Question 1

Can I attend Teen Social classes with my adolescent dog if I haven't participated in another training program with Raising Fido?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately not. For safety reasons, all dogs attending our Teen Social class must be known to us. We need to have a good understanding of each dog’s play style to do our best to ensure a positive experience for everyone involved. Additionally, each class is limited to six dogs, and we prioritize availability for clients who are actively participating in our other training services.

Eligibility for Teen Social is based on two key criteria:

• Current or Previous Client: You must have participated in at least one of our other training services. However, this doesn’t automatically qualify your dog for Teen Social. Not all dogs enjoy interacting with others, and some may not yet have the confidence to navigate and benefit from the class. If your dog is struggling with dog-dog interactions, this class likely isn’t going to change that. Moreover, since the sessions are held outdoors in a large fenced area, we can’t create smaller, matched groups like we previously could when we had our indoor training centre, making it even more important that only eligible dogs attend.

• Positive Social Experience: The goal of the class is to give young dogs the opportunity to continue developing their communication skills in a safe, controlled environment, supervised by a certified trainer. The trainer will monitor interactions, provide guidance on behaviour, and answer any questions. If it’s determined that your dog is likely to be overwhelmed, Teen Social can hinder their confidence rather than build it. In such cases, we recommend private training as an alternative. This allows us to hand-select which dogs will be best suited to assist your dog and we will be able to focus on your dog throughout the entire session to help you reach your goals.

Question 2

Can I purchase one private training session at a time?

Accepted Answer

Here is an outline of how our private training process works:

• Initial Consultation: We start with an initial consultation to better understand your dog's behaviour, your goals, gather in-depth specific details pertaining to the challenges you want to work on, and provide suggestions for helpful management strategies you can implement right away where applicable. This appointment can be done in person or virtually.

• Customized Training Program Proposal: Based on the information gathered during the consultation, your trainer will develop individualized training plans to help resolve your challenges and set you up to achieve the established goals. Within a week following your appointment you'll receive a follow up email with notes from the session and an overview of the proposed plan.

• Training Sessions: You'll schedule regular training sessions to work through the contents of your program with your trainer.

• Progress Evaluation: Throughout the training process, we'll assess your dog's progress and make any necessary adjustments to the training plans. Consistency and adherence to each element of your dog's training program is key to achieving lasting results.
We prioritize client success and understand that behaviour change takes time and dedication. This is why we don't provide the option for people to purchase single one-off training sessions following the initial consultation. To move forward with a private training program we require an upfront minimum session commitment to ensure the best results for you and your dog.

During the initial consultation, you will meet us, and we will assess your situation to develop a tailored plan. Your trainer will then propose a training plan and estimate the number of sessions needed together to help you meet your goals. Please note that there is no obligation to continue with the training after the consultation. If you decide to proceed, you can start the recommended program anytime within 90 days of your appointment.

When seeking private training for multiple dogs, please add $50 for each additional dog to the price of the initial consultation. Payment at the time of booking is required in order to confirm your appointment. Pricing includes up to 80km of round-trip travel for the trainer and private secure off leash area rental (if/when applicable). Any additional travel beyond 80km incurs a fee of $0.75 per km. A volume discount applies for programs consisting of more than 6 training sessions, please inquire for details.

Question 3

Can I book a spot in multiple Puppy Social classes if my puppy meets the age & size criteria?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can only book into one class per day, but our program is designed to offer regular quality socialization experiences for you and your puppy.

If you have a small puppy who seems to like to play with bigger puppies your trainer will advise if they determine your pup is best suited to one group over the other based on their behaviour during each class.

Your Puppy Social membership grants access to one appropriately designated class per scheduled day until your pup reaches 18 weeks of age. Puppy Social participants are eligible to continue on with our exclusive Teen Social classes if desired.

A booking is always required for each individual Puppy Social class you wish to attend.

Question 4

Can Raising Fido recommend another dog behaviour centre or trainer who offers group classes in Calgary?

