LMS stands for Learning Management System.  LMS software allows instructors to create and manage courses for educational, instructional, and training purposes.  Students will be able to enroll in courses to gain access to the course material and access a variety of features that allow them to interact with their instructor and other students in their class.  

LMS software can be private, used only by a specific organization or company, or it can be open to the public and offer courses available for customers to purchase.  It be used to teach online university courses for schools and educational groups, or it can function as an internal training system for company employees who need to learn specific instructions or procedures.

Absolutely!  From the very beginning, our software was designed to be mobile-friendly to make sure our users could access all of the features away from their computer.  Everything is fully functional and just as easy to use when logging in from any smartphone, tablet, or mobile device.  Users won't have to download or install an app in order to access course material and features on their phone or tablet--everything can be accessed directly from their preferred internet browser, just as if they were sitting at home in front of their computer.

Technology is always evolving, and we're evolving along with it to make sure our software continues to meet the needs of modern internet users, prioritizing multi-platform accessibility and portability right up there with innovative functionality and intuitive, easy-to-use features.  Online universities have started replacing heavy textbooks and long commutes across the globe, but we've taken it a step further by making it possible to start learning at your own pace, on your own time, anywhere you go--not just in front of a computer.

No, there are no exceptions or limitations for iOS or Android devices.  Our software was custom developed to ensure compatibility with all modern internet browsers and devices across the board.  If you have an older device that is no longer able to support the most recent updates to the operating system, you may encounter some compatibility issues with the live chat feature, but you will still be able to use the majority of the university features normally.

If you find yourself asking this question, chances are you have run into a situation where you were interested in a product and willing to give it a try, only to find that it works great for everything except iOS or certain versions of Android--whichever you happen to be using.  This is a common scenario that is as frustrating for clients as it is their consumers, forcing companies into a situation where they must decide whether to double down on resources or expenditures, or risk alienating a significant portion of their customer base.

Catering to as many users as possible is important, but finding LMS software that meets your specific needs can be challenging enough without the added factor of having to worry about device compatibility---so we've save everyone a step and checked this one off the list for you.  Our entire platform, including its live chat and streaming video features, was custom built specifically for the purpose of avoiding this issue---allowing instructors to focus on the features that matter, and students to focus on what's really important: learning.

Yes!  If you're interested in our LMS software, it's free to register for an account and start creating courses of your own!  By signing up for an instructor account, you'll have access to all the features of course creation, and you'll be able to access and continue editing your course content as long as you want.  Your trial period won't expire, so you don't have to worry about losing any of the work you put into developing your course content and material.

An online university is an interactive website containing tons of information and allows you to connect with other dog owners and trainers online. Everything you need is right here on the website, and can be accessed with your computer, mobile device, or tablet wherever you have access to the internet.

is not a physical place that you travel to. It takes place entirely online, and for this reason it is imperative that users be familiar with their computer or device prior to enrollment, and have basic website navigation skills.

Yes. This online university site is fully compatible with all smartphones and tablets, including iPhones and iPads. As long as you have access to a stable, high-speed internet connection, you can use any device to navigate the website, view course material, watch videos, send messages, and post in the forums.

If you unsure about your connection speed, try watching one of the videos on our front page. If the videos play smoothly without stopping or stuttering, you should be able to view the videos in the course material without issue. If you are having problems playing the videos, we recommend closing all open browser windows and restarting your computer, which typically fixes most issues.

We recommend using a Wi-Fi connection whenever possible, especially if you do not have an unlimited data plan with your cell phone provider and may be charged for going over your monthly data usage limit. Because our videos are streamed instead of downloaded, you will use data each time you watch a video.  You will not be able to download the videos and save them on your device to watch later.

Our online university software makes use of some of the latest advancements in modern internet browser functionality. For the best experience, we recommend that you use the latest version of Google Chrome or Firefox, and have an internet download speed of at least 1.5 Mbps or higher. (If you are unsure of your internet connection speed, you can test it here.)

If you are using a computer with Internet Explorer, you must have Internet Explorer 11 for all features to function properly. If you are using an older browser, some features on this site may not work properly for you, and the pages will appear distorted. If your browser has javascript disabled, you must enable it in order for the site to work.

In order to navigate the website and access its features, you must be connected to the internet at all times.  Streaming videos cannot be downloaded to watch on your device at a later time.

All courses offered are online courses, so students should also be familiar with how to use a computer, tablet, or mobile device prior to enrollment.

Yes.  Although some courses offer free previews of course material that do not require users to be logged in, you must be logged in to actually enroll in the course. Registration is free - just register here when you're ready create your online university account.

If you can't remember your username or password, you can recover them here. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password so you can log in.

If you're having trouble signing in, here is a list of common problems to keep in mind, as well as a few things to try before resetting your password.

