Methods of Training: In order to build a relationship with an animal which is based on Trust you need to gain the animal's co-operation. We therefore use positive and motivational methods to gain the dog's trust and co-operation.
What can you expect from the training? If you follow our instructions properly, apply exercises as explained, work with your dog every single day, several times a day, you can expect co-operation from your dog as well as a deeper bond and understanding between you and your dog. This will make for a happier and brighter future for both of you.
Our Puppy Training Lessons are not only fun and interactive, but highly informative and educational, guaranteed to build a strong foundation between you and your canine companion.
About 17 or so years ago there were no puppy classes. Puppy group classes are a new thing. So how did I manage to socialize Ayla into the most social Bull Terrier who was bomb proof around other dogs, animals, children and people in general without attending a puppy class with her?
Well, I followed very specific socialization protocols.
Will a puppy group class effectively socialize my puppy?
Believe it or not but the answer is NO! Why not, you may ask. Well, the puppy who attends a group class for a few lessons only gets used to his class mates and their owners. A few months down the line your puppy, who is now a teenager, may very well get into a fight with another dog.
So how am I supposed to socialize my puppy?
I am glad you asked. The answer is simple; follow our socialization protocols and do your socialization assignments which will be given to you by us. This will socialize your puppy much more effectively than a group class.
Please see below for more on socialization.
Dogs may begin lessons from as young as 8 weeks of age. This is when your canine is at it's most impressionable age.
The Puppy Training Lessons cover the following:
,Please note: All Bull & Terrier breeds & Mastiff breeds should begin their Training & Socialisation process from 8 weeks of age, or at least between 8 to 16 weeks of age, due to their special needs. The other breeds may begin from 12 weeks of age but are welcome to begin at 8 weeks of age.
The Obedience Lessons usually follow on from Puppy Lessons but dogs who have never had Puppy Lessons before can first begin with Puppy lessons as this will build a lovely foundation for even older dogs before going on to the Obedience Lessons. The Obedience Lessons are where we establish more control over the dog. This is where we polish the walk nicely on the lead without pulling, sitting, downing, standing, staying and coming when called, even some trick training plus several new exercises not covered in Puppy Lessons - now your dog is ready to learn them. We also do quite a bit of problem solving.
Socialization for Obedience Lessons is approached the same way as in the Puppy Lessons.
We also offer training in a more advanced fashion. The idea is to train the dog to a level where he can join his owners on holiday and will have no issues with distractions, off lead work, hand signals, higher levels of obedience work etc. Dogs who have successfully completed the previous lessons are welcome to continue their education in the Advanced Dog Obedience Training Class. As an extra we occasionally take the students into a public setting for more practical lessons. Although quite intimidating to new students in this class it is very fun and very informative for the students and their dogs and the more often they experience this plus follow all our other instructions regarding the socialisation of their dogs, the easier it becomes.
In order to attempt the Advanced Obedience Lessons the following is a requirement: the dog must be able to do the following: 1) Heel without pulling, no exceptions 2) Focus on his owner for at least 5 minutes (Owner must be able to engage the dog's focus/attention - even under light distractions) 3) Dog must be able to do a 1 minute Sit & Down Stay at 2m and a Stand Stay at half a metre for 30 seconds 4) The dog's recall must be good 5) The dog must be social enough that other dogs are not a distraction.
More on Socialization.
Every dog owner believes that for a dog to be social is that the dog is to be best buddies with everyone. However, the definition of Socialization is actually as follows: A social dog can be taken into any situation or location, around other people and animals, and this dog will be tolerant and will not react with fear or aggression.
It really is not necessary for your dog to be best buddies with everyone. Some dogs are, just by their nature and according to their distinct personality, not very social, some others are social butterflies and then there are still other dogs who may start out very social as youngsters but as they mature they do not want to socialise with every other dog or person out there. As dog owners we should respect our dogs for the individuals that they are and very carefully socialise them without making them uncomfortable. Exposing your dog to other dogs in a group class is not socialisation, plus there are always limited dogs available in a class, some may not be friendly at all, others may be a bit “too much” for your dog. Your dog will not be able to generalize if only exposed to the group class experience and class tends to be a bit sterile in regard to socialisation and cannot offer “real” situation socialisation. Many dogs may even be bullied by another dog or end up learning how to bully another dog. Many dog owners believe that taking a dog/puppy to classes with other dogs for a month or two will successfully socialise their dog. Unfortunately this is not so and as a Dog Behaviourist I deal plenty times with these dog owners whose dogs have developed dog on dog aggression or even aggression towards humans despite having attended puppy classes. Socialisation, if not approached correctly will do more harm than good.
So if you wish to socialise your dog or puppy safely and learn the correct ways of doing this then you have come to the right place.