Obedience / dog training clubs
On my daily walk around the block, I would occasionally pass a woman who was being dragged down the road by her dog. We had a chat and I passed on some advice - which included about the Easy Walk harness. The next few times that I saw her, the dog was now wearing an Easy Walk harness and things had generally improved a little.
Then one day we were talking, whilst her dog was sniffing the hedge, lunging at my dog, sniffing the hedge, etc. She mentioned the dog taking clean items out of the laundry basket, and repeated, complete with tone of voice of how she told the dog off. The dog on hearing that tone stopped what it was doing, looked up and became attentive. I highlighted to the woman what had just happened, and the instant change in the dogs behaviour because of the tone used. She said that she really dislikes the dog taking things out of the basket. She said that she doesn't like to use that tone on the street as people might think she's a nasty old women who's cruel to the dog. But like I said, you teach them right at the beginning, and you wont have to correct them every day as they remember.
Be strong and firm. Instruct with a sharp "Leave" or "Leave it"
None of this "Oh pickles, don't do that". Speak with a tone of voice like you mean it, rather than you're making a suggestion, and they soon pay attention
Dorsetdog - Obedience / dog training clubs
This is a list of clubs in Dorset, who hold Obedience training every week. Simply phone in advance, then turn up and join in.
Owning a dog that always pulls on the lead, or is constantly barking, is not a pleasurable experience.
The following clubs will train you and your dog, so that you can enjoy your companion.
When going for your first time, please ensure that you take your dog’s following items with you
Poo bags, no responsible dog owner should ever leave home without them as you never know when they might need to go!
Vaccination record
Water bowl
Favourite toy
Blanket or towel with the dog's scent on
Grooming brush
Treats
Fixed lead
You should also ensure that you have the correct details showing on the dog's tag, as required by law
Kennel Club's Good Citizen Dog Scheme
The Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme is split in to 4 levels.
Training and certificates are as follows
P = Puppy classes
B = Bronze classes
S = Silver classes
G = Gold classes
A puppy who has achieved the Puppy certificate can go straight in to the Silver class
Some clubs run to their own schemes with their own certificates. Private training schemes can go as high as 6 levels
Leads, Collars and Harnesses
Don't forget that by law, any dog has to carry an identification tag on it's collar or harness when out. Any dog in public areas not carrying a tag is classed as a stray.
Personally I use a traditional fixed lead and collar. I know that people like to use harnesses, but they give the dog greater control of the human - and the harness design gives the dog a better surface to pull against.
The Easy Walk harness
My friend has a Japanese Akita, a large dog that was lunging and leaping all over the place. I saw the Easy walk harness by Petsafe on eBay.
The Petsafe Easy Walk harness works by the lead attaching to a D ring at the front of the chest, rather than on the back. However, unlike other claimed easy lead harnesses, the D ring is attached to a sliding Martingale loop - which allows the D loop to move towards the handler's side of the dog's chest when the dog tries to pull away. With the lead being attached on the owner's side of the dog's chest - when the dog tries to pull away then the dog's chest is turned back towards the handler - ideal.
I'd recommend PetSafe's Easy Walk Harness to anyone as a temporary measure whilst they are still training the dog. And dispose of that back fixing harness.
Virtual On-line training
Dogs Trust
Dogs Trust - Dog School Dorset Training Classes
In our training we use positive reinforcement for both dogs and people so prepare to have a lot of fun!
www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-school/
Email - Dorsetdogschool@dogstrust.org.uk
Training clubs
Barton on Sea
The Friendly Dog Club
Member of the APDT 00240
Training venue - The Dog House, Long Meadow, Becton Lane, Barton on Sea BH25 7AF
Classes: Monday and Tuesday Mornings and Evenings. Foundation, Intermediate & Advanced/Fun & Games.
Classes cover basic obedience through to fun & games training doing our indoor version of fun flyball & tricks.
All participants will get a Kennel Club certificate and rosette on successful completion of each course. Kennel Club Listed running the Kennel Club tests on a regular basis.
Kennel Club Puppy Course: Tuesday
12 to 1 or 7 to 8. Please phone for times & availability.
Phone: Angela Horsley on 07971545292
Email: friendlydogs@gmail.com
Website: For more info visit our website www.friendlydogs.com
Bridport
Kay 9 Dog Training
Training venues -
Outside classes - Elwell Boarding Kennels, Waytown, Bridport DT6 5LF
Inside classes - Bidlake Farm, Broadoak, Bridport DT6 5PY
6 Week Puppy Course
6 Week Novice Training Course
4 Week Beginners Agility/Confidence Course
Social walks & Grumbly paired walks
1-2-1 Private training sessions
Residential dog training
All training is done using motivational and positive methods.
All courses book up very quickly, so must be pre-booked to avoid disappointment.
All Dog/Handler partnerships that complete the course, will receive a certificate.
Phone - Kay Joy 07926 695 346
Email - kayjoy1@googlemail.com
Website - www.kay9dogtraining.co.uk
Christchurch
Fun4Dogs
Training venue - The United Reformed Church, Ringwood Road, Walkford. BH23 5RQ Our classes are every Monday at 1.00pm and every Tuesday from 6.30 for Puppy, 7.30 for Beginners and 8.30 for Intermediate/Advanced.
