Learning About Dogs - What's On Especially for Pet Dogs

All our dogs are pet dogs, and even the most experienced trainers can sometimes need help with teaching the essential behaviours that make living with us easier for the dog.

Our urban society’s place high demands on dog owners, expecting perfectly well behaved dogs 24 hours a day. We can teach dogs how to cope with living in our complex worlds. Sometimes we want them to bark, sometimes we don’t, very often they cannot tell the difference. Some visitors love your dog and some visitors don’t, but how does the dog tell the difference? Sometimes you come home and want that 100% doggy greeting, other times your arms are full of shopping and you need a moment to get sorted.

Lifeskills Workshops

These are orientated around teaching you and your dogs how to live together with the least amount of stress - in a true Wag More Bark Less environment!

We teach:

walking on a loose lead, enjoying the fresh air
we train this so that you can walk your dog anywhere with ease and lay down the basics for free running in the future

greeting people
with good manners, learning to sit to be noticed, and only jumping up when invited

meeting dogs and social skills
learning to make friends, enjoy playing, or learning to walk away from bad manners

grooming and handling
teaching your dog to enjoy grooming, nail clipping, bathing, ear cleaning, and to have no anxiety about visiting the Vet

travelling companion
enjoying taking the dog out and about, visiting other people’s homes, staying away from home, learning to settle in the car and be a safe traveller.

Lifeskills workshops also include teaching the dog to play, learning new games, giving the dog lots of opportunities to practice their skills in different situations, and also for you to learn how to manage your dog.

Lifeskills Workshops: Wednesday eve or Weekends (see dates below)

7 - 8pm Lifeskills class, group learning.

Self control, safe interaction on lead, managing dogs with connection training. Teaching your dog to cope with stressful situations, learning to anticipate challenges and build your dog’s self confidence. Max 6 dogs

With Amy Shaler and Jenny Friend, £8, or booked as 4 classes £30.

8 - 9pm Lifeskills learning, individual training.

Learning the essential tools to enable your dog to lead a full life. Learning to check in, reinforce behaviour, and teaching your dog to trust you. Participation by prior booking.

With Amy Shaler and Jenny Friend, £8, or booked as 4 classes £30

Please ring if you would like advice about which class to attend 01386 430189.

Puppy Education

Additionally life skills for puppies include experiences that allow puppies to learn how to respond, meeting a range of different types of dogs, and giving them the very best start in life.

In the Barn we have a large box of toys for the pups to explore, plus interactive toys and we teach you how to play the BEST games. We have a range of junior agility equipment to teach them motor skills, fuelling that desire to explore and discover new things. We supervise compatible play time, and introduce pups to gentle adults as well as teach them how to avoid grump adults.

We have a training crate to teach them how to cope with being alone, and space to introduce them to their first country walks.

We teach you how to see the world through your pup’s eyes, and enjoy every minute of this time.

Pups are welcome to come along to the Reception class as soon as they have completed their second vaccination. They can either sit on your lap and watch the other dogs or join in meeting and greeting. Lessons begin when the pup is ready to start - this is usually when they are keen on their treats and able to focus on you, the trainer will advise you when they are ready to join the workshop. Older pups, up to 7 months are welcome to begin at any time. If your pup is 7-10 months old it will depend on their skills as to whether they join puppy class or lifeskills on Wednesday evening - please ring for advice: 01386 430189

Puppy Education: Tues eve & Weekends (see dates below)

6.30 - 7.30 Pups from 14 weeks up to 5/6 months old.

Introduction to training, social skills, handling, lead walking, play and life experiences.

with Sarah Harrison. £6 per evening

7.30 - 9pm Juniors. From 5/6 months to 12 months.

4 Week Course beginning on first Tuesday every month. Repeat the course as often as you like. Teaching self control, lead walking, management skills, social awareness, play and safe interaction.

with Kay Laurence, £30 for the Course.

Monday - K9 Multi Sports

7 - 9pm Training for the Multi Sport Titles. Training through 6 level in lifeskills (Core Test) plus an increasing number of Options: Agility, Tricks, Retrieve, Heelwork to Music Freestyle, Ringcraft, Tracking, Assistance Dog, Scent Dog, and Gundog. Regular opportunities for assessment for Multi Sport titles.

Open to everyone, no previous experience required, no age limit, although your dog needs to be comfortable in a class situation.

with Helen Phillips. £8 per evening.

WagMore Weekends and Holidays with your Dog

A wonderful chance to enjoy the Cotswolds and spend quality time with your dog. Weekends include the morning spent teaching and brushing up on those essential lifeskills, during the afternoon we will explore the fascinating world of dogs and take the dogs for a country walk or Discovering Activities.

We have a range of local accommodation that will take dogs, from camping to B&B and Hotels, and of course the very BEST Cotswold pubs for you to enjoy whilst the dogs dream of their wonderful day.

During the Summer we hold Holiday Weeks from Monday to Friday. This includes lots of training, games, different activities to explore, opportunities for regular practice. Wednesday afternoon free to give you the he chance to look around our local area (we are 10 miles from Stratford Upon Avon) and the evenings we keep you busy introducing you to the wonderful world of dogs.

Wagmore Week

A wonderful week of all things to make your dogs happy and content. We also ensure your mind is stretched with a range of activities, challenges and learning opportunities.

No of Days Attendance: 5

Dates for 2008 Aug 25 - 29

Course Fee: £255 inc lunches

Lifeskills Record of Achievement for Dogs (ROAD)

Pearl Award ROAD1

Emerald Award ROAD2

Ruby Award ROAD3

Diamond Award ROAD4

Progress along your dog’s ROAD is at a pace to suit both you and your dog. Lifeskills classes are normally a mixed group of dogs at various levels of training.

Classes include teaching:

u Self Control, in a range of situations, where your dog learns to focus on you for information and connection. For on and off lead walking.

u Interaction with other safe dogs and walking away from not so safe dogs. Comfortable interaction with people of many different sizes, shapes and ages.

u Lifestyle management, travel management, learning to react to experiences, managing resource guarding, go visiting, training around the house and with visitors, learning to stay home alone.

u Play time and games, developing your relationship, massage and relaxation techniques.

Lifeskills Workshops

For any dog in need of brushing up the essential skills.

No of days: half day starting at 9.30am Dates for 2008: Jan 8, Feb 2, Mar 2,

Class Fee: £25

WagMore Weekends

Combining Lifeskills workshops with activities over the whole weekend. Ideal getaway or birthday present for your dog! Weather permitting outdoor activities included and picnics.

No of days: 2 Dates for 2008: Mar 29 & 30, May 17 & 18,

Weekend Fee: £115

K9 Multi Sports

Titles available for Dogs: K9MS1, K9MS2, K9MS3, K9MS4, K9MS5, K9MS6,

With basic core skills in general obedience and control and options in: Agility, Gundog, Ringcraft, Tricks, Heelwork to Music Freestyle, Scent & Search, Tracking, Retrieve, Assistance Dog.

Weekend Workshops

No of days: half day starting at 2pm Dates for 2008: Jan 8, Feb 2, Mar 2,

Workshop Fee: £25