Woodville Community Dog Training Centre

02/01/2025

WCDTC Memberships are now available for our first training cycle for 2025. Classes start on 2nd February, weather permitting.
Our first Induction will be on Tuesday, 28th January at 7 p.m. for new members.
Access our online Membership page through our Home page if you are interested in joining us!! 😊🐕🐾

02/01/2025

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Living with dogs involves understanding and meeting their emotional, physical, and social needs, not just teaching behaviours. It’s about building trust, recognising their natural instincts, and providing enrichment through activities like sniffing, exploring, and play. Supporting their well-being means creating a safe, nurturing environment that helps them live the life they deserve.

02/01/2025

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Theory Thursday

Training isn’t about rushing to the finish line—it’s about building skills step by step. These steps, called “approximations,” help animals (including humans) learn in a way that’s manageable and stress-free. Each small success adds up, leading to the bigger picture.

By breaking any skill into small, achievable steps, learning can occur without anyone becoming confused or frustrated.

But here’s the key: be flexible. If your learner is struggling, don’t push them to the next step. Maybe the task is too hard, or they’re distracted by something. Adjust your approach—make the task easier, change the environment to one less distracting, or use a higher-value reinforcer.

Every learner is unique, and training plans should reflect that. Progress might not always be linear but those small wins will add up to big achievements.

Remember: training is a journey, not a race. Celebrate the small victories along the way! 🥳



* Created with the assistance of AI

31/12/2024

We hope you and your pups have a happy and safe New Year, and the fireworks aren't too long and loud tonight. 🥳🎉🎆

30/12/2024

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Dogs have natural needs that are essential for their well-being, including foraging, sniffing, playing, problem-solving, and enjoying undisturbed rest. These activities enrich their lives, support their mental and physical health, and allow them to express innate behaviours. Much like us, they thrive when their needs for exploration, fun, and relaxation are met.

29/12/2024

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29/12/2024

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As we welcome the New Year, the celebrations and fireworks can be an exciting time for us—but it can also be overwhelming for our pets. The good news? You can take steps to help your furry family members stay calm and secure. 💛

Here are some simple ways to support your pet through the noise:

🐾 Create their happy space: Think cozy blankets, a quiet room, or even a little hideaway where they feel safe.

🐾 Keep them close: Bringing pets indoors and spending time with them can work wonders. A familiar face and a calming presence make all the difference.

🐾 Distract and soothe: A favorite game, a special treat, or some soothing background music can help them relax.

🐾 Plan ahead: A quick chat with your vet could uncover helpful options for managing noise sensitivity.

🐾 Stay prepared: Make sure their ID tag and microchip details are up-to-date, just in case they decide to go on an adventure.

Every pet is different, and you know yours best. A little extra care can make New Year’s Eve just as enjoyable for them as it is for you. 💖

26/12/2024

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THEORY THURSDAY

Force-free animal care and training isn’t just about teaching—it’s about building a bond. 💕

Imagine learning a new skill with a teacher who cheers you on, rewards your successes, and never scolds your mistakes. That’s what it feels like for your animals when we train them force-free!

✨ Instead of punishing behaviours we don’t like, we teach animals what we do want using positive reinforcement like treats, toys, and praise.
✨ We understand that behaviours often come from fear, frustration, or confusion—not "stubbornness" or "dominance."

The result? Confident, happy animals who choose to work with you because they trust you.



*Created with the assistance of AI

25/12/2024

We hope you all (2 and 4 legged) have a very Merry Christmas. 🤶🏻🎅🏻🎄😊🐶

21/12/2024

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What might seem like something harmless like playing with your child and having them “ride the dog” can become dangerous very quickly especially if they try to do it by themselves unsupervised! 😬

We never want to encourage our children to sit, climb or jump on your dog, even if your dog is seemingly tolerating it…

When this happens, we often hear “the bite came out of nowhere”

Bites can easily happen when our dog’s body language is not respected and we always want to make sure we are not putting our dogs in situations we know might make them uncomfortable like a child sitting or jumping on them!

