Beginner and Intermediate Training

Offering a Unique Training Experience

Puppies go through a crucial learning window between 4–12 weeks. Ideally they’d always meet others matched for age, confidence, and maturity — but even puppies of the same age and breed can be at very different developmental stages. What truly matters isn’t just social contact, but how those interactions are managed.

With over 36 years’ experience, we’ve learned that large, mixed puppy groups racing around may look fun, but often overwhelm many dogs. Not every puppy enjoys constant attention, and smaller or less confident pups can quickly feel anxious. Our calm, controlled outdoor one-to-one sessions provide safety, guidance, and the right level of challenge — helping puppies develop coping skills that last into adulthood.

Training should begin as soon as vaccinations are complete, in a relaxed, pressure-free environment. Done correctly, early socialisation builds confidence and prevents unwanted habits. It isn’t complicated — but allowing a puppy to learn naturally, without over-handling or interference, can be surprisingly difficult without the right guidance.

After 36 years of training dogs all over the world we have taken the decision to only offer 1-1 training as the results we achieve are far superior to a class/group environment and owners also learn and cope much better.

We now offer 4 x 1-1 sessions after puppies are fully vaccinated  We recommend your puppy is Kennel Cough Vaccinated. If in doubt please contact us or your vet.

Areas covered in the sessions are:

Pulling on the lead
Sitting, lying down, stand (optional),
Recalls
Socialisation
The course will enable you to give your dog a well balanced, non – pressured learning experience resulting in a fruitful relation between dog and owner. However this course is only the beginning. We would recommend at least another 4 sessions, to enable us to cover the different puppy stages and address stronger working instincts as your puppy reaches maturity. Often 6 months is the prominent age when behaviour starts to alter.

These sessions will firstly focus on:
consolidating the training done in the first 4 sessions. As puppies develop, their instincts to work/hunt become stronger and present as more challenging behaviour, sometimes defiance and other times ignorant. Exercises will focus on work related tasks that will provide your dog will mental stimulation and decision making such as scent, retrieve, human scent, stop on recall, advanced stays up to two minutes, heal-work off the lead (where appropriate), clicker training (not routine). Our philosophy is that it is better to teach your dog that you share a fun activity rather than simply telling them to do as you demand.

Following a detailed assessment, you are invited to attend 4 x 1 hour sessions that address both basic and advanced obedience techniques leading to introduction to sheep. Part of the programme will be to teach you about livestock behaviour. We use the term “livestock”generically as the same hunting and reactive behaviour can be seen with people, dogs, birds and so on.

It is likely, that in the event that your dog’s obedience is not advanced enough that 4 more sessions will be required.  Where possible we will endeavour to fast track sessions and to enable this we will provide you with a comprehensive training pack and a suitable video series access for 12 months.

Have you ever wondered why your perfectly calm well behaved dog suddenly changes personality as soon as it sets foot outside your front door?
Many dogs behave uncharacteristically when outdoors and if you find that your daily walks are plagued with problems such as your dog running off into hedges or another field or after other dogs, rabbits, or even displays aggression towards other dogs then the following sessions are for you.
Following a thorough assessment of you and your dog’s needs we will offer the following sessions exploring the natural abilities of your dog and how to manage the difficulties when you are out and about in the wonderful British countryside.
A home visit lasting approximately 3 hours, working through your assessment and showing you various techniques designed to alleviate your problems
Three subsequent hour long sessions either at your home, or local park.
The emphasis will not be on control, rather you will be taught the finer points, of what to expect during walks, how to predict problems and keep your dog safe and at the same time managing your own stress levels and maximising your enjoyment.

Are there health benefits of neutering?

Over the last 10-15 years, it has become common practice for dogs to be spayed or castrated as early as 3-6 months. Historically Vets advised these procedures to be carried out after 12 months for males or after the first season for bitches. Many are returning to the old ways. Research has shown that there are many disadvantages to doing this too early and discussions should be had with your vet to ascertain both the advantages and disadvantages, not just of castrating early but to carry out the procedure in the first place. You should also do your own research online from reputable sources. In my experience, I have not noticed any benefits to early castration of male dogs under 12 months whilst females with nervous anxious tendencies have often become worse and more aggressive. Of course, an entire male can pose challenging behaviour but a high standard of training will help manage these.

The most important consideration to keep in mind when deciding if and at what age to neuter a dog is to consider all the health and disease information on an individual basis.

Information from Laura J Stanborn

Health Benefits from Neutering

  • Reduced risk (<1%) of dying from testicular cancer Reduced risk for non-cancerous prostate conditions (ie benign prostate hyperplasia)
  • Reduced risk for perianal fistulas Health Risks from Neutering Increased risk for osteosarcoma (bone cancer) when neutered before 1 year of age.
  • Increased risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma Increased risk for hypothyroidism Increased risk for progressive geriatric cognitive impairment
  • Increased risk for obesity Increased risk for prostate cancer Increased risk for urinary tract cancers
  • Increased risk for orthopaedic disorders Increased risk for adverse reactions to vaccinations.
  • FREE LEAD AND COLLAR TRAINING
  • We now offer a FREE 10 minute one-one consultation to all new puppy owners to show you how to correctly lead & collar train your puppy.

    Many problems have their roots at this stage of training.

    Worried about vaccinations? Most problems are caused during this period of training around 8-12 weeks of age.

    Call us to discuss.

    Tel: 07530 439 561

  • BE CAREFUL OF PUPPY PARTIES
  • Read what clients have to say about Puppy Parties

    Members who have attended these regularly report the following problems:

    “My dog runs off to see other dogs”

    “My dog doesn’t come back”

    “My dog snaps at other dogs when approached”

    Please send us our views on your experience at Puppy Parties

    Email: nij@bertiedogs.com