Bespoke Coaching Programmes for Canine Partnerships

Due to Covid19 and the national "Lockdown" all programmes will be carried out via video on Zoom until further notice.

Historically puppy classes in a village hall or similar were the only way you could access training for your puppy or dog therefore that is what you did if you wanted basic or obedience training and this has was your only option for many years.

Why do you take your puppy to traditional training classes?

• Because you have to as you want a trained and well behaved puppy.
• You want your puppy to be "socialised"
• They are the only option available.
• You have always gone to classes.
• They are relatively cheap compared to other training options.

Traditional puppy classes are they the best option for you and your puppy?

To answer this you would need to visit and assess for yourself, questions you may consider are:

• Is the location safe and conducive to learning?
• Does the instructor appear to have a great knowledge of the subject and use support and rewarding methods to the puppy and handlers.
• Do the puppies have enough space to feel safe and comfortable and not have access to the other puppies?
• Are the puppies kept occupied when the instructor is working with another dog or addressing the group?
• Do the puppies have a good proportion of the time doing practical exercises?
• Does the instructor answer individual questions or cover concerns that may be brought up during the class?
• Are the puppies and handlers treated as individuals or a group?
• Are the handlers engaged with the class?
• Is support offered to the handlers for between classes?

If the answer to any of these is no this  is a traditional puppy class may not be the best for you and your puppy.
If the answer to most of these is yes this is a great modern class and go for it.

Traditional puppy classes why don't they work

• The puppy doesn't usually get enough individual instruction or practice time - If the handler or the puppy are not kept interested throughout the session or given time to practice they will not learn or will lose interest.
• The handler wants the puppy to "socialise" - This is an outdated concept as a "socialising" is not about the puppy having access to rough and tumble with other puppies. If they are playing with another puppy they are not learning what they are at class for they are learning that other puppies are either highly exciting or scary.
• It is a social event for the handler - This means that the puppy is not their focus.
• They handler hopes they will end up with a well behaved and trained puppy -  A 6 or 8 week class with limited practical exercise will not do this and they will either give up after a couple of sessions or have to do a number of courses.
• Often the classes are run on a part-time basis by instructors who have run the same classes without any competition for many years - This may mean they are not up to date with new training methods & concepts or they are in rut as this is they way they have always done things.

What are the other options and why choose them.

Modern  Puppy Training Classes

• The instructors are usually a member of an official training organisation such as the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) or the Dog Training College (DTC) so are up to date with their training knowledge and learning practices. Often these instructors are full time dog trainers
• The classes are held following strict guidelines of space required or each dog and with a low ratio of dogs per instructor. Therefore the classes will probably be much smaller than traditional classes.
• Each dog and handler is treated as an individual team and any questions asked are dealt with at he time as a group or individually after the class.
• All the training is reward based with no harsh handling or punishment.
• Ongoing support is offered between classes.
• No or only very highly controlled "socialisation" or interaction between the dogs is allowed during the class.
• The classes are often held in outdoor spaces (secure field ), indoor riding schools or purpose build facilities.

These are the best type of class but the down side as with most classes they cannot start until the puppy has completed their vaccinations so the puppy may miss out on a key confidence building and learning phase of their short life .The cost of this will be approximately double that of a traditional class. As with traditional classes they are held at the same time each week and usually in the same location with the same distractions.

Individual Puppy Programmes

• As with modern training classes the instructors are usually a member of an official training organisation such as the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT), the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) or the Dog Training College (DTC) so are up to date with their training knowledge and learning practices. Often these instructors are full time dog trainers.
• The training can start as soon as your puppy has settled in with you and their new family so the key confidence and learning phase is not missed.
• The initial session is carried out in your home where your puppy is happy and will mainly focus on confidence and relationship building which will make learning easier in the future.
• The programme is bespoke so will take into account your knowledge and experience and the puppies current ability and confidence.
• Your puppy is the focus of the sessions and any questions will be answered then and there with out fear of encroaching on class time or having to wait until the end or forgetting to ask.
• The training can be taken out and about to different locations once the vaccinations have been completed so the distractions are different and can be tailored to your puppy.
• Your puppy will learn much more in 30 minutes of individual training than in a 60 minute class, therefore may work out more cost effective over all.
• Progress can be measured as the focus is on your puppy and not a group.
• The programme can fit with your schedule (subject to availability) and not just the same time every week.
• Individual support is often included in the programme.

