haven

Happy Birthday PF! Hope you get spoilt

Thank you everyone. It helps me feel better somehow to share his passing. I have to admit I thought starting this thread would make me feel better but it has been kind of a double edged sword. I'm drawn to it constantly, like I'm afraid now that it is out in the open I might forget about him and move on and yet at times I feel myself deliberately avoidong it because it is too painful. I just wish he was still with us. I worry about Nova and I miss him terribly but it also makes me so sad that my daughter is too young to grow up remembering him :D

It's been almost three weeks and I feel terrible that I haven't made this post before now but I just don't know what to say. I just don't have any words yet, you've just left such a hole. Nova is absolutely gutted too, I'm so worried abut her, she seems to be getting so old so quickly without you here and she hardly ever wants to play or do anything other than lay around and look miserable. I always wanted the best for you and I'm so sorry that the end had to be so horrible for you, it's exactly what I didn't want for you after everything you have been through. I know I made the right decision but I wish things could have been different for you. You taught me so much and at times kept me alive, there are so many times I could say I wouldn't be here now if not for you. You saved me and you set me on a new path to happiness. You gave me so much, I wish I could have eased your pain. I wish your life could have been easier. As much as I miss you I'm also glad that you are free now as you never could be in life. I love you. I always will.

Thanks for the replies guys and to everyone who has PMed me with suggestions. S'n'T, what kind of classes are they, positive only? I've not idea what she perfers, I'd just like to be able to let her know. Cosmolo I have invited her to the Underdog facebook page and suggested she contact you as one of the potential training schools. MM, I've replied to your PM about the fountain gate school. Thanks again everyone and if anyone has more suggestions I'd still love to hear them!

Hi Guys, My sister has bought a puppy and I'm after some recommendations of GOOD puppy schools, hopefully with qualified trainers, not the kind that just let all the puppies play in a big free for all with no other socialisation. They are in Ferntree Gully and may be prepared to travel up to a half an hour depending on when classes are held. TIA :D

What method you use depends largely on what you are trying to achieve, eg whether you are trying to teach a new skill or extinguish an unwanted behaviour. However, generally I think a dog learns faster when you use both punishment and reinforcement because it is that much clearer what is expected of it. What's that Konrad Most quote? Something about it being the sharp contrast between the disagreeable things a dog experiences for doing the wrong thing and the agreeable experiences for doing the right thing which show a dog where his advantage lies, and he learns very quickly.

This is a difficult people for some to get past . Especially in a trial where people will come back to you and say "but you didn't tell your dog to STAY" Just be insistent and eventually it will sink in for others . I say 'stay' but know heaps of people that don't Oh yeah, when I went to another club to do agility with Loki the instructors just boggled when I didn't use a stay command and it didn't matter how many times I explained it they just couldn't get their head around it

It's fine to have experience prior to selection, I know of someone employed as a K9 handler at the moment who did the NDTF course and then worked as a trainer at a club for awhile before they got in

Best. Vet. Ever. :D

Many clubs also use a stay and or wait command in addition to their position command, which ADT doesn't use.

Things may have changed since I worked for the NDTF, but as far as I know ADT was never a venue for practical training for the distance learnign students. Practical training was done at Wellington Park Kennels and while there were visits to ADT to see how the club and classes were run, it formed only a small component of one module and other training clubs were also attended. ETA as I already told you Moohmooh, ADT and NDTF are NOT one and the same. And NDTF are not the training body anyways??? The training is done by another company called Precise Training then you get accredited with NDTF. I think that's how it works Edit - sorry it isn;t a law firm, just another company that belongs to that group Precise Training are the Registered Training Organisation that the NDTF offers the course in conjunction with, yes

This has nothing to do with it, what bothers me with the statement I was responding to is you're clearly calling into question the ability of the NDTF to deliver it's course by linking them with the collapse of ADT.

Things may have changed since I worked for the NDTF, but as far as I know ADT was never a venue for practical training for the distance learnign students. Practical training was done at Wellington Park Kennels and while there were visits to ADT to see how the club and classes were run, it formed only a small component of one module and other training clubs were also attended. ETA as I already told you Moohmooh, ADT and NDTF are NOT one and the same.

I'm not sure as it's been a few years but I think maybe 5?

