Frequently Asked Questions

We use only force free, reward based methods in our classes, workshops and behavioural consultations, using food and/or toy based rewards. We do not permit any harsh handling, physical punishment or equipment that causes pain and discomfort to dogs in order to train them.

Puppies can attend our classes once they have received their vaccinations and are able to mix with other dogs.

We accept dogs of any age onto our classes and workshops, with the only exception being our puppy foundations course, where the age limit is 6 months at the time of the course starting.

We do take reactive dogs in some of our classes depending on the level of their reactivity to other dogs and/or people; for example, they would need to be able to comfortably cope with people and dogs within 2-3 metres of their sight within a hall environment. If your dog would struggle with this e.g. bark, lunge or struggle to concentrate, then it would be more appropriate to start off with 121 training first to work on their behavioural issues. 

The exception to this is our outdoor tracking workshops, where we can take more reactive dogs due to the limited number of dogs attending, space available and nature of the training covered. 

You must inform us of any behavioural issues your dog has when booking onto a course or workshop via the relevant section of the online booking form.

We have a maximum of 6 dogs in a class at our Clanfield venue and 8 dogs in a class at our larger Cowplain venue to ensure that they have plenty of space to work in and get the full attention they deserve from the instructor team. The exception to this is our tracking workshops where we have a maximum of 4 dogs due to the amount of space needed for the exercises we cover.

Yes, family members/friends are welcome to attend and take part in the training. We actively encourage the whole family to join in, so everyone knows what to do and to maintain consistency with training.

Yes, children are welcome to attend and take part in the training, providing that they do not disrupt the class whilst in progress or run around in the hall. Please do not allow your child to approach other dogs in the class without asking for the owner's permission.

If you are attending classes at Clanfield Memorial Hall e.g. gundog, recall and lead walking, if it rains we will move the class inside the hall and adjust the exercises covered accordingly. If you are attending a workshop or class at our Springwood Junior School venue, if it is raining heavily and/or persistently, we will contact you on the day of the workshop/class to postpone and reschedule it for another date.

If you cannot attend a class, this is not a problem; we send out an email after each class with the exercises covered, which you can practice at home using the instructions in your digital course manual. We advise not to miss any more than 2 classes of a course to prevent you missing out on too much content. If it is the final class of a course that you cannot make, we will post your certificate/rosette out to you the following week. We do not offer discounted prices if you cannot make part of a course.

Yes, our insurance covers us to work with XL Bullies providing that they are registered on the Index of Exempted Dogs, wear a muzzle and lead at all times during classes/workshops and meet the requirements of their exemption e.g. are neutered and have public liability insurance. We are also insured to work with XL Bullies on a 121 basis, again providing that the above requirements are met.

 121 training sessions can be held at a location of your choice such as your house, back garden or local park (whichever is most appropriate for the issues you wish to cover). For behavioural consultations, we usually advise having the first session at your home to discuss the history and background to the problems you are having, undertake initial observations and cover some foundation exercises and then subsequent sessions can be held at a location of your choice (whichever is most appropriate for the issues you are having).