We always want to remind our children to “Sit On The Ground, NOT The Hound” and help them find other ways to interact safely with our dogs! 🐶

✏️ Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

19/12/2024

WCDTC Members are advised that there will be a temporary Dog Park closure for all users from Monday, 13th January until Friday, February 7th.
During this time a long overdue replacement Irrigation system will be installed, resulting in long term benefits for all Park users.
For safety reasons CCS has asked
that all users make other arrangements during that time. Signage will be placed on all gates asap.
CCS has arranged special limited access for WCDTC members to attend Week 1
of training on 2nd February 2025 should weather permit.
We thank you for your support.

Leann Hoppo
PRESIDENT/INSTRUCTOR
WCDTC

18/12/2024

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🙀 Did you know that snail bait is a significant pet poisoning hazard?

In Australia and New Zealand, most snail baits contain either metaldehyde, methiocarb or iron. Dogs may find these products appetising and will ingest large amounts (even an entire box) if given the chance to do so. Some products may be labelled as pet friendly, whilst others incorporate a bittering agent to deter ingestion. In our experience these bittering agents do not stop curious dogs and whilst some snail baits are considered safer than others, it is important to note that a large ingestion of any of these products may result in life-threatening poisoning.

We would like to remind all pet owners about the safe use of such products. To prevent snail bait poisoning in your pets;

✅ Ensure your pets never have access to snail bait packaging. Many of these products are available in cardboard boxes and can easily be chewed through.

✅ Use as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Do not sprinkle excessive quantities or heap pellets in any particular area. Applying more than recommended can drastically increase the risk to pets.

✅ Be careful not to sprinkle any pellets onto pedestrian pathways next to your garden. Passing dogs may find these highly appetising and you may inadvertently poison someone else’s pet.

✅ Consider pesticide free solutions such as manually removing snails.

The Animal Poisons Helpline provides free advice to pet owners in Australia and can be reached on ☎️1300 869 738 (AU), 0800 869 738 (NZ), 3106 4216 (SG) or (917) 722-5958 (US). If you are a member of a veterinary team in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore or the United States, you can join the Animal Poisons Centre For Vets Facebook group which is regularly updated with toxicology tidbits and poisoning trends. We thank the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development for supporting this post.

17/12/2024

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‘Perhaps our language needs to shift so that we no longer ‘walk the dog’ but rather choose, very deliberately, with loving attentiveness, to ‘walk with the dog.’ Suzanne Clothier

Thank you Clothier I appreciate your role as an inspiration and educator, as well as your advocacy for the well-being of all creatures.

16/12/2024

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Sleep and relaxation are often overlooked but vital components of your dog’s overall enrichment amd well-being. While physical exercise and mental stimulation are essential, quality rest is equally critical for your dog’s health and happiness. Dogs typically need 12–14 hours of sleep each day, with puppies, senior dogs, and certain breeds requiring even more.

Why Sleep Matters for Dogs

Cognitive Benefits: Sleep helps dogs process and retain what they’ve learned, particularly after training sessions.

Emotional Well-being: Rest helps regulate mood and reduce stress, making dogs calmer and more balanced.

Physical Recovery: Quality sleep is essential for immune function, cellular repair, and overall recovery.

Relaxation as Enrichment

Relaxation isn’t just about sleep—it’s also about giving your dog opportunities to wind down and recharge. Calming activities like sniffing walks, puzzle toys, or simply resting in a peaceful spot allow dogs to reset mentally and physically. Incorporating these moments into their daily routine supports their long-term well-being.

How to Support Rest and Relaxation

Provide a comfortable, quiet sleeping space.

Stick to a predictable routine for exercise, meals, and sleep.

Encourage calming behaviours with cues like "settle" or "relax."

Offer enrichment activities like scent-based games to help them transition to rest.

By prioritising rest and downtime as part of your dog’s enrichment, you’re helping them stay healthier, happier, and more fulfilled.