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Surrey Dog Training Society - Obedience Section

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Surrey Dog Training Society - Obedience Section

The Home of Surrey Dog Training Society's Obedience Section
Competitive obedience classes

Surrey DTS We train on Thursday nights from 7.00pm to 9.pm .

Surrey Dog Training society started as an independent club in January 1955. Like many other long-established training groups it was originally a branch of ASPADS (Associated Sheep, Police and Army Dog Societies) which in turn had grown out of wartime use of german shepherd dogs (alsatians) for guarding and searching etc. ASPADS ran working trial competitions through various branches all over the country from 1924. Surrey decided to go independent in 1955 so that the subscriptions of the pet owners who formed the majority at its obedience classes would be used directly for their benefit. But the competitive aspect of dog training which dominated ASPADS was not lost by this change. Surrey DTS has been running working trials since 1957 and is still organising two open and two championship trials every year. In 1957 the breeds placed in the competition were the Labrador, the GSD, the Great Dane, the Border Collie/Working Sheepdog, the Poodle, and the Golden Retriever. Now the placed breeds often include the Weimeraner, the Vizla, the Rottweiler, Belgian Shepherds, and the Springer Spaniel, as well as enthusiasts with, for example, a Sheltie, Border Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,Gordon Setter, Schnauzer, or Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever. Surrey added to its competitive diary in 1959 when it ran its first Championship Obedience Show, which still features every year in June although it has long outgrown the early homes at Tillingbourne School and Guildford & Godalming Rugby Club. When agility started some thirty years ago the Society also embraced that activity, and runs an open agility show in the summer. The Society remains a nucleus in West Surrey for people who want to take part in organised group activities with their pets. It has survived over fifty years thanks to the voluntary efforts of dedicated members and it is to be hoped that it will still be there in 2055! This is the face book page of the Surrey DTS Obedience section. Are classes are run by our group of volunteer trainers , who have a wealth of knowledge and years of expriace of working with dogs. They attend courses, workshops and seminars regularly to keep up with all aspects of modern training ideas and techniques . We are very proud to say that we are modern , progressive ethical trainers using reward based training and force free methods of training. Our classes are designed to prepare you for competitive obedience. we are happy to help at all levels from those who have never competed to those who just want to brush up on their skills for the higher classes. http://www.surreydogtrainingsociety.org.uk/

(We would ask that if you do not get a reply straight away, please bare with us . All are members and trainers have jobs , and Surrey DTS is run by people who also work and have families. We will get back to you asap , but it might take a few days!)

01/11/2026

🍂🐾 November noses at the ready!

Here’s what’s coming up at Surrey Dog Training Society — a month of sniffing, learning and building those brilliant partnerships! 💙

📅 5 November — No class
We’re taking a break for Bonfire Night. Wishing you and your dogs a calm, cosy evening at home. 🏡

👃 12 November — Scent Work
Put those super sniffers to work with Alison Edwards!

🏵️ 19 November — RKC Good Citizen Class
With Paula Foakes • 7–7.45pm

🐕 19 November — Beginners’ Scent Work
With Alison Edwards • 8–9pm

🐾 26 November — Obedience
Build your teamwork with Paula Foakes.

Friendly faces, wagging tails and rewarding training — all levels welcome! 🐶

📩 Enquiries: [email protected]
🌐 surreydts.co.uk

01/11/2026

🎃👻 TRAINING ROOM REPORT — 29/10/26 👻🎃

Five Thursdays in October? The perfect excuse for some extra sniffing! 🐾🔍

Our scent work trainer, Alison Edwards, treated our intermediate and advanced classes to a spooktacular extra session, complete with ghosts, ghouls, spiders, witches and skeletons… and gun oil hides lurking among the props! 🕷️🧙‍♀️💀

The mission? Follow your nose, no matter who—or what—is watching! 👀👃

Behind the Halloween fun was some valuable training: unusual props and novel hiding places gave our teams opportunities to build confidence, practise their problem-solving skills and strengthen those all-important indications in the face of distractions. 🙌

A big thank you to Alison for putting together an evening of tricks, treats and talented noses! 🧡🐾

28/10/2026

Helping Animals Through Fireworks - Halloween is nearly here, and while fireworks can be exciting for people, they can be frightening for many animals.

If your dog or cat struggles with loud noises, a little preparation can make a difference. And please remember: it is okay to comfort an animal who is afraid.

Every animal is different, but here are a few ways to help:

• Create a quiet, comfortable space where they can retreat. Close curtains and use familiar background sounds to help soften the noise.

• Keep dogs and cats safely indoors, and plan walks and outdoor time before fireworks are likely to begin.

• Let your animal choose where they feel most comfortable. Some may want to be close to you; others may prefer a quiet hiding place.

• If your animal enjoys touch, try slow, gentle TTouch. Ear TTouch or Zebra TTouch may be helpful. Watch their response and pause or stop if they prefer not to be touched.

• A TTouch Body Wrap may provide helpful sensory input for some animals. Introduce it gradually before fireworks begin, and only use it if your animal is comfortable wearing it. Stay with them while they wear it.

If your animal experiences severe fear, speak with your veterinarian about additional support. You don’t have to manage it alone.

For more ideas, read Toni Shelbourne’s article on helping dogs and cats through fireworks:
https://www.ttouch.ca/dogs/4th-of-july-blues-helping-dogs-cats-with-firework-phobia/

For a more in-depth approach, explore Toni’s self-paced online course, Applied TTouch: Fear of Fireworks and Other Loud Noises:
https://learn.ttouch.ca/product/applied-tellington-ttouch-fear-of-fireworks-with-toni-shelbourne/

A little understanding and preparation can help us support our animals when the world feels overwhelming.

