Important information to read before a Group Class with ABC Dogs
Class Structure
- Classes will have 4-6 dogs taking part and may be of varying ages/sizes.
- Class will last 45 minutes – 1 hour.
- Classes will take the format of you being taught several games, behaviours and activities for you to try in the class with your dog. You then practice these at home and in different environments.
- Particularly for the beginner class, if your dog hasnt been to my field before they may find a new environment a challenge so the first session or two may be more about your dog settling in and getting used to taking food.
- All the training is positive and force free. We use mainly food and treats but if your dog prefers toys we can adapt the games to toys.
- My training techniques are about teaching concepts to you and your dog which then help in different real world situations (it isn’t about teaching your dog a “sit” or a “down”!).
- The dog’s are kept spread out during the sessions, moving close each week if appropriate. This isn’t a class about having playtime – although if it seems right we may have a short play session!
- The most important part of the class is what you do between classes! 😊The more you put in the more you will get out of it. Although this only requires several minutes a day of your time.
- It is important that even after the classes are complete you should continue training with your dog if you want to continue to see improvements.
- It is a good idea to follow my social media pages (links at the end) before you sign up to make sure that this style of training is for you – no refunds will be given if you decide to not continue the classes after they have started.
Things to bring
- Plenty of your dog’s food/treats (more than you think you might need!). Bring
- high value treats (e.g. chicken or cheese)
- low value treats (e.g. kibble or carrot).
- Treat bag or pockets so you can access the treats easily and quickly
- Harness (ideally or collar) and Lead (no retractable leads, slip leads, or choke chains are allowed)
- Poo bags
- Water (for you and your dog)
Before Class
- Give your dog at least an hour after feeding them before start of the class.
- Please wear appropriate clothing and shoes. The ground can be quite dusty/muddy so don’t wear your best shoes!
On arrival
- Park outside my house in front of the wall (to the left of the gate as you look at it) and please wait in your car until someone comes to meet you.
- There may be a class going on before or after your one so please give people space to arrive/leave.
- Once instructed, with your dog on lead, you can make your way to the training field.
- If no-one comes to meet you with less than 5 minutes until the session starts please message or phone me.
- Please shut any gates that you pass through.
- Try and keep spaced out from other students or dogs when going through the gates.
- Have your dog on (or near!) the platform assigned to you for the beginning of the class. If they are a little nervous, let them have a sniff around their area, scatter some food on the floor for them to sniff out and eat.
During class
- Please don’t let your dog on any agility apparatus.
- Break away when needed for water or toilet break (please pick up any dog mess). There is a toilet for owners to use too!
- Ask questions at any time.
- If your dog, or someone else’s, gets over excited (barking/zoomies), keep calm and carry on!
At the end of the class
- I will walk you out, please stagger your exit so you aren’t all trying to get out at the same time.
- Take note of the homework.
- Ask any final questions.
After class
- Do your homework 😊
- Share a video on the group Whatsapp.
- Ask me any questions during the week before the next class.