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 in both our facilities. Both facilities 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 online store, via E-Transfer, or by calling the location you are registered with. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Debit, and PayPal.

Can we attend both locations? 

Once you have picked a location that fits your needs, that will be your home location. We discourage the dogs from switching between locations because we want to ensure that each dog is comfortable with the facility and the team. 

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?

All of our training programs are exclusive to our members and therefore an active membership is required to attend day school and group classes. Group class and day school passes are purchased in addition to your membership.

What is the benefit of the membership?

All of our training programs are membership-based, and you can review our membership options at this link. The membership includes our program curriculums at your fingertips! Including exclusive access to our group classes and day school, how-to videos, quick guides, and a community to get training advice from our trainers. With certain memberships even granting you access to free online clinics, live-streaming classes, Ask-A-Trainer sessions, and more! 

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 or annual membership, it will auto-renew on either a monthly or annual basis depending on which membership you registered for.

How long is the assessment day?

We recommend approximately six hours. All the excitement and learning from the first day can be tiring for the dogs, which is why we recommend a shorter day for the assessment.

How many dogs are in a group at one time? 

We have the best trainer-to-dog ratios in Calgary with a maximum of 8 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? 

We crate the dogs for nap time throughout the day and for short periods when they need a break from the group. We primarily use the crates as a training and destressing tool.

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! Let our team know if you would prefer us to use only the treats that you send with your dog.

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 belonging 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!

How many weeks is each program? 

All of our classes are drop-in (so there isn't a specified start or end date), and dogs are at varying levels on the same skills. Your trainer will work with your dog at their level and track this in your personalized training checklist that is provided after every class. This allows dogs to progress at their own pace versus being just at the same level as the rest of the class. It also means that you can start training as soon as the next available class at your preferred location!

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? 

You have to be a Dogma member and enrolled in one of the group training programs to join our waitlist for classes. To get on the waitlist, send an email to the location you're registered with for training and they 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.

My dog already has some training. How do your trainers assess skill level in class? 

That’s great! During your first and second visit, our trainers will be working on assessing your dog's skill level and filling out your progress booklet. If our trainers find that your dog's skills are solid, they will advise which level of our programs will be best for you and your dog to find success with their training.

Why do you recommend a virtual consult first?

Starting off with a virtual consult is a quick way for our trainers to meet you and discuss any challenges and training goals you have for your dog. This way, the trainer can begin building an individualized training plan for your pup. It can also showcase any struggles at home and give our trainers a baseline for how your dog is while in a relaxed environment. Often, this is the best option for your dog as well.

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

During the virtual consult, you and the trainer will discuss current challenges, begin training and go over skills that you can work on at home, and also outline a detailed training plan to meet any training goals you would like to accomplish with your dog. Towards the end of the consult, the trainer will discuss the best next steps for your dog and their training journey.

What happens during an in-person consult?

After you have completed your initial virtual consult to tailor a training plan for your dog, you can follow up with an in-facility consult with one of our senior trainers. During these sessions, we work with you and your dog (and whoever else in the family wants to attend) on the skills needed to manage your dog's challenges and meet your training goals. This can include working on leashed introductions, dog-to-dog interactions, polite greetings, reactivity, and much more! 

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

We have two programs that we offer exclusively for puppies. VIPupus is our group class for puppies and KinderPups is our day school program. 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 private training 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. It’s a great mental break for them! We offer group classes and day school options, which are both great for socializing your dog!