At K9 Trickstas we started the Training Foundation Class for puppies up to 12 months old in a new location, Totara Park, in early January. After the first two sessions we had a break for the Auckland Anniversary Weekend but we will be back at training next weekend which falls on Waitangi Weekend.
After the Training Foundation Class finishes on the Valentine’s Day we will start the Good Manners Beginners Class on the following weekend on the 20th February! The Good Manners Class also runs over four-week class. In this term it is going to be on Saturdays. The venue is likely to be back at our usual training location, Walters Strevens Reserve, but the second session on the 27th will be at Dogs NZ Auckland Exhibition Centre on Papakura-Clevedon Road.
Good Manners Beginners Class is designed to guide you to help your dog become a well-mannered canine member of the society by learning exercises assessed in the Foundation level of the Purina Pro Plan Canine Good Citizen program run by Dogs New Zealand. Assessments for CGC certifications are held several times a year at dog training clubs, including our local Manukau Dog Training Club. The well-designed program consisting of four levels - Foundation, Bronze, Silver, and Gold - offers great guidelines for your dog’s training even if you don’t intend to participate in the assessments.
Exercises in the Foundation level of CGC include:
Appearance and Grooming
Food manners
Accepting Friendly Strangers
Walking in a controlled manner with distractions and through people
Stay tied
Control around other dogs
If you would like to work toward CGC certifications, I recommend that you repeat the class a few times. I offer a big discount for people who repeat the class. ($120 for first timers and $80 for repeaters)