• Passwords are case-sensitive. (Usernames and email addresses are not.)
• If you are using an internet browser that stores your username and password, it may be storing old login credentials (even after you supposedly update them). Clear out both the username and password fields, then retype your username, followed by your password. Clicking into or modifying the username sometimes tries to "fix" the new password after you've retyped it, so always enter your password last.
• Some mobile devices like to auto-capitalize the first letter or automatically add a space at the end of a word. If you are using a device with autocorrect or predictive text, make sure your username and password appear as you actually typed them.
• Copying and pasting between certain programs sometimes adds a space or invisible character. Try re-typing your login info manually, even if it appears normally to you.
• You can log in with either your username or email address. If you can't remember one, try logging in with the other.

If you're still having problems, you can contact us here.  You should receive a response within 1-2 business days.

Finding courses you've enrolled in is easy.  After logging in from any device, simply click the  My Courses icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen, which is visible on every page of the Leerburg Online University website.  From here, you can access all the courses you've ever enrolled in.

Your full name, profile, and any videos you upload will always be visible to your instructor and classmates, but unregistered users will never see your last name or personal profile.  Some information, such as your email address and physical address, are private and will never be visible to other students.  We will only use your address to mail course certificates, and we'll never sell your information or provide it to any third parties.

In most cases, the videos you upload are posted within your class and will only be seen by students enrolled in the same class as you, just as you would see other members and their dogs if you attended an obedience class.  Similarly, we've found that students benefit from seeing a variety of examples, and for this reason our instructors sometimes like to use good videos as examples for future classes.  We may also open part of a course to use as an example for future students that haven't enrolled yet, in which case your video could be visible to everyone.  If you do not want your video to be seen by users outside of your class, don't worry -- we've given you the option to keep your videos private. 

You can change your video privacy level using the checkbox under the "Privacy" heading at the bottom of your Account Settings page.  Your instructor and classmates will still be able to see your videos, but they will be hidden from unregistered users and we won't use them for anything else.

Yes.  We use the word "course" to refer to the course itself, along with all of its course material and subject matter.  The word "class" refers to a specific instance of the course and the students enrolled in it. 

Like a regular university, most courses will have multiple classes.  For example, a course might offer a Fall 2016 class, a Spring 2017 class, and so on.  In addition, some courses also offer an ongoing self-study class that can be enrolled in at any time.  The number of classes offered, as well as their frequency, will vary depending on each instructor's workload and the number of students interested in taking a particular course at that time.

The length of time you will have access to the course material is determined by the  course's access period.  For self-study classes, you will have access to the material as soon as you enroll, so the access period begins on the day you register. You will be able to access the material through the final day of your access period.

For interactive classes, the access period begins on the first day of class, so all students will have the same access period, regardless of how many days prior to the official start date they enrolled.  Depending on the class, you may or may not have access to the material right away, but enrolling early will not affect your access period for interactive classes.

Once the access end date has passed, you will no longer be able to access the course material unless you purchase an extension.  Purchasing an extension will affect all the classes you've enrolled in.   If you decide to enroll in another course, your access period for all your courses will also be extended to match the most recent enrollment.

Some courses have an unlimited access period, which means you will always have access to the material and it will never expire. The access period will be clearly labeled in the course catalog when you view or enroll in a course.

There are two ways to extend your access time.  Regardless of which method you choose, the access period will be extended for all the courses you've enrolled in, and any courses whose access period has expired will automatically be reopened.

Method 1: Enroll in a new course.  Doing this will automatically extend the access period of any courses you've previously enrolled in to match the new course's access period.  If one of your courses already has a greater access period than the course you plan to enroll in, the outermost date will be applied to the new course so your access periods will always match.  This will ensure that you'll continue to have access to all your courses, as long as you're actively enrolled in something.

Method 2: Purchase an access extension.  If you don't want to enroll in a new course, you can add an extra year to your access period for a small fee.  The extension will be applied to all your courses, regardless of how many you have purchased.  If your access hasn't expired yet, the extension will be added to the end of your current access period, so you won't lose any time you have left if you renew before your access runs out.  This may be the cheaper option, but if you're thinking of enrolling in another course anyway, it would be more cost-effective to enroll and take advantage of the automatic extension than to purchase one yourself.

These rules do not include or apply to courses with unlimited access periods, which will remain unaffected. If you enroll in a course with an unlimited access period, it will not be applied to any other courses.

There are a couple different types of invites.  You may receive an invite as a voucher for enrollment in a specific course or class, or to access a class that is not currently available to the general public.  Invites are typically accompanied by a link to a page that will allow you to enroll in the specified course or class, but they may also include an invite code that you can type in yourself.  Some invite codes also double as a promotional code that allows you to enroll at a discounted price. 

To use an invite or promotional code, simply enter it in the space provided at the top of the course registration page, above your billing and payment information.  If the invite is intended for a specific class, you will be redirected to the correct enrollment page automatically.

The requirements for completing a course will vary, but most courses will require you to take at least one test in order to officially complete the course and receive the certificate of completion.  You might also need to post in the discussion forums a number of times to receive full credit.  At the very least, you will have to take a multiple choice test or be asked to complete a brief essay about what you've learned and provide feedback about your experience.  An essay test is considered complete as long as you have submitted the test, even if it has not been graded yet.

Some instructors may include optional tests as a self-check tool to make sure you understand the concepts presented in the course.  Optional tests are not required to receive credit for the course, as long as you complete all the required tests, but it may be beneficial for you to do so anyway.

