Tailored courses
and events

Outdoor Recall and Lead Walking Course,
Canine Conversations (workshops) & Canine Conversations – After Hours (lectures),
Brainwork,
Husbandry behaviours,
Naughty teenagers,
A weekend on Canine Communication with Alexa Capra,
Loose Lead Walking Course,
Fenton, come back! - How to become a no 1 in your dog's eyes,
Outdoor obedience classes - it is never too late

for more information scroll down

Outdoor Recall and Lead Walking Course

dogs DESCRIPTION:
Summertime gives us great opportunity to spend some extra quality time with our four-legged family members. During this course (3 meetings) we will combine creative learning with fun and games.

We’ll actively spend time in a beautiful park, practicing loose lead walking whilst exploring the area and recall whilst running around the fields and walking in the woods. All that combined with a lot of fun games and some nosework.

The classes are long (90 mins), so there will also be plenty of time for relaxation and lemonade.

You will learn about basic techniques on building good relationship with your dog. We’ll share our experiences, train and talk about dogs.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Everyone and anyone, young handlers are welcome too! Dogs of all shapes and sizes.

PRICE:
£80 for the entire course
£30 for one class

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOGS in each group:
4

For more information please contact us or visit our Facebook Pages: Outdoor Recall and Lead Walking Course

Canine Conversations (workshops) - A two day practical workshop on how dogs communicate with each other.

dogs WHAT IS THE GOAL?
Understanding what your dog is saying to other dogs.

WHAT TO EXPECT?
During this workshop we will be talking about dogs and with the dogs. You will improve your understanding of dogs body language and canine communication. You will learn what to look out for, how to read emotions, how to interpret their behaviour and build mutual trust. The workshop will provide you with the tools to improve the relationship between you and your dog. We won't only observe canine interactions but we will also actively participate in them.

On Saturday we will be mainly watching the interactions. On Sunday we will also give advice that will help you and your dog deal with the challenges of everyday life. We will also do some practical exercises like recall from distractions, parallel waking, walks in an enriched environment etc.

PROGRAM:
Saturday:
9:30 am - 10 am Overview of rules and program with coffee and biscuits
10 am - 1 pm First round of interactions
1 pm - 2 pm Lunch break (food not provided)
2 pm - 5 pm Second round of interactions

Sunday:
9:30 am - 10 am Reminder of the rules and the program for the day with coffee and biscuits
10 am - 1 pm First round of interaction
1 pm - 2 pm Lunch break (food not provided)
2 pm - 8 pm Tailored sessions

PRICE:
For Dogs & the City Nosework Club Members:
£120 for a handler space
£80 for the second dog from the same household

For Non-Members:
£140 for a handler space
£90 for an additional dog

Spectators:
£100

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF DOGS:
16

For more information please contact us.

Canine Conversations – After Hours (lectures)

During these meetings we will:

focus on video analysis and interpretation of the interactions recorded during the practical workshop
talk about stress signals and the meaning of stress in canine communication
analyse affiliative, imposing and agonistic behaviours
explain the human role in the interactions between dogs

WHO IS IT FOR:
Anyone and everyone.
It's an event for humans only though, so no dogs allowed.

LOCATION:
87th Craigalmond Scouts Hall
81 Boswall Parkway
eh5 2pn
Edinburgh

PRICE:
£50 (per household)

Discounts Available:
For the attendees of the July's Canine Conversations Workshop - £10 only
For people who signed up for the Canine Conversations Workshop in August - £30

For more information please contact us or visit our Facebook Pages: Canine Conversations – After Hours (lectures)

Brainwork - Improving your dog's mood

DESCRIPTION:
dog Bored dogs get into trouble. This course was inspired by one of my own dogs - Border Collie named Vie. At the age of 4 month she was diagnosed with OCD (a type of genetic orthopaedic condition in which the cartilage in a growing joint fails to develop normally) and needed a surgery. Try to imagine a Border Collie puppy that is only allowed 10 mins on-lead walks a day! So, I had to come up with exercises that will allow her to stay emotionally balanced, positively tire her out and assure her wellbeing challenging her both physically (in a safe way) and mentally.

Dogs in the wild, feral and stray dogs would face puzzles every day. They would have to travel to find water and scavenge for food etc. Our dogs do not have that problem, having easy and regular access to all the goods. But because of that they also often lack appropriate mental stimulation that different lifestyle would normally provide. With that knowledge and inspired by my dog, Vie, I have created this Brainwork Course.

