Specialist Dog Training @ The Dog Hut.Biz
Telephone 01273 401 406
All our dog training and agility classes are fun and reward based, teaching owners how to build structure, fun and control into their dog training to ensure a happy and healthy relationship with their dog.
Classes are delivered by Ben McKechnie (seen here on the left), Member of the Guild of Dog Trainers or by Dean Hart, Master Trainer with the Guild of Dog Trainers and full member of the Canine and Feline Behaviour Association, pictured below. For details of the Guild's Values and Philosophy please click on their logo above.
Classes are held in our training field or sometimes indoors if cold or very wet.
Dog Training Classes
Canines in the Community© Dog Training for Pet Owners
All classes only have between 6 to 8 dogs so there is more individual support, feedback and involvement. All classes are kept as calm as possible.
Puppy Foundation Award for young
puppies from 8 weeks to 28 weeks old.
This class encourages socialisation (dogs must be involved in playing for correct socialisation to take place), habituation to novel sights and sounds, handling and getting used to being groomed as well as having a chance to discuss puppy 'house training' and other issues. Suitably sized puppies are mixed, to avoid any negative experiences. Includes Certificate and Puppy's First Rosette.
Beginners Handler Award, (Post Puppy Foundation)-for young dogs from 28 weeks old who have attended our Puppy Foundation.
This teaches sit, stay, lie down, recall, being handled, experiencing being groomed, the leave it command, and heal work. This class continues with appropriate socialisation and habituation. Include Rosette.
Novice Handler Award, - for young dogs 28 weeks plus (not been to our Puppy Foundation) - as above but for those who we have not seen before.
Rescue Support Training, for over 2 year olds - this class is for older dogs and encourages owners with rescue dogs to come and enjoy training. when there is enough demand.
Fun based exercises include lead work, recall, off lead commands, getting into and out of the car, sit, stay, wait, lie down, and send aways. The class progresses according to the skills of the handlers and experience of the dog. Includes Certificate and Rosette. Not suitable for any dogs with aggression problems, or who are very nervous or anxious, these must be seen by the behaviourist prior to any class work.
Intermediate Handler Award - for those who have completed beginners handling, or a KC Bronze Award.
This course developes the handler's skills and includes exercises such as send aways, sit and lie down stays, recall from distractions, lead work skills, an introduction to distance commands. Includes Certificate and Rosette.
1-2-1 Sessions
Need additional help with your dog?
Would you like a home visit?
A 1-2-1 session may suit you or your dog better than classes and may be of more benefit if you are experiencing difficulties at home or where you need additional support from our trainers.
Fun Agility classes
If you are looking for more fun activities with your dog then why not join one of our agility classes. There is a maximum of 8 dogs in any class and the classes are kept calm, much more suitable for over excitable dogs and allows training in control first and speed second. We do not offer completion training but offer excellent agility training by adopting the sound principles of animal learning theories.
If you do compete and are having specific difficulties with your agility or would like to learn how to gain more speed or control then you can also book a 1-2-1 specialist agility class with behavioural and training advice. Please give us a call to discuss your individual needs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All of our
dog training is fun based, non competitive and encourages reward based
training, using treats or toys to encourage and reinforce behaviours
(training is based on positive and negative reinforcement principles). Dogs
are trained using methods based on understanding canine learning theory
including classical and operant conditioning. Our dog trainers are
qualified in Canine Behaviour and are fully qualified in Dog
Training Instruction.
We have a zero tolerance to rough handling of dogs or clients! No check chains are allowed during class or on the Farm. Please wear suitable footwear as we train outdoors for most sessions. Please bring a Poop Bag.
Training takes place subject to weather conditions.
Interested in Canine Behaviour? Why not enrol on our Canine Behaviour Course or attend an evening lecture?
You
are more than welcome to visit us and watch a class if you are deciding
what dog trainer or class would suit you, however as we are on a farm
and adhere to a strict Health & Safety Policy
all visits must be by prior arrangement. Just give us a call.
Why train your dog?
A happy, healthy and enjoyable relationship can be obtained by achieving a balance of the right handling, the right training approach, understanding canine behaviour, canine learning, the hierarchical structure, appropriate exercise, diet and having fun.
There are many benefits of having a well trained and content dog, one of them is to be able to share experiences with your dog, such as enjoying walking in public areas, letting your dog off lead in the park or on a beach, eating a relaxed meal outdoors in café’s or pubs, enjoying visitors and having friends to stay.
These simple things are often avoided with dogs who are pushy, restless, reactive and noisy, stopping owners from enjoying simple activities. Good training using reward and fun based methods helps to avoid problems in pet dogs. Here dogs are getting used to listening to commands and leaving the Turkeys alone!
The safety of your dog and of others in the community also make up some of the duties of a responsible owner, effective training can help avoid situations that can lead to accidents and disruptive events. Your dog responding to your commands when you need control, like ‘wait’ before getting out of a car or crossing a road, ‘recall’ when there are cars, other dogs or people around, an ‘emergency stop’ and ‘give paw’ for inspection are a simple effective ways of maintaining sensible ownership.
Of course a well adjusted and well trained dog is not just about taking your dog to classes, appropriate socialisation (a dog learning he is a dog, what other dogs and other living things are and how to interact with them) can avoid problems in adulthood. This needs to be carried out between the ages of 3 weeks and 13 weeks old and must be continued into the dog’s juvenile stage. At the same time dogs should be effectively habituated to novel things around them (a dog learning about sights and sounds of non living things like cars, wheel chairs, gun fire, fireworks etc.).
Teaching your dog positive associations with experiences they may have later in life also leads to a more relaxed and well adjusted dog, such as going to the dog grooming salon, the veterinary centre or travelling on a boat, in a car or train. All these experiences need to take place when the puppy's brain is developing as it is most flexible at this time.
Some adult dogs have not experienced socialisation or habituation, these dogs are not able to be socialised (in its correct term) once the sensitive development period has finished in the juvenile stage, so as adults they need to be trained the appropriate response when around other dogs (not socialisation). Dogs being aggressive to other dogs or wanting to avoid them may be the result of lack of socialisation. These dogs need specialist support and may not be suitable for training in a class situation to start with. This is not avoiding the problem but avoiding any learned behaviour patterns that need to be changed.
We have a range of classes to suit most dogs and offer 1-2-1 sessions and full behavioural consultations (by veterinary referral only) please call to discuss your needs.
Telephone 01273 401406
