Family Manners Level 1 (Obedience) can start any time you like.   To get the most out of it it's best to wait until they are between 4 and 5 months, our courses are designed with age in mind.  However, you can start prior to that if you'd like. If your puppy is 8 weeks to 5 months you can Join Puppy Manners 5 week program. This will teach age appropriate skills to start building your bond and understanding of each other. You will not be learning traditional Obedience in this class. It's always up to you as the handler to make the final choices.

Here is our  upcoming Schedule https://unleashedniagaraschedule.as.me/allclasses Our schedule is always changing and evolving to keep things fun and interesting. We don't plan beyond what you see posted. Our classes are based on demand.

This is TBD for each specific class you sign up for. If there is space we can allow for up to two handlers. The are exceptions to every rule but our facility is small and we want each student to feel heard.

CHILDREN IN CLASS We allow family members 2 total per dog (as a general rule). In some cases this can be children. To protect the safety of everyone in class, canines and humans alike, please follow the below guidelines:  Children must be under parental control at all times.  Parents must supervise their children during the entire class.  No running, jumping, or yelling will be permitted.  Since not all dogs are comfortable around or friendly toward children, children should be instructed to never approach or pet any other dog in class. If a child is being disruptive to the class or instruction you will be asked to leave for that session.

Different sports require different prerequisites.   This is for safety reasons.  Some sports require dogs to be off leash while class is going on so your dog must be mentally mature enough to stay with you while other dogs are working around them. Please review the classes offered and it will usually let you know what prior schooling is required. If you are not sure please reach out!

On our Schedule there is a direct link to the sign up/payment as well. https://unleashedniagaraschedule.as.me/allclasses

Payment is through Credit card or cash/etransfer in advance. Please contact if this is an issue and we can help resolve it.

Classes range anywhere from 4-10 week sessions, most classes are 45 mins to an hour a week, with the exception of Puppy Social which are 35 minutes. When you sign up for a session it will add all of the hours together, this does not mean your single class is 4 hrs + it's just the total.

Our family manners is offered as a virtual class if it's needed. Please reach out for an assessment so we can decide what's best. Most dogs are not actually aggressive, just reactive to being restricted by the leash with unclear guidance from it. We are very pro muzzle. No dog should be left out of the classroom just because they have learned to use their mouths to communicate. Muzzles can prevent nervous energy from the handler and any potential issues that could have arose. We periodically run reactive dog classes and desensitization sessions. Please contact if you need more info on this. Severe cases should be working with a Certified behaviourist. Training obedience can come later.

If you can not attend a class please let us know. You will be provided the homework in written and video for (where possible). There are no free make up classes, privates can be booked at the discounted student rate if needed. Our homework is very detailed, and practicing at home is what ensures you don't fall behind. If a group scheduled program doesn't work for you booking a series of privates is your alternative. It's not possible to adapt to every handlers schedule but we do our best.

If the dog is sick/injured or recovering from surgery you will still attend the class without the dog to gain the first hand information. You will take that information home and practice through the week. This is very common in the lower levels. It's never effected anyone's success rate if they continue to practice.

If the new handler has been working along side with you and your dogs progress then it may have some benefits. Training is more of a human learning experience first. If the handler doesn't have a clear understanding of what they are doing it can be damaging to your progress and very difficult on the dog. Please contact us and let us know who is coming if you are switching handlers and ensure they know all of the exercises to date.

Female in heat are still welcome in the classroom but only if they are wearing the proper garments. No exceptions to this. If your female comes into heat and you have a test date coming up please contact your instructor to see what's best. If there are intact males testing it might be fair to them to sit out.

This is always a hard one, we want to share the classroom with anyone, but every shift and change in the environment is hard on the dogs, we don't use force at our school, but instead work very carefully on proper set ups to ensure success. Having someone watch that isn't normally there can be hard. So this is a case by case option. You are welcome to watch a higher level class where distraction is welcome. Lower levels are a maybe.

Absolutely not. We are virtually hands off with our training style. If the leash or collar are doing the job that means the dog is not really learning. The learning happens between the ears, not through manual manipulations. This is pain free, science backed training. It's slow, thoughtful, compassionate and long lasting. No tool is as strong as a good solid connection with your dog!

Working with nervous dogs tends to be where we shine. Reach out to figure out the best plan for your pup.