WHO IS IT FOR?
All dogs can participate, but the dogs that would benefit the most are those under-stimulated and/or under exercised (whether it is due to physical issues or busy lifestyle of their owners), hyperactive, fearful or behaviourally challenging. The games and exercises planned for this class are designed to fulfil the most important canine needs, whilst being a lot of fun and a great way to spend some pleasant time together. All families are welcome to participate as this is a great way for dogs and children to bond whilst learning how to creatively spend time and play together. During the course we will, amongst other things, learn how to make dog toys, teach dogs to unwrap presents, find keys, search for socks belonging to the owners, solve variety of puzzles, turn the lights on and off and understand the meaning of words :) And, most importantly, we will have a great time!

NUMBER OF CLASSES:
4 meetings - 1 lecture (no dogs, owners only) and 3 practical sessions

THE NUMBER OF DOGS: on the course
Maximum 4 dog-handler teams

PRICE:
£80 for the entire course
£20 for the lecture (if you want to come just to the lecture alone)

For more information please contact us.

Husbandry behaviours - Turning stressful necessities into fun tricks

dog DESCRIPTION:
Why? ...
I brought my new puppy home at the beginning of May 2016. He was perfect. Apart from the fact that…he didn’t like me. At least that’s how it felt. Gonzo did not want to be touched, in any way. He would not allow me to pet him, scratch behind the ear, brush, examine and anything that required physical contact. He hated harness, he did not want to have anything to do with nail clippers. And he was a very sick puppy. A puppy that grew up to be a 42 kg dog that has had a lot of uncomfortable procedures done in his life, but also a dog that loves cuddles and brushing, happily puts on (yes, himself) head collar, muzzle and buster collar, that volunteers all four legs for towel drying and nail trimming, that participates in veterinary examinations and most importantly – doesn’t find any of these procedures stressful anymore.

All that thanks to inspiring work of Ken Ramizer and guidance from the amazing Chirag Patel, who helped me gain my dog’s trust. If they can teach a killer whale to actively participate in a blood draw or a lion to voluntarily open his mouth for teeth inspection, why do we still ‘have to’ pin our dogs down at the vets?

So many dogs run away at the sight of the harness, shivers from fear at the vet clinic, try to bite the brush or cannot have their nails done or eye drops put it without being physically restraint. And these are just few examples, few things our dogs are subjected to on daily basis.

This is why I have created this course:
... It doesn’t have to be stressful, neither for you nor your dog.

During this course you will learn how to improve your dog’s life (and his trust in you) by teaching him how to actively participate in his medical and regular care.

WHO IS IT FOR:
Dogs of all breeds and age

NUMBER OF CLASSES:
5 meetings - 1 lecture (no dogs, owners only) and 4 practical sessions

THE NUMBER OF DOGS: on the course
Maximum 6 dog-handler teams

PRICE:
£100 for the entire course
£20 for the lecture (if you want to come just to the lecture alone)

For more information please contact us.

Naughty teenagers - How to survive without loosing your mind

dogs DESCRIPTION:
When a young dog enters adolescence the hormone spike often brings with it a whole lot of behavioural issues that can easily give us grey hair. Youth is a time of emotional drama, first love, antics we’d rather forget, but it’s also a time of our first important decisions, achievements and life choices. A real emotional storm. Dogs are no different. During this difficult stage they need us even more than they had before. It is our job as owners to become guardians, leaders and role models, who, like every good parent, tries to understand their teenagers, supports them and helps them get through this difficult time.

Based on a questionnaire we sent out to teenage-dog owners we distinguished three areas:
- Sense of security
- Emotional control (arousal levels)
- Mutual understanding
And based on those areas we created an unique course designed for adolescent dogs and their owners that will help you guide your dog into adulthood. This road to adulthood can be an adventure, it does not have to be a nightmare in which your life depends on the mood wings of a naughty teenager.

What can you expect form the course?
- Building the sense of security through play and games designed to increase your dog’s confidence and decrees the level of stress that affects your time together.
- Introducing rituals and rules into your dog’s everyday life, both at home and when out on walks, that will help him understand our wold and fit into it better.
- Learning to understand your dog and his needs better and gaining the knowledge that will allow you to work with your dog more effectively.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Dogs between 8 and 24 months of age

WHAT DOES THE COURSE INCLUDE?
- behavioural questionnaire
- private behavioural consultation at the client's home
- 2 hrs lecture
- 4 practical training sessions

THE NUMBER OF DOGS:
Maximum 4 dog-handler teams in each group

PRICE:
£180 for the entire course
£30 for the lecture (if you want to come just to the lecture alone)

For more information please contact us.

