frequently asked questions
Real World Dog Training - Group Classes
Classes are held on Sunday mornings at Geelong East Primary School (184 Boundary Road, Thompson).
Classes start at 9:30 (9:00 during the Summer) and go for 45-60 minutes.
Silver school is a foundations class. Focusing on two-way communication systems with your dog while doing basic obedience, all participants start here.
Once a dog team passes into the Gold School, we deep dive into getting more stability in the training, working towards creating a dog that listens to commands the first time – every time, that is neutral to the world around them and owner-focused.
Under state legislation, dogs in Victoria must be up to date with a minimum of the C3 vaccination, which assists in preventing and spreading Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis. We recommend the C5 vaccination, which also includes Parainfluenza and Bordatella (Canine Cough), to attend Group Dog Training Class.
Proof of vaccination is required when you book our classes online.
Once your dog has received its seconded vaccination, it can join Real World Dog Training – Group Classes. This is generally around 12 weeks of age.
The Group Classes are not a puppy school; we cover general obedience in these classes. Suppose this is your first puppy or first in a while. In that case, we recommend you complete our Super Puppy School & Socialisation Program before attending to understand toilet training, vaccination schedules, parasite control, grooming needs, oral care, troubleshooting puppy behaviours, de-sexing, etc.
Alternatively, you can book into one of King’s K9 Dog Training private consults to personalise your training journey with your puppy.
Yes, the Real World Dog Training – Group Class is for dogs of all sizes and ages. You can teach an older dog new tricks!
Dogs must be healthy and not show signs of illness to attend class. This may include but is not limited to diarrhoea, vomiting, coughing or any injury.
We run boutique-size classes, which are capped at 8-10 dogs, depending on the location and planned exercises. This ensures we can provide personal attention to participants during the classes.
- Hungry dogs
- Appropriate training collar for your dog. This includes slip leads, flat collars, martingale, check chains and muzzles. All equipment must be in good condition and fit securely.
- Treat pouch,
- Place bed (i.e. trampoline bed),
- Training toy (i.e. ball on a rope, tug toy, etc.),
- Poop bags.
Extendable leads, head halties, and Bungi leads are not permitted. We assess back or front attaching harnesses on a case-by-case basis. Please contact King’s K9 Dog Training to discuss your individual needs. If you are using these, we’d be happy to help recommend products for you.
- Food – Bring plenty of yummy treats cut up into small pieces; we find that dogs will work best for soft treats such as:
– Prime100 loaf;
– Cheese;
– Cooked chicken;
– Cooked hot dogs;
– Devon, etc.
The smellier, the better!
- Footwear – Closed-toe shoes for safety, something waterproof is best, as we train in most weather conditions. Thongs and high heels must not be worn for safety reasons and mobility whilst training.
We also have slip leads, slip collars, backup straps, training toys and treats available for purchase on training days.
Yes, of course. Children must be supervised at all times, and we request that they not yell, run or approach other people or dogs when attending classes. King’s K9 Dog Training accept no liability for anyone attending the Real World Dog Training – Group Classes.
For children to handle the dogs when attending classes, they must have the trainer’s approval, be over 12 years of age and have the physical capabilities to handle the dog. Parents must bring a secondary (backup) leash which must be attached to the dog and held by the supervising adult when the child is handling the dog.
Yes, of course. Family members are welcome to sit away from the class to watch the session. We ask that they refrain from interacting with other people and dogs during class and not behave in a manner that distracts dogs or people during class exercises.
Yes, as long as there is one adult handler per dog, and each dog should work with the same handler each week.
Please contact us, and we will make a case-by-case recommendation basis.
We train during rain or shine, but sometimes the weather may be unsafe and unproductive.
If the weather threatens to interfere with safety and training, we will inform you via the KKDT Facebook group about class cancellation as soon as possible before your class starts. Could you keep an eye on our Facebook group updates in these cases? If there is no notification, it means the class will take place.
If your dog is showing aggression, fear or undesirable reactivity toward people or other dogs, we would suggest you complete a private dog training consult so we can assess the severity of your dog’s concerns and give you appropriate management solutions so you can more easily join the Real World Dog Training – Group Classes and enjoy training in a group setting.
Any dog with a previous history of fearful, aggressive or undesirable reactivity must wear a yellow bandana – which we have available to borrow during class times – so that other participants know to give them extra space. This ensures your dog does not become overwhelmed and helps you to get the best from your dogs and the training during the class.
Two class options are available in the Real World Dog Training – Silver & Gold Group Classes.
Silver is for beginners and mastering the foundations of dog training.
Gold is the Intermediate & Advanced level to help you dive into your dog training journey and get Real World ready.
When you first join, jump into the Silver School. As you progress, you will be informed by a Trainer when it is time to level up to Gold School.
