COVID-19 Policy

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and according to CDC guidelines, ARL Dog Sports will be enforcing the disinfection and social distancing policy described here. 

1. Classes will be scheduled with 15 minutes at the end of the hour to allow time for handlers and their dogs to exit, ARL Dog Sports instructors to clean any high-touch surfaces including door knobs, light switches, and the bathroom, and time for the next class handlers to enter.
2. Handlers who have a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days should remain at home. As always, videos of the class are made available to all class participants, and students who stay home can review the class work after the videos are posted.
3. To the extent possible, without causing undue risk of harm to dogs or their human handlers, all classes will be held outdoors. Some examples of conditions prohibitive of working outdoors include but are not limited to: adverse weather events, such as lightning or ice storms; extreme cold or heat, or excessively icy/salty or hot asphalt that might result in damage to dogs' foot pads; environmental conditions exceeding dogs' skill level; or other unforeseen events determined by ARL Dog Sports to constitute a greater risk than holding class indoors.
4. During outdoor classes, all human participants must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from any other human participant. When it is not possible to maintain a 6-foot distance, a mask covering both the mouth and nose must be worn by all individuals unable to maintain sufficient distance.
5. During indoor classes, all handlers must wear a mask covering both the mouth and nose and fitting properly. Ring gating will have additional access points. Each handler should use the access point closest to them to avoid passing too close to other handlers.
6. Handlers must provide their own masks. 
7. Dogs should preferentially be crated safely in cars, protected from extreme temperatures. Handlers uncertain of how to protect their dogs from extreme temperatures should contact ARL Dog Sports for more information. If this is not an option, handlers may use the facility crates or their own crates. If handlers crate dogs in facility crates, they must clean all surfaces of the crate that may have been contacted prior to leaving the facility.
8. Handlers should bring their own chairs (if desired) and any other equipment needed for class or that they deem necessary for their health and safety.
9. Handlers should not touch props, hides, or the video camera.