Class Info and Policies

If you have never taken classes at Y2K9s before, welcome to Y2K9s. You and your dog are about to have lots of fun! Before taking your first class, we may request a brief, free-of-charge evaluation.

If you register for Basic Canine Manners, Diane Battis will automatically be in contact with you to coordinate an evaluation. For ALL OTHER CLASSES, unless you have approval by the class instructor, please contact Diane to schedule your evaluation.
First time students will also be required to show proof of current dog inoculations - rabies and DAP (Distemper/Adenovirus/Parovirus) - at the first class.

At Y2K9s we use force-free training methods based on positive reinforcement. Bring a large supply of small, tasty treats.

Four to six foot leads and a buckle collar are recommended. Please, no Flexi Leads. We may recommend the use of an alternate head halter or harness; they are available for sale at class.

    Waiver required for all activities at Y2K9s

    Instructor Discretion Policy

    Every Y2K9s instructor has the authority to determine if a certain class is appropriate for every dog/handler team. If the registrar approves your registration, that does not guarantee your spot in the class if the instructor feels that particular class is not the right fit for you and your dog. Every effort will be made to find you an alternate class. If a class can not be found to suit your needs a refund will be issued.

    Y2K9s Class Refund Policy

    • With few exceptions, there will be no refunds within 72 hours of the start of the first class.
    • If, for some reason, it looks as though a more basic or more advanced class may be more appropriate, the fee will be applied to that class.
    • If a dog or handler has been diagnosed with an infectious disease, refunds for missed classes will be offered, less bank fees. Please see Covid-19 mask policy for when you may return to class.
    • If a student knows ahead of time that he/she will not be able to attend all classes in a session, they may either sign up for the full session and miss those classes without receiving a refund OR take the class as a drop-in student.
    • Drop-ins are available at the instructor’s discretion and only if a class is not full.
    • If you miss more than 2 classes during a class session due to severe lameness or illness on the part of the handler or dog, you may submit a request for a refund, which will require Board Approval.
      Please note: Requests involving elective surgery for a dog or handler will not be approved for a refund.
    • Workshops & Seminars: Working spots will follow the same refund guidelines as classes; an exception is if the working spot can be filled. Auditing spots in workshops and seminars can be refunded if requested prior to the start of the workshop or seminar.

    COVID-19 Mask Policy

    Effective Friday July 22, masks will be optional.

    Exceptions to this policy are:
    • Any instructor may request students to wear a mask in their class.
    • Masks will be required at all trials held at Y2K9s but may be removed in the ring if approved by the judge.
    • Masks will be required at all seminars/workshops with more than 10 participants. Again, masks may be removed in the ring if approved by the presenter.

    This policy will be revised at any time the CDC County COVID status changes.

    Anyone may still continue to mask. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices.

     


    Have you been exposed to Covid or tested positive?

    For students in classes:
    • If you test positive for Covid — or have been exposed to someone with Covid, or been in close contact with someone with Covid — you should notify your instructor immediately. You should also notify everyone you have been in close contact with. If you have been infected with Covid you can be contagious beginning 48 hrs before symptoms appear. If you have symptoms of Covid please test immediately and proceed as above.
    • Symptoms of Covid include but not limited to - fever, chill, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell , sore throat, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
    • Close contact is anyone within 6 ft of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes within a 24 hr period; or close contact with someone who becomes Covid + in the next 48 hrs or less; or if you are caring for a Covid + person or living with a Covid + person.
    For renters:
    • If you test positive for Covid, have been exposed, or been in close contact with someone with Covid, you should notify Rob Moore immediately. Also notify anyone at the club you were in close contact with at the time of the rental. If you develop symptoms of Covid within 48 hours of a rental and test positive, notify Rob Moore and anyone you were in close contact with at the time of the rental.
    For instructors:
    • If you are notified about an affected student you should notify the class members that they had a possible exposure. You are not allowed to give the affected person’s name due to HIPPA privacy rules. You should encourage the student to report the issue to anyone they had close contact with at the club. You should also notify Patsy Sullivan.