Accepted Answer

While we respect many other training providers in the city, we can't guarantee the same experience elsewhere. We encourage you to be meticulous in your selection process, as the industry is unregulated and real transparency can be hard to find. If you feel the need to seek training options outside of Raising Fido, please watch this quick video, which reviews three essential questions to ask when considering hiring a trainer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKyLqv4Q5kI

The Alberta Force Free Alliance Directory (https://albertaforcefreealliance.com/Directory?&tab=2)is a list of approved providers who have undergone a basic screening process pertaining mostly to ethics and conduct. It's also very important to assess competency; look for reputable credentials, for example:

Pet Professional Guild: Professional Canine Behavior Consult – Accredited (PCBC-A)
The Academy for Dog Trainers: Certificate in Training & Counselling (CTC)
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC)
Note that there is a big difference between someone being a paying member of a professional association, possessing certificates from seminars, and having completed a legitimate certification process that involved testing – it’s important not to confuse this when reviewing credentials. We suggest avoiding any further research into a provider who does not possess at least one reputable credential.

Question 5

Do you do in-home private training?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We offer in-home training, which takes place at your residence, as well as mobile training at a designated location confirmed by your trainer. Additionally, virtual training sessions are available, and you can book a combination of these options. All private training prices include travel up to 80 km round trip from your trainer's home address. For details on travel fees for distances beyond that, please refer to our Travel Fee Policy.

Question 6

Do I have to start with an Initial Consultation if I want to book private training?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all private training programs need to start with an initial consult because it is how we learn about you, your dog, and your goals for training.

Although we don't focus on training in this consultation, you will leave with management techniques to start implementing right away.

Question 7

Do I have to use food to train?

Accepted Answer

Food is used a lot in training because it's a quick, convenient, and potent reward that we can use to reinforce behaviour that we like. However, anything your dog values can be used as a reward at some point whether it’s food, play, attention, or access to a desired place or object. We'll teach you how to determine what your dog values and when they value it most so that you can deliver the appropriate reward to your pup whenever you'd like to try and reinforce what he's doing.

You'll see us using food treats most often for training at this stage because for many dogs, the fastest way to their brains is through their stomachs! Using small bits of food is a highly effective way to reward behaviours as they are being learned because they can be delivered repeatedly and rapidly throughout a training session. Plus, they are often the single best motivational tool we have to help your dog train successfully around the normal distraction levels of the classroom.

Even though food of some sort is usually pretty high on a dog's list of favourite things, food won't be the only type of reward you use 100% of the time. Once your dog has learned to perform a behaviour really well in a variety of settings, food can often be swapped out for access to other things they like and then using food to reward on occasion to help keep the behaviour intact. It takes a lot of time and considerable skill to get to this point though, and many owners try to take away the food rewards too soon which results in the behaviour you like starting to crash.

Our advice is this: for most dogs, we should plan on training with food as our reward for pretty much anything we want to reinforce (see more of from our dog) for the first 2 years of their life with us. Then, we could try mixing it up by switching between different types of things we know our dog likes.

Question 8

Do I stay at the class with my puppy during Puppy Socials?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Every puppy in attendance requires one person at least 18 years of age or older to participate in the class with them. At this time we are limiting attendance to two people per puppy at the Socials due to space constraints. If planning to bring a child under 12 to class with you, we ask to please bring a stationary activity that they enjoy and can engage with throughout the training class should they get bored along the way.

Question 9

How can I stay updated on any future changes or updates?

Accepted Answer

Our current and past clients will be the first to receive any business or operational updates, ongoing support, and any special offerings. Communication takes place via individual client accounts on our portal, our e-newsletter, our private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/442528184280142/?mibextid=oMANbw)(for existing clients only), and our social media accounts (facebook (https://www.facebook.com/raisingfido/)& instagram)(https://www.instagram.com/raisingfido.dogtraining)
For prospective clients, stay informed by creating an account on our client portal,(https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/raising-fido/forms_and_contracts/new?id=3028) signing up to receive our e-newsletter,(https://www.raisingfidodogtraining.com/newsletter) and/or following our public social channels (facebook (https://www.facebook.com/raisingfido/)& instagram)(https://www.instagram.com/raisingfido.dogtraining/).

