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We Train...
Any Breed, Any Size, Any Age
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Barbara Simpson
Questions? 336-859-5530
barbara@rollingmeadowkennels.com
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FAQ's
about Rolling Meadows Academy, and
our Dog Training, Dog Boarding
and Doggie Daycare programs.
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Rolling Meadows Academy
FAQ's |
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Q. How long have you been
in business?
A.
We have been in business for 12 years as of February 1, 2007. These are
actual years in business. We are not counting the years before starting
our business, or Allen's training as a youth with hunting dogs. Allen
and Barbara are not combining their years of experience or their staff.
Many people attempt to
inflate their years in business so you don’t know their just starting
out. They site their time working for someone else, their experience as
a youth, or combine their years with staff. Why do this? The answer is
most trainers go out of business within the first 5 years. Be sure to
get the correct answer to this question so you will be able to judge
whether or not they will be able to stand behind their training
guarantees.
Q. What kind of
assurance do you have that you will be here for me long term?
A.
Our length of time in business and the fact that we own our training and
boarding facility are both factors that should make you feel secure that
we will be here for years to come. You will know where we are and how to
contact us at all times. In fact, we are training our two sons to take
over the business when we retire in 15 to 20 years.
Tell me more. |
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Our Dog Training FAQ's |
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Q. Is it Really Necessary
to Train my Dog?
A.
Yes! Most importantly, a well trained dog is a happy dog. And, for most
of us, dogs are members of our family and of course we care about their
well-being! We also want to be able to walk, socialize, travel and take
our dogs with us on vacation and holiday's and not have to think about
disasters occurring because they are out of our control. It's not only
socially unacceptable, it's plain just not fun.
Dog training is not just for dogs already displaying problems, and just
because your dog is behaving now, does not mean that problems won't
develop as the dog matures. In addition, just because your dog behaves
perfectly in the home does not mean that they won't completely change
once outdoors, or when faced with a situation for which you are both
unprepared. Like children, proper etiquette must be established and
consistent, and when you learn how to communicate with your dog, and
your dog is under your control at all times, you've created a bond and a
relationship that will enrich your life - forever!
There are a lot of training methods out there, and it's perfectly normal
to feel intimidated, or to admit that you don't know where to start or
what's best for you and your dog. Included within this page link is a
list of frequently asked questions to help you know what to expect with
Rolling Meadows Academy.
You've invested in a dog, now invest in your future together!
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Our Dog Boarding FAQ's |
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Q. I have never boarded my
pet? What should I expect?
A.
Your pet will adjust quickly
to our boarding facility, our staff and routines. Feeding, cleansing,
exercise, and kennel staff monitoring are all regular events in the
kennel. Each time we pass the dogs we check on there well being and talk
to them. If they look lonely we go in and cuddle.
Q. Can we pick
up our dog on Sunday?
A.
A large percent
of kennels are closed on Sundays, but as a courtesy to our customers, we
provide checkout hours between 4 and 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons. We
understand your need to be reunited with your pet.
Tell me more. |
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Our Doggie Daycare FAQ's |
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Q. Do the dogs fight?
A.
Lets talk about fighting in dogs...it is inevitable that if you get a
group of dogs playing in a room together some one may get a scratch to
small "owie" now and then. Dogs often come to day care because they have
high energy and play rough, therefore they seek out other rough players.
But no day care should have full blown fights. If they do it means dogs
are not screed properly. Play nips that may have resulted in a wound can
occur, you must know this going in. DOGS PLAY HARD...this is the nature
of dogs.
Q. My dog is shy around
other dogs, is Doggie Day Care right for us?
A.
We encourage you to first
come down for a tour. See the facility, see how safe the dogs are and
how much fun they are having. Many dogs come to Doggie Day Care for many
different reasons. Some come because they are an only dog and want fun
and exercise. Some come for the socialization and ability to "be a dog",
and some have separation anxiety and need to be around people and other
dogs. Because we have different areas of the Day Care, we can help your
dog socialize with other dogs their own size and temperament. We have
had many dogs who have been timid before coming to Doggie Day Care who
are now confident, socialized dogs who are more sure of themselves in
pack situations.
Tell me more. |
Rolling Meadows Academy
FAQ's
About The Academy
Rolling Meadows Academy -
Dog Training FAQ's
In-School Obedience & Etiquette FAQ's
Q.