For our dog training classes we take any breed, any age (that’s owner or dog!). Never too old to have fun.
All participants will get a Kennel Club certificate and rosette on successful completion of each course.
We run 3 different "Kennel Club" levels as follows: Puppy/Bronze, Silver and Gold
The aim of the Fun4Dogs Training Club is to teach general obedience together with channelling the dogs’ natural skills with tricks etc.
We have dog training classes catering for puppies, novice, intermediate and advance levels.
Phone: Christine Walton 01202 870925 or 07719 605705
Email: Please use the contact form on our website
Website: For more info visit our website www.fun4dogstraining.com
Dorchester - Kingston Maurward
Dogs Trust
Dog School Dorset Training Classes
Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, DT2 8PY
Training held on Saturdays.
Courses of 6 classes over 6 weeks
50 minute classes, held at 9.30, 10.45, 12.00 and 14.45
We offer friendly classes for puppies, adolescents, adults and rescue dogs in your local area. All classes are aimed at teaching your dog skills that are useful in everyday life. We want you to have a strong and healthy bond with your dog and enjoy each other’s company. Our classes never have more than six dogs and have at least two trainers to make sure that we can devote time to each individual and help you to progress.
We use science-led, reward-based training to make sure that we get the best results and have lots of fun whilst doing so!
Website - www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk/dog-school/dorset/
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/dog-school/
Phone - 07392 869380 and 07387 141057
Email - Dorsetdogschool@dogstrust.org.uk
Ibberton (Nr Blandford) and Puddletown
Nightsabre Dog Training
Training venue - Ibberton
Ibberton and belchalwell Village Hall, Ibberton, Dorset DT11 0EL Tuesday Evenings
Puppy courses, Junior courses and intermediate / Advanced obedience classes
Training venue - Puddletown
Puddletown Village Hall, 5 High Street, Puddletown, Dorset. DT2 8RX
Wednesday Afternoon
Socialisation classes (for all ages)
Wednesday Evenings
Puppy courses, Junior courses and intermediate / Advanced obedience classes
Phone: Natasja on 07896 275357 Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 am - 12 noon, 2 pm to 4 pm, and 5.30 pm to 7 pm
Email: courses@nightsabre.co.uk
Website: For more info visit our website www.nightsabre.co.uk/Dog Training
Mudford (Yeovil)
Sherborne Vale Dog Training club
Training venue - Mudford Village Hall, Mudford Somerset BA21 5TJ Training takes place on a Wednesday evening and is by appointment only as we do have a waiting list.
The puppy course is £30 for a six week course and training then continues at £4.00 a week.
We offer training from the Good Citizen Puppy Award through to the Gold.
Junior members are half price.
We also have an annual membership fee of £10 and £5 to juniors.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/svdtc/
Email: svdtcmembership@hotmail.co.uk
Website: For more info visit our website www.sherbornevaledtc.co.uk
Poole
Dogs Trust
Dog School Dorset Training Classes
Parkstone Baptist Church, Loch Road, Parkstone, Poole, BH14 9EX
Training held on Tuesdays.
Courses of 6 classes over 6 weeks
50 minute classes, held at 17.00, 18.00, 19.15, 20.30
We offer friendly classes for puppies, adolescents, adults and rescue dogs in your local area. All classes are aimed at teaching your dog skills that are useful in everyday life. We want you to have a strong and healthy bond with your dog and enjoy each other’s company. Our classes never have more than six dogs and have at least two trainers to make sure that we can devote time to each individual and help you to progress.
We use science-led, reward-based training to make sure that we get the best results and have lots of fun whilst doing so!
Website - www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk/dog-school/dorset/
Phone - 07392 869380 and 07387 141057
Email - Dorsetdogschool@dogstrust.org.uk
Wareham
Purbeck Agility Group
Training venue - Community Centre, Keysworth Drive, Sandford, Warehem, Dorset BH20 7BD. We run 3 different "Kennel Club" levels as follows: Puppy/Bronze, Silver and Gold
Three classes between 6.30 to 8.45 pm Tuesday and Friday
All participants will get a Kennel Club certificate and rosette on successful completion of each course.
Phone: Terry 01929 463061 or 07790 402821
Email: purbeckagility@yahoo.co.uk
Website: For more info visit our website www.purbeckagility.org.uk
Weymouth
The Pet Experience Ltd
Training venue - Victory Hall, (behind Charlestown Post Office) Putton Lane, Chickerell, Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4AE. Our courses are a set 6 week course that run on a Saturday. We do 6 classes a day and start time depends on the particular class. Classes are very popular and tend to fill up a few weeks before they start so pre-booking is essential. All courses are the same price, £35 for a 6 week course (one hour a week for 6 weeks). Booking can be done at our shop on the Granby or via Sarah.
We run 6 different "Pet Experience" levels as follows: Puppy, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond and Platinum.
All participants will get a Pet Experience certificate and rosette on successful completion of each course.
Phone: Sarah Linehan 07769-705 807
Website: For more info visit our website www.thepetexperience.co.uk
