Welcome to group classes at Where Sit Happens! Our goal is to create a safe, effective, and enjoyable learning environment for every dog and human team. Please review the following policies carefully.
Registration Policies
For best results and everybody’s safety, classes are capped at a specific number of dog and handler teams. In order to attend class, you must be registered via the BusyPaws scheduling system. While we can do our best to fit you in if there is a cancellation, we reserve the right to turn away unregistered teams. Please use the waiting list system to be notified of cancellations.
Vaccination Policies
Please send the appropriate vaccine records to
[email protected] or upload to your BusyPaws account prior to your first class. Please keep sick dogs home. Credit will be given with proper documentation from vet.
- Current Rabies (dogs 14+ weeks of age)
- Current DHPP (puppies need only 2 DHPP vaccinations to start puppy classes)
- Bordetella (“kennel cough”)
- Canine Influenza is recommended
When putting multiple dogs in one area there is always the possibility and inherent risk of the transmission of illnesses such as kennel cough. Where Sit Happens takes extreme care to sanitize the training center and all equipment to prevent the occurrence of any illness and to isolate it when it does occur.
Unaltered Dogs
Unaltered dogs are allowed to participate in all on-leash classes, as long as behavior is not distracting or aggressive, but may be asked to excuse themselves from any off-leash free time.
Intact female dogs must wear a diaper-type covering when in heat and unaltered males may be asked to leave if behavior is disruptive during class to themselves or other dogs.Unaltered dogs are welcome in on-leash classes as long as behavior remains non-disruptive. Dogs in heat must wear a protective diaper covering. Unneutered males may be asked to leave if their behavior becomes distracting or disruptive.
Equipment and Tool Policies
Required:
– A properly fitted flat collar and/or body harness
– 4-6 foot leash made (no retractable leashes, please)
– Treats your dog LOVES cut into small, pea-sized pieces (we have some for purchase if needed)
– A small mat, bed or blanket
Recommended:
– ID Tag
– A water bowl
Prohibited Equipment:
– Prong collars
– Choke chains
- Slip leads
– E-Collars (also known as shock collars or stim collars)
– Citronella collars
Where Sit Happens only uses force-free, humane training methods. Aversive tools are not permitted.
Multiple Dog Policy
Households are welcome to enroll more than one dog in our group class programs, provided each dog has their own dedicated handler.
Each dog must be registered individually, and each must be accompanied by a separate adult handler during class to ensure safety and individual attention.
If only one membership or package is active, dogs must attend classes separately — not together in the same session. If you'd like both of your dogs to be able to attend the same classes, we're happy to set you up with an additional, discounted membership.
Dog-Dog Interactions
Please prevent your dog from greeting others before, during, or after class unless instructed otherwise by your trainer. If you need help entering the facility, your trainer or assistant will be happy to assist. Each team will be assigned a “home base” spot upon arrival.
Dog-Human Interactions
Do not pet another dog unless you have explicit permission from both the trainer and the dog's owner. Not all dogs enjoy greetings from unfamiliar people.
Disruptive Canine Behavior
Dogs that are disruptive and tend to engage in activities which may be disruptive and/or distracting to other Sit Happens clients, such as barking during class, may be declined entry to or removed from any class. We may provide tools to avoid removal, such as the use of visual barriers, distance from other dogs and exercises to help your dog relax if available and effective, however, continued disruption will result in removal from class.
Attendee and Children Guidelines
Attendees may bring up to 2 guests per class. One must be an adult if a child is under 13.
Unless otherwise indicated in the class description, children who can sit calmly and follow directions are welcome to attend training but must be supervised by an adult at all times.
All attendees, including children, are expected to avoid loud or disruptive behavior, such as yelling or running, during the training sessions as this may disrupt the training process. We ask that children remain seated during discussion and instruction. When working with your dog, they are encouraged to stand alongside you and get involved!
Human attendees that exhibit disruptive behavior such as running, yelling, failing to control their dog, and approaching other dogs without permission may be asked to leave class and no credit will be given in such circumstances.
Inclement Weather
If we need to cancel class due to weather or unforeseen emergency, we’ll notify you via email or text as soon as possible. Reserved class credits will be returned to your account. A makeup will be scheduled for linear (multi-week) classes.
