Course Start Time Sundays at 9.30 a.m. – 7 weeks unless stated otherwise

2025 Start Dates for Basic Obedience Course:

2nd February – Now taking bookings

2nd March

6th April

4th May

1st June

6th July

3rd August

7th September

5th October

2nd November – 4 week course

Courses are held at the club’s training grounds at Churchill Park Sports Complex, Churchill Park Drive, Invermay

Please Note:  Numbers are restricted for Basic Obedience courses.  You must email and register for the course and await confirmation before paying course fee.

To register for the Basic Obedience Course – please contact us by using Register For Course below or via Contact button

Pre-payment can be made to the club’s bank account – Bendigo Bank BSB 633000 Account number 113017743 Please enter your name as a reference on the payment and bring your payment receipt with you when enrolling.

The Basic Obedience Course is for dogs aged over 4 months. This course introduces the dog to basic obedience commands and guides the owner through the correct method of training, correct use of training equipment and includes several topics for discussion to help the new dog owner.

The course fee includes single club membership to end of September so after completing this course the dog/owner can continue with further training and/or advice at our weekly advanced classes. If you have attended the club’s puppy pre-school course and/or the club’s tweenies course (within the same membership year) then the basic obedience course will be at a reduced cost as you have already paid the membership fee.

Dogs must have their vaccinations up-to-date. Please bring the dog’s current vaccination certificate when enrolling.

The club promotes reward based positive reinforcement training so you will need to bring some small, soft, tasty treats for your dog. The treats must be something extra special that you will only use when training your dog. The positive reward method used by the club assists your dog to understand what you are expecting them to do by rewarding them when they do the right thing.

Lead/collar to be used in the classes – The club does not require the use of specific type of lead or collar but prefers that you train your dog with a flat collar and a lead no longer than around 120cm as this gives the owner good control over the dog. Long leads are not recommended and retractable leads can not be used.

In the first class, each owner is given a Basic Obedience Course Handbook that describes all the training and topics covered in the course.

Main Aims of the Basic Obedience Course:

1. Teach the dog & owner the basics of obedience training
2. Emphasise the importance of responsible ownership
3. Discuss the general care of a dog

Basic Obedience Course Outline

• Introduce basic obedience training
  • Sit
  • Watch
  • Heel
  • Recall
  • Drop/down
  • Stand
  • Sit for examination
  • Stay
• Several topics for discussion each week including:
  • Training equipment
  • Training at home
  • Responsible pet ownership
  • Socialisation & dog body language
  • How dogs learn
  • Use of rewards in training
  • Feeding & nutrition
  • Basic health checking
  • Problem behaviours
  • Breed characteristics

General Training Throughout the Course

• Emphasis on the dog reacting immediately to the command or being assisted into position
• Correct use of praise and rewards
• Choose an appropriate time to train (set the scene for success)
• Stopping unacceptable behaviour before it becomes a habit
• Tone of voice and posture