    When can affected students return to the club?

    • If you had close contact or exposure as described above you may be at the club, but must wear a mask for 10 days. Test immediately if you have any symptoms, and ideally test at Day 5, but you still must mask until Day 10.
    • If you test + for Covid, whether you have symptoms or not, the day of the + test is Day 0. You may return to the club Day 10 as long as symptoms are improving, and no fever, and requiring no fever reducing medications for 48 hours.
    • If you are seriously ill with Covid requiring hospitalization you may not return to the club until Day 21 (Day 0 is the day you tested positive), and have no fever, or require fever reducing medications for 48 hours. A doctor’s approval is also recommended.
    • If you were exposed to Covid, or came in close contact with +Covid person, and are NOT up to date with vaccinations:
      Do not return to the club for 5 days post exposure. Test on Day 5, and if negative, may return to the club but must wear a well-fitting mask at all times until Day 10. (Day 0 is Day of exposure).

    COVID-19 Policy

    Effective Friday July 22, masks will be optional.

    Exceptions to this policy are:
    • Any instructor may request students to wear a mask in their class.
    • During seminars/workshops or trials, any presenter or judge may request that masks be worn.

    This policy will be revised at any time the CDC County COVID status changes.

    Anyone may still continue to mask. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices.

     


    Have you been exposed to Covid or tested positive?

    For students in classes:
    • If you test positive for Covid — or have been exposed to someone with Covid, or been in close contact with someone with Covid — you should notify your instructor immediately. You should also notify everyone you have been in close contact with. If you have been infected with Covid you can be contagious beginning 48 hrs before symptoms appear. If you have symptoms of Covid please test immediately and proceed as above.
    • Symptoms of Covid include but not limited to - fever, chill, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell , sore throat, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
    • Close contact is anyone within 6 ft of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes within a 24 hr period - even if you are wearing a mask - or providing care for someone at home who is sick with Covid or had direct physical contact with a sick person(i.e. hugging) or shared eating utensils with a sick person.
    For renters:
    • If you test positive for Covid, have been exposed, or been in close contact with someone with Covid, you should notify Rob Moore immediately. Also notify anyone at the club you were in close contact with at the time of the rental. If you develop symptoms of Covid within 48 hours of a rental and test positive, notify Rob Moore and anyone you were in close contact with at the time of the rental.
    For instructors:
    • If you are notified about an affected student you should notify the class members that they had a possible exposure. You are not allowed to give the affected person’s name due to HIPPA privacy rules. You should encourage the student to report the issue to anyone they had close contact with at the club. You should also notify Patsy Sullivan.

    When can affected students return to the club?

    • If you have mild symptoms of Covid and test positive for Covid, the day the symptoms started is Day 0. If you are asymptomatic but test positive for Covid , the day you test is Day 0. You may not return to the club for class or to rent until Day 6 and you have met the following criteria
    1. You test negative
    2. Your symptoms are improving
    3. You have not needed fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours
    4. You must wear a mask until Day 10.
    • If you don’t want to test again then you may not return to the club until Day 10 and your symptoms are improving and no fever reducing medications needed for 24 hours.
    • If your symptoms recur and you test positive again you may not return to the club again for 5 days after you test positive and met the above criteria.
    • If you were severely ill with Covid requiring hospitalization you may not return to the club for 21 days after the day you first tested positive (Day 0). You may return to class or to rent as long as symptoms are improving and 48 hours without the need for fever reducing medications. We also recommend you consult with your practitioner before resuming activities.
    • If you were exposed to Covid or come in close contact with + Covid person you may be at the club but must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure. Ideally, test on Day 5 after exposure but must still wear a mask until Day 10. Day 0 is day of exposure.

    COVID-19 Mask Policy

    Effective July 12, masks will be required in the common areas (lobby and restrooms) and in class.