I called one dog trainer who said
the only way to train my dog is in my home. My neighbor said that group
classes are the best and my vet tells me it would be great if I sent my dog
away to school. What is the best way?
A.
They are ALL right. All of those methods are good and depend on you, your
lifestyle, your dog and its personality. We offer all of the above
methods with In-school board and train being the most popular.
Q. How is Rolling Meadows Academy
different from other board and train training programs?
A. Rolling Meadows Academy is one of the first NC board and train schools
and industry leader! Rolling Meadows Academy was established in 1995 and has
had almost 12 years to develop an In-school board and train program that is
second to none. Although there are trainers that try to copy the
formula, Rolling Meadows Academy has always, and will always maintain their edge through
innovations in customer communications, obedience training and behavior
management services, not to mention overall quality pet care and advanced,
proven training practices. No other school has the training field acreage as
Rolling Meadows Academy, nor the indoor facilities to train comfortably in all weather
conditions.
In short, our unique past has built the foundation for a unique and
unsurpassed present and future, and continues to attract qualified, top
level employees with years of experience and commitments to ongoing learning
in positive and highly effective obedience and etiquette training.
Q. Can't I just train my dog myself?
A. Well, yes, you can. However, here are some important facts for you to
consider before you take on the task. Dog psychology and training is a
skilled profession. Dogs, over time, have taken a lot of abuse through
irresponsible ownership and training. Some breeds have gotten bad
reputations as a result, and quite often at no fault of their own.
The time
and energy to research proper dog training procedures, let alone practice
is more than most people can spare, and when executed incorrectly, it puts
unnecessary wear and tear on your dog, not to mention it can be very
frustrating for you. We will train your dog efficiently,
effectively and humanely and then provide you with the tools to keep
your dog under your control for the rest of your lives together.
We also add that most our trainee dogs come to us partially trained, or at
least their owners believe them to be so. However, unless the owner can turn
the obedience on & off in any situation and in any environment, do they
really have the control? Our environment enables dogs to be worked by
professionals in a variety of situations with the frequency to ingrain
effective learning into long term memory.
Q. What training methods do you use?
A. Rolling
Meadows Academy's primary method of dog training is the combination of positive
reinforcement and humane negative correction - a dog is rewarded for desired behavior and
lightly corrected for dis-obedience to known commands. No hitting or harsh methods are
ever used.
There is an assessment period when the dog first arrives at the school.
During this time, the Trainer bonds with the dog and learns what motivates
them to use as the primary tools of training. It is often a combination of
voice, touch, interactive games with or without toys, and food
rewards. It is very important that the dog enjoy training, therefore it must
be a positive experience to be effective.
Q. Will my dog listen to me once we're away from the school?
A. Yes, however it is very important that the
training is kept up by routine maintenance training. Dogs are opportunists, and if allowed, they will fall into old
habits. Although we take responsibility for training the dog, the owner must
be committed to the new lifestyle. We provide free maintenance training for
the life time of your dog.
Q.
What Kind of Dog is the Easiest to Train?
A.
This is one of the most commonly asked questions, with one of the simplest
answers. The easiest dog to train is the one with the owners who practice
the most! Just as practice is necessary to excel in a sport, play an
instrument, or any other skill, practice makes a perfect pet too! The more
consistency there is, and the more frequently commands and behavior
modification exercises are practiced, the better your training results will
be.
Q. What is the ideal age for a dog to be enrolled at the
academy?
A. We accept dogs from the age of
4 months forward. Although there is no
upper limit, please understand that the older the dog, the longer it’s had
to settle into its behavior. With that said, the ideal age is between 4
months and 12 months, and if at all possible, before the dog is 2 years of
age. (however, we train dog of all ages from 4 months to 10 years. Breeds do differ in maturity, and for this reason if there are any
concerns about age, we encourage owners to contact us.
Q.
My Dog is Already Older... Can he Still Be Trained?
A.
The answer is a resounding "yes"! Many people mistakenly think their dog's
habits can never change. (The myth that 'you can't teach an old dog new
tricks' is incorrect!) In reality, older dogs are often easier to teach! They may have a
few habits to change, but they usually enjoy the training and all the
attention they get.
Q. Do you "guarantee"
training?