Question 10

How do I book a service with Raising Fido?

Accepted Answer

Why do I need to create an account?

You are required to create an account on our client portal, BusyPaws, in order to book any of our services. This allows you to easily manage your bookings, purchase packages, access memberships, etc.

How do I create an account on BusyPaws?

There are two ways to initiate an account with us:

If you know which service you'd like to book:
 • Visit our Public Self-Booking Portal.(https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/raising-fido)
 • From there, you can book classes that don't require prerequisites, or view information on those that do. You can also find information about how to book individual private services.
 • When you hit the BOOK button on any service, you’ll be guided through the booking process and prompted to enter your email.
 • Once your booking is submitted, your account will be created, and you'll be prompted to complete our New Account Information form (https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/raising-fido/forms_and_contracts/new?id=3028)as the next step.

If you’re not ready to book yet, can’t find the service you need on the Public Self-Booking Portal, or want to book a private training service:
 • Go directly to our New Account Information Form.(https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/raising-fido/forms_and_contracts/new?id=3028)
 • Complete the form, and your account will be created.

What happens after I create my account?

Once your account is set up, you'll be able to directly manage your bookings, book future services, purchase packages, manage memberships, view training reports, send and receive communication from us all directly through your account.

Need further assistance?
If you need help or have questions while creating your account, feel free to reach out to us at info@raisingfido.com.

Question 11

How do I know if my dog is going into heat and how long does it last?

Accepted Answer

There are technically 4 phases that make up the full "heat cycle" of a female dog. The entire "in heat" process can take up to 4 weeks to run its course (2 phases). Although your dog can no longer become pregnant at this point in their cycle, certain hormones will now start to increase in dogs who are not pregnant; it can take anywhere up to 3 months for these hormone levels to return to "normal".

During this time you might notice behavioural changes in your dog which could be attributed to the temporary hormone increase and may or may not subside once she completes this phase of her cycle.

Click on this link (https://www.kingsdale.com/how-long-is-a-dog-in-heat-ultimate-guide-to-the-canine-estrous-cycle#:~:text=It%20usually%20starts%20around%207,which%20takes%20about%203%20months).)for a more thorough overview of this topic from Kingsdale Animal Hospital. If you have any questions about the heat cycle in your dog, we recommend contacting your veterinarian directly.

Question 12

How long are Private Training Programs valid for?

Accepted Answer

Training plans established in a private training initial consult are valid to start within 90 days from your appointment date. If you contact us to start your training program more than 90 days following your initial consult, a new consult is required. You must re-book an initial consult at the current posted rate. 
All purchased private training programs are valid for 1 year from their purchase date. Please note, any sessions that are added on following the commencement of your program are also valid for one full year from their purchase date and are not connected to the program start date.

Question 13

How many dogs will be in each Puppy Social class?

Accepted Answer

Class Size & Structure

• Each class is capped at 6 puppies.

• A minimum of 2 puppies must be registered at least 24 hours in advance for class to proceed. If a class does not meet this minimum, we’ll notify anyone who has booked a spot prior to the start time.

Our drop-in format is designed for flexibility and accessibility, which means class sizes and group dynamics can vary from week to week. You may have younger (e.g., 8 weeks of age) and older (e.g.,18 weeks of age) puppies in the same class, as well as differences in size, confidence level, and play style. We carefully plan each class and make adjustments to the setup to ensure all puppies can participate safely because time is of the essence during puppyhood!

In some rare cases, dog-dog off-leash play may not be possible if it isn’t appropriate for the specific group that day. It's important to remember that socialization training extends far beyond dog-dog interaction and that is only one piece of your dog's overall socialization journey. There is always something valuable for you and your puppy to learn in every class.

Question 14

How many people can I bring to the class with me and what about young kids?

Accepted Answer

We encourage all family members involved in your dog’s training to attend class, but it’s ultimately your choice if you prefer to relay the information.

