You are either reading this because you are considering becoming a Boomerang Dogs member…
Which is awesome!
Or…
You are here to find out what we do and why you should be a part of it.
Being a Boomerang Dogs member will mean:
Achieving the trained dog you always wanted.
Your relationship together will sky rocket.
And…
You will become the dog trainer your dog needs to handle any struggle you have or may be thrown!
Win!
Boomerang Dogs offers a range of puppy, teen, rescue and a range of fun sports classes for dogs.
Our classes run via a membership, which means you get ongoing support and access to a range of awesome added extras!
We will cover:
How Does It Work?
Why Should I Become A Member?
What Happens When I Sign Up?
What Benefits Do I Get As A Member?
Why Is A Membership Better Than A Course?
How Long Am I Tied In?
A bit like a gym membership.
When you sign up you get a slot in your class for as long as you want, as well as access to all our other benefits.
Signing up is as easy as setting up a Netflix subscription.
You fill in the details on the signup page then each month on the same date you will be billed for your membership with Boomerang Dogs.
(To cancel you just have to give us 7 days notice so we can advertise your space)
Each month your payment secures your space as a member with us for the following month.
A membership means you get commitment and accountability to ongoing training and support, which is essential for making progress in your training!
Becoming a Boomerang Dogs member, is a great idea, if you:
Are committed to raising an awesome dog that is confident and well behaved and know that it takes more than a short course.
Want to work towards resolving their dog’s struggles and getting success in your dog training journey.
Want ongoing support, and coaching from a group of experts.
Want more support than your average puppy class.
Value being part of an awesome community that helps celebrate success and motivates each other regularly.
Want to have fun and build an awesome relationship with your dog.
Enjoy earning rewards to celebrate your achievements and keep track of your progress!
Once you sign up, you will receive an immediate email welcoming you and your pup to Boomerang Dogs!
Then you will receive a second email from the lovely admin team, confirming the class you and your pooch will be attending.
The emails will provide you with details of time, date, location, and everything you will need to know about attending your first class.
Next, your class trainer will phone you before your first class to get to know you and your dog, and answer any questions you have.
This call is to make sure you have everything you need and alleviate any anxiety you might have about coming along to your first class.
Your class trainer will also explain how to get your personalised Record Card so you can start tracking your training. We will need your best picture of your dog for the cover!
Then one of our expert trainers will be in touch with you to book in your free 1-2-1 training session. This can be a puppy 1-2-1 or an Engagement, Lead Walking or Recall session. (This is a special offer only available for member sign ups this month!)
Once you have started your weekly classes, you will start receiving a weekly digital newsletter from us.This has everything you need to know about our out & about sessions, social walks, and training walks; with details on how you get involved. As well as keeping you up to date with special member events and news.
Weekly Class – Your spot is reserved in your class for as long as you want.
‘Out & About’ Training Sessions – Meet in the park to train in real life, laser focus on one skill to advance your training.
Social Walks – Come and join other members to socialise.
Training Walks – On the road training session, to take the skills learnt in the classroom on the move.
Online Training Library – Video guides and deep dives to advance your training.
Facebook Community – Share homework, ask questions and make friends.
Members Events – Regular events and surprises exclusive to members.
Discount Catalogue – Save on treats, food, natural chews, toys and accessories.
Extra Support – Member pricing for 1-2-1 support, workshops and packages.
Free 121 – Supercharge your training by getting a dedicated 121 session on sign up.
Report Cards – Receive a personalised report card to keep track of your dog’s progress, and patches you’ve achieved!
Progression Levels – Five levels to earn. Each level covers a range of life skills which gradually increase in difficulty.
Collectible Patches – Awesome patches to celebrate achievements and success with your dog.
A course often covers a set curriculum that sometimes spans as little as 4 weeks.
Achieving success in a range of life skills takes ongoing training and coaching personalised to your dog. Every dog is different!
As your dog develops from a puppy to a teenager, the kind of training and input they need will also change.
What you learn in a short course, won’t take you from 12 weeks to 12 months and beyond.
Our classes are designed to grow with you and your puppy.
Graduate from puppy class to a teen class when you hit that difficult stage so you are surrounded with people that get it. Teenagers are idiots!
Have an expert by your side from start to finish instead of in dribs and drabs, always waiting on dates for a follow on course that comes too late.
Ongoing classes ensure your skills are continually developing to keep up with your dog as they move through the different life stages and throw you new challenges.
Link: 6 week course isn’t enough
You Don’t Sprint a Marathon.
Training takes practise and repetition.
You can’t teach your dog any skill properly, that will be long lasting and effective in all environments in a short space of time.
You need to practise over a long period of time proofing it against different distractions.
Training will progress and also fall back sometimes as your dog develops, you will need to keep topping up skills until adulthood.
A membership gives you the space and accountability to keep on top of training and learn to make it fit into daily life with ease. It becomes something you look forward to not have to squeeze in.
Dogs are environmental learners.
A common complaint of puppy classes is that they can do the training in the class, but not out on walks or in the real world.
