Everyone who has trained at the Doggy School throughout this year is welcome. Class will cost the normal £5 for the session. There will be games and prizes up for grabs.

We are holding a Secret Santa this year as well so if you want to participate then please bring along a present for a dog that costs no more than a fiver!

We raised £70 for Battersea Dogs Home so thank you to everyone who made this possible by donating.

• 28 May
• 18 June

Beginners Scent workshops
These are workshops for intermediate dogs and will take place during class times on the following dates:

• 21 May
• 28 May

Email now to book your place!

The Elmbridge Council have introduced new dog control orders which are in force in local parks so make sure you understand them.

Extract taken from: http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/leisure/parks/dogs.htm

In order to provide a safer and cleaner environment for residents and visitors and following consultation with the public and residents, Elmbridge Borough Council has introduced four new Dog Control Orders which will come into force on 24 May 2011. The new orders, introduced under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, will replace the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 and other byelaws concerning dogs.
|Areas / open spaces affected by Dog Control Orders

The four orders are:
|a) Fouling of Land by Dogs or Failing to remove Dog Faeces

If a dog defecates at any time on the land and a person who is in charge of the dog at that time fails to immediately remove the faeces from the land, that person will be guilty of an offence. This means you must clean up after your dog, or a dog under your control, if the dog fouls in this area.
|Check the areas affected by the Fouling of Land by Dogs or Failing to remove Dog Faeces Order.
|Some exemptions to the Fouling of Land by Dogs or Failing to remove Dog Faeces Order apply.

|b) Dogs on Leads Order

A person in charge of a dog will be guilty of an offence if he does not have his dog on a lead.This means that you must keep your dog, or a dog under your control, on a lead in this area.
|Check the areas affected by the Dogs on Leads Order.
|Some exemptions to the Dogs on Leads Order apply.

|c) Dogs Exclusion Order

If an owner takes a dog into or permits a dog to enter or to remain in this area where dogs are excluded, he will be guilty of an offence. This means that you must not take a dog onto land or facilities where a dog exclusion zone operates.
|Check the areas affected by the Dogs Exclusion Order.
|Some exemptions to the Dogs Exclusion Order apply.

|d) Maximum Number of Dogs

If a person, in charge of more than one dog, takes more than 4 (four) dogs onto land, he will be guilty of an offence. This means that you must not have more than four dogs under your control (at any one time) in areas where dogs are allowed.
|Check the areas affected by the Maximum number of Dogs Order.
|Some exemptions to the Maximimum Number of Dogs Order apply.
|Exemptions of Dog Control Orders

Fixed penalty

The Fixed Penalty Notice for failing to comply with a dog control order(s) is £75. The fine will be reduced to £50 if payment is made within 14 days. If you fail to pay the Fixed Penalty Notice, you might be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000.

During classes on the 9th and 16th April we will run through these exercises for points. So start practising now.

Exercise 1: Down stay

Available points:

• 30 secs next to your dog – 5 points
• 30 secs 2 steps away from your dog – 10 points
• 1 minute 2 steps away from your dog – 15 points

Exercise 2: Heel work, leave dog in sit, circle front, heel work

Available points:

• Loose lead the whole exercise – 5 points
• Whole exercise completed cleanly – 10 points
• Exercise off lead – 15 points

Exercise 3: Recall – finish
Available points:

• Guided finish and sit – 5 points
• Guided finish and straight sit – 10 points
• Exercise off lead – 15 points

Exercise 4: Sit, down, Stand
Available points:

• Sit, down, sit – 5 points
• Sit, down, sit away from dog – 10 points
• Sit, down, sit, stand away from dog – 15 points

Exercise 5: Retrive an article
Available points:

• Basic retrieve – 5 points
• Basic retrieve 3 metres – 10 points
• Wait, through, release, retrieve 3 metres – 15 points

Dates
There will be a break from puppy classes until Spring 2012. New dates will be posted in March for an April start.

• Beginners classes starting – 12,19 November
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – 17 and 24 September
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – 23 July
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – Saturday 04th June – closed
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – Saturday 07th May – closed
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – Saturday 09th April – closed
• Beginners, Puppy Classses – Saturday 12th March – closed
• Intermediate classes run weekly on Saturdays

What we do in class?

The course runs for 8 lessons and by the end of this time you and your dog will be doing basic walking to heel, sit down, stand, puppy recalls, puppy stays, how to enter and leave through a doorway. I also answer all questions through the class and can tailor and work on any problem you may be having at home.

Families are encouraged to come to training class together – one person will train at a time but you can switch in and out!

Where do we train?

Classes are held in an outdoor venue in Surbiton. Please email for more details.

Next steps

Please email thedoggyschool@gmail.com to sign your dog up for registration now.

I would like to thank all my students and their willing dogs for a wonderful year. I have had an amazing time training everyone. Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year. I will see you all in 2011.

Thanks to everyone who put on their snow gear and joined me for our Christmas party lesson.