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DOG OBEDIENCE AT POSSUM HOLLOW.
Possum Hollow offers several choices for all breed
dog obedience. Select from Group
or Private Lessons, House-Call Services, Complete
Training with board or enroll your dog in our very popular Doggy Day
School. Our
focus is on teaching commands such as lie down, sit,
stay, recall (here or come), "car" (to get out of the road when
a car is passing), heel (walk on leash), and eliminating problem behaviors
such as jumping, mouthing (chewing on owner), barking, dog aggression, wait (to go
through doors, etc.) and stop (to come to a stand still at a distance).
Each dog's learning experience is tailored to the individual needs of dog
and owner. Read more about
our training philosophy.
Who will work with
you?
Our team of professional trainers at Possum Hollow have been
carefully screened and trained to use the Possum Hollow training methods.
You and your dog will be assigned a personal trainer. Each trainer
has strengths and special abilities that allow us to provide the right
trainer for each dog. Click to learn more about our trainers.
How
long will it take to train your dog? Most dogs require at
least 2 months (or 40 contact hours) to become proficient on leash.
Proficiency off-leash typically requires at least 4 months (or 80 contact
hours). Some dogs will require more time.
Will
you be involved in your dog's progress? Absolutely! You
will need to learn, too. If you choose group or private lessons the
bulk of the training will be your responsibility. We will simply
provide you with techniques that can help you. If you choose Day
School or Overnight training, the bulk of the training will be our
responsibility and you will simply have to learn how to command your newly
trained dog. Owners of dogs enrolled in Day School or Overnight
training are encouraged to attend our group lessons for FREE.
A
Note About Puppies...Don't
wait until your puppy has already developed bad habits. Puppies can
begin to learn basic obedience and manners as early as six weeks
old. We accept puppies as soon as they have received their second
set of puppy shots (usually at 9 - 12 weeks).
A Note
About Older Dogs...Dogs
can learn new commands at any age. No dog is too old to learn.
Dogs with physical disabilities often will fair better when trained to
obey new commands that will keep them safer and healthier.
PLEASE
NOTE:
Dogs do not
understand the concept of weeks or months. Therefore they do not learn by the
week or month. Instead, they learn by the actual  contact
hours spent with the trainer. When you are making decisions
regarding which obedience option is best for you and your dog, please consider
this training concept. For example, your dog requires 30 hours of
contact time with the trainer to reach a certain point in their
training program. This amount of contact time can be 30 one-hour Group or Private lessons
or 30 days of Day School or one month of Training with Board. If you
select the group lessons and bring your dog weekly, you will have to come
once a week for 30 weeks. If you select private lessons and bring
your dog twice a week, you will have to come for 15 weeks. If you
select 5-day Day School you will have to bring your dog for 4 weeks. If
you select training with board, you will have to leave your dog for one
month.
A Note About Fees: All fees are due at the beginning of the
scheduled service.
A Note About
Aggressive Dogs: A surcharge will be added for dogs with aggression
problems. Please check the fees for each service.
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Possum Hollow's
Group Lessons and Clinics are
a wonderful way for you and your puppy or adult dog to develop a good
working relationship and love and respect for you. You will find
that your dog will bond closer to you if you set limits through
obedience. 
During group lessons, Possum Hollow trainers will help you develop
your dog into a confident
and well-adjusted member of your family. You will join other dog
owners as you learn techniques for training your dog. Group
lessons are designed to teach you (the handler) how to get your dog to
obey simple commands. Through practice at home, you can have the
dog you always wanted.
Group
Lessons & Clinics are pre-scheduled by Possum Hollow. We
meet once a week for four weeks at the Possum Hollow facility or at
pre-arranged locations. Each meeting lasts approximately one
hour. Check our schedule below for dates and times.
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Classes will not meet if weather is bad.
(call 828-429-6388 to see if we're meeting)
2007
Schedule of Classes
2008
Schedule of Classes
This schedule will be posted later in the
fall.
Need
Directions? Click Here!
What's the difference between group clinics and private lessons?
