Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to train my dog at Canine Behavioural School?
Download the Registration Form, Waiver and Welcome Letter.
Email us at info@positivelydogs.com and we will email you the required information
Phone Debra (8431 9134) daily between 9am & 5pm (except Sunday) or Bev (8431 7421) daily between 6.30pm – 8pm to learn more about registering to train at CBS
How much does it cost?
Costs for training one dog in 2010 are
$60 for the first term of training with CBS
$45 for each term thereafter
This payment includes the 85+ page Train at Home Guide that follows the training you are given in class and helps you with your homework.
If there are two dogs in one family, the cost is
$60 for the first dog for you first term with CBS
$45 for the second dog for your first term of training with CBS
This payment includes one 85+page Train at Home Guide.
Each CBS Training Term is the length of a School Term and follows the South Australian school system term dates
How can I pay my School Fees?
Full payment must accompany your registration form
You can post us a cheque with your registration form or…
…you can send us payment by internet banking
- Account Name Canine Behavioural School Inc
- BSB Number 035052
- Account Number 177633
- Please clearly identify your name and your dog’s name for our records
If using internet banking please email or post to us a copy of your transfer receipt for our records
No credit card or EFTPS facilities are available
If I need to cancel before class begins what do I do?
If we receive notification in writing (letter or email – info@positivelydogs.com) 7 days before commencement of class your payment will be returned to you minus a $5 administration fee.
If we do not receive this notification then you will forfeit your payment.
Am I able to watch a class before I decide to enrol my dog?
Certainly. We do, however, ask that you don’t bring your dog with you.
Please feel free to talk to the Reception Desk Staff if you have any questions or would like to register whilst you are there.
If you wish to speak to the Head Instructor or one of the other instructors, ask the Reception Desk Staff to point us out to you.
What happens if I miss a class?
We would encourage you to try very hard not to miss a class. Class instruction not only gives you tools to help your dog, it also helps to motivate you to keep trying at home.
However, we do understand that “life” sometimes gets in the way of training and this is why you have had included in your School Fees the purposely written Train at Home Guide.
At the back of the Guide is a list of homework for each week’s training and the relevant pages within the guide to which you can refer.
This acts as a backup for what is taught in class and also helps those who have to miss a class.
We do not offer catch up classes for those who miss one week.
Should you miss a couple of consecutive weeks, please contact the Head Instructor to discuss options for your training.
We cannot refund your School Fees once Term has started.
How many dogs are in each class?
CBS classes are based on the best practice guidelines of the Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association
As such, there is a maximum of 8 dogs in any one class. A class with 8 dogs will have an instructor and an assistant instructor
Six dogs is the maximum number in class if there is no assistant
This ratio of instructor to dog/guardian allows for the instructor to spend individual time with people and also assists to reduce stress levels in class.
Is my family allowed to come to training too?
Yes, however if you have a large family it may be better for some of them to sit outside of the class a short distance away so as not to disturb class proceedings.
For reasons of safety, if there is more than one young child (under the age of 8) we require a second adult (over 16 years old) specifically to supervise the child (children).
We request this as children who run around can be distracting for the dogs and some dogs are not familiar with children. We don’t want any accidents to happen
Can my son/daughter train the dog?
There must always be an accompanying adult for any child handler under the age of 12 years.
No matter how good your child may be at handling your dog, remember you will be working in a group environment and both dogs and children need adult supervision.
Your child will, of course, be included in any activities in class but we would prefer the dog to be handled and/or supervised by an adult
Ours is a two dog family. Can they be in the same class?
Two dogs requires two adult handlers
In a two dog family the dogs are often very closely bonded, particularly if the dogs are siblings, and we often suggest that the dogs are not in the same class so that they get some time to be individuals.
As we run more than one class at a time, the two dogs can come at the same time but will, more than likely, be placed into separate classes.
Should this be too upsetting for the dogs, the Head Instructor will decide, in discussion with you, what options would be available.
What should I bring with me when I come to class?
Each week we would like you to bring with you the following
Your dog (unless this is your first week of Bronze training where the lesson is dog free. You will be given information about this when you register with the School).
