our dogs are limited only by our imagination not by their innate abilities
Dog Training
our dogs are limited only by our imagination not by their innate abilities
Dog Training
welcome to southern tails dog school
We remain the best Dog School ever for over 30 years!
We hope you scroll through the entire site. It describes our programs and the classes we offer including their current starting dates. You can read about our amazing instructors and everyone associated with Southern Tails Dog School. There is also a small section about our other business, Canine Players-Dogs for Film and lots of pictures of all our animal companions, our students, and an online registration form if you decide to take a class.
Our instructors are highly experienced with all of the newest positive dog training methods. Our goal is to teach you how to communicate and train your dog to exhibit the behavior you will need in order to share your life with him or her. All of us at Southern Tails thoroughly enjoy being in the company of dogs and with other humans who feel the same way! We offer Group Classes and Private Lesson Instruction. Once Covid is over we will once again offer In Your Home Instruction. Our Teen / OB 101, 102 & 103 classes are limited to 7 dogs. Best Puppy is limited to 8 pups during the Covid pandemic. WELCOME back to school if you are attending classes with your newest canine family member and a warm WELCOME if this is the first time you are coming to school at Southern Tails! You can read all about us in the ABOUT US section.
You can read our Covid Policy here:
How do I register for a class? Either Online or by phone
On line registration instructions:
After you read the class descriptions along with their starting dates-click right there on that class description. A window will pop open where you can click and pay the $25 deposit. The deposit puts you and your canine companion on the roster for that class. Most importantly, it lets us know when that class is full so we can close the registration. We limit the Best Puppy Class to 8 pups and the other classes to 7. We will send you an invoice for the balance of your class payment about 5-7 days before your class starts.
- Please read our Covid Policy and our Class Wavier. If you agree to both of these documents, then fill out the brief registration form and click to send it to us. Make sure the cell # and the email you put on the form are the correct ones where we can contact you in case we need to cancel your class due to bad weather.
- Next, scroll down to the section that says, "COMING TO SCHOOL?" This section explains what you need to bring to class, the vaccines that we require and things to know before coming to dog school.
- Make sure that you can commit to the 6 week course even if your life changes during that time. We are sorry but deposits or payments cannot be refunded. In the past we have tried to accommodate everyone's changing lives but we eventually learned it was impossible to run our business that way. If you have to miss a class our instructors will do their best to briefly catch you up on what you missed during the class time. You will also get the 'Woof Words' for the class you missed. Most students find that they can catch up during the class.
IF YOU SCROLL DOWN YOU WILL SEE A MINI ONLINE
REGISTRATION FORM TO FILL OUT AND CLICK TO SEND
WANT TO REGISTER BY PHONE?
Easy.....Just call Ally. I am always very happy to talk with you, so please call me to leave a message and I will call you right back if I am available or asap if not. Ally 336 328-0077
CLASSES WITH START DATES click on the class to pay for your deposit
New Puppy Teen/Beginner 101 Advanced Pup
Best Puppy Class 6 Weeks $169
Starting date Mon May 17th. 6:00-7:00
For pups 10 wks-16wks (small breeds up the 20 wks) This important time in your pups life is when you can jump start their brain to begin to understand how to communicate with the new humans in their life. By teaching them our English language words: sit, stand, down, come, off, and intro stay you will begin the journey of communication between our species. House-training, Crate training, Mouthing, Socializing, Body Posture, Grooming, Greeting & Obstacle negotiating are addressed.
Teen Pup/ OB 101 6 Weeks $169
Sat May 8th 11:30-12:30
For all dogs over 4 1/2 months to around 2 years of age that missed the Best Pup Class. This is a beginner OB class. It ncludes all the basic OB commands, plus some others to give you more control when you need it including two focus commands so that you can redirect your dog's attention back to YOU when they get distracted. This course also includes teaching you how to teach your dog to properly greet humans and more.
Advanced PUP 6 Weeks $169
Starts Tues May 25th 6:00-7:00
This class was specially designed ONLY for The Best Puppy Class Graduates. We hone your dog trainer skills by teaching you: proper leash handling, timing of praise and interruption along with the correct body posture, facial expression and voice tone to train your dogs. Learning these skills make it a clear path for your dog to understand how to get what they want by responding more reliably to what you want. During this course you will begin to see the communication bridge that connects us.
Advanced OBedience Classes
OB 102
OB 102 6 Weeks $169
Tues May 18th 7:30-8:30
For dogs who have completed either Teen Pup, 101 or Adv Pup. This course is where you begin to see the amazing results from the commitment you made to train your dog.You know by now that dog training is incredibly fun and rewarding. By adding distractions and distance to the command words you have previously taught your dog, you will learn to raise the bar to strengthen your dog's reliability to responding to your commands. Weather permitting you may will have a class or two downtown.
