Last Updated on Sunday, 06 November 2011 23:35
Learning the correct Social Skills creates a Fabulous Family Pet !
Our objective is to help you develop your dog into a happy, well-adjusted pet. That is: a dog that can remain relaxed under different situations. Perhaps the most important skill for your pet is the ability to deal with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Social classes help to teach your dog how to work with you, even when other dogs are around as a distraction.
Training is not just about Obedience and it doesn’t have to be hard work or boring. We use different options; It could be a group walk through the streets, or some trick training, perhaps a series of game activities where you can learn some basic agility. Sometimes on a hot summer evening we might just take the class for a group run around the dam paddock.
In 1995 when we commenced the training classes we had limited facilities but we have always been committed to the ongoing development of our school.
We are very proud of the facility we have built over the years as now we have made training as easy as possible for families. From the large off street carpark to the disabled toilet for the convenience of the humans. For the dogs we have the large fully fenced sand arena and fun agility equipment for use of work and play. Ready for any type of weather we have also constructed the seperate training shed and floodlights allow for evening classes.
We haven't finished yet, we still have more ideas and of course with 16 acres at our disposal we have loads of room to indulge.
Instructors
Here at Alfoxton you will get to work with the same instructors from week to week. Anne and Kylie work together in the class to ensure that you always have someone to talk about problems or to help with any exercises you wish to develop. We aim to get to know you and your dog and we always try to help you feel comfortable and relaxed in class.
We are also lucky to have a band of long term clients (now friends) who bring their own specialist skills to share with the class. These are people who we value greatly as they also bring in fresh ideas and knowledge to help us develop our program.
Continual Education
There is always new results coming out from studies and research, there are often changes to animal laws. Understanding these may be confusing but it is part of our job to keep up to date. Hence why Anne has been a Professional Member of two different associations since the year 2000. Anne has also achieved certification as a Professional Trainer with the IACP.
Nowdays there are many Associations involved in training dogs and we can't belong to everything so it was important to consider which ones would offer different options. The first is the APDT (Assoc Pet Dog Trainers, Australia). We have attended two of their conferences in Sydney where we found Dr Ian Dunbar and Roger Abrantes particularly fantastic.
It was important to also know what is going on overseas, therefore we joined the IACP (International Assoc Canine Professionals) - 2010 was a big year with Anne travelling to Texas to see how the Americans work with their dogs. So much to learn and so little time..... however of particular note was Temple Grandin who has inspired us to look into Service Dog Training.
For a follow up Anne and Kylie went to San Diego in April 2011 for the next conference and the chance to visit different facilities as well as learn from some of the founders of Assistance/Service Dogs.
Puppy School - Pups from 8 weeks of age - Monday 6.00pm & Tuesday Nights 6.30pm
First we start you off with a private Assessment. This provides the chance to sit and discuss any puppy problems you might be experiencing, or perhaps you just want to learn how to avoid these troubles. During the assessment we also help your pup build social confidence by meeting some new dogs. Here they have the chance to explore new play skills with our experienced and stable dogs before they enter the class environment.
Adult Social Class - Build Foundation Skills.
Adults starting out will also attend a private Assessment before commencing classes, this is to ensure that your dog is ready for the company of other dogs. These classes are aimed to build the foundation skills to create a dog who has good manners. We provide families with the information to support your dogs in their home environment and at our school we build the social skills. We know that without having a solid skills base you can never really develop your dogs potential.
Skills Classes - Develop your Dog's Potential
Entry in this class is by pre-arrangement. When your dog has a solid foundation then they are ready to develop complex skills. Here we can build the potential - in whatever field you choose. Some nights we concentrate on Agility work, other times we might have fun with some new tricks. Participants in this class are encouraged to push the boundaries and contribute new ideas.