- Please arrive at least 5 minutes before class commencement times.
- All Dogs are required to be on the lead at all times unless you are under the specific direction of the class instructor.
- Dogs must be under effective control.
- Keep a safe and appropriate distance from other dogs during class.
- Never approach or allow your dog to approach another dog or person without asking the other handler prior.
- Removal of all rubbish and waste you or your dog created by yourself or your dog.
- Do not photograph or film another participant or their dogs without prior consent.
- If you have children, please ensure they do not run, yell or disrupt class, and they are not to approach or interact with another participant’s dog. Please bring quiet activities to occupy the children during class.
- For children to participate in the training, the dog must have a second lead to be held by an adult, and only if safe to do so as permitted by the class instructor. Children must be over 12 years of age to participate.
- Wear appropriate shoes and clothing for all weather conditions to train your dog.
General Information
The King’s K9 Dog Training approach is to focus on the relationship you have with your dog. We use techniques that enhance your relationship with your dog whilst teaching the required behaviours, which will still work for you once you get home.
We focus on your dog’s state of mind and accomplish obedience training and behaviour modification throbyloring the training to suit each dog. There is no “one size fits all” or “cookie cutter” approach to King’s K9 Dog Training methodology and execution training.
Our goal is to help your dog live its best life with you, ad for you to have a relationship of mutual respect with your dog so that you both enjoy the time you have together.
Yes, King’s K9 Dog Training have private dog training, dog training packages and the canine home school program available for anyone who requires personalised training. To find out more, check the services tab at the top of the page.
Yes, we do. Please reach out to us through the contact page or call us on 0492 906 462 to discuss your needs.
There are many variables in dog training, and because a large part of your success is based on how much effort you put in, we cannot ethically guarantee that you will see the results you want.
We can guarantee that we will provide you with the techniques you need to train your dog and that your success is of utmost importance to us once we agree to work with you and your dog. Also, our packages come with ongoing email support to answer any questions that may come after training.
King’s K9 Dog Training use an evidenced-based, balanced approach to training, which draws on the psychological principles of learning as described through Operant Conditioning and Classical Conditioning.
Our methods are fundamentally positive and motivational, with just a little leash pressure required to get the job done.
We use a lot of treats in our training, so please ensure you have a hungry dog and plenty of yummy treats on hand when training with us.
Think this is bribery, and the dog will only ever work for food? No, it is all in the timing we can teach you. Your dog will learn to work with you whether you have food or not. I don’t always have treats when training my dogs, and that is because our training is not reliant on food… want to know more, book a session!
And finally, your dog doesn’t need to get fat from extra treats to be obedient… we use the food portions that our dog would get daily, and we change how this food is delivered.
Don’t worry if your dog does not want to work for food; we have many tricks up our sleeve. We will determine what motivates your dog and use it to achieve its highest potential.
Most Dog Training is about getting to the cause of behavioural issues and creating a training plan to maximise the dog’s emotional stability and quality of life.
If you are looking for Behaviour Modification, King’s K9 Dog Training can assist. We will work with you to improve behaviour issues, including puppy training, disobedience, behaving aggressively, building confidence in fearful and anxious dogs, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and more.
Vet Behaviourists are required when you are thinking of medicating your dog. If your dog needs medication to support its emotional stability, please get in touch with your preferred Vet and ask for a referral to a qualified Vet Behaviourist.
If you are using medication to support your dog’s mental health, combining this with training provides the best results in helping the dogs navigate their emotional and behavioural issues.
While veterinarians are appropriately concerned about infectious diseases in young puppies, the fact is that behavioural issues – not infectious diseases – are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
We can do many things to socialise the puppy to the world safely before getting their final vaccinations.
Many people think ‘socialisation’ means introducing the puppy to as many other dogs as possible – teaching them to be social. This is incorrect and can harm your puppy in the long run. ‘Socialisation’ means introducing your puppy to various experiences and places. We think the word exposure is a much better term to explain the ‘socialisation’ requirements, so that we will use that from this point onwards!
Exposing your puppy to the outside world can mean going to places like the train station, café, primary schools, etc., and letting them experience different people, vehicles, noises, and so on. This must be done carefully and in a way that doesn’t frighten the puppy. Contact us to show you how.
Fun fact, puppies have a period of brain development called the Critical Socialisation Period. Every experience helps shape the puppy’s brain and sets them up for managing future experiences. This period opens at about four weeks and closes at around 16 weeks of age, though if you are getting your dog out and about, the window can stay open longer. Any experience during this time, whether good or bad, shapes your dog for the rest of its life – so keep the exposure positive, fun, safe, and loving on your puppies!
“Learning is not an event.
Learning is a process.”
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