Western Suburbs Dog Training 2.75

Welcome to the Western Suburbs Dog Training Club

Where you learn how to train and improve your relationship with your dog through fun and games while teaching good manners

Affiliated with Dogs NSW

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ABOUT US

Western Suburbs Dog Training Club was established in 1974 and became affiliated with the Royal NSW Canine Council (now Dog NSW) shortly after. The Club is a non-profit volunteer club, run by an elected Committee, instructors and members who work with the dog owning community as responsible owners and trainers.

Instructors and assistants have wide experience and are encouraged to attend continuing education to ensure they are up to date with current thoughts and methods of animal training. They also train and participate themselves in a range of dog sports such as agility, flyball, rally, herding and freestyle.

The committee meets regularly and general meetings are held at the ground every 2 months. The AGM is held in September. Our Club Constitution is available to any member upon request at the Clubhouse.

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MEMBERSHIP

The Club’s constitution sets out the levels of membership and the rights and responsibilities of membership. There is a fee for the Beginners Pet Dog 4 week class which includes your Club associate membership application.

If you wish to join any other class you will complete an application for associate membership of the Club, pay an annual membership fee and then a small fee when you attend class. In accordance with the Club’s constitution, renewal of membership is required before 30 June each year.

For more information about membership and fees, please get in touch with us by filling in the contact form or call Sandra on (02) 9570 9144.

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TRAINING

To join our classes your dog must be at least 4 months old and fully vaccinated – there is no upper age limit.

PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION PAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT TO BRING TO TRAINING AND HOW TO PAY.


Pet Dog Classes

Pet Dog Classes on Sunday mornings use current scientifically proven methods of positive reinforcement as advocated by top veterinary behaviourists. This builds a better handler/dog relationship and provides a relaxed training environment for members and their dogs.

Beginners start with a 4 week one hour class which is held on Sundays at 10am. We concentrate on essential skills for a happy life together:

* walking without pulling on the lead
* reliably coming when called
* sitting and lying down when asked
* focusing on each other
* home alone activities and
* food bowl manners

Beginners Pet Dog class attendees can then continue at the 8.30 to 9.30am classes to improve their skills and continue their dog’s socialisation. Two levels of advanced pet dog classes are held on Sunday mornings at 8.30am. We introduce modified agility and flyball training, scent work, retrieving and, subject to members’ interests, learn skills for sports such as rally and treibball.

Competition Dog Training Class

Classes for dogs preparing for Obedience competitions covering Novice, Open and Utility Dog Levels are held on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm. Rally classes can also be arranged.

Ground Rules

Dog owners are responsible for their own dogs on the training ground. All handlers must pick up dog faeces if their dogs foul the grounds (this is particularly important since the park is a school playing field). Please note that the grounds are not a designated “off leash” park and dogs may only be off leash if authorised by instructors of a class.

Annual Trial

The Club’s Trial is held every year on a Sunday late in July, and is advertised in the Dog’s NSW Journal. Members are encouraged to participate, either by competing or assisting with stewarding etc.

Pet dog classes run from February to the end of November.

Extreme Weather – Cancellation of Classes

Classes will be cancelled if the temperature is over 35C or if there is heavy rain in the morning. The ground drains well, so overnight rain usually does not matter. There is an email alert list you can join which will advise if training is cancelled; please enquire at the club.

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FAQ

Q? When & where do you train?
A.
For beginners, we train on Sunday mornings from 10 to 11am. After completion of the four week course, beginners may be able to come to the more advanced levels from 8.30 to 9.30 am. Two levels of advanced classes are held from 8.30 on Sunday morning. These classes normally run from February to the end of November. Classes for dogs preparing for Obedience competitions covering Novice, Open and Utility Dog Levels are held on Tuesday nights from 7.30pm. Our training location is Bressington Park, Underwood Rd Homebush NSW 2140 – opposite the DFO Shopping Centre and near Sydney Olympic Park.

Q? How many classes are there?
A.
The beginners class runs for four weeks. You can come to the more advanced levels for as many weeks as you like.

Q? Is parking available at Bressington Park?
A.
Yes, free parking is available on site for members attending classes.

Q? How much does it cost and how do I pay?
A.
The 4 week Beginners Pet Dog Class costs $60 for one adult and one dog and you can pay by cheque or cash on the day. There are small additional fees for additional family members involved with class work which vary from $5 for a junior to $10 for an adult. After payment of membership fees, advanced class attendees pay $3 cash per class per dog at the class. Please visit our Membership page for more information.

Q? What do I need to bring to class?
A.
1. If it’s your first day of class, please bring your dog’s current immunisation certificate.
2. Your dog’s soft collar and lead. We can advise you if there are more suitable items to use, once we have seen how your dog behaves.
3. Suitable soft food treats for use in training. Small pieces of cheese, devon, cabanossi, hot dog sausage, Chunkers, etc – nothing larger than fingernail size (and probably more than you think you need). It is best if you do not feed your dog on Sunday morning so your dog concentrates on you and your food rather than the other dogs.
4. A bum bag for fast access to the treats (use a clip lock plastic bag inside the bum bag).
5. Plastic bags to clean up after your dog.

Q? What footwear is suitable for training?
A.
Please wear suitable shoes, ie closed in shoes, trainers or similar. Loose sandals etc are not suitable for moving about the field with your dog.