Learning About Dogs - Whats On at Wag More Barn

Wag More Barn - dog training as it should be

Dogs enjoy learning, they are MASTERS at learning. Their lessons should be full of smiling faces, bright eyes, wagging tails and lots of laughter. This is how dogs dream about their classes. No stress, no punishment, no cross noises or even the word “no”. It’s about understanding the way their doggy minds tick, what makes them try again to puzzle our peculiar language, what keeps them in the game and trying to please us.

We have oodles of patience, lots of games and years of experience trundling through dog brains. Dogs are such fast learners when we get it right! It is our pleasure to share our learning with you and ensure the class progresses at a comfortable speed for both you and your dog.

Training dogs is our passion and we welcome the opportunity to encourage your desire to learn.

Wag More Bark Less - Educate, Inspire and Share

Our Centre is near Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds, and perfectly tailored to suits the needs of learning dogs and learning people. Traffic free, peaceful and lots of fresh country air to invigorate brain power!

Choosing a workshop

Please ring if you have any queries about which workshop may be suited for your and your dog: 01386 430189 (office hours).

Especially for Pet Dogs

These workshop begin with the essential training and education for puppies and older dogs which we call LIFESKILLS. In these workshops you will be able to work on exercises such as lead control, staying home alone, travelling, visiting, greeting people, meeting dogs and handling your dog. Workshops suit dogs of difference ages, either puppies (up to 7/8 months old), or older dogs.

We also have a range of activity workshops ideal for a special day out with your pet dog. The time is spent in games and discovering new sports.

For dogs that are not ready for group learning private training can be arranged.

Sports and Hobby Enthusiasts

These workshops are for folk who want to spend their leisure time training their dogs, either just for the fun of it or to pursue a particular interest such as freestyle, working trials, agility, gundogs, etc. All our dogs are pet dogs, but at some point we realise we become addicted to dog training and choose to spend our leisure time with other dog folk. We will FEED your addiction!

Dog Professionals

For the people who teach other people dog training, offer training support and behavioural advice, we offer a range of workshops and course in personal and professional development.

Certification is available in personal skills (Clicker Trainers Competency Assessment Program CAP), and Teaching People Teaching Dogs Certificate and Diploma, Assessors Certificates for K9Multi Sport and CAP.

Regular seminars are held to deepen our understanding of teaching and training dogs, such as Science of Behaviour with Dr Helen Zulch, Aggression Seminar with Geert De Bolster and we have developed a network of trainers to assist and support in class design, curriculum enrichment, customer support which meet on a regular basis.

Format

There is a limited number of participants on each workshop, with a suitable ratio of teaching staff to participants, depending on the level of the workshop.

Workshops are practical applications and involve the majority of the time working with your dog. They can be all day, half days, or evenings.

Courses are usually more than one day, a mixture of lecture and practical application and result in Certification.

Day workshops: The kettle is on at 9am, the workshop begins at 9.30, finishing 4.30

Half day workshops: Morning: 9 for 9.30, finishing 1pm

Half day workshops: Afternoon: 2pm finishing 5.30pm

Evening workshops begin 7pm, with Puppy Reception at 6.30 Tuesday, finishing between 9 and 10pm.

Workshops as part of a weekend or week course begin and finish the same time as day workshops.

Five day courses that run Monday to Friday include a half day on Wednesday where the afternoon is free to enjoy some leisure time.

Holiday courses usually include evening activities.

Booking

All fees include VAT. Refreshments, tea & coffee, are available but not lunch.

You can book: online: shop - workshops
by post: cheques payable to: Learning About Dogs, PO Box 13, Chipping Campden, GL55 6WX
by phone: using your credit card: 01386 430189

Confirmation will be sent by return email or by post, with detailed directions and training tips to make the day enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Please check the dates carefully, there may have been some changes from the originally published dates. We reserve the right to cancel workshops if insufficient numbers are booked. Workshops will only be cancelled with 10 days notification. Those booked on workshops may have the option to transfer to another workshops or a full refund. We cannot refund fees within 10 days of a workshop, in exceptional circumstances we may be able to transfer to another workshop.

Dogs Essential

We welcome dogs that are comfortable in a class environment and able to settle in your car when needing a break. Dogs that are going to be over stressed should attend the specialised workshops. You are welcome to bring bedding for the dog to rest, whilst you focus on your own learning, this can be a long day for the dogs. Puppies over 12 weeks old are welcome to attend, but please do not bring bitches in season. Bring a dog bowl for water, plain collar and lead. If you are bringing non-participative dogs you must ensure they are content and safe to leave in your car, and will not bark excessively. You may bring cages for the dogs.

Spectators are only encouraged to attend on the “teaching” workshops, where there is a limited number of 6 trainers and dogs and the workshop is used to demonstrate particular skills. Please do not bring unsupervised children.

The clicker training courses are all set at particular skill levels as described in the Competency Assessment Program. To attend a Novice course you should have your CAP 1 Foundation. This ensures the most efficient use of your time on the workshop and allows us to set the curriculum to develop your learning in the ideal order.

Some of the workshops in the course are 3 days, which must be attended in order, ie Day 1 and Day 2. If you cannot attend the second day of the workshop on the expected day you can carry forward to the next second day on the next course.

We welcome trainers from outside the UK, and in some circumstances can arrange a dog for training. This a limited resource and you must advise when you book that you would like to be considered to foster a dog for your course.

Rewards

Bring PLENTY of titbits - this is the equivalent of one week's training in one day. We recommend small squares of sliced cooked sandwich meats. Dried food, packaged commercial titbits and sausages will make the dogs too thirsty with the amount of work we may cover.

Learning is tremendous fun, challenging and an opening to a whole new absorbing interest. We are lucky to have great teachers and plenty of interested trainers to help you on a one-to-one basis in the Foundation and Novice workshops.

Your Teachers

All the courses are run to the same high standard by experienced and knowledgeable trainers. All the teachers have trained their own dogs beyond the level they teach at and are qualified to assess competency tests at the same level.

Kay Laurence one of the world’s leading clicker trainers, designed the workshops and has 30 year experience training a range of dogs in many different activities. Author of the Clicker Trainers series, Editor of Teaching Dogs and a qualified teacher in Adult Education.
As a college lecturer she authored the Canine Behaviour and Training course for Warwickshire College, and has participated as an advisor on several other accredited courses in canine studies.

Helen Phillips is a gundog trainer, and author of Clicker Gundog, with a team of Vislas working through the Winter in the field. She also teaches on the Warwickshire College course in Canine Behaviour Education and Training and has achieved the award with Distinction.

Lynda Edmondson is an experienced and successful trainer in both competitive obedience and heelwork to music. A natural teacher who will leave you full of enthusiasm and understanding.

Amy Shaler is experienced in teaching lifeskills, with a family of dogs that have demanded her particular expertise. She is exceptionally good at working one-to-one and adapting the teaching methods to your own needs.

Allyson Tohme is passionate about working trials, in particular tracking. A day with Allyson cannot but leave you with some of her enthusiasm and a new found respect for your dog’s abilities.

There is a limited number of participants on each workshop. All the workshops book very quickly please do not leave it too late and be disappointed.