This beginners course is for:

• ALL dogs under 7 months old OR
• handlers for whom this is their first dog OR their first time training with positive only handling skills OR 
• dogs which show undesirable behaviours including: jumping up, lunging or excessively pulling on lead, picking up stuff outside food or non food items.

The declarative language version of this course has the same contents as the instruction based however, instead of giving step by step 'do this' instructions, we communicate through running commentary and declarative language in how we explain the exercises. No direct feedback will be given to individual customers, feedback will instead be given to the group as a whole.  This course may be most suitable for individuals who might describe themselves/be described as:

• being demand avoidant
• being anxious avoidant
• having a PDA profile
• having a pervasive drive for autonomy
• preferring to have activities described as if someone is doing them rather than being given step by step instructions. 

This course (the instructional or declarative language version) must be completed for anyone wanting to join the assistance dog program. We've capped this course at just 4 dogs please book if you're actively considering joining the assistance dog program or therapy dog program upon completing the introductory course. 

Before booking, you must read & ensure you understand the eligibility and details outlined on the relevant program page by clicking the relevant link below: 

Assistance dog program for disabled children, young people and young adults

Therapy dog program for professionals working with disabled young people

Exclusion criteria – if any of the following apply you’re not eligible:

• Your dog is brachycephalic (flat nosed to an extent which could impact on dogs breathing at high exercise).
• Anyone in your household has any criminal conviction (including spent conviction) against children or animals.
• You have owned a dog in the last 3 years which you’ve rehomed except due to major aggression which risked your or house hold members health and safety.
• You or your partner or other member of your household work as a dog trainer, assistance dog trainer or are training or education to be a dog or animal trainer.

What dog training skills will we cover?

We will be introducing you to all the foundation skills you and your dog need to know before starting assistance dog training. As concept based, positive trainers this contains a mixture of cued behaviours and developing core skills and regulation techniques.

You might already know how to do some or all of the behaviours, that's ok! We might do things differently to how you've trained before (e.g. we rarely use treat luring and are concept based positive trainers which maybe different to other trainers you've met before and the way we approach prospective assistance dog training is very different to how I'd train a pet dog). 

What's included in this program?

·        4 x 30 minute small group (max 3 families) zoom classes 50% practical, 50% theory & tour through resources.

·        Spond group.

·        Self guided training zone activities to help boost the practical skills covered.

Zoom session dates & times (must attend all 4)

• 7pm - 7.30pm Saturday 2nd August
• 7pm - 7.30pm Sunday 3rd August
• 7pm - 7.30pm Saturday 9th August
• 7pm - 7.30pm Sunday 10th August

The zooms are all 30minutes long. 

How do the zoom introductory classes work?

Each session is split into around 20 minutes of practical dog training and 10 minutes of theory & tours through the resources and structuring of the assistance dog program.

We know starting any new thing, especially group things can be really challenging and we want to make that introduction as easy as possible. We will have a WhatsApp group where you can chat to other people starting & during the short course. You can participate in anyway that works for you, such as:

·        With the webcam on the dog, showing the dog and handler, on a parent or carer with the dog and handler off camera, with the webcam off completely.  

·        Communicating verbally by unmuting the mic when you want to talk (we keep all mics of participants muted between questions/ comments to minimise noise stimuli from the sessions), typing in the chat box, sending WhatsApp messages during or after the session. 

·        During the sessions i will be visible on screen and there will either be a PowerPoint with commentary, I'll be sharing my computer screen either showing a video demonstration of an exercise or showing the members website resources. Closed captions will be enabled. 

If you sign up for this program we will send you some sign up paperwork and preparation information including the zoom link.