Start on the right path to a well trained and
Happy Dog.
Training Courses, Consultations & Workshops
Obedience training is such a valuable experience for both dogs and their owners.
We run training courses for all levels of obedience with a commitment to quality by keeping our class sizes small. Each obedience course runs for 6 weeks with a certificate presented on completion.
We hold short workshops to brush up on specific areas of your training.
Also training walks to get tips when out on your daily dog walk,
Scroll down the page to read about our Scent Search Course / 1 to 1 Training / Consultations and more.
Visit our EVENTS section for course dates & times.
"A well-socialised and trained dog brings joy and harmony to your home! "
Beginners Obedience (Part 1, 2 & 3)
Program Overview for our Beginner levels [part 1 - 3]:
Socialisation and Fundamentals
- Suitability:
This program is open to all adolescent and adult dogs. Whether your dog is a lively adolescent or a veteran, they’ll benefit from this experience.
- Crucial Socialisation:
Socialisation an important aspect of dog training. Your dog will interact with other dogs and people in a controlled environment, helping them become well-adjusted and confident.
- Fundamental Skills:
- Loose-Lead Walking: We’ll introduce and enhance loose-lead walking techniques. Say goodbye to pulling and hello to enjoyable walks!
- Recall Skills: Teaching your dog to come when called is essential. We’ll work on reliable recall, even in distracting situations.
- Loose-Lead Walking: We’ll introduce and enhance loose-lead walking techniques. Say goodbye to pulling and hello to enjoyable walks!
- Key Learning Areas:
- Voice and Body Language: You’ll learn how to communicate effectively with your dog using clear verbal cues and body language.
- Timing and Techniques (T&T’s): Mastering the timing of rewards and corrections ensures effective training.
- Canine Psychology: Understanding your dog’s behaviour and motivations is crucial for successful training.
- Focus: The secret ingredient! Maintaining your dog’s focus during training sessions is vital.
- Voice and Body Language: You’ll learn how to communicate effectively with your dog using clear verbal cues and body language.
Intermediate (levels 4, 5, 6)
Congratulations on progressing beyond the Beginner stages!
Now, let’s dive deeper into the art of canine communication.
Here’s what’s on the syllabus:
Individualised Progress:
- At these levels your techniques start to evolve—recall, heel, stay, and more.
- No rush, no pressure. We honour you and your dog’s unique pace - working toward a better communication and understanding for each team.
Body Language and Timing:
- Dogs read us like open books. We'll fine-tune your body language. Your pup’s watching!
- Timing matters—whether it’s rewarding good behaviour or redirecting the squirrel-chasing impulses.
Addressing Concerns:
- Worried about “aggressive greets” at the dog field/beach? Thunderstorm fears keeping you up? We’ve got solutions.
- An added advantage at this stage, we'll work together to tackle specific issues, every dog deserves a confident, tail-wagging life.
..... let’s write the next chapter in your dog’s training journey!
Advanced (levels 7, 8, 9)
Bravo! You've arrived at the Advanced Stage!
You know those dogs—the ones that return instantly, gracefully surrender their toys, and walk by your side like canine royalty?
Well, guess what? That could be your dog!
Your unwavering perseverance and commitment pays off!
We're here to guide you every step of the way.
The Journey Ahead:
- 🎯 Fine-Tuning: Let’s focus on those areas that need a little extra polish. Recall? Toy manners? Distraction resilience?
- 👃 Add in Scent Work: Ever watched your dog’s nose twitch with curiosity? Scent work opens up a whole new world of adventure.
- 🚶♂️ Distance Control: Imagine your dog walking to heel, even when the squirrel brigade marches by. It’s not magic—it’s training!
- 🏠 Indoors or Outdoors: Lessons inside our canine training centre or out and about in the great wide world to practice in a realistic environment.
Scent Search Workshops
This course is perfect if you would like to try something different with your dog, or maybe your dog is in need of more stimulation!!
You will cover:
- Motivation/Drive.
- Reading your dog's signals.
- Free flowing signals from you.
- How scent moves around the environment.
- Teaching your dog to read the ‘scent pattern’.
Your instructor is Martin Pashley MBIPDT. Highly experienced in this field - Martin's skill/knowledge and training is gained from being former Royal Army Veterinary Corp, where for 12 years he worked his various search dog(s), serving in conflict zones and in peacetime training the dogs and search dog handlers.
During this time, he (and his amazing dogs) had saved many lives with search finds of weapons / explosives / drugs & associated equipment.
His knowledge and skill with working in this specific field is outstanding.
You will have a lot of fun learning how to get your dog in working mode - they will LOVE it and you will too!
Scent Search Workshops are added into our schedule throughout the year, check our calendar for dates.
