We offer Obedience Classes for German Shepherd Dogs only along with the Kennel Club Puppy Foundation and Good Citizen Dog Scheme Classes for all breeds of dog along with Fun Agility for all breeds of dog, aged one year or over. All dogs training at the Club must be fully vaccinated and production of an up-to-date vaccination certificate is required prior to commencement of the first class.
Difficult or challenging dogs are welcome to train with us at the Club.
Obedience Classes, Kennel Club Puppy Foundation and Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes are held throughout the year, except for closure on Bank Holiday weekends, and the Fun Agility is held on Monday evenings from May to September, dependent on weather conditions. All classes are pay-as-you go and no block booking or pre-payment is required.
We encourage you to train at your own pace, from basic obedience to the level you wish to achieve for both you and your dog. Progression tests with certificates are available if you wish to gain promotion through the Obedience Classes. Merit Rosettes are presented throughout the year and Annual Awards are presented for dog and handler combinations.
All training takes place outdoors adjacent to the grounds of Elvaston Castle and spectators are welcome to come along. Refreshments are available in the Village Hall and your dogs are also welcome inside the Hall. Free on site car parking is available for those attending our classes.
In addition, to providing training we also hold various social events for members and their families, including quizzes, raffles, an annual Fun Day, and a Christmas/New Year party when our Annual Awards are presented. We also have a Display Team consisting of handlers and their dogs who train with us, who attend local Shows and Fun Days.
Working Trials Nose Work and Control Sessions are also available.
The Instructors at the Club are un-paid volunteers who have all trained their own dogs at the Club, progressing through the Classes to the top level. They received training, in line with Kennel Club Guidelines, from a former Instructor who was a Kennel Club Accredited Instructor (Competitive Obedience) Mr Ray Jones KCAI.
As Instructors, we strive to keep up to date with current training techniques, attending courses and completing relevant correspondence courses, in order to give the best possible service to the handlers and dogs that train with us.
At our Club we train using “positive reinforcement” techniques. We train our dogs with praise and rewards and do not allow heavy handling, shouting, any physical reprimands, or the use of any aversive such as a prong collar, e-collar or choke chain, slip lead etc.
You will find your dog learns more quickly, and enjoys training more, by only using praise, fun, and reward-based training.
Classes/Sessions we offer:
Working Trials Nose Work and Control
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