Common Sense Dog Training

11/02/2022

Its on again! Social Sunday with your dogs! Another couple of weeks of less formal training whilst I get my ducks in a row for Obedience Classes...
This weekend we will refresh our focus on RECALLS, and do a bit more FOOD REFUSAL, which will involve a SIT STAY, and FOCUS.
Then we will learn a SIT FOR EXAMINATION. Lots of fun there!
See you there! Let's have a great morning learning stuff with our beloveds!

29/01/2022

TRAINING IN MUNDIJONG TODAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED. My sincere apologies to all who intended on coming along.

17/01/2022

Another lovely Sunday morning of Dogs Having Fun, and a bit of learning going on as well! Yesterday the focus was on Recalls (as always!) and progressing even further with being able to walk the dogs on a loose lead - No more being dragged from one end of town to the other!
Head on down next Sunday if your dog jumps up constantly, won't come when called, drags you from pillar to post, or you have to ask for a SIT, (and STAY is simply impossible)!
Seen below, Elvis being an absolute LEGEND for his Dad, learning a new word: FOCUS.
If your dog is a bit timid around others, that's ok. By the end of class everyone is much more relaxed! A great example seen here with boisterous Whisky and little Millie, bless her delicate heart....

11/01/2022

Dog fans, here is a fantastic poster showing some of the signs of fear in dogs, courtesy of the wonderful Dr Sophia Yin. Keep an eye on your pups and their body language changes so you are able to get a better idea if what is on their mind.

Found on Google from drsophiayin.com

09/01/2022

Sunday Socials with Common Sense Dog Training! Another lovely Sunday morning spent with our furry friends, learning the foundations of a bomb proof recall, and today's focus was also on SIT and STAY!
Come on down next Sunday with your pooch! Details following!

07/01/2022

Same time, same bat channel Dog Lovers!
See you on Sunday!

01/01/2022

Sunday Socials starting tomorrow!!!!!
Please find following policy details for my Public Liability insurance. Coverage is for the amount of $10,000,000.

Credentials:
I have been involved with the German Shepherd Dog Association for almost 30 years. During that time I put up my hand to volunteer as an instructor, to give back to the club as I had learned so much and achieved so much because of them.
I completed my initial training course as an Instructor 18 years ago. The course was, and still is, run by Honey Gross-Richardson. I passed with flying colours.
Instructors are regularly required to attend meetings where we go over various sections of our work.
Re examination every 4 years.
My certificates and commentaries are no longer with me as a hard copy, as I lost all of my belongings, and I mean ALL of my belongings, in the 2011 floods in the Lockyer Valley, Qld. My details and course attendances however, will be on file with the club for clarification should this be required.

Additional:
During my time of study for my initial qualification with the GSDAWA, my first State Emergency Service Tracker Dog was passed as being Operational. My service with the SES spanned 20 years, 5 of those years being with the Tracker Dogs, handling both Brando and then Monti.

I have been running "Common Sense Dog Training" for 7 years, with a brief hiatus due to living in the middle of nowhere.
My training is based primarily on Positive Reinforcement, HOWEVER there are specific elements of Balanced Training that are included.
I follow the training methods of not only Honey Gross-Richardson, but also Karen Pryor, Dr Sophia Yin, and Dr Ian Dunbar.
Given my time away from training, I have recently enrolled in an Instructing course as well as a Canine Psychology and Bahaviour course online, a sort of "Refresher", if you will... which will run for a substantial period of time due to the scope of material covered.
In addition to training dogs, I have also been training horses for 20 years, and am in the process of learning how to train parrots. (Specifically Eclectus).

One thing to remember, always, with Obedience Instructors.
If you find someone who tells you they know everything and can fix everything, RUN. This is simply not the case.
However, I remain connected with other highly skilled and educated people with vast experience and knowledge who may be able to assist you with an issue if I cannot.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I am here to help you and your dog. I endeavour to keep these classes and home visits as inexpensive as possible so that you are able to enjoy the happiness of being with your dog in safety.

30/12/2021

SOCIAL SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY FOLKS!
Behind the clubhouse under the trees at the Mundijong Footy Oval 8.30am.
In addition to your pooch and a sense of humour, make sure you bring along water for you and your dog, some HIGH VALUE treats for your dog (ie things that they don't normally get - eg CHUNKERS, little fresh meatballs you can buy in the cold dog food section at IGA, Woolies or Coles. Perfect training treats. Other suggestions are small chunks of cheese, sliced sausage... Please NO SCHMACKOS), and a 6 foot (180cm) lead would be great if you have one. Oh, and POO BAGS!
Dogs under 12 months old should be trained on their 'soft collar', ie the one you hang their name tag onto. This is safer for the delicate tendons and muscles around their neck, and will also teach you very quickly how to use your body language, your voice and your food rewards to keep their attention.
You'll be running backwards occasionally too, so please don't wear thongs.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to zip a message through on this page, or flick me a text on 0498 318 553 and I'll give you a call.
See you soon!

20/12/2021

Gang, if you head into a pet store and they have a collection facility for homeless dogs, please be kind...

20/12/2021

Gang, its that time of year again. Yep - spending up big on treats for your dogs at Christmas time.
The pet stores go nuts, filling up their shelves with lots of cute stuff made from rawhide.
When I worked in this industry, I did everything I could to persuade people to hang it back up, and find something healthier and safer.
The below article tells you why.
So why do shops continue to sell such toxic and dangerous rubbish?
Because people buy it. Simple as that.

If someone buys your dog a rawhide treat this Christmas, its the thought that counts. Thank them profusely, tell them you'll give it to your dog later, then bin it.

This article is not marketing or fake news. I have seen this process myself many years ago, supplying casual labour to places that make this muck.
The stench from skins and chemicals was so extreme I couldn't breathe.

Check it out. Forewarned is forearmed.
Please share on your local pages and with your mates who have dogs. You may well be saving a life.

https://thebark.com/content/dangers-rawhide-dog-chew-toys #:~:text=Producing%20rawhide%20begins%20with%20the,toxic%20recipe%3A%20sodium%20sulphide%20liming.