A. We guarantee
that the information and instruction is some of the best in the world. Your
dog will be trained in the areas agreed upon by you, the dog owner, and
Rolling Meadows Academy when we custom design your program for in-kennel
training. Once your dog goes home, continued training success will be based
100% on the commitment of the dog owner. We guarantee to be committed to the
training for the life of your dog.
Q. If I leave my dog
for training, will my dog remember me when I pick him up?
A. Absolutely!!
Dogs have an incredible memory when it comes to their owner. We have never
seen a dog forget their owners, even after 6 months of in-kennel training!
Q. Do you train all
breeds and mixed breeds?
A. Yes, we will not
train, board or groom dogs in the "bully breed" classification (e.g. Pit
Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers,
Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs or mixed breeds that have
the appearance or characteristics of one of these breeds)
Wolves/wolf hybrids
Q. How often will my
dog get training and what will he be doing when not training?
A. Our programs are
results oriented. As a general rule, we provided 3-4 training sessions per
day. A training week is considered 5 days. We limit the number of dogs we
accept for in-kennel training at any given time to ensure proper time is
devoted to your dog's learning. When your dog is not training he will spend
time playing in doggie daycare or relaxing in our state of the art kennels.
Extra activities are provided at no charge to you.
Q. Will my dog be
stressed when we leave him for training?
A. Sometimes dogs
have slight stress for the first few days when left for training. Every dog
is different and the recovery period can be different depending on the
individual dog's temperament. It is not uncommon that when a dog returns
'home' they suffer the same stress they did when dropped off for training.
Signs of stress include: loss of appetite, loose stool, restlessness, and
slight weight loss. We call this the "cool down" period. Because this can
take a few days, we do not offer in-kennel training for less than 2 weeks
for new dogs. Here at Rolling Meadows Academy, we do everything possible to
ensure your dog settles in comfortably.
Q. May I visit my
dog during training?
A.
Yes, we try to set up at least
1 private training session (by appointment) each week for you to visit your
dog and to view his progress and learn the commands and how to reinforce
them at home. We do ask that you do not visit without an appointment
as we are training with all the dogs or working with other clients and their
dogs as well. We run a full time boarding kennel and doggie daycare as
well as training the dogs, so we work on a tight schedule. Thank you
for your cooperation.
Q. What are your collection and delivery options
for In-school training?
DO NOT BE
DISCOURAGED IF YOU DO NOT LIVE NEARBY!
A.
You may take advantage of our exceptional training
regardless of where you live.
We are located 15 miles off Interstate 85 from Thomasville, NC and 45
Minutes from High Point, NC
Many of our clients make the easy, all-interstate drive from Charlotte
and Raleigh, NC
We have many clients that
drive up to six or more hours to bring us their dog for our In-school board & train.
We also have folks fly their dogs in for training. If you
choose to fly your dog to us, we will pick up the dog at the Charlotte
or Raleigh, NC airport and provide your dog with our high quality,
professional training.
Then, you have two options:
1. You may fly / drive in to get your dog and take advantage of our
owner to dog handlers transfer sessions where we demonstrate what your
dog has learned, explain all the methods and then make certain that your
dog will work for you.
2. You may receive a
DVD or CD that will show your dog's training in progress as well as
explain the training methods in lieu of coming to get your dog in
person. And, we will ship your trained dog back to you.
Q. Will my dog's personality change?
A. Obedience training will not alter a dog's inherent temperament, as dogs
are born with innate characteristics in accordance to their breed, breeding,
socialization history, relationship with their family, and so on. Training
will likely calm a nervous or aggressive dog due to the fact that it
clarifies the expectations from their owner, and strengthens the bond and
provides the trust they need in order to take cues from their leader, but it
will not change who they are.
As far as our obedience training program, we teach the dog a new
communication skill which enables the handler to maintain full control of
the dog's actions. In formal terms, the process is called shaping the
behavior through reinforcement, and it does exactly that - shapes new, more
desired behavior, rather than changing the dog. When done properly, the dog
benefits in so many more ways than just learning to be socially acceptable.
Q. Where will my dog sleep?
A. All our trainee dogs accommodations have been modern-built to a very high
standard with heating and air-conditioning as needed. They all include
sleeping quarters and individual access to their very own in-door out-door
covered run. We also have an in-home option where your pet will stay with us
in our home while he is here with us.