14/10/2026

🐾 Rally ready, good citizens and spooky sniffing!

October at Surrey Dog Training Society is packed with opportunities to learn, have fun and enjoy time with your dog! 💙

🎬 15 October | Rally | 7–9pm
Join Marie Patchell for filming for the online rally competition. Time to put those teamwork skills into action!

🏅 22 October | RKC Good Citizen Class | 7–7.45pm
Build everyday skills and good habits with Paula Foakes.

👃 22 October | Beginners’ Scent Work | 8–8.45pm
Let your dog’s nose lead the way with Alison Edwards!

🎃 29 October | Halloween Scent Work | 7–9pm
Join Alison Edwards for two special Halloween-themed classes. Treats, teamwork and nose-powered fun!

Friendly, supportive training with plenty of tail-wagging moments. 🐶

Find out more at www.surreydts.co.uk or email [email protected].

28/09/2026

🐾 From the Training Room: Good Citizens and busy noses!

Thursday 24 September brought two brilliant sessions to Surrey Dog Training Society.

Paula kicked off our Bronze and Silver Good Citizen group with an introduction to the scheme and a chat about what motivates our dogs. Once we’d got to know the teams, we practised loose lead walking, worked on sits and began building a stay. Paula introduced the three Ds—duration, distance and distraction—before everyone put their lead skills to work in a figure of eight around two other dog and handler teams.

Later, our beginners’ scent work dogs got busy using their noses! They practised a freeze indication on a washer, moved on to Kong scent, then searched two pipes, three pipes and finally a nine-pipe line. It was lovely to see each team take on the next challenge.

Well done to all our dogs and handlers for their focus, enthusiasm and hard work! 🐶✨

24/09/2026

🐾 Dog Law: Breeding, Selling & Rehoming 🐾

Thinking about welcoming a puppy into your family? Knowing the law can help you buy responsibly and avoid supporting irresponsible breeding.

✅ A breeding licence may be required for anyone breeding three or more litters within 12 months or operating as a dog-breeding business.

✅ Under Lucy’s Law, puppies must generally be sold directly by their breeder or rehomed through a legitimate rescue—not by a commercial third-party seller.

✅ Puppies should be at least eight weeks old before leaving their biological mother.

✅ Every puppy must be microchipped and registered before being sold or transferred, with the breeder recorded as the first keeper.

Always meet the puppy with its mother where it was born, ask questions and check the paperwork. A responsible breeder will be happy to show you how their puppies have been raised. 🐶💙

23/09/2026

🐾 Dog law made simple 🐾

Being a responsible dog owner means more than providing love and exercise. We must also meet our dogs’ welfare needs, keep them safely restrained when travelling and understand the rules surrounding banned dog types.

Take a moment to read, save and share this useful guide — because knowing the law helps keep dogs, owners and the wider community safe. 💙

22/09/2026

🐾 Walking responsibly protects dogs, livestock, wildlife and our countryside.

Keep your dog under control, use a lead around livestock, check local signs and always carry plenty of poo bags. Remember, a dog doesn’t need to bite livestock to cause harm—chasing or seriously disturbing animals can be an offence.

Enjoy your walks, respect the countryside and help keep everyone safe. 💙

21/09/2026

🐾 Dog law: identification and control 🐾

Responsible dog ownership helps keep our dogs, other animals and the wider community safe.

Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date, their identification tag is correct, and they remain safely under control wherever they are.

Small checks can make a big difference! 💙

11/09/2026

🐾 Friday Training Room Report – Super Sniffers Are Back! 🐾

Last night saw the return of our UK Sniffer Dogs scent work classes with trainer Alison Edwards—and after a short break from training, everyone was clearly ready to get those noses back to work!

We kicked off with our intermediate class and a warm-up practising free indication on a scented washer. Then it was straight into searching for three Kong hides concealed in pipes. The dogs wasted no time getting their noses down and showing us that they certainly hadn’t forgotten what to do!

Next came a familiar challenge: 12 cones arranged in a line with three hidden Kong scents. The handlers worked a lead’s length away, carefully watching their dogs for that lovely strong indication. Some dogs were particularly enthusiastic and decided that finding the correct cone wasn’t quite enough—they wanted to take it with them too! 😂

The class finished with a quick room search for Kong hides, which the dogs tackled brilliantly.

Our advanced class began with a warm-up indicating on a Kong hide concealed in a tin. They then took on the same room search, followed by a stage search for gun oil and a mixed search involving toys, cones and pipes.

The dogs and handlers worked so well that they even located a trace of gun oil from an indoor search held four months ago! Now that’s an impressive nose! 👃🐶

Next, we introduced some active searches using catnip-scented articles. Each handler chose an article, which Alison hid within the mixed search area. The dogs then had to find the correct item and bring it back to their handler. They approached the task with great enthusiasm—and, even better, they actually brought the articles back!

We ended the evening with a Kong-scented search on people—also known as putting our lovely class visitors to good use! The dogs searched each person carefully to locate the hidden scent.

A fantastic evening full of busy noses, brilliant teamwork and plenty of enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see everyone back and enjoying their scent work again!

Well done to all our super sniffers and their handlers—and thank you to Alison for another fun and varied evening! 💙🐾

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