This course must be completed for anyone wanting to join the assistance dog program. We've capped this course at just 6 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)

• 6.30pm - 7pm 27th November
• 6.30pm - 7pm 4th December
  
• 6.30pm - 7pm 11th December
• 6.30pm - 7pm 18th December

The zooms are all 30minutes long.