Currently, we have a limit of two people per dog per class as we get adjusted to our new rental space. We recommend bringing only those most involved in your pup’s daily training or rotating attendance if that works better for you. For consistency, we suggest that at least one of the two attendees has participated in previous classes, especially for Life Skills Level 1, as the classes build on one another.

Children can be great trainers, but they may need special consideration given the class duration. There will be times when your child needs to sit quietly while the trainer speaks, so please assess whether this will be challenging for them or affect your concentration. Occasionally, children may interact with the other dogs in the class, but only when instructed by the trainer, and they must follow all provided instructions. We’ve found that younger children can get bored quickly, and we want everyone to be able to focus on learning while enjoying the experience. If you anticipate any challenges, consider bringing a favourite quiet activity for your child to engage with.

Question 15

I heard that my dog will never learn to walk on a loose leash if I don't use a Martingale style collar, is that true?

Accepted Answer

Modern dog trainers focus on rewarding dogs for the behaviour of walking with a loose leash as opposed to focusing on punishing a dog via collar tightening, jerking, or any other kind of physical correction when they aren't walking on a loose leash.

We teach loose leash walking in a way that the collar and leash are merely for safety and legalities, but is not a necessary tool for training your dog to walk closer to you.

Martingale collars were originally developed as a safety collar to be used with dogs whose heads are the same width as their necks (think greyhounds) so that they cannot accidentally back-out of their collar and possibly endanger themselves or others. Somewhere along the way these started to be used in a similar fashion to a choke chain and purposefully sized too tightly. There are indeed appropriate safety uses for Martingale style collars, but teaching loose leash walking or any other skill, is not one of them.

To learn more about martingale collars, including the correct way for it to be fitted, check out this document from the Edmonton Humane Society.(https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ayEofnz9pFYUjT4GBMN4kE0QwMORnKMp/view?usp=sharing)

Question 16

I have cold-symptoms and can't make it to class, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

We ask that you avoid attending class if you're feeling unwell to ensure the safety of others. While we don't offer make-up classes, we will send you all handouts and homework if you miss a session. If possible, you can send a family member or friend in your place. For more details, please refer to our Missed Class/Make-Up Policy and our Respiratory Illnesses Policy.

Question 17

I purchased a Puppy Social membership so why do I have to book my spot for each class I want to attend?

Accepted Answer

Classes have been designed specifically with minimum and maximum participant number requirement per class to arrange the environment in a way that sets up a conducive learning experience for you and your pup.

By requiring each participant to book their spot for each class through our client portal (https://portal.busypaws.app/customers/raising-fido/login)it allows you greater scheduling flexibility while ensuring that your class will never be overbooked so that you and your pup can get the attention you deserve.

Question 18

Is it safe to bring my puppy to your class before they are fully vaccinated?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

We follow protocols that help reduce the risk of disease transmission and keep all puppies safe in our classroom. Your puppy is eligible to start attending one week after receiving their first core vaccination in the puppy series (3 x DHPP + 1 x Rabies). They must also be on a deworming schedule and have been deemed healthy by your vet.

Equally important is your puppy’s psychological safety. Every class is led by a qualified trainer who ensures that each puppy is comfortable and able to progress at their own pace. While we take care to prevent overwhelming situations, your trainer will step in to make adjustments if needed and guide you on how to respond if your puppy feels frightened. This helps protect their emotional development and supports your socialization training efforts.

Waiting too long to start prioritizing socialization training outside of the home means missed opportunities for your puppy’s development. Our program is designed not just to provide in-class experiences, but to teach and demonstrate how to socialize your puppy safely and effectively beyond the classroom. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) maintains that getting started before 12 weeks of age should be the standard of care recommended by all training professionals and veterinarians.

To learn more about the current best practice recommendations for when to begin socialization training with your puppy from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior click here.(https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf)

Question 19

My dog isn't spayed yet. What if she starts to go into heat after we've already started a scheduled group training course?

