Welcome to the Western Suburbs Dog Training Club
Where you learn how to train and improve your relationship with your dog through fun and games while teaching good manners
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ABOUT US
Western Suburbs Dog Training Club was established in 1974. The Club is a non-profit volunteer club, run by an elected Committee, instructors and members who work with the dog owning community as respon
sible owners and trainers. Instructors and assistants have wide experience and are encouraged to attend continuing education to ensure they are up to date with current thoughts and methods of animal training. They also train and participate themselves in a range of dog sports such as agility, flyball, rally, herding and freestyle. The committee meets regularly and general meetings are held at the ground every 2 months. The AGM is held in September.
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MEMBERSHIP
The Club’s constitution sets out the levels of membership and the rights and responsibilities of membership. There is a fee for the Beginners Pet Dog 4 week class which includes your Club associate membership application. If you wish to join any other class you will complete an application for associate membership of the Club, pay a joining and annual membership fee and then a small fee when you attend class. In accordance with the Club’s constitution, renewal of membership is required before 30 June each year. For more information about membership and fees, please contact us by email [email protected].
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TRAINING
To join our classes your dog must be fully vaccinated. PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION PAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT TO BRING TO TRAINING AND HOW TO PAY. Pet Dog Classes
Pet Dog Classes on Sunday mornings use current scientifically proven methods of positive reinforcement as advocated by top veterinary behaviourists. This builds a better handler/dog relationship and provides a relaxed training environment for members and their dogs. For more information about class times, please contact us by email [email protected]
Beginners start with a 4 week pet dog course of classes which are held on Sunday mornings - you must book a place in this course. We concentrate on essential skills for a happy life together:
* walking without pulling on the lead
* reliably coming when called
* sitting and lying down when asked
* focusing on you
* home alone activities and
* food bowl manners
Beginners Pet Dog class attendees can then continue at the transition classes to improve their skills and continue their dog’s socialisation. There is also an advanced pet dog class held on Sunday mornings. We introduce modified agility and flyball training, scent work, retrieving and, subject to members’ interests, learn skills for sports such as rally and freestyle. Extreme Weather – Cancellation of Classes
Classes may be cancelled on Sundays if the temperature is over 30C or if there is heavy rain. Any change to classes will be shown on our page. Ground Rules
Dog owners are responsible for their own dogs whilst at training. You must pick up your dog faeces and dispose of in a bin (Council provides bin's just outside the training area). The Council requires that the training area is left clean for other users. Please note that the grounds are a designated “off leash” area outside training times and dogs may only be off leash in class if authorised by instructors of a class.
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FAQ
Q? For Pet Dog classes, we train on Sunday mornings. The actual class time can change with the time of year so please contact us for the current times. Your must book into the Pet Dog beginners course by sending an email requesting a place in the course [email protected]. The course is often fully booked with a waiting list so don't delay! After completion of the four week course, beginners may be able to come to the next level class, which builds on what you have learned plus introduces more advanced cues, scent work and basic agility. There is also an advanced class held on Sunday mornings. All these classes normally run from February to the end of November. Our training location is Bressington Park, Underwood Rd Homebush NSW 2140 – opposite the DFO Shopping Centre and near Sydney Olympic Park. How many classes are there? The beginners Pet Dog course runs for four weeks (booking essential). Once you are a member your trainers will advise which class you can attend. Is parking available at Bressington Park? The Council has meter parking in a large car park at Bressington Park. The parking meters use a "pay by plate" system, using the number plate to identify how long the vehicle has been parked for. This system does not print tickets and is cashless, meaning a credit/debit card will be needed for payment. For information see Strathfield Council's website or contact Council's Customer Service on 9748 9999. How much does training cost and how do I pay? The 4 week Beginners Pet Dog Course has a basic fee of $80 for one adult and one dog. The Club's bank account details will be sent to you when your place in the next course is offered. We do encourage additional family members to attend as consistency with training gives your dog the best chance of learning. There are small additional course fees for other family members attending and involved with class work. Please email us requesting a list of the fees if more than one person is going to attend the course. After payment of joining and membership fees, attendees of the other classes (transition & advanced) pay a small cash fee per class per dog at the class. What do I need to bring to class? Exact cash for the class fee (transition and advanced classes) unless you have paid this by direct credit (preferred to avoid handling money).
2. Your dog’s soft collar and lead. We can advise you if there are more suitable items to use, (eg front attach harness), if there is potential damage to your dog if it pulls on lead.
3. Suitable food rewards for use in training (and probably more than you think you need). Eg 4 Legs meatballs, Prime100roll, air dried dog food, small pieces of cheese, devon, sausage, etc - you need to be able to reward your dog with tiny pieces - mixed with your dog's normal dry food. It is best if you do not feed your dog on just before you come so your dog concentrates on you and your food rewards rather than the other dogs.
4. A waist bag for fast access to the rewards, (use a clip lock plastic bag inside the waist bag). You need to be able to keep your hands free.
5. Plastic bags to clean up after your dog. What footwear is suitable for training? Please wear suitable shoes, ie closed in shoes, trainers or similar. Loose sandals etc are not suitable for moving about the field with your dog.
