people and dogs so that you can prevent an issue before it occurs. Break eye contact by turning your dog away from what they are intently staring at. Do not allow dogs and/or puppies to "play" before/during/after classes. Do not allow your dog to approach any dog for any reason.
6. Dogs who bark excessively are extremely distracting. Instructors will offer a variety of suggestions to curb the barking. If the handler is unsuccessful in doing so, the dog and handler may be asked to leave.
7.Dogs who demonstrate aggressive behaviors may be excused from class and referred to an animal behaviorist for help before they will be allowed to return. This will be determined on a case by case basis.
8. Please do not stand inside/outside the main doors socializing. This disrupts the flow of dogs and and people coming to and from classes. When your class is over and you want to socialize, please take your dogs to the grassy areas or the parking lot, away from the main doors, to continue conversations and socialize. Please exit the building at the conclusion of your class, as other classes are starting right after yours and the space of the ring is needed. With the exception of the 8:00-9:00 classes, help is welcomed with clean up after these classes!
9. Children not directly involved in training classes must be under control, away from the training rings and not disruptive to the classes while inside the building.
10. While participating in a training class, please be respectful to the instructor who is volunteering their time, knowledge, and skills to share with you. All of our instructors are volunteers who are happily sharing their experience with you, so that you and your dog succeed!
11. When you are enrolled in a training class, you are expected to be in your ring for your assigned class. Please do not arrive at different times expecting to work at your own leisure in a rally ring, obedience ring, or off to the side of a ring.
12. Please do not "run though" set rally rings with a dog that is not signed up for that particular class. This disrupts the flow of the class for the teams that are signed up to be there. Please do not "run through" any set rally ring for any reason unless you are signed up, and actively participating in that class.
Handlers who repeatedly violate rules, and allow their dogs to violate any of the rules, may be asked to leave class as their lack of willingness to cooperate with DOTC etiquette by putting other dogs and handlers at risk.
All DOTC instructors have the right and responsibility to excuse any dog and handler from class if the instructor feels the dog poses a threat to the safety of the other dogs and/or handlers.