Services

Group Classes

Introductory Group Classes are held on weekends in Wollongong or Thirroul,  involve a 4 week program of 1 hour per week, cost $80 total and each class has a maximum of 8 dogs. A week day earlybird class is available in summer. More about this class can be found under the website section entitled ‘Training’.

Special Group Training classes are new, and focus on one issue at a time –

 ‘Don’t Pull!’ is a 3 week, 1 hour per week course designed for dogs that just love to pull; the single aim of the course is teach you and your dog to walk nicely on a loose lead. Cost $120 and numbers are strictly limited. Dogs must be dog and people friendly.

‘Walkies for All’ is a 4 week, 1 hour per week class designed to improve you and your dog’s fitness while practising walking nicely on a loose lead. It will involve about 15 minutes of instruction and 45 mins of walking with a little indivualised help on the way. Cost $80. Dogs must be dog and people friendly.

Private Lessons 

Private Lessons  in home are also available for those who can’t make it to classes and are $80 per hour. There is no minimum or maximum number of lessons and times are organised to suit you. A major advantage of home lessons is that training is individually tailored to suit your dog(s) and your situation, and this can greatly speed up the training process.

Home Consultations 

Home Consultations are provided for dogs with existing behavioural problems.  Before agreeing to undertake a case the owner is asked to complete a 3 page profile form and return it so that Susan can understand the dog’s home situation, management history and problems. There is no cost or obligation at this stage.

If you decide to go ahead, the consultation involves about 3 hours of work, which costs $250.  This fee includes discussion/preparation before a visit, allows for ½ an hour of travelling time, a 1 ½ hour home visit, and preparation of a report after the visit. During the home visit there will be a detailed discussion,  assessment of your dog and the problems, and if simple, the development of a plan and commencement of that plan, including training if necessary. Susan will advise you as to whether further visits should be undertaken and how many visits may be necessary. For  simple problems one visit may be all this required, for moderately difficult  problems 1- 3 visits may be required. Visits are usually scheduled 1-2 weeks apart with phone calls in-between. The cost for each 1 hour follow-up visit is $80 per hour.

Please note: some behavioural problems are caused by physical troubles and dogs are very good at covering up their symptoms - so please get the all-clear from your vet before giving Susan a call, especially if the behavioural problem is new.

Please contact Susan if you are interested in group classes or assistance with your dog at home.

Dr Susan Rhind

Ph.D., B. Sc. (Hons) Biology., Dip. Teaching., Graduate. Cert. Captive Vertebrate Management., Dip. Nursing., Behavioural Trainer (Certficate IV Companion Animal Services; CGC  Instructor).