If you sign up for an interactive class, your instructor may require you to post videos demonstrating what you've learned, but it depends on the class and the instructor.

The top page of each module contains a checklist of everything you're required to complete that week, or you can view the full list at any time by viewing the class syllabus.  Check your progress often to make sure you don't miss anything!

No. Refunds will not be issued to individuals who have failed the course, but your instructor may allow you another chance to take the final exam, if there is one.

Exceptions can be made if circumstances beyond your control interfere with your ability to complete the course.  If you find yourself in this situation, don't hesitate to let your instructor know so you can work something out.  You may receive a refund if the course has just started, or you may be allowed to transfer to a future class and complete the course at a later date.

You should also talk to your instructor if you enroll in a course and find it to be too easy or too advanced for your current level.  You may be able to transfer and put the payment toward a course that would be a better fit.

Your access to the material is determined by the course's access period.  If you complete the course you will still be able to access it, as long as your access period has not expired.  If you aren't able to complete the course in time or simply want more time to study the material, you can purchase an access period extension or simply enroll in a new course to extend access on all the courses you've enrolled in.

Some courses have an unlimited access period, which means you will always have access to the material and it will never expire. The access period will be clearly labeled in the course catalog when you view or enroll in a course.

You can learn more about access periods here.

Most classes will offer a certificate of completion when you pass, which may be sent by mail or via email, depending on the class.  You will need to meet all the requirements before you will receive your final grade for the course.  Check your class syllabus if you are unsure what requirements still need to be met.  Most instructors have a designated time each week set aside for grading and will wait to go through all their students at once, so please be patient if you don't receive your final grade within a few days of submitting the last test.

Mailed Certificates: Once you receive confirmation that you have passed the class, you will need to confirm your address before your certificate will be mailed out.  Check to make sure the address listed on your account is your current mailing address and update it if necessary.  You will need to do this each time a certificate is ready to be sent, so if you move and don't update your address right away, you'll have a chance to do so before the certificate is sent out.  Once you've confirmed your address, you can expect to receive your certificate within the next 1-2 business weeks, depending on where you live.

Emailed Certificates: You should receive your certificate within 1-2 business days of the time you receive your final grade.  Make sure to check your junk mail folder if you haven't received it.  If you haven't already done so, we recommend adding @leerburg.com and @amazonSES.com to your safe senders list.

In July of 2016, we implemented a new system for keeping track of course certificates.  You can view a list of your certificates and their current status, including the day they were sent, on your Account page.  (Certificates sent before 07/16 will not be listed.)  If you have questions about the status of your certificate or would like to request a new one, contact us here.

This will be handled on a case by case basis, but generally speaking, if circumstances beyond your control interfere with your ability to complete the course on time, your instructor will most likely be willing to give you an extension. If you are enrolled in an interactive class with specified start and end dates for each module, it may be possible to withdraw and re-enroll in the next available class at a later date.

Accidents, family emergencies, injury to you or your dog, and many other things can interfere with your ability to access or devote your attention the course. We understand that these things happen, and we want you to get the most out of your experience, so if you find yourself in this type of situation, send a message to your instructor or contact us so we can work with you to find a solution.

If you have a billing issue with your credit card, or if you're trying to pay with PayPal, you can contact our office staff for more information about why your payment didn't go through. We can be reached Monday through Friday at 715-235-6502, between the hours of 8am and 5pm Central Time. You can also submit a contact request here, and should receive a response within the next 1-2 business days.

Common causes of payment issues include mistyping your credit card number, CVV, expiration date, or providing an address other than the one on file with your bank or card issuer.  Your card may also be declined if your bank detects unusual activity and flags it as a potentially fraudulent charge, which can occasionally happen if you use your card more often than usual or have recently made a large purchase.  If you live outside of the US, check to make sure your bank allows international purchases.  Some banks will automatically decline charges from outside of the country.

Please note that even if your card was not successfully charged the first time, some banks may still display a "pending" charge for a short period of time before it is dropped. Your card will not be charged more than once.

We currently accept these methods of payment:

Unfortunately, no, we do not offer payment plans or financial aid at this time.

Yes, we offer military and police discounts, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis to prevent dishonest individuals from taking advantage of the discount. To request a discount, please email jeff@leerburg.com from an email address affiliated with your organization (if possible).

We receive many requests from trainers, breeders, shelters, and people in other dog-related fields.  Because this amounts to such a large part of our customer base, we generally do not give discounts based solely on this reason, but feel free to contact us with any other inquiries.

If you know you purchased a course but no longer see it listed under "My Courses," make sure to check under the other tabs as well.  If your access period has expired, the course may have been moved to the "Previous" tab.  You will need to enroll in a new course or purchase an access period extension to access the material again.

You should also check to make sure you're logged in with the right account.  If you accidentally signed up for a new account, your courses may be tied to a different account and aren't showing up because you logged in with a username different from the one you used to purchase the course.  Try logging out and using this page to recover your information if you have another email address or username in our system.

If you discover that you have more than one account and would like your information consolidated, or if you still need helping finding your course, please contact us for assistance.