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CLASSES

The Warrnambool Dog Training School classes begin at puppy level and progress through to Grade 5. Find out more about what your dog will learn in each level below as they graduate each level and advance their skills.
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What Your Dog Will Learn:

  • Engagement: Engagement is the foundation of all dog training. It refers to your dog's ability to focus and pay attention to you, even in distracting environments. By building engagement, you create a strong bond and open line of communication with your dog, making training more effective and enjoyable.

  • Communication: Learn how to effectively communicate with your dog using verbal cues, hand signals, and body language to ensure mutual understanding.

  • Loose Lead Walking: Start teaching your dog how to walk politely on a loose lead, reducing pulling and improving your walking experience.

  • Basic Commands: Your dog will learn essential commands such as sit, drop, stand, stay, come, spin, and hand touch. These commands are crucial for a well-behaved dog and are taught through positive reinforcement techniques.

 

Additional Topics Covered:

  • Toilet Training: Guidance and tips to help you successfully toilet train your pup, ensuring fewer accidents and a happier home environment.

  • Problem Behaviours: Address common issues such as jumping, pulling on the lead, and not listening to commands. Our instructors will provide strategies and solutions to help you manage and correct these behaviours.

Our goal is to equip you with the tools and knowledge needed to raise a confident, obedient, and happy dog. Join us in our Puppies and Grade 1 Classes to begin this rewarding journey with your furry friend!

Puppies & Grade 1 Classes

Our Puppies and Grade 1 Classes offer a structured curriculum designed to lay the foundation for a well-behaved and socially adept dog. While both classes follow a similar curriculum, the puppy class offers more opportunities for socialization, allowing younger dogs to interact and play in a controlled environment.

Class Structure:

Our classes are designed to build upon each lesson, making it essential for you and your dog to attend all four sessions. Each week introduces new skills and reinforces previous lessons to ensure steady progress.

Grade 2 Classes

Grade 2 is the next level in our training program, designed to build on the foundations established in our Puppies and Grade 1 Classes. In this class, your dog will advance in obedience, communication, and engagement skills, making them more responsive and well-mannered.

What Your Dog Will Learn:

  • Leash Manners: Improve your dog's leash manners to make walks more enjoyable and controlled. You'll learn techniques to reduce pulling and distractions.

  • Hand Signals: Enhance communication with your dog by incorporating hand signals. This non-verbal communication method helps your dog understand and respond to commands more effectively.

  • Distance Work: Your dog will start learning how to move away from you on command. This includes navigating around cones, which helps build focus and responsiveness at a distance.

  • Target Training: Teach your dog to be sent to a specific location, such as a mat, and remain there. This skill is useful for building impulse control and creating a safe space for your dog.

  • Sit Stays and Recall: Strengthen your dog's ability to stay in a sit position and improve their recall skills, ensuring they return to you promptly when called.

  • Engagement Exercises: Introduce fun and engaging activities like teaching your dog to ring bells as a form of communication. These exercises enhance mental stimulation and strengthen your bond with your dog.

Our Grade 2 Classes are designed to challenge your dog while providing the support and guidance needed to succeed. By the end of this level, your dog will be more confident, attentive, and eager to learn new skills. Join us to continue your dog's training journey and unlock their full potential!.

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In Grade 3, you and your dog are well on your way to achieving a high level of control and proficiency in obedience and tricks. This class builds on the skills developed in previous levels and introduces more advanced exercises to challenge both you and your dog.

What Your Dog Will Learn:

  • Sustained Hand Touch: Teach your dog to maintain contact with your hand for longer periods. This skill is useful for focus and can be used in various training and trick scenarios.

  • Figure 8: Learn how to guide your dog through a figure 8 pattern around your legs. This exercise enhances coordination and builds a stronger connection between you and your dog.

Grade 3 Classes

  • Circle Around: Train your dog to circle around you on command. This exercise helps improve your dog's spatial awareness and responsiveness.

  • Backing Up: Teach your dog to back up on cue, which can be a fun trick and a practical skill for maneuvering in tight spaces.

  • Advanced Hand Touch with Sticks: Expand on basic hand touch by incorporating touch sticks. This advanced exercise challenges your dog's precision and ability to follow directions.

  • Stand Still for Handling: Train your dog to stand still while being handled, which is essential for grooming, vet visits, and competitions.

  • Rear-End Awareness with Box Work: Develop your dog's rear-end awareness through box work exercises. This training improves balance and coordination.

  • Extended Sit and Drop Stays: Work on longer sit and drop stays to enhance your dog's impulse control and patience.

By this stage, you and your dog are nearing readiness to compete in Trick Trials or Obedience Trials. If you're interested in competing, speak to your instructor about the process and what to expect. Our Grade 3 Classes aim to refine your dog's skills and prepare you both for the exciting world of canine competitions. Join us to take your training to the next level and unlock new possibilities for you and your dog!

Grade 4 Classes

Our Grade 4 class is designed for dogs that are ready to trial and have successfully advanced through all previous grades. This class focuses on refining advanced skills and preparing you and your dog for competition-level performance.

What Your Dog Will Learn:

  • Figure 8 Around Cones: Enhance your dog's precision and control by teaching them to navigate a figure 8 pattern around cones. This exercise sharpens focus and coordination.

  • Middle Position and Walking: Train your dog to move into the "middle" position, walking between your legs. This skill is useful for tight control and adds a fun element to your training routine.

  • Advanced Box Work: Expand on box work exercises by teaching your dog to independently move to and from the box. This training improves spatial awareness and responsiveness.

  • Sit Pretty, Back Up, and Crawl: Introduce tricks like sitting pretty, backing up, and crawling. These fun exercises build your dog's strength and flexibility while enhancing obedience.

  • Paw on Hand Trick: Teach your dog the paw on hand trick, which is a great way to improve paw-eye coordination and create a strong bond through positive interaction.

  • Double Circle Around the Owner: Advance your dog's circling skills by training them to circle twice around you on command. This exercise adds complexity and demonstrates your dog's agility and focus.

  • Off-Leash Heeling: Progress to off-leash heeling, as your dog has now developed the control and trust to walk by your side without the need for a lead. This showcases your dog's training and discipline.

Grade 4 classes are designed to bring you and your dog to the pinnacle of training, setting the stage for competition success. You and your dog will refine skills, enhance teamwork, and prepare to excel in Trick Trials and obedience competitions. Join us to complete your training journey and achieve new heights with your dog!

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© 2024 by Warrnambool Dog Training School.

email: trainingwdts@gmail.com

Harris Street, Warrnambool VIC 3280

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