Morning all!
It's great to have you on board :) I'm looking forward to meeting you soon. In the mean time this group is where I'll communicate information with you relevant to our course. So please check back here regularly so you don't miss anything.
To start us off, here are a few things to start being across in preparation for our time together:
1. Start spending time with your dog.
Hands down, the number one factor which will make this training easier for you is to have a really solid relationship with them prior to the course starting. If they're a backyard only dog, please consider bringing them inside - even if only on lead. What happens for dogs that live only in the backyard, when they come to our training they find it hard to learn as they are just so excited to be with you, there's limited space for them to actually learn.
2. If you haven't already, please purchase yourself a halti (a word on the branding- I don't recommend the halti branded halti, the only commercial brands I recommend are the Stylish Hound Haltis - if you use the discount code: ANNIESDOGS10 you'll receive a 10% discount off them starting next week; or the Blackdog brand. Though I encourage locals to buy direct from Jacqui Harrison. As her haltis are great. She charges $35. Otherwise you can purchase her halti through me and I charge $42, I'll have them at the course for you to collect.
3. Also if you haven't already, please fill out and return the registration form.
4. If you have a friend with a dog, why not share the course with them. You will receive $50 off for helping another person sign up. :)
5. One of the commands I'll teach your dog in the course is to drop (ie lay down)- don't stress if your dog doesn't know it, I'll teach them. But if you'd like to get a head start, teaching them to drop is a good place to start. Also, when teaching please take them to other areas - not just your house - to make them drop. This is because drop is one of the most vulnerable of positions for your dogs to go into. So practising outside of your home helps your dog develop trust in you. Which is the biggest thing you'll both learn in this course: how to develop trust together.
6. If you could share a photo of your dog in the comments and introduce yourself that would be awesome. Please also share something you're hoping to get out of the course.
Your course dates are Jan 11-14.