More tasty dog treats than you imagine you could ever use in a training session (you will probably end up using them)CBS will provide a mat for your dog but we would like you to bring your dog’s mat or small bed to place on top of our mat – this is for your dog’s comfort and also for a sense of the familiar. Even an old towel or similar from home is adequate
A chew toy for your dog (something like a Kong or a Leo), well packed and used during quiet times in classA tug/play toy to use as an extra incentive for those dogs who find food less appealing in class
Why is the first Bronze class held without dogs?
Dog training is a complex field and we need to talk to you about the theory of dog training and what it involves for you and your dog
We try to make this training session as interesting and interactive as possible but there is a lot of theory to get through and in the best interests of your dog, he is better off at home.
You will also be less distracted and better able to listen.
We will, however, give you homework to take home and commence working with your dog as soon as you can
What training equipment do I need?
Please bring your dog to class on a flat (leather or cloth) collar with a lead that is no longer than 1.2m.
We recommend that the lead is made of brushed polyester or cotton webbing for your comfort.
We advise strongly against a chain lead.
If your instructor feels it is necessary we may talk to you about the use of a front attach harness (http://www.petdogtraining.com.au/products.html )
However, any training equipment used is only as an aid.
Nothing totally replaces putting in the work that is required to train your dog.
What training methods do you use?
At CBS we use positive reinforcement (reward based) training methods.
Positive training methods are gentle, humane and effective. They:
Will help your dog to remain calm and stress free.
Will help you train your dog in a pain and injury free manner.
Will help to build the bond between you and your dog.
Will help your dog to cope with situations that may otherwise cause aggression.
Encourage you to remain calm and relaxed with your dog and provide training methods that young children can use under supervision from an adult.
Correctly used positive training methods:
Will result in a dog who will do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. A reward for work well done rather than punishment for failure to comply.
Will set the dog up for success, minimizing errors and eliminating the use of punishment-based training.
Will provide the desired and reliable responses you want
Will help to eliminate confusion in the dog.
Will increase the dog's confidence.
Will provide clear guidelines of acceptable behaviour to the dog.
Will create a dog that loves to obey because training is fun.
Will give a dog the self-control required to be happy and carefree yet under guardian control. Positive does not mean permissive.
Do minimize the chance of future behaviour problems occurring because it anticipates future behaviour based on normal dog behaviour.
May help successfully rehabilitate many fearful, anxious, shy or aggressive dogs.
Will result in happy dogs and happy guardians.
Does CBS give private lessons?
Some of our certified instructors can come to your home and help you on an individual basis.
They do so under their own auspices, not as part of CBS
However, CBS is happy to include on our website information about those of our instructors who do “in home” consultations and you are welcome to talk to any of these instructors before or after class at CBS
Your class instructor may talk to you about private lessons if she feels that you need extra help.
Please always feel free to discuss options with your class instructor or the head instructor.
Also, below is a list of puppy pre-schools where our instructors teach.
Will you do board and train?
Board and train is where an instructor takes a dog into his/her home and works with the dog until the dog is of a standard agreed upon by the instructor and guardian together
We do not believe in this type of training as we generally believe that guardians should be involved with training their pet dogs.
Training helps to build the bond between you and your dog and if you send your dog away to be trained that opportunity is missed.
A good instructor can train your dog and train him well.
A good instructor can also train you to train your dog and train him well.
We would prefer the bond of trust and respect to be built between you and your dog not between your dog and one of our instructors
Are your instructors dog behaviourists?
There are no legal limits on who can call him/herself a behaviourist – any non qualified person can hang out a plate purporting to be a behaviourist. However, to answer the question – NO, our instructors are not behaviourists.
In our opinion, in the dog world, the only people who are qualified to call themselves “behaviourists” are vets who have trained and qualified specifically in veterinary behavioural studies or those who have undertaken tertiary education that qualifies them to be certified by relevant governing bodies as “behaviourists”.
We are, however, behavioural trainers
We observe your dog in his environment and teach you to also observe your dog and help you to understand what some of those observations of his behaviour mean to your dog and hence to you and your family
We work with the dog’s behaviour and do not diagnose or make a prognosis as would a medical specialist.
We simply work with the behaviour the dog gives us and teach you how to work with it too.
We are all ethically bound by our governing bodies to refer you and your dog to someone with greater experience and knowledge than ourselves when we feel we do not have the skills to assist you.
Puppy Pre-Schools and Private Consultations
The instructors at CBS are all volunteers. Many have “day jobs” and many have “day jobs” that include working with dogs. Below are details about services offered by some of our instructors outside of CBS.
