This info current as of 07/01/2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has irrevocably changed the landscape of our world. The ways in which we interact with each other socially have to account for greater safety, compassion, and foresight.
Consequently, we’ve had to restructure our services to comply with state and federal guidelines, to reduce the pathogen load we’re exposed to over time, and to keep our valued students safe.
Here are the tentative training models moving forward:
PUPPY CLASSES
The standard model of six weekly classes at the studio is no longer feasible. That’s too many people in the building at a time for too long.
We are still developing the overall topography of Puppy classes, but they’ll ultimately will be a mix of in-studio puppy socialization and virtual learning:
- Six (probably) sessions will be drop-off for 45 minutes. Puppies will be allowed off-leash time to socialize under guidance.
- Owners will not be allowed in the building more than one at a time while they drop off their puppies. Masks and social distancing guidelines are required while in the building.
- No more than 8 puppies per socialization session
- Off-leash time will be live streamed for owners via Zoom
- The team will do relevant training with your pup while they’re here, during play. These activities will align with students’ weekly assignments.
- Owners will receive weekly homework via email with video and PDF support
- Weekly office hours via Zoom to chat and ask further questions.
- Puppies need proof of their second vaccine to socialize.
- Students that were enrolled in classes when the state went into lockdown may attend for free.
- Regular tuition is $120
- All registrations and payments via the website
ALL OTHER IN-PERSON GROUP CLASSES
- Basic, and Intermediate will both be virtual—see here for details
- CGC Classes remain to be seen. The AKC has published guidelines and modifications for testing. If things are running smoothly, we may do virtual prep sessions followed by staggered one-on-one testing
- CGCA and CPR/FA Classes are currently shelved
- All class lectures will be delivered via Zoom; this way we can also demo for students
- Zoom will allow instructors to view owners’ progress and give them coaching in real time
- Owners will receive weekly homework via email with video and PDF support
- Students that were enrolled in classes when the state went into lockdown may attend for free
- Regular tuition is $120
- All registrations and payments via the website
IN-STUDIO PRIVATE TRAINING
- We are now scheduling these. Look here for info and scheduling.
- A maximum of two people will be allowed in the building with their dog
- Masks must be worn, and social Distancing guidelines followed
- Tuition is $60 for one hour
- All sessions booked and paid in advance via the website
IN-HOME PRIVATE TRAINING
- We will not be conducting any In-Home training for the time being. The exposure to the potential pathogen load over several homes over several days is simply too high to be considered reasonably safe for either myself or my students.
- There will be no exceptions to this policy.
- When or how this situation changes depends on how the pandemic plays out. As of now this is the working model for the foreseeable future.
VIRTUAL 1:1 TRAINING
Virtual sessions have been going for over two years, and are quite successful for students. Naturally, we’ve ramped them up in the last two months to adapt to the new paradigm. While we acknowledge that nothing takes the place of in-person coaching, a virtual session can still be a fruitful and productive approach.
- Conducted via Zoom, only
- Regular fee is $60
- All sessions booked and paid in advance via the website
- Look here for info and scheduling
VIRTUAL BASIC GROUP CLASS
We mentioned this above. We are currently offering limited runs of our Basic Class, adapted for Zoom. Learn more about that here.
Your feedback, as always, is valuable. No matter what, just wanted to keep you in the loop about what Simpawtico will be doing as the state eases lockdown restrictions.
Hope you’re all staying safe and well!
