John Rogerson

21 Day Dog Trainer/Behaviourist Course

This course is limited to a maximum of 20 students. You should be conversant with training procedures, have a good understanding of the various competitions that are available as well as having knowledge of the UK Kennel Club Good Citizen Test or the American KC Good Citizen Test (CGC). Following the course description, I will have a questionnaire for you to answer as it is vital that everyone who attends the course is about the same level so that individuals do not get left behind.

The first phase of the course looks at basic training both in theory and in practice. You will be working with specially selected dogs. You will not work with any dog with which you have had even a passing relationship (i.e. bringing someone else’s dog to the workshop). On this phase of the course, we will look at approaching many problems from a training perspective. How can you have a dog that is dog or people aggressive when outside the house, if it is trained to sit when told, walk correctly on the lead and come when called? Because we will be working with the more difficult dogs (i.e. not your own), it will allow you to develop better personal handling, training and communication skills. John believes that if YOU cannot handle a dog and get it to behave in a particular way, it will be impossible to teach the OWNER to carry out any behaviour modification procedures.

There will also be lectures to supplement the practical sessions and some self study in the afternoon and/or evenings. You will work in small groups to discuss various related topics and then have the opportunity to put your theories into practice.

Phase Two of the course begins to focus on behaviour problems and we will look at diagnosing and modifying bad behaviour. You will be shown how to train dogs for very specific and specialised tasks, some of which will take place outside in public. On this phase of the course you will be working with a dog trained by someone else during the first phase and you will be responsible for advancing the training.

To supplement the practical and theoretical sections, there will also be a great deal of self study.

Phase Three takes a more in depth look at behaviour counselling and instructing owners. You will be working with some dogs whose owners may be experiencing training and behaviour problems with their dogs. There will be in-house group consultations (groups of four), plus reports and programs to write out for owners to follow. You will also be required to deliver a short lecture to a selected audience. The final phase of training looks at training dogs for more specialised tasks such as tracking, search and rescue, scent detection, hearing dog work etc.

All dogs are supplied locally and pre-selected by the course organiser. Over the 21 days, your dog assignment will change one or more times. You are responsible for all of the training and daytime exercise of the dog allocated at each phase of the training course.

So if you want a fabulous all inclusive doggy holiday in India (airfare not included) where you can learn the finer nuances of dog training and behaviour in a picture postcard setting with sunshine every day then this is the course for you. Nowhere in the world will you find a more cost effective, comprehensive relaxing dog training/behaviour course where you can also end up with a great sun tan!

Interested? Just fill in the questionnaire and email me at the address below.

1. Tell me about your own dogs, both past and present.
2. What classes have you attended with your dog:
• As a Student:
• As Assistant Instructor:
• As Instructor:
3. Have you ever worked (even as a volunteer) at a shelter taking dogs out of kennels or as a dog walker?
4. Have you handled dogs on a regular basis as a Veterinary Technician or breed show handler?
5. What do you know about the following areas of specialised Training? Guide Dogs, Hearing dogs, Therapy dogs, Search and Rescue, Assistance dogs for the Disable, Police Dogs, Drug Dogs, etc.?
6. Are you familiar with Obedience Trials, Tracking Tests, Agility, Flyball, Gundog Trials, etc.?