K9 Help: Professional, positive, puppy & dog training.

4 week challenge.

At K9 Help training facility.

All Saints Church Hall, 70a Fulham High Street, Fulham, SW6 3LG.

£130 per dog.

Course instructors: Richard and Sarah Grant.

Registration.  If you would like to attend, please click the link at the bottom of this page.  If there is no link, then the course is full, in which case please email me, richard@k9help.net for alternative options.

Please note this course is open to anyone who has or will have attended a puppy course by the start date, or had individual training with me, an accredited A.P.D.T. or similarly accredited trainer.

This is a fun 4 week challenge, (not a pass or fail), it will be based on a 1, 2 or 3 accomplishment level, (1 being top).  The assessment will be on going during the course finishing on week 4 of 4.  The first 3 weeks will be spent training and practicing the various aspects of the challenge outlined below. I am sure that you will enjoy the challenge and the training, as well as meeting with familiar faces and like minded people. If you achieve the standard for any of the exercises at any stage during the course, then that can be your achievement for that particular activity.

Children are very welcome to attend and participate in the training, however, they must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/nominated person who will remain present at all times.

Food and toys may be used wherever needed and appropriate at this stage for rewarding but not luring unless in the initial stages. Everyone attending with a dog should be carrying poo bags.  All dogs must be wearing a suitable collar/fixed harness with ID tag.  The challenge is to successfully complete 0 - 8 pass level 3,  9 - 11 pass level 2,  12 pass level 1.

Places are limited to ensure that we can practice and achieve the above challenges.  It is my expectation that you will practice before the training starts, as well as during the 4 week period. The assessment will be conducted by myself and Sarah. 

A certificate will be awarded all dogs and their person, based on their level of accomplishment.

1: Response to name. The dog should show a clear response to their person when the name is called, (or signalled in the case of dog who is deaf).

2: Greeting behaviour. The dog on lead held by its person and should behave appropriately when another person approaches.

3: Lead walking. The dog and its person will walk for the “t” course with one other dog and their person is also walking on lead in the immediate vicinity. (5-10 metres). The dog should maintain a fairly steady position their person's side with no cutting in front (possibly for treats) or lagging behind. At this stage, pulling towards the other dog/person may still happen occasionally and if this happens their person will be assessed with regards to how they manage and correct the behaviour. This will also include a heel sit and a heel down.

4: Recall. The dog will return to their person with enthusiasm and speed (relative to age, size and breed). There will be the distraction of another dog(s) in the line of recall. The recall will be over the longest reasonable distance.

Static positions. The dog and their person will demonstrate good understanding of the following positions: sit and the down, using a visual hand and/or verbal cue.

5: The dog will sit on cue, first time, one cue only, if possible, in front of their person.  (Target time minimum of 30 seconds.)

6: The dog will lie down on cue, first time in front of their person from the sit position, then return to the sit. (Target time minimum 30 seconds).

The dog will perform either of these 'remain' exercises.

7: The dog will remain in a sit or down for 30 seconds while their person is approximately, 2 metres away. Their person will step back to the dog and release him/her with a verbal cue,

or,

8: the dog will remain in a sit or down position whilst their person walks round the dog.

9: Full examination. The dog will allow their person to conduct an all over body examination including eyes, ears, nose, teeth, tail area, stomach, paws etc. while remaining reasonably calm.   The person should be able to explain the reason for conducting this exercise

10: Building entry and exit. The dog will remain under control in a sit ideally, whilst entering the building or hall area. The dog will therefore only enter when cued to do so.

11: Play manners. The dog will wait in front of their person while a puppy dummy or soft toy is jiggled around gently for a minimum of 5 seconds and only take the toy when cued to do so.

12: Food manners. The dog will wait while a bowl of food is placed in front of him/her and only proceed to eat it when cued to do so by their person (minimum of 10 second wait).

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