Garelochhead Dog Training Club

24/06/2024

Unfortunately the intermediate and advanced classes are cancelled this Wednesday 26th June. Apologies to all. Puppy class will, however, go ahead as normal. Gillian

27/02/2024

Hi all,
Classes will be held as normal tomorrow (28th) but will be closed next week (6th March). Back to normal the following week. Gillian

12/12/2023

Well here we are again! 🎅 The final classes for this year are tomorrow evening ( 13th). We re-open on Wednesday the 10th January for puppy classes, Intermediate and Advanced. There are a couple of spaces for the puppy class at the moment but Intermediate and Advanced are full. Wishing all past and present members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Jayne, Gillian & Tim

31/05/2023

Just confirming classes are on this evening.

23/05/2023

Unfortunately, due to family reasons, we are unable to run classes this Wednesday 24th May 2023. I shall endeavour to contact all who are attending but hope this will reach those I may not be able to contact directly and if so I'd be grateful if you could acknowledge you have read this post. It will save a lot of time for us. Thank you. Sincere apologies to all. Gillian

04/04/2023

There has been a very disturbing post on FB regarding the death and maiming of a large number of lambs in the Helensburgh and district area. We cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure you have control of your dog(s) prior to and during lambing season. If anywhere near a field with livestock please keep your dog on a lead. A long line is suitable provided you are proficient at using one. It’s not worth the risk. If your dog is caught disturbing/ maiming or killing livestock you could be fined up to £40,000! Please be responsible owners. Gillian

03/02/2023

Hi All, I have been contacted by, Emma, a registered Veterinary Nurse looking for those of you who have rescued dogs (and cats) from abroad to help with her degree. Please contact her on the link below if you are willing to help. Many thanks. Gillian

Online survey BOS

29/01/2023

Hi all, we continue to have high numbers of enquiries. As experienced over the past 12 months demand is high for all ages of dogs so please register with us as soon as you can to reduce the time you have to wait to get your puppy or dog admitted to our classes. We promote positivity and empathy to all of our dogs and their guardians. Gillian

28/11/2022

Hello everyone, the club’s last evening will be Wednesday 14th December and classes will resume on Wednesday 11th January 2023.
If you anticipate getting a puppy and want to introduce non aversive training please contact us to get your name added to our waiting list so that pup has a chance of getting in to the classes at an appropriate time in their development. Gillian

28/10/2022

Hi folks. I’ve just been informed today that the ‘poisonous parsnip’ has been spotted in nearby beaches. Please keep your dogs under close scrutiny if venturing on to local beaches as this plant can result in your dog’s death if they come into close contact with it. So far it’s the Rosneath peninsula but could include Helensburgh and Ardmore. Gillian (GDTC)

15/08/2022

I felt the need to share this.

There's a video doing the rounds at the moment of a 'Dog Trainer' in the US beating customers dogs. It's sickening to watch.

I'm not sharing it.

Sadly our industry is unregulated which means anyone can set up and call themselves a dog trainer or behaviourist. They are not protected titles.

'It gets results' is just not good enough. Dogs are sentient beings and provide so much to our lives they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

I find it difficult to understand why people are so comfortable with punishment, but I've seen groups of people who use punishment on dogs for training and because they're doing the same and surround themselves with people doing the same it becomes their normal. If people stick to a belief that positive reinforcement training doesn't work, it will help them justify the use of punishment to themselves and their customers.

If you watch the film the Stamford Prison experiment it will show you how humans react to being in power and control of another being. If you look at the milgram experiment you will see how most people will mindlessly follow the 'Expert' without question and cause harm to others.

I have 5 years University experience studying Canine Science. I've studied methods and approaches, I've compared and contrasted them and critically evaluated them. I completed my dissertation on different methods and learning.

I have hours and hours of CPD from a variety of other trainers. I've been assessed and externally verified by several organisations.

I have a lifetime of experience with various breeds. Living with, competing with and breeding.

The more experience and knowledge I gained, the more positive I became.

I mostly learned that dogs don't need an 'Alpha Male' for you will live in harmony with them.

Positive training works, I know it does. What I do is share all my experience and knowledge and help people learn to be good at training their dogs with positive reinforcement.