Accepted Answer

Most female dogs go into heat for the first time between 5 to 12 months old, though this can vary significantly based on breed and individual genetics. Smaller breeds may experience sexual maturity as early as 4 months, while giant breeds may not go into heat until 18 to 24 months.

The "in heat" phase of your dog's reproductive cycle can last up to 4 weeks on average, depending on individual factors. During this time, your dog will not be able to attend classes for several reasons.

To ensure safety and allow sufficient time for lingering pheromones and hormones to diminish, we ask that you take at least a 6-week break from classes starting from the first day of her heat. Your dog will emit pheromones for several weeks leading up to her heat, which may result in changes in her behaviour or the behaviour of other dogs around her. If this occurs while in class, you can begin your break then, but we still require a 6-week break from the actual first day of her heat.

We will transfer any remaining sessions of your current training course to the first available space following the 6-week period and look forward to welcoming you both back to continue your training! Alternatively, you may choose to transfer to a private training program to avoid the break.

Question 20

Should I wait to start bringing my puppy to classes if he is super shy right now?

Accepted Answer

We encourage you to begin attending our Shy or Young Puppy Social right away. Your puppy is young and will be more receptive to the careful, gentle socialization in a controlled environment with safe people, puppies , and various other novelty than he will be later on. There is a lot we can do right now to help increase his confidence and prepare him for the world that isn't likely to be as easy to try and do once he's older.

There is a lot of conflicting information out there, but all puppies should be attending a well-run puppy socialization training class or participating in socialization-focused private training program no matter their current temperament and this is supported by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviour.(https://avsab.org/)

We completely understand your concern and your desire to want to prevent your puppy from being frightened, but shyness left unattended can contribute to the development of tougher issues as he matures, fear-based aggression is one example. But you may be able to completely avoid this by taking advantage of this sensitive development period that your dog is experiencing (approx. 8-16 weeks) by participating in our Puppy Social program. Once your puppy moves into his adolescent stage of development he can still learn to be less shy/fearful of different things, but the issue is that progress is likely to be much slower for a number of reasons.

Question 21

What is puppy socialization?

Accepted Answer

Puppy socialization is a classical conditioning and desensitization training process in which puppies are exposed to new experiences involving novel stimuli which they are likely to encounter throughout their life. This is deliberately done in an effort to help them form a positive conditioned emotional response by inserting ourselves into the process to ensure that we make good things happen in the presence of new and strange things (different humans, animals, sounds, visuals and textures) so that they develop a bias away from fear which is the natural default emotion for survival in animals. Pleasant socialization experiences, or the absence of them, can impact your dog's temperament as an adult. 
More than playtime, socialization is a key process in which dogs learn and define relationships and emotions to humans, animals, and experiences. By utilizing early socialization in puppyhood, humans can assist dogs in adjusting to the world and what may come. Instead of allowing each novel experience to happen suddenly, appropriate simulations are put on by breeders and puppy raisers to allow for desensitization during prime developmental periods. It is pertinent to note that socialization is a prominent ontological factor, but it is not the only component with an effect. Components, such as maternal care, prenatal influences, genetics and selective breeding, also contribute to a dog’s complete adult temperament (Swanson, 2020).

Question 22

What is the adolescent period of development for dogs and why is it important to know about?

Accepted Answer

Adolescence is the maturation of adult and social behaviours happening alongside the physical maturation process better known as puberty. These are two different development processes that happen during the same time frame which is approximately 4 - 24 months of age.

The most notable changes in a dog's behaviour will occur between 6-12 months of age and for intact dogs that time frame usually is increased to 14-18 months. Dog's reach social maturation anywhere from approximately 18 months to 3 years old and it corresponds with a lot of cognitive changes within their brain, like us, dogs undergo extensive re-organization of their brain's circuitry during this time.

It is important to know about this because dogs age 2 and under is the top demographic in relinquishment cases (surrenders to shelter, rehome, etc.). Many people get caught off guard by behaviour changes during this time that they think are abnormal and weren't prepared to experience. We're here to help guide you.