Payment Policies
Where Sit Happens accepts credit card payments. Payment is due at the time of membership purchase. A credit card on file is required. We cannot guarantee space in a class or in our membership program until payment has been received.
Where Sit Happens reserves the ability to refuse services if card fails, account is not paid up to date or if needed health information is missing or has not been provided.
Pricing is subject to change without notice if not currently on a subscription. Per CT state law, dog training services are subject to sales tax.
Late Payments
A flat $25 late fee will be applied to any invoice 7+ days overdue. Any outstanding balance is subject to a 20% late fee on the accrued outstanding balance every 30 days. Any balance outstanding after 90 days will be turned over to a collection agency or suit filed in Small Claims Court. All accrued late fees, collection fees and/or court filing fees will be added to the outstanding balance and are to be paid by client.
Recurring Charges
Credit cards must be stored on file for memberships. By enrolling, you agree to recurring monthly charges every 4 weeks.
Multi-Week Classes Cancellations
Due to their nature and limited size, linear (multi-week) classes are non-refundable unless the spot can be filled prior to the start of the first class.
Class Cancellations for Monthly Members
Monthly Members can cancel classes within BusyPaws up to 12 hours prior to class. In order to cancel a class that begins in less than 12 hour, please email us at
[email protected] or call/text 203-457-6754.
Monthly Members are permitted two free cancellations with less than 12 hours per month. Further late notice cancellations will incur a $15 cancellation fee. All no-shows will incur a $25 fee.
We understand things come up and will communicate with you and see how we can help set you up for success prior to enforcing a penalty.
Membership Cancellations
Memberships may be canceled via email or via your BusyPaws account prior to your billing date. The cancellation and termination of class access will apply on your next billing date.
Membership Pauses
Memberships can be paused for 4 weeks at a time. A written request must be submitted prior to the effective billing date.
Clients may choose to instead cancel their current membership and repurchase when they would like to return to classes. The repurchase will be at the current monthly rate and may result in forfeiting any discounted rates previously secured and/or being added to a waitlist if the membership program is full.
During the time the account is paused, the client will be unable to book or attend classes.
Puppies who are spayed or neutered are eligible for a one-time, two week pause.
Photography and Video
Where Sit Happens may take photo or video during class or sessions to be used for instructional and marketing purposes including, but not limited to, one-on-one sessions, group classes, webinars, social media, print materials and in-person presentations.
Class participants grant the absolute right and permission to copyright, use, re-use, publish, and republish videos, photographic portraits or pictures of me (signature below), and /or my pets, and/or my children, including those under 18 years of age, taken during animal behavior consultations, training sessions, classes, and in relation to other animal-behavior contexts.
The images may be included in whole or in part without restriction as to changes and the images may be exhibited with my own name or a fictitious name. The photos and videos may be used for advertising, marketing, educational, trade, or any other purposes whatsoever.
Disclosure of Aggression and Bite History
Dogs showing signs of reactivity or aggression (barking, lunging, biting, etc.) towards other dogs or humans will first be evaluated. As per the evaluation, they may be required to attend private sessions before being allowed into group classes.
If aggression toward people or dogs does occur during class, WSH reserves the right, in their sole discretion to immediately remove your dog from the class for everyone’s safety. Credit for unused sessions shall be applied to private training, unless it is determined by Where Sit Happens, that continued training would present a risk to trainer, employees or others. After one-on-one work, dogs may be able to safely join group classes at the discretion of Where Sit Happens.
To keep our members and trainers safe, we require the full disclosure of any bite history, attempted bites and similar incidents or hazardous tendencies of your pet prior to enrollment.
Any harm caused by aggressive behavior will be the dog owner’s responsibility. Dog owner agrees to indemnify and hold Sit Happens harmless against and from any and all claims, damages, costs and expenses, arising from dog owner failing to disclose any relevant history or from any act or negligence on behalf of dog owner.
Disclaimer of Guarantee
We believe in transparency. While we provide effective, science-based training, behavior is influenced by many factors:
– Your dog’s health and medical status
– Genetics and breed traits
– Environmental history
– Consistency and follow-through outside of class
Because of this, no specific outcome or timeline can be guaranteed. However, we’ll be here to guide and support you every step of the way.
