About Our Classes

Firstly our classes have limited numbers; there is a maximum of 8 to 10 dogs in each class. We have one main trainer per class, along with an assisstant trainer so we can give you a more one to one help when you need it.

We run classes on an 8 week course basis; 8 week terms mean that you work with the same group each week, which is nicer for you, and much better for your dog. Dogs would not normally naturally live within a pack whose members kept changing, so working in a class where dogs join and leave each week is very unsettling and stressful for them. 

When we first bring dogs into our classes, they come in one by one into a room which has been enriched with toys, food and interactive obstacles. From this, the dog discovers that the hall is a great fun and safe place to be. This controlled introduction has shown that dogs settle quicker, are less stressed, focus on their handler more and bark less. 

If a dog is stressed (either by being overexcited, fearful or anxious) it cannot learn! 

All our classes are topic based; for example we may spend a class covering skills used in dog walking, or in developing your dog's self-control. This means that our topics are based on developing realistic, everyday skills. These skills are built from their foundations in our puppy class and developed level by level up through our other classes. 

All our training is based on building a stronger partnership with your dog - teaching you how to understand, motivate and encourage your dog to learn.  Although you are taught as a group, we work with you as individuals within this; setting your own weekly goals and giving you strategies to deal with the issues that you may have with your dog at that moment.

When you enrol you will be given a Training For Life folder; this will form the basis of your personalised training plan which you will add to each week at class with additional handouts which cover new skills and behavioural issues.  For example we use task cards which give a blow-by-blow instruction of what to work on this week and exactly how to do it. This way, if you have a busy week and can't do much practice you still know how to teach your dog, and others within your family will also know exactly what to do.

Course cost

Classes 

Choose a class to see more information:

Puppy Class

Adult dogs

Previously conventionally trained dog? Experienced handler but want to try a new way of training?

You are classed as "cross over" dogs and handlers. We have many people join us who are dog experienced or have dogs which have trained conventionally. We have lots of experience in teaching you both! We were all originally "conventional" trainers and understand the challenges which come with converting to clicker training. Likewise we can offer support in the process of teaching your dog to think for himself so that he can become and active participant in your training "conversation".

In our top class (beyond KC Gold level), handlers are given a work plan with skills to practice over time, and an optional test which can be taken to test these skills. The work plans are based around key topics as well as extra topics which extend both you and your dog.

Interested in competition obedience?

If you want to do serious obedience you can come and learn our methods but we don’t teach a class for competition obedience! However, once you have learnt how to use the clicker you can take these methods and use it to teach your dog competition obedience skills. Clicker training is ideal for teaching competition obedience moves as it allows you to make fine adjustments to already known behaviour to bring it to competition level. Handlers interested in this skill work in our Top Class, following their own set of personalised goals.

Want to teach Ringcraft?

Occasionally we run "proper" ringcraft classes (dependent on class numbers), but we can teach you clicker trained ringcraft skills at any time. Using this method you can teach you dog to show himself to his maximum - no more placing his feet or bumping him on his turns when running him out. You can teach him to "sparkle" when the judge looks your way, and keep him mentally busy when the judge is busy elsewhere but without him getting bored or jumping about with other dogs in the line.

Nervous & Fearful Dogs

Although we welcome all dogs regardless of the age or breed, we specialise in dealing with nervous or fearful dogs. The traditional way of working with a nervous dog is to keep making the dog deal with the thing they are afraid of - based on the principle "if you make them keep doing it, they'll get over it!". However, we work with a similar technique that is used in helping people deal with their phobias. Rather than forcing the dog into a situation it cannot cope in, we use distance and pack leadership to show the dog it does not need to deal with the situation - you, as the leader we will sort it out. Gradually this technique teaches the dog in a way it can understand that it is safe and the nervous or fearful behaviour will subside. We have a Fearful Dog Programme which is created to help these dogs. This programme can be taken through distance learning, as well as locally.

When and where?

We teach at Ash Village Hall, Queens Road, Ash, Nr Canterbury, Kent (approx 5 mins from Sandwich, 15 mins from Deal, 20-30 mins from Canterbury & Thanet).  The post code for SatNav or for use in online maps is CT3 2BG.

MONDAY

6:45pm Puppy Pre-school

7:15pm Beginners class

8:15pm Graduate class

WEDNESDAY

6:30pm Top Class

7:30pm Novice class

For more information, to check course availability, or to talk over your individual dog then please call Tamzin on 01304 619216 during office hourse.

Application Form

Read our Testimonials to hear what people say

Term Dates 2012

If you have problems printing any of these documents, please contact us by email and we will email the documents to you.

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