Dog & Puppy Training Classes
and Scentwork Classes

The classes are designed for dogs from 12 weeks up to 6 months old. We concentrate on structured socialisation, basic dog obedience, fun and games, and endeavor to help you with any behaviour problems you have along the way.

We will also be on hand to help and offer advice on any dog behaviour issues you may be having at home.

Only reward-based puppy training methods are used in our Puppy Classes – Treats, toys, praise, and play.

Your Puppy Will Learn:

• Come when called (name and recall).
• Sit, lie down, stand on command.
• Start to walk on a loose lead without pulling.
• Get used to being handled and examined.
• ‘Stay’.
• ‘Settle’.
• ‘Gentle’ (taking food from hands gently).
• ‘Leave / Exchange’.
• Socialize with adults, children, and other puppies.
• Greet people appropriately without jumping up

Please note— in some classes, the mix of puppies may make it impossible to conduct puppy play sessions safely. Puppy play sessions will only be offered if they can be run without causing harm.

Who Can Attend Dog Training Classes and Where:

WHO
Any dog 6 months and older , any ability

WHEN
Tuesdays:

Beginners (Bronze / Silver Kennel Club Good Citizen) class 5pm & 630pm

Advanced (Gold Kennel Club Good Citizen ) class 715pm

WHERE
Classes are held at Higham Memorial Hall, School Lane, Higham ME3 7JL

There are four levels, starting with Puppy Foundation of the Scheme, namely Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver, and Gold, each one developing an owner’s understanding while building a dog’s confidence and levels of domestic obedience skills.

Why Train Your Dog?

This is the really fun and most rewarding part of owning a dog! Training your new friend needs to be high on your list of priorities as soon as you have decided to own a new dog.

No dog is too old to learn, and our training classes are available for every age and ability. Pedigrees, crossbreeds, and rescue dogs are all welcomed. You will also meet like-minded people and share in a common aim to have well-behaved dogs that are a pleasure to own.

Training is an obligation all dog owners need to fulfil for the community they live in and for the welfare of the dog. By going to classes, you can meet the ethical and moral responsibilities of dog ownership and promote the benefits that dogs can bring to people’s lives, along with building a strong and enjoyable bond with your dog.

The Benefits of Dog Scent Work

The benefits of dog scent work are numerous and include:

• Mental Stimulation: Scent work requires the dog to use their brain, making it an excellent mental workout for the dog. This mental stimulation can help prevent boredom and reduce stress in dogs.
• Improved Confidence: As dogs learn and excel in scent work, their confidence levels increase, making them more confident and self-assured.
• Bonding with the Owner: Scent work is a fun and interactive activity that helps to strengthen the bond between the dog and their owner.
• Physical Exercise: Scent work requires the dog to be physically active, making it an excellent form of physical exercise for the dog. This exercise can improve the dog’s overall physical health and well-being.
• Better Behaviour: Dogs who participate in scent work are more likely to exhibit better behaviour, as they are mentally and physically satisfied.
• Adaptability: Scent work can be adapted to suit the individual needs of the dog and their owner, making it a suitable activity for dogs of all ages and abilities.

How Do We Teach Dog Scent Work?

What I will teach you is my methodology for teaching scent work, built on 25 years of working with police dogs. This also incorporates an introduction to clicker training, as this will be used to develop your dog’s indication on the scent.

The easiest way to describe your dog’s sense of smell is to imagine that your dog smells like you see. So, for example, if I rub a little scent (say my hand, olive oil, oregano… anything) onto an object, your dog will “see” that scent with his nose. In fact, his nose is MUCH more powerful than your eyes.

Laying the foundations for this skill takes a little dedication, but it’s a pretty easy skill for any dog that loves something… like food or toys.

The key is to associate the smell with the object the dog likes.

There is nothing better than seeing how your dog can learn to identify and search for a target scent. Problem-solving, mental enrichment, teamwork, confidence, and of course, FUN are just some of the amazing benefits of scent work for both the dog and the handler.

Scent Work Courses

COURSES

Each course is run over a six-week block for beginners, intermediate, and advanced abilities. Each course is limited to a maximum of eight spaces.

WHEN and WHERE

Times and locations of the course may vary depending on demand, numbers, and abilities.