Question 23

What is the Socialization Period for dogs and why is it referred to as a "critical" time for puppies?

Accepted Answer

The scientific community is generally in agreement that this period spans the first 3 - 16 weeks of a dog's life. It's referred to as a critical time because it's believed to be the most influential for early brain development and long-term social and behavioral resiliency. This makes it the best time for dogs to be exposed to novelty in ways they find pleasant to increase the likelihood of growing into what is considered a well-adjusted adult.

"Of the five canine life stages, the first few months encompassing the neonatal, transitional, and socialization periods (0–12 weeks) are thought to be most influential for early brain development and long-term social and behavioral resiliency... Limited early exposure to animate and inanimate cues results in fear and avoidance of environmental stimuli, which may affect future learning and, consequently, behavioral outcomes" (Dinwoodie et al., 2021).

However, research also shows that exposure to novel stimuli during this time cannot guarantee that your dog will not develop fears as they grow since there is continuous interaction between their genetics and their experiences, but purposeful pleasant early socialization can help to mitigate.

Check out this great blogpost to learn even more about why "later" is too late.(https://www.drjensdogblog.com/socializing-your-puppy-why-later-is-too-late/)

Question 24

What happens at a Puppy Social?

Accepted Answer

Puppy Socials run for 45-minutes and include a lot of narrated puppy group play that will help you learn to interpret dog body language. You'll learn how to tell if your dog is having fun during an interaction with another dog, person, or object and observe trainer-led demonstrations followed by practice with your own puppy. There are a variety of core training topics discussed on a rotating basis, you'll help your puppy interact with novel stimuli within the safety of the classroom in a way that they find pleasant and enjoyable, plus the trainer will provide helpful tips, advice, and suggestions for puppies.

Question 25

What do I need to bring with me to class?

Accepted Answer

• Dogs should ideally wear a flat buckle quick-release collar (meaning a snap clasp not belt buckle style) and a good fitting harness if you've already purchased one prior to starting class and have worked on slowly introducing it to your dog using lots of yummy treats. 
 • Flat (not rope style) leash that is a minimum length of 5-ft, but preferably at least 6-ft.
 • Favourite toy or chew.
 • Small mat or towel that fits your dog's entire body length and width
 • At least two hands full of tiny-sized yummy treats (no bigger than half the size of your pinky nail) in a waist pack or treat pouch if you have one for ease.
 • Water is always available, but you are welcome to bring your own travel container.

Question 26

Why do nearly all of your classes involve off leash dog interaction/play?

Accepted Answer

Our passion centres around the behaviourally healthy development of puppies and adolescent dogs and play has a big role in that.

Dogs are social animals and data suggests they enjoy the company of each others and can acquire some very important developmental skills like bite inhibition only really from interacting with on another.

Based on what the research to date suggests, we firmly support the notion that opportunities to engage with other conspecifics should be provided regularly when it is safe to do so and there is mutual welfare benefit.

The development of a well socialized dog who reads other dogs body language well and flexes their own style to increase comfort in others cannot happen without a good amount of practice - we pride ourselves on being able to offer this opportunity.

Good education on dog play is important and we try to do everything we can to support it. There is tremendous benefit gained from our clients' perspective because we always have a certified trainer who narrates what's happening while managing play sessions. Participants learn the ins and outs of good play, what to do if you're not sure, things to watch for, identifying their own dog's preferred playstyle, and in many cases it helps to increase their own positive emotional responses to intensity in play whether it's their dog or others in the group that they can observe.

Another benefit of allowing off leash dog-dog play during classes is the difference it can make for a lot of dogs with respect to then being able to better focus on the actual training lessons.

Almost all group classes will include some element of off leash interaction between dogs and we do our best to communicate that these classes may not be appropriate for every dog. Dogs must be comfortable off leash with people and dogs in order to be a good fit for those classes. For dogs who are struggling with either, we offer semi-private and private training programs that are likely to be the best place to start!

Question 27

Why did we have to close our training centre?