OB 103 6 Weeks $169
Starts: TBA
For Dogs who have completed OB 102 recently or 5 yrs ago What can I say----If you are taking OB 103 you are surely in love with dog training and spending quality time with your dog! This class goes further with the motion command Heel. It also includes some canine acting skills, maybe some jumping, or skateboarding....It is usually depends on what direction that particular group of students wants to go. It will be interesting and always include obedience practice and fun.
Specialty classes
Heel Class Trick Dog CCG Prep Class + Test
HEEL CLASS 6 WEEKS $169
Starts Wed June 9th 7:30-8:30 This class will fill FAST
For Dogs who have completed OB 102 or have similar skills. HEELING your dog is the most fun, safe way to take your dog out in public. To HEEL s means that once you give the command to HEEL as you step off.....your dog must stay attentive at your side no matter what pace you are moving and no matter what is going on around you. When you stop, your dog will automatically sit close on your left side. Yes, it's super cool and yes, it is a lot of work! It is like learning a line dance together.
TRICK DOG CLASS 6 Week $169
on schedule soon
Trick Class varies with the students. Sometimes it is purely teaching the class cool tricks that we call canine acting. We teach you to teach your dog behaviors like: Foot, Push, Pull, Take it, Ride, Basket, Go Around, Roll, High 5, Wave, Crawl, Play, Carry, and more... This ends with the dogs playing the drums, piano, and skateboarding. Some trick dog classes focus purely on the AKC trick titles and some do not. We will post the TRICK CLASS starting date here when it is scheduled.
We suggest OB 102 or 103 grads or any dog with similar skills for this course. Canine Good Citizen is an AKC certification. Your dog must pass a 10 step test to receive it. The test basically includes properly meeting and greeting a stranger, another dog, walking calmly on a leash, staying in place, coming when called, remaining calm and completely controllable around a wheel chair, sudden noises, letting a stranger lightly groom them, and being left with a stranger for a brief amount of time
Coming to Dog School?
GREAT----Here is What You Need to Know:
Vaccines required
TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR DOG'S LAST VACCINES AND TEXT IT TO ALLY
336-953-7632 BEFORE YOUR CLASS STARTS.
If you are taking the puppy class let your Vet know that you are coming to school so they can give the Bordetella at the appropriate time in your pup's schedule.
Best Puppy
DHP+P
Bordetella
All other classes
DHLP+P
Bordetella
Rabies
Dog treats for class
Bring some tasty small healthy treats to class. We use a lot of food rewards for the first 3 weeks. There is a lot going on at dog school so your special tasty treats will make it easier for your dog to pay attention to you . Make a trail mix of treats and include cheese and cooked chicken just in case. There are usually a variety of treats on the cutting board by the instructors counter if you need extra tasty treats. We also sell treats and training treat bags in the store.
Any 5-6 foot leash is fine. We do not use any retractable leashes for dog training. They might be OK for beach walks (maybe) but certainly not for dogs out in public. We feel they teach the dog exactly the opposite of what we want them to learn. They are a hazard and an accident waiting to happen when used on large dogs.
Be a leader
When you walk into the building try and act like you own the place. If you appear confident that will greatly help your dog to feel safe. Walk to your seat without hesitation and get settled. Get your treats out and reward good/calm behavior. Do not let your dog drag you over in another dog's space. Not all dogs will feel fine with another dog invading their space, especially if he or she is on a leash.
If your dog is not feeling well
Do not bring your dog to school if he or she is not feeling well. If your dog is not contagious you can come without your dog and sit on the couch to observe the class. This is not uncommon.
My dog had spay/neuter surgery
We suggest you make their surgery appt the day after your class night. That gives them time to recover. Also of course let your instructor know about the surgery. If that is impossible, come to school without your dog and sit on the couch and observe the class.
How many people can come to class?
Due to Covid-only the people who are going to take turns working the dog during the class should come. We would appreciate everyone staying together in their family group as opposed to walking around the building during the class. Your dog's name will be on your chair group. There is a bathroom for hand washing in the training room along with 2 air purifiers going at all times.
What if I miss a class?
This is not unusual...between kids, parents, & unexpected appts, there is always someone that cannot make class. We regret we cannot offer make up sessions due to the numerous times this happens. Our instructors only come to the dog school to teach their classes or to do scheduled private lesson appts. We have found that most students do fine with catching up during class. If you feel that you need significant extra instruction you can schedule a one hour private lesson for the cost of $75
My dog is in season
Call, email or text us so your instructor will know ahead of time to set the room up for safety. You will enter and be seated next to back door in the training room. You will also leave through that door. Put some type of panties on your dog for the class time. We have never had any issues using this method but your judgement is the most important.
Try not to come to class too early...We love having you at dog school but..
We do not mean 10 mins early, we mean 20 mins-1/2 hour early. If you are taking a 7:30 class, the parking lot will be full until the 6:00 class has departed. Your instructor will be setting the training room up for your class. She will be organizing the homework woof words, sanitizing the chairs, sweeping the floor. or maybe eating a quick bite before the classes start since she will be there late. You are welcome to walk around outside. The front door is opened 10 mins before class starts.
