Puppy Traning In S/east Melbourne?

[Sticks1977]

This is my first post and I am very new to dog and puppy ownership. 'Fraser' was picked up from the breeders on 21st July from Longwarry, Victoria. He is a chocolate labrador and apart from a few episodes of biting and playing up he has been an absolute joy to have around the house and as a companion.

He is just on 9 weeks of age today and I am looking to enrol him into Puppy Pre School and Obedience after that. I have been browsing a few dog obedience clubs on the web but I just do not know what to look for and how good some of them are at what they do. Hence why I thought I would come here!

The few I have found so far are:

Australian Dog Traning (Berwick)

Knox Obedience Club (Knox)

Paw Behaviour (Carrum)

So far Australian Dog Traning seem to be more professional and the class at Berwick on a Saturday morning is perfect for me and my partner as we work during the week. However, after reading some posts on this forum about their methods of teaching and some experiences people have had - I am not so sure.

We are currently living in Cranbourne West, Victoria. I have already booked Fraser in for his second round of vaccinations on 21st August at Casey and Cranbourne Veterinary Hospital. They have a Puppy Pre-School but the next available timeslot is at 4.00pm on Wednesday 22nd August which does not really sit too well with our timetable - since both of us are at work.

Any advice on dog training or puppy pre-school would be fantastic - me and my partner are not really looking to have Fraser be super-obedient, we just want the basics that he will be able to heel, come to us when called and overall just be a very happy dog to have around and live with. At the moment he is asleep on his matt so I better submit this post and then get back to him and see how he is doing.

Regards,

Shaun (Sticks1977), Gaylene and Fraser.

[Cosmolo]

Congrats on your new pup!! I would suggest contacting Erny from this forum as she is out your way and can point you in the right direction- with any training not just with puppy training. We run puppy schools but they would be about a 35 minute drive from you.

[Lablover]

As a new dog owner, pre puppy school, can be educational more for the owner than the puppy. Smaller groups, with same age/size pups is best. Telephone vets in your area.

Berwick Obedience, for more formal lessons, is an option.

[Purpley]

There is Berwick Obedience Dog Club, they train on saturdays.

Westernport Obedience - they train on a sunday I think and they train at KCC. No website as yet, but you can contact Western Port Obedience Dog Club Inc

BH Phone: 9782 2593 Club

Southern Obedience in Bangholme - they train on wednesday nights, and sunday mornings.

[Arya]

Also depending on where you are there is Frankston Dog Obedience in Mclelland Drive in Frankston - sort of between Fston and Cranbourne really. Then there is Hastings Obedience Dog Club if you are further over Hastings way. I have also heard that the AMAZING AMAZING trainer Luke Hura is looking to set up a dog school somewhere around Pakenham in the near future. I really hope he is!!! Has anyone heard about this ( a little OT!!!).

Just go to a whole lot of schools and pick the one that suits you, as per the other thread. Lots and lots of schools in south east, you are lucky ;)

[Rascalmyshadow]

I would HIGHLY recommend PAW Behaviour, I have just finished a class with Jenny and she has taught me more about positive training in 8 weeks than in the 12 years I have been working with dogs.

She is also about to start up a walking group for any one that has done her classes to help keep the dogs well socialised.

Her classes are a lot of fun and she also gives you a try at a small agility course (suitable for puppies). I have been to several obedience shools and so far none as good as hers also there is no more than 8 dogs in a class so you get a lot of one on one.

[Staff'n'Toller]

;) for Jenny Wilcox - Paw Behaviour.

I train at Berwick but it's not the best place for young pups....once you are up to young dog obedience they would be more suitable.

Mel.

Edited August 1, 2007 by Staff'n'Toller

[Erny]

I have also heard that the AMAZING AMAZING trainer Luke Hura is looking to set up a dog school somewhere around Pakenham in the near future. ... Has anyone heard about this ( a little OT!!!).

No - hadn't heard this. I did attend his seminar recently and at the risk of sounding arrogant (unintentionally), I came away with having learnt nothing from it - zip. That has never happened to me before ..... even seminars that weren't that great, I usually leave with some snippet or other and that makes it worthwhile.

Edited August 2, 2007 by Erny

[Sardog]

Erny, what was the theme of Luke's seminar?

[Erny]

Sardog - Motivational Dog Training

[jesomil]

No - hadn't heard this. I did attend his seminar recently and at the risk of sounding arrogant (unintentionally), I came away with having learnt nothing from it - zip. That has never happened to me before ..... even seminars that weren't that great, I usually leave with some snippet or other and that makes it worthwhile.

Sorry to go a touch OT but i too was surprised when i went to seminar of his on motivational training and tricks. I was surprised on many levels as i had heard so many great things about him. I didnt find him any different than anyone else who trains in the same fashion and came away with zip too.

[Kelpie-i]

I must admit that I haven't heard anything amazing about his techniques either from others who have seen him in action. Luke is an animal wrangler on the set of TV commercials and some movies - now there's a job I'd love to have!!