Frequently Asked Questions

I have a puppy under 6 months old. What vaccinations are required to start training?

For puppies, we only require that they have their first round of vaccinations (8-week shots). We have separate areas designated for puppies and follow strict cleaning protocols for disease control. 

I have a dog older than 6 months. What vaccinations are required to start training?

For dogs older than 6 months, we do require full vaccinations or titers. You will need to provide complete documentation of their vaccines or titers. If your dog has unique vaccine protocols due to a medical condition, you will be asked to provide signed veterinary documentation.

What if my dog has allergies? 

We are happy to accommodate any allergies or dietary requirements. We ask that you please bring their food and treats with them! For dogs that have allergies, we internally track this by making a note on their online file as well as having them wear a fancy Dogma bandana while they're with us.

How can I pay for day school and group class passes? 

You can pay for passes through our client portal, or in-person at location.  We accept Visa, Mastercard, Debit, and PayPal.

I need to cancel my booking. How much notice do I have to give? 

We require at least 12 hours notice for day school, and 24 hours for day school assessments and private training cancellations. For group class cancellations, we require at least 8 hours notice. Cancelling your booking in advance allows us to open up space to another dog on the waitlist.

Can I get a refund? 

We do not offer refunds but you can always transfer your passes to any other service we provide or to use as a store credit. Please read our Terms and Conditions here for more information.

Do I need a membership to enroll my dog in day school or group classes?

Our day school program is reserved exclusively for our members, given the depth and comprehensiveness of the training. All our services feature exclusive membership pricing and a membership is not required for private training or group classes.

What is the benefit of the membership?

The membership includes our program curriculums at your fingertips! Including exclusive access to day school, how-to videos, quick guides, and a community to get training advice from our trainers. You also get access to free online clinics, live-streaming classes, Ask-A-Trainer sessions, and more! You can review membership detailss at this link

What payment methods do you accept for the memberships?

We only accept Paypal for our membership payments.

How do I cancel my membership?

You can cancel your membership with ease through your own PayPal account by following the instructions at this link.

Is there any commitment with the membership?

You are free to cancel your membership anytime. Once you register for a monthly membership, it will auto-renew on the same calendar day each month.

What are trial days?

It is critical that each dog is thoroughly evaluated by our senior trainers to ensure day school is the best fit. If they are overwhelmed or struggle with over-arousal, excessive vocalness, or settling concerns, we have a wide-range of training programs to help. This is an important step to ensure their success and one we will not compromise on. To avoid the busy drop-off and pick-up times while your dog settles in, and to ensure senior team can spend individual time with them, trial days are booked between 9:30am - 3:30 pm. All the excitement and learning from the first day can be tiring for the dogs, which is why we start dogs on a shorter day(s).

The number of trial days is dependent on your dog's needs. If they are social with dogs and people, and settle well between training and enrichment sessions, they will be approved for regular attendance. Day school is not the best fit for every dog. If your dog is not enjoying their time, you can trust that our team will be transparent and recommend options better suited to their needs. Our team has the experience and knowledge to recognize this and will make these decisions to ensure your dog's well-being. It's important to note that this isn't a reflection of your dog's behaviour or a negative outcome. Sometimes, dogs may benefit from a different training program, and our primary concern is making sure their days are stress-free, enjoyable, and tailored to their unique needs.

What's the difference between a bundle or a la carte pricing? 

Setting your dog up on a bundle guarantees your reservation, includes your day school passes, membership, and add-ons within one monthly transaction, and provides big savings. A bundle is like a gym membership so you use it or you don't, and there is no make-up for missed days. You can make one change/month, and can pause it for absences of more than two weeks. 

A la carte pricing provides more flexibility on what days your dog can attend per week and is a better option if you travel often. We do offer day school packages at discounted rates. These packages expire within 3 months and there is no refund on unused passes or extension of expiry dates, so please plan accordingly.

How many dogs are in a group at one time? 

We have the best trainer-to-dog ratios in Calgary with a maximum of 4 dogs per certified trainer! 

How do you split the dogs into their groups? 

We split them by size and play style. This is how we make sure everyone is comfortable while they play and learn! 

Do you crate the dogs? 

Yes, dogs may be crated or left to settle in ex-pens. This is an important part of our training program and helps to prevent over-arousal concerns. The dogs rotate through individual walks, training and enrichment sessions, along with structured play/socialization with a max of 4 dogs, with a large focus on rest between. This is a critical part of the Dogma Difference that attributes to improving their behavioural well-being and provides essential life skills for the dogs.