This is because dogs can struggle to generalise training to new environments.
Sessions in the real world are vital for gaining success with your dog’s training.
We hold extra sessions for our members to enjoy such as: Out & About sessions, Training Walks, and Social Walks.
These added extras ensure dogs are able to take their training from the classroom and achieve results everywhere.
Socialising for Humans
It’s not just dog’s that need to socialise and spend time with their own kind.
Humans do too.
It can be frustrating and lonely when no one gets your new found love with your dog, or understands the struggles you are facing.
Being part of Boomerang Dogs means there is always someone to listen, always someone who wants to see your photos and videos, people to celebrate your successes and support you through struggles.
You’re not!
You just pay for the month ahead on a rolling basis.
All we ask is that you notify our admin 7 days prior to your next due payment that you wish to cancel and they will get it sorted for you.
You will then have access to classes and the extra benefits until the end of that payment cycle.
We do not offer refunds of partial months.
This ensures we can give you support for however long you may need!
How Do I Join?
We hope this answers any questions you have about signing up and if you are ready to sign up you can do it here:
https://www.boomerangdogs.com/register/boomerang-dogs-membership/
If you have any more questions phone us on 02921200013 or email [email protected]
You are having a training or behaviour struggle with your dog and start looking for help.
There are lots of different options and you are wondering if classes or 1-2-1s would be the best option for you and your dog.
Getting the right support is important as the wrong service may leave you feeling deflated at a lack of progress, or worse, make the struggle you are having worse.
You may have already tried one without success and want to know if the other will be better.
In this article we are going to answer:
What will group classes help with?
What 1-2-1 sessions will help with?
How to find good 1-2-1 sessions or group classes?
Struggles you can resolve in classes are things like:
– Walk nicely on a lead without pulling.
– Coming back when you call them.
– Learning to focus around distractions, like people and dogs.
– Obedience like sit, down and stay.
A group class is often held in a hall or doggy daycare and will consist of a number of dogs and their humans working through a curriculum of skills at the same time.
They usually cover all the basic life skills like recall, loose lead walking and obedience as well as things like confidence, calmness and impulse control.
Classes take place each week so you gradually progress over time.
The class trainer will set an exercise and then come around to coach teams individually to help them succeed. This is because dogs will often be at different levels and need the exercise tailored to where they are at.
Pros of Group Classes:
– Working around distractions – The opportunity to practise your training around other dogs and people.
– Community – Have the support of peers and make friends with like minded people.
– A Range Of Skills – Work on lots of different life skills, a great place to start if you haven’t done much training before.
– Budget Friendly – Less expensive than 1-2-1 support.
Cons of Group Classes:
– Dog Friendly Only – Classes won’t be suitable if your dog is not dog and people friendly, they may also be overwhelming for anxious dogs.
– Not Specific – If you only have one main training struggle or only want to focus on one area then it is unlikely that will happen in classes as they teach a broad range of skills.
– Training Only – Classes will not help with behavioural struggles like reactivity and aggression or separation anxiety.
– Not Flexible – They are held at the same time each week in a set location.
It’s a behaviourists job to look over every aspect of your dog’s behaviour and life. This allows them to build up a 1-2-1s can cover both training and behaviour struggles.
If you aren’t sure which you need you can read more here: Training or Behaviour?
Areas 1-2-1’s can help fix:
– Separation Struggles
– Reactivity or Aggression
– Resource Gaurding
– Nervousness
– Barking
– Loose Lead Walking
– Recall
– Engagement
– Obedience
– Anything you like!
Work one on one with a trainer, to hone in on specific struggles and get 100% personalised help.
1-2-1s are where a trainer comes out to you in your home or meets you somewhere relevant to your struggle to teach and coach you to train your dog.
They will then work with you over a number of sessions to achieve success with your dog and resolve your dog’s struggle.
Pros of 1-2-1 Sessions :
– Get Faster Results – If you are looking to just work on one skill you will often get faster results with a 1-2-1 package, there is also a higher level of support.
– Flexible – Can take place and a time and location that works for you and your dog.
– Specific – Can resolve any issue whether that’s training or behaviour related.
– No Restrictions – It does not matter if your dog is social or not as it will be just for them.
Cons of 1-2-1 Sessions:
– Less community – You don’t get the chance to meet others at class, although a good trainer will often have an online community for you to join too.
– Practise Around Distractions – You don’t get the benefit of working around other dogs and people in a structured environment to proof your training.
– More Expensive – 1-2-1 training is more expensive, although sometimes can work out cheaper if you need less sessions as they are more specific.
So now you’ve decided if 1-2-1 sessions or group classes are a better fit for you are you pup, how can you ensure you are choosing a good service.
When searching the internet for help, it’s a great idea to compare services against each other to find the best option.
Check reviews!
A good 1-2-1 trainer or group classes should have plenty of great reviews. Look for a service that has a fair amount of reviews (100+).
Also be sure to check the quality of reviews.
