CLASSES

We run classes for dogs of all ages:

WEEKDAY EVENINGS	>	PRE-SCHOOL PUPPY (Aged 8-14 Weeks)
WEEKENDS	>	ADVANCED PUPPY (Aged approx. 3-7 Months)	BASIC (Aged 7 Months & over)	INTERMEDIATE (Puppy or Basic training a requirement)	PROBLEM SOLVING IN A GROUP ENVIRONMENT (Any Age)

Classes run for an hour each week

The recommended Training Equipment for all classes are Flat Collars, Harnesses or Head Collars with Leather or Fabric lead

PRE-SCHOOL PUPPY (4 Week Course)

Many Vets these days are promoting Socialisation and Gentle Training of a young puppy as soon as possible. It has been proven that puppies have a far better start in life if socialisation and control are learnt at a very early age.

John Williams of Maroondah Dog Training conducts Pre-Puppy Training sessions in a Veterinary Clinic on Thursday evenings. The clinic provides a safe, sterile environment for the puppies.

The classes are conducted in a friendly and relaxed manner and well within the young puppy's physical capability and attention span. The sessions include socialisation and some light training exercises using food treats that teach the puppy discipline and good household manners. All members of the household are encouraged to participate in these evenings.

There is plenty of time to discuss issues arising from having a new puppy including: toilet training, jumping, biting, feeding, children and puppies, de- sexing and micro-chipping.

Veterinary staff are available at the two venues to provide knowledge and advise on medical issues.

Information folders and "Goody Bags" are presented at the first session.

ADVANCED PUPPY (6 Week Course)

This class is structured for puppies that have puppy pre-school, or some preliminary training, although it is not a requirement. There is flexibility in the content to accommodate the standard of training already achieved by your puppy.

We monitor the practicing of class exercises to enable us to suggest how slight adjustments could improve the desired results from your puppy.

Exercises:
Basic exercises(with variations) of Sit, Drop, Stand, Stay and Come.
Other exercises include:
Walking nicely on the lead
How to stop jumping up on people
How to stop biting
Learning to leave various items alone
How to relax and calm a dog down
Teaching the dog not to rush out of open doors or enter prohibited areas
Teaching the dog to lie resting on a mat or its bed while you are busy

Behavioural problems are noted and discussed during the course, including ‘home based’ problems such as unsuccessful toilet training, digging, jumping on furniture, and destroying plants.

Fun training with games and tricks are included in the course.

BASIC CLASSES (8 Week Course)

No dog is too old to train. Basic training is for dogs aged 7 months and over. The 'adolescent period' (generally between 12 to 18 months of age) of a dog's growth can be a trying period. We focus on many of the problems that can occur such as jumping, digging, excessive barking, and aggression and discuss strategies to eliminate them.

Exercises:
The course content is similar in content to the Advanced Puppy course (see above), but there is more emphasis on stability because of an adult dog's longer attention span.

INTERMEDIATE CLASS

These classes are for further dog training, after completing puppy or basic classes. They emphasise the use of various games and equipment that combines fun with learning for owners and their pets. There is more concentration on previously learnt exercises and the introduction of refined techniques.

Exercises:
You and your dog are introduced to off-lead control features, and the aspects of stability of shared trust between you and your dog when surrounded by increased distraction.

PROBLEM SOLVING IN A GROUP ENVIRONMENT

Do you have a problem with your dog in public?

Various problems are much easier to diagnose and overcome in a group situation. By working with other stable dogs, any dog-to-dog or dog-to-people problems can be assessed in controlled conditions. Then by finding and applying the best solution to your case, life can be easier when you take your dog for a walk or into public areas.