Dog Obedience In Melbourne

[Kirty]

Hi guys, I live in Kilsyth and am in need of some obedience lessons for my Dane. I would love to go and see a professional trainer again but I just cannot afford it right now. My dog is a timid Great Dane who, now her fear is improving, is getting pushy. I want to get her socialised and start her formal obedience at a club somewhere localish. Any recommendations? My friend goes to Croydon but was disappointed. I used to go to Knox and was fairly happy with them, but I had a 'normal' dog then. Any other suggestions for places/strategies appreciated!!

[haven]

As you are concerned about behavioural issues, I'd make the trip to Berwick to see either Erny at Pro K9 or some of the old ADT trainers at K9IQ (that last is just a link to a newspaper article, but it has contact details down the bottom. I don't know if they have a website, I couldn't find one). As far as I know both run group classes but you get the benefit of qualified trainers with lots of knowledge and experience in treating problem behaviours. Would take you about 30-40 minutes roughly from Kilsyth, I used to do it from my place in about 40 minutes on a Saturday morning. There may be something closer, but nothing I have personal knowledge of that I feel confident in recommending.

[Austerra]

Try Julija Kinghorn of Southern Cross Animal Stars, she is based in Rowville, qualified as animal behaviourist. Google her website for contact details.

[Cosmolo]

Hi Kirty- Knowing the dog you're referring to, i think you'd be better off going to professional group training. I know $$ is a limiting factor but if you would like to, send me an email and perhaps we can try to work something out. I don't know first hand of any obedience clubs in your area that could competently deal with the issues. Perhaps head down and watch a class at Knox and see if there are any dogs there with similar issues and how they handle them? Otherwise any of the options mentioned would be good ones, our classes in Clayton are about the same distance wise as the others too.

[Kirty]

I'd love to come to your classes, but I work on Saturdays. :D Knox are great in the puppy classes, they use all positive methods but then for some reason they switch to choker chains and corrections when you go up? Phoebe is actually doing really well and can cope with corrections, I really want to go for socialisation not so much the training aspect. Although she would do with some training cos she is naughty! LOL!

[missmoo]

Hi Kirty,

You can also try The K9 Company, they are out Eltham way and run classes on Sunday morning and Tuesday nights.

cheersm

MM