Are people leaving detailed reviews and testimonials of their great experience with the service, or are they simply just hitting the 5 star button…
Detailed reviews mean previous customers have taken the time and effort to highlight what a great service is provided. Which speaks dividends for that service!
Have a chat!
It is important to find a trainer and group class that you will fit into!
Any good service will be happy to speak over the phone in a promptly manner to discuss all about their service.
Make sure to ask questions that will help you decide if they will be the right choice for you, such as:
– How many dogs will be in the class? 6-8 is about right, enough that you will have good group dynamics but not so many you won’t get enough personal coaching.
– What happens if my dog gets it wrong? Ensuring they use methods you are comfortable with is essential.
– How long will it take to resolve my struggle? Training and behaviour change is not an overnight process, if they say one session, take your money and run.
– What support is available? Both classes and 1-2-1 training will need extra support such as online videos, written plans, additional sessions and ongoing communication. Find out what this looks like.
We hope this article has helped you understand how classes and 1-2-1 training differ.
As a rule of thumb if you have a behaviour struggle or only one thing to work on with your dog, 1-2-1 training will be quickest and most effective.
Also, if you have limited time or don’t drive 1-2-1 sessions will probably be more convenient for you.
However if you are looking to train your dog in a number of areas and they are social classes are a great option.
They will teach you and your dog many things and help your dog learn to focus on you around other dogs and people, as well as the opportunity to make friends with other like minded dog owners.
What If I Like The Idea Of Both?
Then do both!
This is actually a great option for many puppy and dog owners.
Puppies often have some struggles that need some personalised expert help at home, such as puppy biting or separation struggles, but would also benefit from wider training in a group environment.
Also, if you have a teen dog that really struggles around other dogs, starting off with some 1-2-1s to get your dog on track before joining a group class can be game changing.
Equally you may be in classes and come across a particular skill you are struggling to make progress with, a 1-2-1 or two as a top up might help you get past that block and get back on track.
There may also be some behavioural cases where both will help your dog make progress faster. For example Separation Anxiety needs very specific training to resolve it, but classes would help boost your dog’s confidence and learn other skills that will contribute towards resolving separation anxiety.
Classes cover a range of training skills and must be the right environment for your dog to learn.
1-2-1s are essential for behaviour struggles, but can also make training more convenient and faster.
Still not sure?
Give us a call on 0292120013 and we can book in a free mini phone consultation to find out if classes or 1-2-1 sessions will be best for your dogs struggle.
It’s great that you are thinking about the best way of socialising your puppy and setting them up for a successful future as an adult dog.
You may be considering if puppy classes are a good fit for you and your puppy.
This can often leave you with a few unanswered questions:
Will puppy classes help to socialise my pup?
Will classes provide my puppy with socialisation?
Will my puppy get to socialise with other puppies in class?
First we need to look at what socialisation is, when it comes to raising a ‘good’ dog.
Socialisation is about preparing your pup for life as an adult dog, learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society and developing them into confident, well mannered dogs.
Does this mean they need to play and interact with lots of other dogs, puppies and people?
Nope!
Socialisation is about teaching them what you want them to do as an adult dog. As an adult dog, it’s likely you’ll want them to ignore most people and dogs, and not constantly want to run off to play.
Socialisation is the act of learning how to behave in an acceptable way in society.
Whereas, socialising is mixing and interacting with others.
Sometimes when raising a puppy socialising can hinder good socialisation.
Training classes are there to teach you how to train your dog.
The added benefit is that your puppy will be being socialised at the same time. They will be learning to focus on you, settle around other dogs and ignore people in a busy environment.
Which will pay dividends when your dog hits that teenage phase.
They are rarely for socialising, such as letting puppies off lead to play with each other. That can be done in better places in a way that doesn’t hinder your training.
Classes are a place of learning and engaging as a team, instead of learning to ignore you and find everything else more fun.
You will get support and advice on the best way to develop your puppy into an awesome dog, as well as coaching on how to train your puppy all the life skills they will need.
We do not do sessions that involve letting multiple puppies off lead in a small area to interact and play.
This is because it is rare to get the right mix of puppies and dogs to provide good experiences for all puppies involved.
We often have behavioural cases where a dog has had bad experiences in such settings and has developed fears or anxieties around other dogs or people. We also have many teenage dogs that have learnt bad habits at these kind of sessions and are in the process of unlearning them in classes.
For our members we do offer social walks where dogs and puppies can interact, which are guided by a trainer to ensure all dogs have a great experience and learn good manners with other dogs.
Kutsumi, et al. 2013 conducted a study to compare the outcomes of puppies that attended training classes and socialising parties.
Training classes were shown to positively impact adult behaviour!
Puppies that went to training classes, over socialising parties had:
Significantly higher response to commands.
Significantly more positive responses to strangers.
Improved obedience.
Additionally, another study showed that puppies that attended training classes were less likely to be surrendered to rescue as adults (Duxbury, et al. 2003).
We don’t not do free puppy play to be killjoys, it’s because we want the best for your puppy!
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