Puppy Pre-Schools
The following Puppy Pre-Schools are taught by CBS instructors. Please feel free to contact the veterinary surgery if you are interested in training your baby puppy.
Adelaide Hills Animal Hospital – Bodil Schou-Hansen & Debra Millikan
77 Mount Barker Road
Stirling SA 5152
Phone: 8339 4466 Fax: 8339 4476
Email: ahah@internode.on.net
Puppy Pre-School is held on Wednesday evenings at 6pm.
Course is held over 5 weeks
First week is without puppies
Contact the Hospital to book classes
Parade Norwood Veterinary Clinic – Bev Clark
27 The Parade
Norwood, SA 5067
Phone: 83635323
Puppy Pre-School is held on a Tuesday night at 7.30pm
Course is held over 4 weeks
Contact the Clinic to book classes
St Bernards Road Veterinary Clinic – Nicole Schaefer
81-83 St Bernards Road
Magill SA 5072
Phone: 83644545
Puppy Pre-School is held on Thursday nights at 7pm
Course is held over 4 weeks
Contact the Surgery to book classes
Stephens Terrace Veterinary Clinic – Bodil Schou-Hansen & Susanne Eckert
45 Stephens Terrace
St Peters SA 5069
Phone: 8362 6688 Fax: 8363 4008
Puppy Pre-School is held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.15pm
Course is held over 5 weeks
First week is without puppies
Contact the clinic to book classes
Private Consultations
Susanne Eckert
Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training
Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association
Phone: 8390 2198 Mobile: 0412 500 661
Email: jeneck@esc.net.au
Specialising in “special needs dogs” including reactive behaviour towards dogs and/or people
Depending on requirements, consultations will occur in home or at a mutually decided outside venue i.e. park
Debra Millikan
Dip Animal Behavior Science & Technology
Dip Dog Training & Behavior Consulting
Cert IV Dog Behavioural Training
Phone: 8431 9134 Mobile: 0419 824 395
Email: damag1@bigpond.com
My aim when visiting your home is to teach you to better understand your family dog and to help you gain the skills required to ensure good citizenship for both dog and guardian.
Bodil Schou-Hansen
Cert IV Companion Animal Services
Adelaide Pet Dog Training
www.petdogtraining.com.au
bschouhansen@gmail.com
Phone: 8272 0018 Mobile: 0409 991 530
In addition to Adelaide Pet Dog Training’s seven week courses we provide private tuition and in home consultation services. Private sessions can be provided to address a broad range of training requirements, however they are particularly useful in dealing with problem behaviours which usually cannot be dealt with in a class situation. The most common issues of concern to owners are barking, dog-dog reactivity, dog-human reactivity, digging, pulling on lead and /or uncontrollability, toilet training and some anxious behaviours.
PUPPY QUESTIONS
1. Will I ever have a perfect puppy?
2. Why is Puppy Pre-School Important?
3. At what age should I take my dog to puppy school?
4. But won’t my dog get sick if I take him out and about too soon?
5. Why does my puppy chew and what can I do about it?
6. One puppy or two?
7. My two puppies are littermates and are now fighting all the time - what should I do?
KIDS & DOGS
Is it safe to have kids and dogs together?
BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR DOG
1. What do you mean by “building a relationship” with your dog?
2. What happens if I don’t have a good relationship with my dog?
SHOULD I CHOOSE A SHELTER DOG?
I would love to have a shelter dog but I have heard that they are always trouble!
ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT
1. What can I do to keep my dog busy when I am at work?
2. Dogs don’t belong inside do they?
GOING ON HOLIDAYS
I am going on holidays. How do I choose a kennel for my dog?
LOST DOG
I have lost my dog. What should I do?
PROBLEMS
1. My dog barks all the time. What can I do?
2. My dog seems anxious all the time. Does he have separation distress?
TRAINING QUESTIONS
1. Why bother training my dog?
2. What does your dog need to know and how are you going to teach it?
3. Treat training works sometimes and not others. Why?
4. Common behaviours that you want to fix?
5. How do I get my dog to “heel”?
6. My dog won’t listen to a word I say. What can I do?
7. How do I get my dog to come back to me?
8. Why can’t I say NO to my dog?
9. Traditional (correction collar) techniques work, why shouldn’t I use them?
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