Accepted Answer

After careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to close our brick-and-mortar training centre located at 42 Ave and 9 St S.E. in Calgary. Our priority has always been to deliver a high-quality experience that meets the standards our clients and their dogs deserve, while maintaining competitive pricing. Since taking over the space in March 2022, several unforeseen challenges arose after the building was quietly sold to property developers in January 2023. The goals of the new ownership group significantly collided with our ability to continue operating from that location, leading us to the heart-wrenching decision to vacate the space.

As of November 2024 our group training classes are being held at Sit Happens! (https://maps.app.goo.gl/T7z6gDLNfwaLswZ56)and Play Unleashed.(https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZkbfBWa9KFedsfKG6) All private training services are offered either virtually or in-person at your home or a designated mobile meeting location in and around Calgary.

Question 28

Why is payment required at the time of booking?

Accepted Answer

There are several important reasons why we require payment at the time of booking that provide benefit to both our clients and our business.
Securing Your Booking
When you make a booking and pay upfront, it's a guarantee that we will hold that spot for you. Without prepayment, it can be challenging to manage our schedule and resources effectively.
Reducing No-Shows
Requiring payment upfront helps reduce the number of no-shows or late cancellations. When clients invest financially in their reservation, they are more likely to honour it. This helps us minimize lost revenue and allows us to better serve clients.
Resource Allocation
Our business allocates resources, such as staff, materials, and time, based on the bookings we have. Knowing that a client has paid helps us plan and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring a smoother experience for everyone.
Fairness to All Clients
Requiring upfront payment ensures fairness to all clients. It prevents any one client from repeatedly booking and canceling without consequences, which can disrupt our operations and disadvantage other clients who may have wanted the same appointment time or spot in a group class.
Elevated Experience
By taking payment at the time of booking, it allows us to provide you with a streamlined arrival and departure experience from your sessions or classes while you have your dog in tow.
Financial Security
From a business perspective, upfront payment provides us with financial security. It helps cover our operating costs, pay our staff, and invest in improving our services.
We understand that this policy may not be suitable for everyone; our aim is to strike a balance between client convenience and ensuring the smooth operation of our business. If you have any concerns or questions about this policy, please feel free to get in touch. We're here to assist you and provide any additional information you may need (info@raisingfido.com).

Question 29

Where are your classes located?

Accepted Answer

Sit Happens! (https://maps.app.goo.gl/JhtL5tvAAWvfVhkcA)@ 2180 Pegasus Way NE, Calgary
 • Puppy Social (small & medium dogs)
 • Puppy Social (medium & large dogs)
 • Life Skills Level 1
 • Life Skills Level 2

Play Unleashed (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZkbfBWa9KFedsfKG6)@ 10135 Township Rd 264, Rocky View
 • Teen Social (small & medium dogs)
 • Teen Social (medium & large dogs)

Life Skills Level 3 is a mobile class, each week the group meets at a different location in and around Calgary.

Question 30

Are your classes accessible to those with mobility limitations?

Accepted Answer

The room where we host Puppy Social, Life Skills Level 1, and Life Skills Level 2 is located up a flight of stairs at Sit Happens! There is no elevator on the premises which makes it unaccessible for individuals with mobility limitations that would require the use of an elevator.

For Teen Social, there are no stairs to navigate; however, these sessions are held outside and participants do need to walk over uneven terrain to reach the designated area. Once inside the fenced rental area where the class is held, a picnic table is available for seating, along with additional wooden features throughout the park.

Life Skills Level 3 is a mobile course where the location of class varies from week to week. In most cases, there should not be issues with accessibility, but this cannot be guaranteed. Attendees should expect to be walking and/or standing for a majority of the time.

Question 31

My puppy is close to 18 weeks old, should we still sign up for Puppy Social?

Accepted Answer

Puppy Social is designed for puppies who are currently within their sensitive socialization period. In some cases, pups starting close to the upper age range may still benefit from attending, depending on their individual needs and the current class makeup. We are always happy to help you decide whether this program is the right fit, or if another option would better support your dog’s development.

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