Group clinics are
pre-scheduled
by Possum Hollow and include up to 15 dogs in a group. Participants learn from limited individual attention and
observation of others in their class. Private Lessons are
arranged by appointment and include only the owner(s) of the dog(s)
attending offering more individual attention.
 What
is the average size of a group clinic? Most group clinics
have 2-10 dogs. If any clinic becomes too full an
additional clinic will be arranged. We typically have 2-4
trainers working with a group. Commands learned may include "come, stop, sit, lie down, stay, walking quietly on
leash, no jumping." Additional topics will be addressed
depending on the needs of the group and time allowed.
How are the
clinics scheduled? Group Clinics are pre-scheduled by PHF
(refer to the schedule above). Each clinics includes four (4)
lessons. Each
lesson typically lasts about 1 hour. If Possum Hollow cancels a
lesson (weather, illness, trainer out of town, etc.), the lesson
will be made up on another date. If a participant misses a
lesson, there is no make up date provided.
What breeds and
ages of dogs are accepted? Clinics are open to all breeds and ages
of dogs. All dogs are kept on leashes and in a controlled
environment so small dogs are not inhibited by larger dogs and dog
fights are prevented. No dogs that are
aggressive toward people will be accepted. Dogs that are
aggressive toward other dogs may be asked to work in a nearby but
separated area.
What to Expect.
It typically takes considerably longer to achieve success when
attending group clinics than when the dog remains with us for in-house
training or comes every day.
The speed at which your dog will learn will be much more dependent
upon your commitment to practice and your consistency and determination at home.
Different dogs learn at different rates. Older dogs can learn
just as well as younger dogs with most things. However, some
commands are best learned early.
All dogs must be up to date on vaccinations and have no coughs or
fleas.
All dogs must be kept on non-retractable leashes with a buckle
or chain collar.
For more information contact us at
828-429-6388
or
info@doggydayschool.com
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Private
Lessons are on a one-to-one basis and
are 1
hour long. Private Lessons are scheduled individually for
maximum flexibility and are held at the Possum Hollow facility. Lessons typically
 concentrate on teaching
basic manners and pet obedience techniques to the owner. Commands may include recall,
sit, lie down, stay and heel. Dogs may also be taught to tie out
quietly, load into a vehicle, etc. Owners will be helped with
manners problems such as jumping, straining at the leash, etc.
The trainer usually spends the bulk of the lesson time working with your
dog demonstrating the proper training technique and then will work with you to
help you understand how to continue with
practice at home. Lessons are designed to teach the owner
specific techniques for training their dog, however participants must
realize that their dog will not be trained when it completes the
lessons. Practice and effort are required by the owner at their
home during and after the lesson. All dogs must be up to date on
all vaccinations, have no cough or fleas.
What your dog will learn.
Training is tailored to the needs of the owner. Standard
training typically involves heeling on leash, sit, stay, lie down,
recall (come or here), and stop. Many owners have special needs
such as teaching their dogs not to chase other animals or cars, confidence
building, stopping problem behaviors, etc. Some owners are
unconcerned about particular commands and just require a well mannered
companion.
What to Expect.
It typically takes considerably longer to achieve success when taking
lessons (private or group) than when the dog remains with us for in-house training.
The speed with with your dog will learn will be much more dependent
upon your commitment to practice and determination at home.
Different dogs learn at different rates. Older dogs can learn
just as well as younger dogs with most things. However, some
commands are best learned early. Your dog will not learn faster
with private lessons as opposed to group clinics. The primary
difference between private lessons and group clinics involves
scheduling and possibly socialization for the dog.
FEES:
$35 per hour for first dog; $30 per hour
for each additional dog.
Fees are due at the beginning of each
lesson. $10 per hour surcharge for aggressive dogs.
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CLICK
HERE TO GO TO THE DOGGY DAY SCHOOL PAGE!
 Doggy Day School is a
new concept among dog trainers throughout the nation and it's catching
on fast! Just like elementary school for your children, Doggy
Day School is based on the schedule of a daily training program.
