When?

Classes are held every Saturday excluding long weekends and school holidays. Puppies from 8 weeks and up to 6 months of age as well as beginner dogs are at 9:00 am. Students can work their way up to the intermediate group which is at 10:00 am.

Training Dates

Training is every Saturday with the exception of a few dates throughout the year. We are closed on long weekends, school holidays and over the hottest part of summer/Christmas and new year period. You can see our Class Closure Dates page for an up to date list of any planned closures.

Where?

Classes are held at Kalkie, please contact us for the specific location

Sign Up Process

You can build on your skills and your dog’s socialisation as little or as often as you like and receive training assistance in classes relevant to the stage of training that you and your dog are up to. No pressure and no rush.

A private sign up lesson is required for your dog or puppy before starting classes and is a one hour private lesson in your home or agreed location.

Sign up for a second dog from thesame household is discounted. After this lesson you can attend any class for $10 per class, per dog as little or as often as you like, for as long as you choose.

You may start off in the puppy group and work your way up to the adult groups and advanced classes as your dog grows up and advances in training.

If your dog has a behavioural issue such as dog aggression/reactivity, you may need to complete a more in depth training program before coming to group classes.

How To Start

To enrol, simply call us on 0400 227 770 or send us an email. Sign up includes a one hour private lesson where we will go through the paperwork, assess your dog and show you how to begin training so that you’re ready for class.

Call 0400 227 770 or use the contact page to get in touch with us and sign up for group classes.

All breeds welcome. We have two levels of classes – a basic puppy and adolescent level class and an intermediate/advanced adult level class. That’s a photo of our actual classes above!

Skills learned in the classes include:

  • Sit
  • Drop
  • Recall (come when called)
  • Sit stay
  • Down stay
  • Loose leash walking
  • Heel
  • Use of a release word
  • Use of marker training
  • Training around real life distractions
  • Socialisation and confidence training
Why Choose Dog Matters For Group Classes?

Some of the benefits of training with us

  • Dog Matters is run by a qualified dog trainer well versed in dog behaviour and with may years experience
  • Ongoing support provided
  • You will be taught not only the how of dog training, but the why
  • Training skills that you can use for many different real life situations, not just the same repetitive drill each week
  • A trainer that believes training should be fun for both the handler and the dog, not just one or the other
  • A friendly atmosphere where you can connect with other dog owners
  • One trainer so that advice and techniques are consistent across the board
Dog Matters Group Class Info

All details and rules are covered in our class sign up lesson and you will be asked to sign an agreement at that time. Here are the basics:

What you will need to bring to classes

  • Your dog’s current C5 vaccination certificate or titre test needs to be sighted by us before the first class at the initial sign up lesson in your home.
  • Your dog’s favourite toy and treats. If your dog prefers a toy over treats please bring it with you.
  • A treat bag if you have one or something to hold your treats in such as a bum bag. Treat bags designed for dog training can be purchased at class.
  • Poo bags to clean up after your dog
  • Collar – please bring your dog on a flat or martingale collar to class. The buckle variety is preferred over plastic clips. Please ensure your collar is strong, of good quality and durable.
  • Harnesses –  Please do not bring your dog to class on a car harness. Harnesses may be used for certain exercises so it is good to have one available but not essential
  • Leashes – please bring a leash that is approximately 1 to 2 meters in length. Please do not bring chain leashes or retractable leashes. Leashes should be made of nylon, cotton, pvc webbing, biothane (synthetic leather) or leather. Brass snap hooks are preferred. Please do not bring leashes that are frayed, torn or worn or have rusted clips. We have some very good quality leads available for purchase at class.

Before class

Please do not feed your dog his regular meal before classes. This will help him to be more motivated to work for food and will also help with the amount of mess to clean up!

Children in class

Children are welcome to our classes however please note the following:

Handlers of dogs in class must be 16 years of age or older. Handlers under 16 years of age must be directly accompanied by an adult who is not handling a dog for the duration of class.

Please ensure children do not approach dogs in class unless asked to do so by the instructor

Please ensure your children do not wander around by themselves during class unsupervised.  If observing, please keep your children seated during class.