    With the instructor’s approval, masks may be removed during a person’s “turn” in class. This is based on the current county COVID case rate.
    This policy will be revised at any time the CDC County COVID status changes.

    Anyone may still continue to mask. Please be respectful of everyone’s choices.

     


    Have you been exposed to Covid or tested positive?

    For students in classes:
    • If you test positive for Covid — or have been exposed to someone with Covid, or been in close contact with someone with Covid — you should notify your instructor immediately. You should also notify everyone you have been in close contact with. If you have been infected with Covid you can be contagious beginning 48 hrs before symptoms appear. If you have symptoms of Covid please test immediately and proceed as above.
    • Symptoms of Covid include but not limited to - fever, chill, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell , sore throat, nasal congestion, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea
    • Close contact is anyone within 6 ft of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes within a 24 hr period - even if you are wearing a mask - or providing care for someone at home who is sick with Covid or had direct physical contact with a sick person(i.e. hugging) or shared eating utensils with a sick person.
    For renters:
    • If you test positive for Covid, have been exposed, or been in close contact with someone with Covid, you should notify Rob Moore immediately. Also notify anyone at the club you were in close contact with at the time of the rental. If you develop symptoms of Covid within 48 hours of a rental and test positive, notify Rob Moore and anyone you were in close contact with at the time of the rental.
    For instructors:
    • If you are notified about an affected student you should notify the class members that they had a possible exposure. You are not allowed to give the affected person’s name due to HIPPA privacy rules. You should encourage the student to report the issue to anyone they had close contact with at the club. You should also notify Patsy Sullivan.

    When can affected students return to the club?

    • If you have had mild symptoms or asymptomatic and a positive test, you may return to class or the club to rent when 2 weeks have passed from symptoms first appearing (or the positive covid test), and 48 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and other symptoms of Covid improving.
    • If you were severely ill with Covid requiring hospitalization you should not return to the club for 3 weeks after symptoms first appeared, and 48 hours of no fever without fever-reducing medications and other symptoms of Covid improving. (Should also consult with your practitioner before resuming activities).
    • If you tested positive for Covid but never developed symptoms you may return to the club 2 weeks after the positive test.
    • If you were exposed to Covid, or came in close contact with +Covid person, and are up to date with vaccinations:
      You may be at the club but must wear a well fitting mask for 10 days after exposure, and test immediately if you have any symptoms. Ideally, test at Day 5 after exposure, but must still wear a mask until day 10 (Day 0 is day of exposure).
    • If you were exposed to Covid, or came in close contact with +Covid person, and are NOT up to date with vaccinations:
      Do not return to the club for 5 days post exposure. Test on Day 5, and if negative, may return to the club but must wear a well-fitting mask at all times until Day 10. (Day 0 is Day of exposure).

    Y2K9s Policy on Kennel Cough and Other Canine Respiratory Illnesses

    Kennel cough is typically a self-limiting virus that can be serious for very young, very old, and immune-suppressed dogs. The germs that spread the virus can be shed by dogs before they show clinical signs, so keeping a coughing dog at home is not enough. Because we are all crazy about doing things with our dogs and playing all kinds of fun games, the best thing that we can do is to make every effort to minimize the spread of kennel cough and other respiratory illnesses. We can do that in several ways:

    • Avoiding contact with other dogs and things they touch with their mouths.
      • No dog to dog contact.
      • No water bowls left out where other dogs can access them, and removed after class.
        (If you forget your bowl, there are paper bowls in the lobby closet which you can use and toss.)
      • Don’t leave toys around. If you find a toy left behind, put it on the lost and found shelf in the lobby.
      • If you use a target, bring your own and take it home with you.
      • Use disinfectant wipes to wipe out crates before use.
    • If a dog is observed coughing or showing other signs of illness, an instructor has the right to ask the owner to leave. If a dog has a chronic condition causing a cough, owner may be asked to show a veterinary note indicating that it has been examined and that it does not have a contagious illness.
    • Dogs who have kennel cough may not return to Y2K9s for two weeks AFTER the last symptoms were observed. This also applies to other dogs in the household who may not have shown symptoms.
    • Students who miss class because of kennel cough will be issued a credit for those classes missed, less bank fees.
    • Y2K9s will establish a routine for regular disinfecting of the club interior and potty area.