Drop your dog off in the morning and pick it up in the
afternoon. During the day we will provide an obedience lesson,
conditioning and crate training. In the evening you get to spend time with your dog and
still enjoy the benefits of training. Many of today's pets are
bored, lonely and overweight. Dogs with
weight problems often develop secondary health problems. Through personal attention, your
dog will become a well behaved, healthy and enjoyable pet. Your dog will be happier
and healthier!
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Overnight
Training means that your dog comes to stay with
us
so we can work with it daily. This is the most effective type
of training and usually produces the most satisfactory results in the
shortest amount of time. Complete Training is on a monthly
basis. Most dogs require 1-2 months. Some require
more. We usually ask that you don't visit your dog for the first
couple of weeks so they will learn to focus on the trainer and we can
proudly show you what they have accomplished when you visit.
After that initial period, you are welcome to visit your dog as often
as you wish. We do ask that you only visit when we are at home
for security and safety reasons.
What your dog will learn.
Training is tailored to the needs of the owner. Standard
training typically involves heeling on leash, sit, stay, lie down,
recall (come or here), wait to go through doors and stop. Many owners have special needs
such as teaching their dogs not to chase other animals or cars, confidence
building, stopping problem behaviors, etc. Some owners are
unconcerned about particular commands and just require a well mannered
companion. (Photo below: Terry Goen's
Taz waiting to come out of her kennel.)
Housing and Care. Your dog will be
housed in the same location as the Day School dogs. Dogs will be housed in outdoor kennels
or  barn
kennels and will be fed a diet
of high quality dry dog food and one glucosamine dog biscuit daily.
Owners may bring special dog food for their dogs but should note that
fees remain the same. All dogs must be on a regular program to
control fleas, ticks and heartworms, have been vaccinated against
kennel cough (Bordatella) and be up to date with all shots
and deworming. If your dog requires a vet visit for regular
shots, deworming, grooming or for an emergency or other medical issue,
Possum Hollow will provide transportation to and from
Rutherford Veterinary Hospital. All veterinary expenses are the
responsibility of the owner. Any additional expenses involved in caring for the
dog will be at the owner's expense.
What to Expect. It
usually takes at least two months to get
your dog trained. 
Different dogs learn at different rates. Your trainer will be
in regular contact with you to assess the needs and provide
estimates regarding the amount of time required to achieve the goals
you desire.
Overnight
Training Options.
Possum Hollow offers overnight training
on a daily or monthly schedule. Monthly schedules are typically
for dogs that have not been trained. Daily schedules are
typically for dogs that are already well started in the training
process and need a refresher or for dogs whose owners cannot leave
them for a full month.
About
Refresher Training.
Like any other learning
process, dog obedience sometimes requires refresher training.
Owners get busy and can't practice with their dogs, new situations
arise that were not expected causing the dog to act differently,
owners forget what they need to do to get the behavior they
desire. If you find that your dog is beginning to forget what it
learned at Possum Hollow you can return it to us for Refresher Training.
Many owners like to take advantage of this opportunity to bring their
dogs for refreshers while they are away on vacation.
FEES: Fees include full
board and training.
Monthly Fee = $350/month
for first dog; $325/month for each additional dog.
$50/month surcharge for aggressive dogs.
Daily Fee = $15/day. $10/day surcharge for aggressive dogs.
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| Doggy
Home Schooling is a unique service offered to Possum Hollow
clients who prefer to keep their dogs at home but still need the
services of a professional trainer. This program is very
useful for persons with schedules that
do not allow them to bring their dogs to Possum Hollow for Day
School.
How
Home Schooling Works. When your dog is enrolled in
Doggy Home School it is assigned a personal professional trainer
just as if it were attending the Day School. Your trainer will
come to your house on a regularly scheduled basis. While at
your home, your trainer will work with your dog and provide the same
quality training, exercise and care it would receive at the Day
School. The difference is your dog doesn't leave it's home.
Scheduling
Options for Home Schooling. You may select from a 5-day
week, 3-day week or 2-day week schedule. Times will be
arranged with your  personal
trainer. If you and your trainer are comfortable with
your situation and
needs, you can arrange for the trainer to provide home
schooling for your dog while you are at work!