Mini Lesson Student Only 'Off-LeashCome'+more private lesson
We offer a special mini lesson only to the students who are taking courses at school. $40 for the 1/2 hour Mini Lesson
1. Off leash come
2. Biting & pulling pant legs, bathrobes etc....
3. Counter surfing
4. Jumping on humans, guests or family & similar undesired behaviors.
Private Lessons at school or Home training
Private Lessons at the Dog School are for those:
- those who cannot commit to a 6 week evening course
- for dogs who are reactive to other dogs
- for dogs who are severely shy
- for aggressive dogs
- for newly acquired rescue dogs
- for all dogs and their humans who just prefer one on one
- for dogs with behavior issues
We offer private lessons in a 3 one hour lesson package for $225. You and your instructor will decide the day and time of your dog training lesson appointments. Please give us a 24 hr notice if you have to cancel as our instructors only come into the dog school to teach classes and give private lessons
PRIVATE LESSONS AT YOUR HOME - are temporarily suspended due to Covid. We will re-start this program as soon possible
IN YOUR HOME LESSONS ARE FOR:
- those who have specific training issues that can only be worked through at their home
- for people who just prefer that we come to you
- for people who have family members that cannot come to the dog school
We offer In Your Home lessons in a 3 one hour lesso n package for $299 + travel if you live outside our immediate travel area.
Please give us a 24 hr notice if you have to cancel as our instructors only come into the dog school to teach classes and give private lessons.
About Us
Experienced, Professional, Caring and Obsessed with our DOGS.
southern tails humans
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Ally teaches some private lessons but after 30 years has turned the group classes over to our 3 amazing instructors. Gary is our office manager and repair all guy. We also both work at our other business " Canine Players-Dogs for Film" which keeps us very busy. We live with 5 canines: Jack, Cote, Bill, Molly, and Dylan and 2 felines, Morgan, Pete the cat and 5 chickens.
Caroline Currie CPDT-KA
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Caroline Is our Best Puppy Class, CGC, and soon to be Nose Work instructor. She also teaches both private obedience and In Your Home lessons. In her down time she does nose work, agility and lure coursing with her dogs, Roland and Pippin.
She lives with Ronnie her husband along with four canines, Roland, Pippin, Tonks, Cassie and her 2 cats, Ihon, and Bumi.
Kate Waltman
Ally & Gary Hall Dog School Owners
Kate Waltman
Kate teaches our Advanced Pup, Teen/101, OB 102, OB 103, Trick Dog and Heel Class. Depending on her schedule she does private lessons also. During the other part of her life, you will find her creating and selling her amazing pottery at her "Triangle Studio" in Seagrove. You can learn more about her and the Triangle studio art gallery here. She lives with Zurry the wonder dog and her cat,
Corey Jones
Ellen Coltrane
Kate Waltman
. Corey teaches our Teen/101 classes and also gives private lessons. In her down time she is an artist. Besides her boyfriend Gus, she lives with her Havanese, Josie, her rooster Murray, and Charlie the Parrot. Charlie who is a talker used to say 'Good Boy' all day long until Josie the pup came along and now he says: "OFF" and 'DROP IT" all day long. She also has 2 cats in her life:
Ellen Coltrane
Ellen Coltrane
Ellen Coltrane
Ellen is our class assistant. She is currently assisting the Best Puppy Class but is always ready to fill in wherever we need her. In her down time she does agility, nose work, and lure coursing with her dogs. She lives with three canines: Teddy, Traveler, and Fozzie.
Keri Green
Ellen Coltrane
Ellen Coltrane
Keri is an associate for Southern Tails.
You will find her there every Saturday making sure that everything at the dog school is in good order, clean, and ready for the students and the instructors to do their work. She also gets the woof words ready for all the instructor's classes. She lives with Liam her GSD/Border Collie boy.
Class Waiver
Southern Tails CLASS WAIVER
I understand that attendance of any dog training classes or dog event at the Southern Tails Dog School location or if the class takes place outside of the dog school is not without risk to myself, members of my family or guests who may attend, or my dog, because some of the dogs to which I will be exposed may be difficult to control and may be the cause of injury even when handled with the greatest amount of care. I hereby waive and release, Southern Tails, it’s instructors, officers, members and agents from any and all liability of any nature, for injury or damage which I or my dog may suffer, including specifically, but without limitation, any injury or damage resulting from the action of any dog, and I expressly assume risk of such damage or injury while attending any training session, or while on the training grounds or the surrounding area thereto.
I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless, Southern Tails, it’s instructors, officers, members and agents from any and all claims, or claims by any member of any family or any other person accompanying me to any training session or function of Southern Tails, or while on the grounds or the surrounding area thereto as a result of any action by any dog, including my own.
Have questions? Please Contact Us!
We would be glad to hear from you