I'm very sad to learn this, not so much as a trainer (Ihadn't worked for quite some time) but mostly as a member who received so much help from everyone at ADT and through their advice and support was able to achieve so much with my own dog :D

I'd love to see this photo It's on my phone, I'll nag the OH when he comes hnome to help me get it onto the computer so I can post it

I've got a top one of a lab sitting at a computer with one paw on the keyboard and the other on the mouse

Edited because I confused myself, damn terminology

Have pasted this from a previous thread: According to their course synopsis, the following is a list of the units of competency from the Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services course offered by Delta and the Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training offered by the National Dog Trainers Federation (NDTF). By clicking on the respective course titles you can go to their website for more information on what is covered in each unit. Units included in both courses appear in bold: Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services ALTFA1A Apply Basic First Aid: NB This unit is not offered by Delta, you must obtain it seperately from another RTO, probably at an additional cost BSZ404A Provide Training through Instruction and Demonstration of Work Skills RUV3101A Carry out Workplace OH&S Procedures RUV3503A Work Effectively in the Companion Animal Industry RUV3504A Monitor and Maintain Health of Companion Animals RUV4101A Implement and Monitor the Organisation's OH&S Program RUV4501A Manage Compliance in the Companion Animal Industry RUV4506A Develop Enrichment Strategies for Companion Animals RUV4511A Provide Training Advice to Companion Animal Owners RUV4512A Conduct Companion Animal Training Classes RUV4611A Prepare, Deliver and Review Animal Care Education Programs 21574VIC Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training RUV2102A Follow OH&S Procedures in an Animal Care Environment RUV2104A Provide Food and Water for Animals RUV2105A Participate in Workplace Communications RUV2107A Provide Basic First Aid for animals RUV4512A Conduct Companion Animal Training Classes VBN806 Apply Animal Psychology to Modifiy Canine Behaviour VBN807 Investigate and Assess Canine Behaviour VBN808 Conduct Dog Obedience and Agility Classes VBN809 Identify and Manage Canine Behaviour Problems VBN810 Monitor Canine Health Care VBN811 Teach Dogs Complex Skills and Tricks VBN812 Train Dogs for Basic Assisstace Roles VBN813 Train Dogs for Basic Substance Detection VBN814 Train Dogs for Basic Tracking and Trailing Points to note in comparison: The Certificate III in Dog Behaviour and Training includes some imported units (the 'RUV' units), however was largely written by the National Dog Trainers Federation to be specific to dogs, dog training and dog behaviour. The Certificate IV in Companion Animal Services was not written by Delta or Delta instructors and it is not specific to dogs, dog training or dog behaviour. Delta claim that while they deliver the training package in accordance with DEST requirements, they have customised their delivery to have a "distinct Delta orientation". When delivering a training package or unit of competency, a small amount of additional information is allowed to be included beyond what is outlined in the training package, however you are not allowed to be assessed on information given that is not in the training package, nor can you recieve any kind of nationally recognised qualification for it. As noted on their website, the Delta Society promotes the use of what they refer to as only humane methods and equipment. This basically means they advocate the 'positive only' style of training. Dogs attending the practical training elements must be on only flat collars, martingales, harnessess or headcollars. "If prospective students use or promote check chains this course will not be suitable for them". Given this, I really doubt that they teach a balance of all training styles and pieces of equipment and it certainly wouldn't be "as broad, if not broader" than that offered by the NDTF who pride themselves on covering a scientific, unbiased view of ALL styles of training and ALL types of equipment.

It's definitely a nationaly recognised qualification MM

Office of Training and Tertiary Education

RTOs are required to offer and assess both RPL and RPE. In the simplest of terms I believe RPL is a direct credit transfer ie you have previously completed that same module and are granted credit upon proof. If that isn't the case you are still able to apply for Recognition of Prior Experience where you can give evidence as to why you meet the criteria for assessment against specific modules. If a registered training organisation refuses to assess you for either RPL or RPE you can complain to OTTE.

Just a guess, but perhaps officeworks, or some type of office suply store?

I received the following email from Von Forell last week that you may be interested in: I would have had a look at the catalogue myself to see if it has what you are after, but sadly I'm shaped until the end of the month It sounds like they would have what you are after though, or be able to get it.