I now feel that this is the best way forward for training puppies for all of the reasons above and in the long run a programme may appear very expensive compared to traditional classes. But as all programmes are bespoke we are not covering things you may already know or have taught your puppy and you can ask the instructor anything you wish to know. Therefore they may not work out as expensive as they look as you have all the time for you and your puppy covering what is important to you and you will have much more support.

I will therefore not be holding group classes for puppies from January 2021

Other puppy training options include:

• Online or email training courses
• Live video training classes or programmes

I will be looking into these further in 2021 but I am not currently sure if they are for me.

• Payment in full is required for each dog and the place will not be confirmed until this has been received you can you make the payment via bank transfer to Allsorts Dog Behaviour & Care Sort Code 30-99-20 Account Number 27756668. Paypal to paypal.me/GillGallagher.
• The 6 week courses are self contained so have to be started at week one (missed classes will be forfeited). If any class is cancelled by Allsorts Dog Training for trainer illness or the ground is unsafe the course will be extended by a week. 
• Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time for you class to avoid any disruption and distracting dogs already working (please don’t panic if you are late just wait at the gate until the current exercise is finished). If there is a class in progress before yours, please don’t wait in the gateways so the previous class can leave the field and you can enter without incident
• The Hyden Farm venue is 100% outside in a field so the workshop or classes will go ahead if wet unless the ground is dangerous for the dogs or handlers, therefore please wear suitable footwear & clothing. As this is a working farm there are pigs, sheep and other farm animals in neighbouring fields, so all dogs must be kept on leads on the farm. Please close all gates that are closed when you arrive behind you and park considerately as cars will be coming and going between classes and sessions.
• All dog mess is to be collected and taken home at Hyden Farm (please check you haven’t left any poo bags outside your car before leaving) or put in the bin bags provided.Water will be available for the dogs.
• Dogs must not attend class if it has had sickness or diarrhoea within 3 days of the class or within 3 weeks of symptoms of kennel cough or after being diagnosed with a contagious disease or as advised by a vet.
• Do not allow your dog off lead or long line unless specifically instructed to do so by the, the owner/handler is responsible for the behaviour, control & care of their dog during class and whilst on the premises.
• Any Incidents between dogs must be reported to the trainer (if not seen) at the time of the incident and vet treatment if required sought as soon as possible.
• Allsorts Dog Training cannot be held liable for loss or damage to property whilst on the property of Hyden Farm.
• We welcome children to attend classes but they are the sole responsibility of the adult they are attending with and must not approach or touch other dogs or farm animals without asking the permission of its owner or the trainer with regards to farm animals. Children must remain standing with guardian if not handling/training their own dog or eat during the class or offer food to other dogs.
• If training is cancelled for any reason you will be notified by App, text or Facebook as early as possible.
• Please do not smoke during classes or outside on the farm premises.
• Finally, we want you and your dog to have fun and if you have any issues with Allsorts Dog Training or any other dog or owner please let me know at the end of the class or as soon as possible afterward.

 
Your privacy and protection of yourself, dogs and your home

• Any of the personal information we hold on file, is for Allsorts Dog Training records only. We do not pass any of your details to third parties of any kind and will only be used for passing information back to you. We comply with the strict laws following the new GDPR 2018. All files are destroyed after 7 years from the last time a service was used by you.
• We may take photos and videos during training sessions for learning and advertising purposes. We will do our best to not include your face, unless agreed beforehand. If you object to photos/videos, please mark as such on the booking form
• Allsorts Dog Training is covered by a full business insurance including public & employee liability. You have the right to view our policy at any given time.
• Our insurance will only cover your dog and your home in the event of negligence by Allsorts Dog Training and only during the duration of the services. It is your responsibility to ensure your dog and home has adequate insurance.