    Equipment Policy

    • Y2K9s is proud of its commitment to force-free training. Choke chains, prong collars, and any and all electronic collars will not be allowed at Y2K9s with the following exception: classes in which the use of a choke collar is required for the discipline, such as show handling. In those cases the collar shall NOT be used to correct the dog at any time, and the instructor will be able to require a change of collar if he/she deems appropriate.
    • At events held at Y2K9s under the umbrella of organizations that do allow a variety of collars to be used, the rules of that venue will be respected.
    • For the safety of dogs and handlers, Flexi (retractable) leashes are not allowed.

    Foster Dog Benefit Policy

    In furthering our mission to serve the community, Y2K9s is pleased to announce the following foster dog policy:

    • Individuals fostering dogs may take a session of one class at no charge (for members) and at half price (for non-members).
    • This policy applies ONLY to foster dogs who are intended for adoption.
    • As with all new canine students, an evaluation is required and some restrictions will apply.

    Please contact our Training Director before registering for class to confirm eligibility. You must use the provided discount codes at registration payment.

    Bitches in Season

    • Bitches in season are welcome in class, dependent upon permission from the instructor (as some classes are not conducive to allowing a bitch in season to participate). Bitches in season must wear panties at all times when inside the building, even when training in agility. If the bitch in season is not permitted to attend class, a credit will be given for the time missed.

    Parking

    • There is ample parking in the lot directly in front of our building
    • Do not block entrances and doors to our building, other buildings or loading docks

    Field Turf Floor

    We have made a big investment in this flooring and need your help to keep it in good shape

    • Do not let your dog run loose on the field turf
    • Use treats that can be easily found by your dog
    • No human food or drinks on the turf
    • Let an instructor know if you see any infractions; help enforce these rules
    • Should a spill or accident occur, use disinfectant in the spray bottle and paper towels to blot

    Clean-up

    $10 penalty for dog accidents ANYWHERE IN THE BUILDING

    PEEnalty Payment

    Payment for: PEEnalty Fine

    Amount: $10.00

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    • Outside the building please pick up and use our dumpster for disposal
    • Use the “Y2 Loo” (gravel area adjacent to parking lot) – bags available
    • Inside – See your instructor for location of correct cleaning product
    • Please do not leave any dog waste (liquid or solid) in any indoor trash can, including those in the bathrooms – place it in the dumpster

    Class Cancellations and Bad Weather

    • In the event of inclement weather, an email will sent to the Y2K9s GoogleGroup
      Click here to join
    • A notice will also be posted on the Y2K9s' website in the Twitter Box on the home page
    • Or you can follow the Twitter postings on your computer or mobile device by subscribing to
      Y2K9s on Twitter
    • Message Center Phone Number: 215-821-9259 (for class cancellations information; also for general questions regarding Y2K9s, you may call our message center, leave a message, and we will contact you)

    Free Stuff to Borrow

    • Live to Run Again Audio Library - Live to Run Again is a not-for-profit public education campaign against drowsy driving
      Learn more about Live to Run Again
    • Books, magazines and DVDs are available in the lobby bookshelf

    Join the Y2K9s email group on GoogleGroups

    • Email traffic is light, with useful club notices and news. To join, using the same email account that you want to use for your Google Group membership, open your email client and send an email to our GoogleGroups address.

    Items Available for Purchase

    • $25 – EZ-Walker Harnesses (see an instructor for fitting and purchase)
    • $4 – Clickers
    • Mesh tug bags
    • Y2K9s offers a variety of logo-printed items for sale. Check them out in our lobby and contact Mary Grace Buckwalter if interested.