1 to 1 Dog Training
One to one training is ideal for more personal issues or when classes are not suitable, i.e. food aggression, bike/jogger or traffic chasers, separation anxiety, biting, digging, possessive behaviour, escapes, fear/nervousness.
We can also help you with a one-to-one if you wish to enhance the training you are currently learning at classes.
For further information specific to your needs please call 01395 225328.
Consultations
We provide in-depth and comprehensive advice/training on behavioural and canine psychology issues of any kind. This is ideal for specific issues such as dog aggression, or problems that cannot be covered through group training, or if you simply prefer to work at your own pace and environment. The consultation will normally take place in your own home or at the location where the issues occur. Options from set of 3 visits or set of 10.
For further information specific to your needs please call 01395 225328.
Specialised Dog Training
Martin Pashley MBIPDT at ‘Happy Dogs’ is a highly experienced specialist dog trainer.
If you or your organisation require Martin's services (Explosives, Drug detection, Casualty detection, Tracker or Protection) please contact him via our enquiry form.
Existing clients can contact Martin in the usual manner.
Gear up for Training!
In all the courses we offer, you’ll have access to a treasure trove of training equipment. from long-lines, running lines to trying out different leads, Here is what’s in our toolkit:
- Long-Lines
These are like extended leashes, allowing your dog more freedom while maintaining control. Perfect for recall practice in open spaces! - Running lines
These give the experience of working your dog lead FREE! Encouraging better voice and body language. - Leads/collars Galore
To try out and find the one that suits your style and your dog’s personality. - Training discs
- Whistles
- Agility obstacles
and many more training aids to discover and learn🐾
Common list of problems
- Aggression
- Separation anxiety
- Fear of loud noise (fireworks, gun fire, storms, traffic etc.)
- Obsessive behaviour
- Attention seeking
- Escaping/fleeing
- Destructive behaviour
- Excessive barking
- Pulling on the lead
- Not returning when called
- Fouling in the house
- Digging
- Jumping up
- Food stealing
Don’t despair and put up with any type of behaviour you are not happy with. We can help and work with you on eliminating these problems.
Words of Command
Heel, Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Leave, No
Before you start ‘training’ it is important to choose a set of words (sounds), the sounds you select will become command instructions. Most common commands used are: Heel, Sit, Down, Stay and Come. Other words used are: Stand, On, Over.
It is at this point that I would like to stress that the sounds (words) you use do not have to be English (or any other language for that matter) you could quite literally make up a word/sound, what is important is calm consistency, take the opportunity to add a visual command at the same time as making the sound, this will help greatly as you attempt to advance the dogs (and your) training.
The sound you use does not have to even be a word; a sound from a whistle for example can produce a number of different commands, i.e. a series of short blasts is often used for recall, whereas one long blast would normally be used for a safety ‘stop’.
“It is not the lesson that the teacher is giving, but what the student perceives from the teaching” Martin Pashley
Any instruction (command) we give must be:
- fair
- related to the dog’s age and ability
- given with calm clarity
- used on its own (teach one thing at a time)
Only when the individual dog has learnt simple single commands-separately, should we attempt to add these commands together.
Training Methods
At Happy Dogs we are able to use many different methods, we work together to find which method works best for you.
There is very little to gain from attempting to train a dog to ‘sit’ if they are hyper or worried. It makes much more sense for us the human to learn how to teach a dog calmly (the 3-C’s: Calm, Comfortable & Confident). Therefore, most commonly I will teach canine psychology in a new group, then move on to; Ask…Tell…Place.
We will help the owner learn when and how to use a negative sound/action, this will be done in a calm non confrontational manner (3-C’s), with plenty of time and space for the individual dog to learn. We should only need to use just one negative command “No” (or a substitute sound) means “no”.
Positive reinforcement is very commonly used with our training, however this does not necessarily mean ‘over excited reward’ when the dog does as we wish/desire/require we calmly give them our attention and affection, or a food/toy reward.
I often get asked about ‘clicker training’ or ‘training discs’ and other methods using an object that utilises a sound, to put it simply these methods are more or less the same, i.e. ‘Action – Reaction’ that is to say a sound from the owner (the action) get a response (the reaction) from the animal, or in reverse. If I teach the clicker/training discs/whistle etc., this is always in conjunction with your own sound (in case of back-up, if clicker/whistle/training discs etc., is not on you when you need them).
Advantages are: Particularly good for people who might find it difficult to make the same sound consistently, or tense up in certain situations.
Disadvantages are: Could be used by someone else nearby causing confusion to your dog (2 clicks to your dog could mean sit, but the other person’s dog has been taught it means ‘come’).
You would need to have the item at hand all the times.
All lessons end with a very easy task, and rewards/praise given at the correct level for your dogs needs.
- Discover and Learn:
As you progress, important factors will emerge. Each dog is unique, and you’ll discover what works best for your furry companion.
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