It takes a great deal of effort and training skill to ensure the dogs are settled and stress-free. We take the time to teach dog's this skill, introduce settles areas with a fear-free approach, and help them settle through enrichment and senior trainer support.

What treats do you use for training? 

We primarily use Benny Bully 100% Liver Treats. They are one-ingredient treats made from freeze-dried beef liver. They are easy to break up into smaller pieces and the dogs LOVE them! We also have veggie kibble for dogs with allergies or to provide a lower-value reward. We do require that you send food and treats for your dogs while they are with us.

Where are my dog’s belongings kept while in day school? 

While your dog is in our care, they have their own designated, sanitized bin for all of their belongings to stay safe and protected until they go home.

How often can my dog come to school? 

For KinderPups, we require that they attend school twice a week (preferably not back-to-back days so they're not too tired), and for DogmaHigh, we require once a week. This is to ensure we are maintaining consistency with the dogs and setting them up for success.

Why is there a waitlist? 

We have a waitlist system to ensure we are maintaining dog-to-trainer ratios for the safety of the team members and the dogs in our care. You are automatically added to the waitlist when you make a reservation in the client portal on a day that your location has reached capacity. If we have any cancellations, we will let you know ASAP!

What 's the difference between the Puppy Socialization and VIPups classes? 

The Puppy Socialization classes are free (or with a donation to Parachutes for Pets) and focus on social interactions, active socialization and enrichment. The VIPups class focuses on sociailzation, manners, and life-skills to get your puppy started on the right paw. Learn how to teach new foundation obedience skills and prevent behaviour concerns. 

What are topic-based classes? 

Following foundational training for puppies, adult dogs, or those dealing with fear/reactivity, we extend our offerings to include specialized, topic-based classes. This approach allows you to tailor your dog's training experience precisely to their needs. Attend classes that align with your schedule and based on your preferences and your dog's unique requirements. This system offers exceptional flexibility, enabling you to participate in classes as often or as little as you'd like and based your dog's needs

Do you track each dog’s progress in group classes? 

Our trainers track your dog's progress individually in each class and a report card is emailed to you at the end of every class so that you can keep up to date with your dog's progress! You can also access your report cards through your account in our client portal at any time.  

How do I get on the waitlist? 

If a class if full, you can join our waitlist. To get on the waitlist, email [email protected] and we will be more than happy to add you! 

I want to work on a specific skill with my dog in the group class. Is this possible? 

We are always happy to accommodate any skills you would like to focus on while in class. Our trainers will usually ask if anyone has any specific skills they would like to focus on before each class. If for some reason our trainers do not ask, you can always flag down a team member and let them know as well.

What is the difference between an initial consult and a 30 or 60-minute session?

An initial consult is an assessment of your dog's behaviour and an exploration session. A trainer will review your concerns and goals, introduce some foundation skills, and develop a training plan to match your goals with your dog.

What options are their within the 30 and 60-minute session?

A virtual consultation is an ideal choice if you reside outside of Calgary or if your dog is struggling with fear-related issues. Starting the training process with a virtual consult allows our trainers to connect with you quickly, understand the challenges and training goals you have for your dog. From this session, our trainer will develop a personalized training plan tailored to your pup. Moreover, these sessions offer a glimpse into any challenges your dog may face at home, providing our trainers with a baseline assessment of your dog in a relaxed environment. This option is often the most suitable for your dog's comfort and convenience.

You can also check out our blog on 3 Reasons Why We Love Virtual Training

I have a puppy under six months. What are my training options? 

We have a few programs that we offer exclusively for puppies. VIPups is our group class for puppies and KinderPups is our day school program. We also offer a weekly Puppy Socialization hour. Read more about our puppy programs here!

I have a dog who is over six months old. What are my training options? 

We have two programs that we offer for dogs over the age of 6 months. Our topic-based Core Training group classes or our DogmaHigh day school program. Read more about our programs for adult dogs here!  

My dog is reactive, scared of other dogs, barks at people - what are my options? 

We offer classes exclusively for reactive dogs who need help gaining confidence and focus. We also offer private training where you can work with our trainers one-on-one to develop an individualized plan for your dog to succeed. Read more about  reactive training options here!  

My dog has a bite history, what do I do? 

Not to worry! Our trainers will work one-on-one with you to develop a training plan through our private training program.

I want my dog to get socialization. What are my options? 

All of our programs involve some socialization. We find socializing, playing, and sniffing around are great ways to destress and dispel any frustration your pup might have during training. To minimize leash frustration concerns, majority of our adult classes are on-leash and we do offer a social hour to teach appropriate social skills and gain off-leash reliability. We offer group classes and day school options, which are both great for socializing your dog!