House
Calls are usually arranged on a one-time basis to deal with
specific behavioral problems. For example, a dog that is
climbing a fence, tearing up the newspaper on the front lawn, racing
out the gate to the backyard, etc. Sorry, we do not do house
calls for digging holes other than those for escape.
HOME SCHOOL
FEES:
5-Day Week = $475/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $450/month for each additional dog.
3-Day Week = $425/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $400/month for each additional dog.
2-Day Week = $375/month + $0.50 mile for first dog; $350/month for each additional dog.
$50 per dog per month
surcharge for aggressive dogs.
HOUSE
CALL FEES:
$35 trip fee + $35 per hour (within Rutherford County).
For residents outside of Rutherford County, add $0.30 per mile.
$20 per trip surcharge for aggressive dogs.
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| About Unwanted Dog
Behavior. Dogs are products of their genetics, their natural
history (heritage), and their environment both while growing up and
after reaching adulthood. Like humans, they respond to the events
and situations they find themselves in throughout their lives. Puppies
are especially susceptible to behavior altering events. Often
unwanted behaviors arise out of boredom, lack of discipline, or careless
handling. They can be divided into two primary categories:
OCDs (Obsessive Compulsive Disorders) or Fear Responses. OCD
behaviors in dogs typically involve unproductive behaviors such as spinning
inside their crates, pacing or running fence lines, chasing cars, eating
dirt/rocks or feces, or destructive behaviors like chewing objects (not
toys) or breaking off plants. Fear Responses include behaviors
that exist as a result of a fear (either valid or invalid).
Sometimes fears are known and sometimes they are quite elusive.
Fear Responses often result in snapping, biting, or other aggressive
behaviors and are often directed toward specific kinds of stimuli like
children, men, trucks, other dogs, etc. Fear Responses may develop
in association with seemingly normal activities and objects like riding in
vehicles, being bathed, vet visits, lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners, and
just about anything else that can be imagined. These fears may
have resulted from an obvious source like a traumatic event or may have
developed slowly over time without the owner's awareness.
What do we have to offer?
Through years of handling dogs of all breeds and ages coming from
a large variety of environments, we have come to realize that our
clients occasionally need advice for specific problems afflicting their
canine pets. We are not veterinarians and strongly encourage
anyone with a specific pet problem to first contact their vet for advice
on possible physical problems causing the unwanted behavior. The
Canine Behavior Consultation service that we offer concentrates on the
mental and emotional well-being of the dog. We use knowledge and
experience in the behaviors of dogs to aid us in determining the source
of unwanted behaviors and recommending a program to reduce or eliminate
it.
How does a Behavior Consultation service
work? Consultation involves observation of the pet, gathering of
historical information that may contribute to the dog's unwanted
behavior, and suggestions for combating the problem at hand.
Your consultation visit will be similar to what you would expect if you
took your dog to a "doggy psychiatrist." The fee you pay
is for the time we spend with you and/or your dog. Sometimes we
will work with your dog directly (hands-on) and sometimes we will
provide you with insight into your dog's behavior and suggestions for
modification of that behavior without physically handling your
dog. Consultation does not provide obedience training or any other
training. It is a method of searching for a cause and then
suggesting a program for changing an unwanted behavior. Occasionally
we will recommend obedience training or behavior management training as
a possible solution to a specific problem. We accept all breeds
and ages of dogs. Dogs that are aggressive must be handled by the
owner.
FEE: $35
per session (sessions are typically 1 hour).
If your dog has a problem that you can't handle, contact us and
make an appointment for a consultation. We may be able to help
you.
Vicki Hughes
info@doggydayschool.com
828-429-6388
  
"Friends"
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We provide a variety of classes through our local
community college. These classes are designed to offer fun and
informative learning opportunities for the public. Below is a
list of classes being offered now through the Continuing Education
Department. Registration and fees are controlled by ICC. To sign up for a class go to
http://www.isothermal.edu/conedu/registerforaclass.htm
.
For more information about these
classes click on the ICC Catalog below.
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Return
to PHCS Homepage.
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