Q. How will I know how the course is proceeding?
A. Part of Rolling
Meadows Academy's success is due to the extensive communication we maintain
with owners throughout the entire training process. We have some
owners call everyday to check on the training process between training
sessions. Owners normally see their dogs every 3 to 4 days as we work
with you and him together to teach you what he has learned and how to
maintain the training at home.
Q. Do you ever use training collars?
A.
During the enrollment process we discuss the difference between training
collars and suggest which collar would benefit you and your dog best.
However you the owner choose which collar you want your dog to wear.
Q. Will my dog miss me?
A. Of course! But, please be assured that our training is in a loving and
caring environment. Your dog will be in a comfortable and clean
accommodation, and kept quite happy and busy with training and other
activities. Our dog and owner reunions are one of our favorite moments of
the process and we have never, ever had a dog "not remember" their owner!
EVER!
Q. 3 weeks is a long time to be away - why does the course need to be
In-school?
A. Controlling the distracting influences of your dog’s environment
immediately puts focus on the attention of the trainer. This attention then
becomes an inherent, repeated reward that helps to mould the communication
procedure process. Thus, training is an enjoyable experience from the get
go. And new distractions can then be introduced without disturbing the
interest your dog has with learning and ultimately being predictably
obedient. Furthermore, the frequency of the training is highly effective in
the re-shaping process. We train with each dog 3 or more times a day for 15
to 20 minutes each. The rest of the day is spent running, playing and
socializing in our doggie daycare until he is returned to his own private
accommodations at the end of the day.
Q. Do we provide the food?
A. We request that you provide all food and bedding for your pets;
maintaining diet and providing familiar scents and comforts of home. You can
also provide toys and treats that your pets are particularly fond of and we
will be sure he gets them.
Q.
What do I need to bring with my dog when I drop him off for training?
A.
1. Proof of your dog's rabies, distemper, parvovirus and bordetella (Kennel
Cough) vaccines. BRING A HARD COPY THAT YOU CAN LEAVE WITH US PERMANENTLY.
This must be on your veterinarian's letterhead. WE CANNOT ACCEPT DOGS INTO
OUR FACILITY WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION.
2. Please make certain your dog is free of internal and external parasites.
Infested dogs will receive a flea/tick bath at the owner's expense.
3. We require you bring your dogs own food to reduce the chance of gastric
upset during their stay here.
4. You may bring treats and washable toys. We prefer to use our own blankets
/ bedding so that we can keep things laundered on our own schedule. Do not
bring your dog's food or water dishes.
4. 50% of the training fee is due at drop off and the remainder is due in
full at pick-up time.
NOTE: Although we will make every effort to maintain control over them, any
personal items left at the facility, such as toys, bones or blankets may be
chewed to the point that we discard the item. Please do
not leave items that you absolutely expect to have returned.
Private (One-on-One)
Lessons FAQ's
Q. How do I know what service best suits my needs?
A. We encourage all dog owners to contact us with the details of their
obedience and behavior management challenges. We will either make
recommendations for your consideration, or request additional information as
the situation dictates. We understand that every dog is different, therefore
deserves a unique approach best suited to your lifestyle together.
Q. What if I need additional training following my one-to-one session?
A. We encourage all customers to keep a running diary of their experiences.
In some cases, additional support may be required either written or by
telephone. In other cases, refresher training may be suggested, or
we may suggest enrolling in our group classes now that you have most of the
training and behavior under control.
In general, our one-to-one courses are designed to provide the dog owner
with the tools to continue the training. It is very rare that repeat
training is necessary or required, unless agreed upfront as part of the
recommended structure.
Q. How can your training school be so many things to so many dog
owners?
A. Rolling Meadows Academy has been caring for dogs and providing training services since 1995,
therefore we have a unique edge in knowing how to combine obedience training
and behavior management as they compliment each other for the most highly
effective results. We are also in the position to understand dogs in a
variety of situations - not just with their owners in a familiar
environment. In short, we are able to identify and apply training solutions from our
vast, varied and deep pool of expertise.
Group Obedience Classes FAQ's
Q. When and why is group obedience
classes recommended over your main In-school board & train courses?
A. There are some dogs that don't
kennel well due to their temperament, history, health or breed and any
combination thereof. There are also some dog owners that absolutely will not
or can not be parted from their pet. Your budget may not allow for the cost
of our In-school training.
Q. How are Rolling Meadows Academy
Group classes different from other group clases?
