Puppy Pre-School - Puppies 2-5 months old. Puppy Kindergarten - Puppies 5-12 months old. Everyday Obedience Beginner-Dogs 1 year and older that have had no prior training. Everyday Obedience-Level 1 Pre-Requisites: Puppy Pre-school, Puppy Kindergarten or Everyday Obedience Beginner. Everyday Obedience Level 2 Pre-Requisites: Everyday Obedience Level 1 (or approval) Focus, Fun & Games - Dogs that need extra work on focus and attention with distractions. Agility - All dogs are able to join Agility. Puppies as young as 12 weeks providing they have recieved their vaccinations. Scent Detection - All dogs are able to join Scent Detection. Puppies as young as 10 weeks, providing they have recieved their vaccinations. Senior dogs are welcome! Do you have questions regarding registration? Please give us a call so we can help! 403-608-1590.

Payment & Refund Policy IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to the fact our classes book up several weeks in advance, we need to confirm registration with payment at the time of booking. Your spot will only be held for 48 hours after booking. If payment is not received within those 48 hours, your registration will be cancelled and you will be removed from the class. Methods of payment accepted: Visa, Debit, Mastercard, Amex, and e-transfers PLEASE NOTE: ALL FEES ARE NON REFUNDABLE or TRANSFERABLE. This includes: Workshops, Seminars and Fun Matches. We do not offer make up sessions for missed classes. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this policy.

We encourage the whole family to attend the class for our Puppy Pre-School, Puppy Kindergarten & Everyday Obedience. This will help to ensure that the whole family is including in the daily training with the dog. Consistency is key with training your new family member! Agility/Scent Detection/Tricks/Flyball/Scent Hurdle & Rally Obedience: Family are welcome to attend the class, however, only 1 family member can work the dog at a time during these programs.

Due to the nature of our classes and how they run, we unfortunatly cannot offer makeup classes. We provide you with online videos and PDF Documents that you can follow from home to keep up to date with your skills.

Due to the nature of our classes and how they run, we unfortunatly cannot offer makeup classes. We provide you with online videos and PDF Documents that you can follow from home to keep up to date with your skills.

Puppies under 6 months of age: 1st set of vaccines required to start classes. We understand your puppy will receive these vaccines throughout the course. Rabies is not required for puppies. Dogs over 6 months: Please update us with your current vaccines. Kennel cough & Rabies is recommended but not required as per Alberta law.

Yes! Absolutely! Having a dog in heat is no problem for our trainers. Dogs need to learn to work around distractions and this is a normal distraction! Please put a diaper on her to attend classes.

Generally not. However, if the weather is serious enough that travel is a safety concern, we will send out an email to let our students know the class has been cancelled. A makeup class will then be provided at an alternate date.

Kayenna Academy utilizes a reward-based, positive training method based on the most current scientific studies of how dogs learn; dogs are not punished for doing the wrong thing. Instead, they are praised and treated for doing what is asked of them. Any form of physical correction that inflicts pain on a dog is forbidden in Kayenna Academy classes; and we strongly discourage our students from using corrections or punishment in training their dogs outside of class. Punishment has been shown to be an ineffectual part of any training; it damages the trust and the bond with the person and it actually impedes learning. Successful training requires that the dog feel safe and connected with the handler. Our instructors will help you understand the difference between “traditional” punishment – based training and reward – based training! You will learn how and when to reward your dog for doing what you want him/her to do. We will also show you how to re-direct your dog when it “makes a mistake” and how the absence of a reward/praise is usually enough “punishment” for your dog.

The basics are a collar, leash, treats, and usually your dog. For more detail, see the information below. Collar: During class, the dog should be wearing a flat collar, martingale collar, harness, or head halter; instructors can advise which is the best once they meet the dog, see its structure and behaviour. No choke chains, prong collars or electronic collars are permitted in classes. Leash: Dogs should be on six-foot leather or nylon leashes (four-foot leashes are too short for on-leash recalls and stand-for-exam exercises). Thinner leashes are more manageable during class, but if your dog is a forger (a dog who pulls) make sure the leash is strong enough to restrain him/her. Flexible/retractable leashes are not to be used during classes. Treats: For treats, we recommend something small and soft that you know your dog likes and is not too messy. Small, because you may be giving lots of them; soft because they are easier to swallow, especially while moving; not too messy for obvious reasons. These can be small cheese cubes, sliced hot-dogs or other meats cut into small chunks, commercial treats such as Ziwi Peak, Rollover or Natural Balance training bits, or anything else you know your dog likes and will be motivated to work for. Crumbly biscuits are not encouraged, as pieces fall on the floor and then all the dogs start sniffing and snacking. Your dogs kibble mixed in is also a great idea. Your Dog: Our classes are for you and your dog. There may be times however when your dog is not up to attending (i.e., tummy troubles, after spaying or other surgery). In these cases, we recommend that you come to class without your dog. This way you will know what was covered and can practice at home, thereby not falling behind your classmates when you return with your dog.

Much like children, dogs are individuals with unique personalities shaped by a variety of factors. These include genetics, parenting styles (both canine and human), exposure to different stimuli and levels of socialization (life experiences). Some dogs come in ready to focus on learning, others just want to play; some are anxious, others grumpy at missing their favourite TV shows (or, more likely, the couch in front of the TV). How do dogs communicate these feelings? Barking, play bows, lunging, heading for the exit, planting their bums and going on strike, even on occasion growling and snapping. Sort of like the first day of school after summer vacation. All of these dogs need to learn acceptable manners and how to listen properly. That is why they are in class! We teach all handlers how to get and keep their dog’s attention, how to redirect behaviour when necessary and how to set their dog up for success. It is mandatory that each handler be able to physically maintain control over his/her dog at all times. That is why we will, on occasion, suggest a different member of the family handle the dog during class. And don’t worry, usually by week three or four things have quieted down considerably.

We are accustomed to dealing with dogs that are not initially at ease around other dogs or people. Usually, through a combination of behavioural adjustment methods, confidence building and gradual proximity exercises, dogs learn to accept this new experience. We will NOT employ “flooding” techniques (a short-term, stress inducing solution), so time, patience and commitment on your part will be required. It is imperative that you let us know in advance if your dog has these problems so that we can take appropriate measures to ensure a safe and successful experience for all participants. Our classes are not designed for, nor will they be effective in, treating dogs with severe aggression issues. If, in our opinion, a dog poses a safety risk, we reserve the right to withdraw that dog from our classes. In such a case we will issue a partial refund. We will also offer suggestions for private trainers.

If your dog has a chronic health condition eg: epilepsy, deafness, be sure to include this information as a part of the registration form. If your dog is sick, please don’t bring him/her to class. If you are unsure, check with your veterinarian and let your instructor know. We encourage you to come to the class and observe so that you will know what to practise with your dog at home when s/he is well.