Dog Training by SAS

Private Training offers personalized programs, available in-person at the client’s or trainer’s location, or virtually via Zoom. This training can address issues such as puppy training/house training, shy/fearful dogs, resource guarding, separation-related behaviors, loose leash walking, healthy exercise for senior dogs, rescue dog integration, barking, and calmness.

Group Training takes place in small, semi-private groups of 3-5 dogs, held both indoors and outdoors depending on weather conditions in Pipersville, PA. Group classes include Puppy 101 for beginner “life skills” (confidence, calmness, leash manners, focus, coming when called, boundary/bed) in a 4-week indoor session, with an optional online video course upgrade. Puppy 102 is the next stage of “life skills” for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs, offered as a 4-week package with indoor and outdoor components. Advanced Games is for more experienced students, focusing on new games, trust, confidence, and fun over four-week sessions. Leash Manners is a 4-week class for advanced students, limited to five dogs, covering loose leash walking, disengagement from distractions, and dog-dog interactions.

Dog Speak! Workshops are one-hour, human-only, round-table discussions on various dog-related topics, where participants can submit questions in advance. All students must read and sign the Terms & Conditions form prior to any training sessions.

Pricing Summary

Group class packages are nonrefundable. Private training packages are non-refundable once the first session has been used, and all sessions must be used within six months of purchase. Payments can be made via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or check (for events).

Group classes like Puppy 101, Puppy 102, Advanced Games, and Leash Manners are $130 for a 4-week package. Puppy 101 has an upgrade option for an online video course at $155. Dog Speak! Workshops are $30 per person, with discounts for packages ($25 each for 5) or bringing a friend ($45 for two).

Private training packages are priced at $440 for 4 weeks, $594 for 6 weeks (10% discount), and $792 for 8 weeks (10% discount).

Policies

For group in-person training, dogs must be in good health, free of contagious diseases, and up to date on age-appropriate vaccines. Owners must disclose all illnesses and injuries, and dogs should be cleared by a veterinarian before returning to class. Owners are not permitted to allow their dogs to visit other dogs without instructor permission and must clean up after their dogs. Dogs must be on leash at all times unless otherwise instructed. Female dogs in heat may participate if not overly stressed, with protective menstrual garments encouraged and required for indoor spaces. The instructor reserves the right to expel dogs showing aggression towards people or other dogs, and may recommend private sessions in such cases.

Regarding Covid-19 and Flu Procedures, owners must stay home if they have experienced any contagious symptoms within the last 7 days. All attendees should follow social distancing guidelines, including covering their nose and mouth. For child participation, children under 12 are not permitted in group classes. Parents or guardians must sign a liability waiver and consult with the trainer for approval of any child under 18. Approved children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and adhere to all instructor instructions for safety.

Payments for classes must be made at the time of advance registration to secure a spot. Refunds for classes are only issued if the request is received 48 hours before the first class start time; no refunds are given for requests within 48 hours or after the session has begun, though exceptions may be made at the trainer’s discretion. Make-up classes are generally not available for missed sessions, but if a class is canceled due to inclement weather, trainer illness, or other trainer needs, efforts will be made to schedule one make-up class per block or package. Private training packages are non-refundable once the first session has been used, and all sessions within a package must be utilized within six months of the purchase date. The success of dog training is dependent on the owner’s dedicated effort to implement recommendations, and while success cannot be guaranteed, the trainer commits to treating clients and their dogs with respect and tailoring lessons to their needs and goals. The Terms & Conditions form must be filled out, signed, and returned to dogtrainingbysas-classes@yahoo.com before the start of the first session.

Dog Training by SAS is led by Sherri Ann Strikwerda D-ABST, who is passionate about helping dog owners understand their dogs to live amazing lives together. She believes in empowering people through fun, enriching, and personalized training, utilizing modern, scientifically proven positive reinforcement techniques and games-based training.

Sherri Ann has loved animals since childhood, starting pet sitting at age twelve and training dogs at age twenty. She offers personalized training programs for individual dogs and their unique needs, available in-person or virtually.

The business provides a variety of group classes and workshops, including “life skills” for puppies, adolescents, and adult dogs, advanced games, and specialized leash manners classes. They also host “Dog Speak!” workshops, which are human-only round-table discussions on dog-related topics.

How to Get Started!

Dog owners can begin by contacting the trainer for a brief phone consult to determine if they are a good match for their training needs. For group classes, owners should call to request a spot and check the Schedule page for dates and times. The Terms & Conditions form must be filled out, signed, and returned via email before the first session of any training.