A weekend on Canine Communication with Alexa Capra

About Alexa: dog Dog trainer and dog’s behavior expert, she is the founder of the Gentle Team, association that promotes a coercion free - scientific approach in the understanding of dogs and dog-human relationship and communication, the sharing of information and experiences, and the up-to-date of scientific knowledge, the scientific research and divulgation, through books, articles and downloads 2000-2019. Speaker of two oral presentation at the Canine Science Forum: Budapest 2008 (“Ex-fighting project”), Vienna 2010 (“Flight, foe, fight! - Aggressive Interaction between Dogs”), a poster presentation in Lincoln 2012 (“Fake hand, true bites?”) Professor in Applied Psychology and Ethology at the first Instructor Course for drug detection dog trainers, National Prison Warden Corps, 2018. Professor in Applied Psychology and Ethology at the handlers of drug detection dogs course, National Prison Warden Corps, 2015. Professor at the Master for Dog Trainers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Pisa, 2006-2010, has give lectures at the University of Biology in Torino, Firenze and Parma, Veterinary in Torino and Milano. National responsible of the project for the rehabilitation of a group of ex-fighting pit bulls, the “Ex-combattenti” project (ENPA - National Association for the Protection of Animals), associated with a long term research project with the University of Biology of Torino, 2003-2009. Since 2000 runs instructor courses, courses and seminars (Ethology, Clicker training, Aggressiveness, Human-dog communication, Communication Classes, Obedience, Learning, Profiling...), cooperates with shelters for the assessment and the rehabilitation of shelter dogs, runs communication classes, obedience classes, assessment of dogs and problem owners. Author of articles, books and downloads (the Dog Ethogram, Change your mindset, the guide for the dog owner’s education...). Speaker in many conferences and seminars in Italy and abroad (Poland, Holland, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France). In 2004 she has obtained the Cap3 (Competency Assessment Program) with Kay Laurence, with distinction. Has competed in IPO, Mondioring, Obedience, Agility. Competes in Obedience class 2 with Kandji, german shepherd. Lives with 5 dogs, Puma, Arjuna, Kandji (gs), Grisou (bc), Brick, staffy.

For more information please contact us or visit our Facebook Pages: Coping strategies & Canine Aggression.

Loose Lead Walking Course - learn how to walk step by step

dogs DESCRIPTION:
Our course of loose lead walking was crafted specifically to owners who struggle with their dogs and for whom walks became an unpleasant duty – whilst what can be more fun than walking your dog on a loose lead and exploring the world together? A walk is a great opportunity to spend good quality time together, to build bond and trust, and to have fun outdoors. During our classes you will learn techniques of focusing, following, passing and resignation as well as alternating walks and communication via lead.

WHO IS IT FOR:
Dogs of all breeds and age

NUMBER OF CLASSES:
5 meetings including one 2 hrs lecture and four 1 hr practical sessions
Level 1 is an indoor course
Level 2 - Take it on the road - outdoor course in different locations

THE NUMBER OF DOGS:
Maximum 4 dog-handler teams in each group

PRICE:
£120 for the entire course
£20 for the lecture (if you want to come just to the lecture alone)

Fenton, come back! - How to become a no 1 in your dog's eyes

dogs DESCRIPTION:
A course on successful recall and resignation. Exploration is one of key needs for any dog. Giving dogs opportunities to freely explore the environment combined with games and play make walks more interesting for both the dog and its owner. A dog that is given that opportunity becomes calmer, more relaxed and can enjoy more doggie freedom. We are very proud to present our specialist course addressed to dog owners, focused on teaching recall and building the bond and relationship based on mutual understanding.

WHO IS IT FOR:
Dogs of all breeds and age

NUMBER OF CLASSES:
4 meetings including one 2 hrs lecture and three 1.5 hr practical sessions

THE NUMBER OF DOGS:
Maximum 4 dog-handler teams in each group

PRICE:
£120 for the entire course
£30 for the lecture (if you want to come just to the lecture alone)

Outdoor obedience classes - it is never too late

dogs Summertime gives us great opportunity to spend some extra quality time with our four-legged family members. During this course (3 meetings) we will combine creative learning with fun and games. We’ll actively spend time in a beautiful park, practicing loose lead walking whilst exploring the area and recall whilst running around the fields and walking in the woods. All that combined with a lot of fun games and some nosework.