Frequently asked questions

Weekly classes are held at 622 Alameda, Norman, OK 73070 — on Alameda, east of Porter. Agility and four-week manners classes run at the Blanchard facility at 2432 Country St. 2980, Blanchard, OK 73010. Classes have also been held at the Yukon Animal Shelter with Pets & People on the first two Tuesdays of the month, and in Ada. See the class schedule for times.

Download and print the enrolment form, fill it in, and call 405-224-7715 so we can tell you which class starts next and whether there is space in it. You can bring the printed form to your first class or email it to info@listenuppup.com.

Fees are confirmed by telephone when you book. The centre publishes one concession openly: there is no charge for Pets & People dogs, or for Assistance Dogs in training. Call 405-224-7715 for the current fee for every other class.

Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, assistance dog and Tuesday obedience classes in Norman run in six-week blocks. Basic Manners at the Blanchard facility and at the Yukon Animal Shelter runs as a four-week class. The workshops are single two-hour sessions.

No. Dogs of any age join the manners and obedience classes, and private instruction and behaviour counselling is scheduled at your convenience for dogs that need individual attention. Older dogs often learn faster than puppies because they can concentrate for longer.

Yes — the centre teaches positive and fun training techniques. The goal is to teach you to communicate with your dog in a manner the dog understands, using positive motivation to teach self control, manners and simple tricks, rather than correction. The trick class is called Clicks 'n Tricks.

Yes. Basic manners are reinforced with games, and the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certification test is given on completion of the class. See Canine Good Citizen classes.

Both ends of the lead are taught how to conduct visits to nursing homes, day-care centres and schools, and a Therapy Dogs International evaluation is given on completion of the class. See therapy dog training.

Yes. Barbara Lewis has worked with people with disabilities and Assistance Dogs since 1993 and is the Oklahoma Regional Representative and Field Instructor for Paws With A Cause. Assistance dog training runs on Sundays at 3:00 pm, with a further session at 4:00 pm on the first and third Sundays of the month. See service dog training.

Barbara Lewis founded A New Leash On Life, Inc., a non-profit agency that implements dog training programmes in correctional facilities. The dogs are evaluated for natural traits and their training is tailored to a specific job as a therapy dog, nursing facility resident dog, assistance dog or family pet. The programme is currently accepting applications for new homes: the dogs are taught sit, stay, lay down, come when called, walk on a leash and wait at the door or gate, and are socialised to people and other dogs. Call 405-224-7715 for more information.

Yes, and we encourage it — the entire family is welcome at training sessions. A dog that only obeys one member of the household is not yet a trained dog, so everyone who lives with the dog should hear the same instructions.

Puppies start with Puppy Pre-School. Dogs that need the basics start with manners training, then Canine Good Citizen. Dogs that already work well on the lead can join agility on Fridays in Blanchard. If one specific habit is the problem, a two-hour workshop may be enough. Call 405-224-7715 and describe the dog — we will point you at the right class.