A. For starters, we train dogs as
our sole
profession, not as a side-line, hobby or as a volunteer, therefore it is
difficult to compete against our depth and breadth of experience on a day-in
and day-out basis. Our group classes are unique in that we offer
continuing enrollment, you never have to wait for a class to finish before
you can enter our group classes.
Dogs With Disabilities
Can you train a dog with a disability?
In most cases, YES! We have experience training dogs with deafness, blind
dogs, and lost limbs.
What kind of training can you do for a disable dog?
Virtually any kind of basic training is possible. In many cases, training
your dog to sit, down, come, and basic manners can be learned quite
quickly. Deaf dogs can be taught to come, even in darkness when they can't
see you!
What's the key to training a deaf dog?
The key to training a deaf or blind dog is the same as for any dog! Get the
dogs attention, teach him to respond to cues, reinforce the cues!
Rolling Meadows Academy -
Doggie Daycare FAQ's
Relax and
enjoy your busy day, now that your pet is safe at play!
Rolling Meadows Academy -
Dog Boarding FAQ's
A State Licensed -
Full Service Boarding Kennel
Q. What do I need to bring for my dog when
boarding?
A.
Food – needed: We do ask that you provide your dog’s own food from home.
This is to maintain consistency in your dog’s diet so as not to cause any
digestive issues.
A.
Bedding – optional: If you think your dog would be more comfortable with his
own bedding, you are welcome to bring it if it fits in his sleeping room. If
you would prefer, we are happy to provide a blanket or raised bed for your
dog.
A.
Toys – optional: We have plenty of community toys for the dogs in the
playrooms but if you can bring a favorite toy and/or bone for you dog in his
sleeping room. We do not allow rawhides, pig ears or greenies.
Q. ARE THERE ANY BREEDS YOU DO NOT OFFER
YOUR SERVICES TO?
A.
Yes, we will not train, board or groom dogs in the "bully breed"
classification (e.g. Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American
Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs or
mixed breeds that have the appearance or characteristics of one of these
breeds)
Wolves/wolf hybrids
Q. Why does my dog need to be dropped off
by noon?
Our boarding and daycare dogs start their day very early in the morning so
by noon time they are not playing as enthusiastically. So all our dogs need
to arrive by noon so all the dogs are on the same play schedule. Also, our
dog clients get tired so they won't be as receptive in the afternoon.
Q. Why am I charged for boarding if
I pick my dog up after 12 noon?
Our overnight rate is like a hotel's, you may
check-in starting at 9:00am (Except on Sundays). Daily boarding charges
always begin the day of check-in, whether check-in occurs early or late.
Boarding charges for the day of check out are made for pets checked out
after the NOON CHECK OUT time.
Q. Can I bring my dog's own bed?
Yes, however, it may get ruined if you do. Some bedding gets ruined or
soiled and we will not keep it for you if it does get damaged.
Q. Are little dogs separate from the big dogs?
No, we separate our dogs by play style. We typically have a group that likes
to play hard all day and a group that is mellow and easy going.
Q. Will you take my dog to his own vet if need be?
Typically we use Wholepet Health Center for all our veterinary needs. We do
bring your vet's information in case our vet needs to speak with yours.
Q. Why don't you provide in home pick up?
We find that if we did offer in home shuttle service your dog would spend
more time commuting and less time playing.
Q. If I sign up for a club and don't use all the days can I carry them over
to the next month?
No, all club membership are only good for that calendar month. In order to
get the savings we require that all the days be used during that month.
Q. Can you give my dog his medication?
Yes, we do administer any medications your dog may need. There may be
additional charges for the dispensing of medications.
Q. My plane lands at 7:30 p.m. can I come from the airport and get my dog?
No, our pickup time is by 6:30 p.m. during the week, 5:00 p.m. on Saturday
and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. These times are not flexible, our daycare staff is
not authorized to release any dogs that are boarding with us even if the
owner shows up to get their dog.
Rolling Meadows Academy -
Dog Training FAQ's
In-School Obedience
& Etiquette FAQ's
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An Equal Opportunity Employer
® ©
Rolling Meadows Academy Of Dog Training, LLC.
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Copyright 1995- 2003 -
2003-2007
This site designed and maintained by Glen "Allen" Simpson, all rights
reserved
Last updated on
08/02/2007 08:52:53 PM
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