Please please please make sure you check a trainer's approach and credentials, because getting results to make your life easier isn't enough, the journey and the experience your dog has living with you is of equal importance.

Have a great week 🐾🥰

Jane Ardern BSc Hons
Kennel Club Dog Trainer of the Year
Gundog Club Accredited Instructor and Assessor
ICAN Accredited Behaviourist

08/06/2022

Did You Know: Dogs Listen to Not Only What You Say, But How You Say It 🐶

A study found that when dogs are praised in a neutral tone, their reward centers don’t light up. So if you want to tell them they’re a “good boy” or a “good girl,” make sure to say it in an joyful way. 💕



Read today’s free article to learn more about the findings of the study: https://bit.ly/3MmFNiV

12/03/2022

Worth a read folks!

This hazardous chewy toy is a by-product of the leather industry, not the food industry (which is why most are labelled as non-edible and/or dangerous if swallowed). The chemicals it takes to make this unsafe chew, from start to finish, is staggering!

Want to learn more about the safe treats that will nourish your pet without the list of chemicals, check the out the #1 The New York Times bestseller The Forever Dog book - https://foreverdog.com

16/02/2022

Due to anticipated storm we have taken the decision to cancel the classes this evening (16th Feb). We do not want owners and dogs taking unnecessary risks travelling to and from the club. Stay safe. Gillian

12/01/2022

Happy New Year to all. For those attending this evening's classes please use the door on the other side of the building (furthest away from the main car parking area). Many thanks. Gillian.

07/01/2022

01/12/2021

Hello All, I have just been advised that the poisonous parsnip has been seen washed up on our local shores again, obviously a result of last weekend's weather. Please be careful if taking your dog on the beach as this plant is highly toxic and has been responsible for the death of several dogs in the past. As the name suggests it looks like a parsnip!
Take care and keep safe.

10/09/2021

We have had a large number of enquiries recently so just to clarify. The club is running 3 classes on a Wednesday evening with the young pups starting at 6.30pm. Older pups come into later classes. If you are interested in attending please contact us by Facebook, email or phone to enable us to get back to you to discuss adding you to our waiting list. Thank you. Gillian

23/06/2021

To all clients from Helensburgh and Cardross who are attending puppy classes this evening please be aware that the road (A814) will be closed at Rhu between 6pm and 5am due to road works (yet again). The diversion takes you on the A82 and then on to the Haul Road down to Garelochhead. If you cannot manage along this evening we'd be grateful if you could please send a text to let us know. Many thanks. Gillian

08/05/2021

Hello to all on this rather wet and windy day. Hopefully there will come a time soon (?June) when we shall be able to resume our dog training classes. We shall be concentrating on puppies only for the time being, however, we currently have a long waiting list and obviously there are those who were already attending classes. We need to have a realistic idea of numbers so may I request that you reply on this platform if you wish to return to puppy classes or wish to attend as a new start. If you have contacted us and know you are already on the waiting list please still reply as confirmation that you wish to attend. We would be grateful if you could advise anyone not on Facebook and ask them to text on the Dog Club phone if they wish to attend. Many thanks.
Looking forward to welcoming you.

To our older dogs and their owners we look forward to welcoming you back as soon as we get the puppies and their owners established on their training.
Happy days! Gillian

19/02/2021

I had to go into Helensburgh the other day and regrettably noticed a dog tied up outside a shop. This prompts me to appeal to owners to consider the following before leaving your dog unattended in this way
1. Your dog could be stolen, very prevalent in these days of high demand for puppies and dogs.
2. The dog could get loose, run off and get run over!
3. Consider the cold, wet and miserable conditions with nowhere to shelter.
4. Likewise in hot weather (not often I agree) dogs can quickly overheat.
5. What happens if a child walking past your tied up dog reaches out, the dog reacts because it has been startled, for example, and the child screams and claims to have been bitten. Were there witnesses? Who comes off worst?!
6. Another dog approaches, might not be the friendliest in the neighbourhood, and your dog cannot get away. Not a pleasant experience for them.
7. Finally, if you tie your dog up and it whines, howls or barks you can be sure your dog is extremely distressed.
Sorry for the rant but I hope you'll understand and let others be aware.
Hope you are all keeping safe and well.