Before You Get Started
Here is some important information to know, before you get started.
Welcome to our Club
Wiltja Dog Obedience Club is a non-profit organisation, run purely by voluntary officers, commitees members and instructors. Each volunteer gives freely of their time and knowledge to assist members in creating and maintaining a healthy and positive relationship with their furry friends.
Please be respectful at all times of our volunteers, of the guidelines that are in place and of other members to ensure that it is a successful and positive experience for everyone.
Eligibility of Members
ADULT MEMBERS
16 years and over, capable of undertaking instructions and physically able to control the dog in their charge and to apply training methods, i.e. brisk walking and turning, bending and right and left arm actions etc.
JUNIOR MEMBERS
12 to 16 years, capable of understanding instructions and physically able to control the dog in their charge, i.e. Junior membership cannot be given to a child with a dog that is too large or boisterous or has aggressive tendencies towards other dogs or people.
Eligibility of Dogs
We welcome any breed or cross breed (except restricted breeds) which has had final vaccination C5 against DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, PARVOVIRUS, PARAINFLUENZA and BORDETELLA BRONCHISEPTICA and is not suffering from RINGWORM, DEMODECTIC or SARCOFFIC MANGE.
No dog is too old to be trained, providing it is not suffering any physical disability. Most breed or crossbreed is trainable, although some breeds and individual dogs are more difficult and require more time, patience and understanding.
The Club in its absolute discretion reserves the right to refuse membership to, or terminate the membership of owners of aggressive dogs or breeds or to require a dog to be muzzled whilst on the Club’s grounds.
How the Club Works
The Club conducts training every Sunday from 9.00am to 10.30am (except for Easter, long weekends and summer breaks as notified)
The Club trains people. We could not undertake to train members' dogs for them on a Sunday. It would simply not work. The reason being that the training of any animal is a daily chore.
(Recommended training periods are 10-15 minutes morning and night, but at least daily)
Training of dogs is a STEADY PROCESS no matter how intelligent you think yours is, it will require PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE and DEDICATION over a period of time under the guidance of your Instructor.
What to Bring
Please dress appropriately for the weather. Enclosed footwear must be worn whilst training.
To begin training, you will require the right equipment to effectively control and carry out corrections as direct.
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Suitable lead about 1.2mtr long with a snap catch
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Suitable Collar (sized to suit your dog)
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Correction Collar with or without Halti
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Slip leads
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Martingale Collar
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PLEASE NOTE:
The following equipment are not to be used when attending training classes:
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Bungee leads - leads that are "shock absorbing" allow your dog to gain momentum and speed before pulling you
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Harnesses - these are best used for safety in cars as they distribute the pressure across the strongest parts of a dog's body and do not provide the ability to provide subtle, immediate communication
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Retractable leads - these encourage pulling and hinder recall training
If you have any questions about any equipment you need for training please speak to an instructor. Any other device or equipment must first be approved by the Director of Training. The Club will offer advice on the best options for both you and your dog to carry out training. Keep in mind when purchasing any equipment that as your dog grows you may need to update collars to cater for your dog's growth.
The Club carries a limited range of equipment for purchase.
Off Lead Enclosure
The Club wishes to remind members that the “Off Lead Area” adjacent to our training ground is in no way associated with or controlled by the Wiltja Dog Obedience Club Inc.
This fenced “Off Lead Area” was initiated and laid out by City of Darebin.
Members, at their own discretion, are free to use the area and are totally responsible for their own safety and for any incidents between dogs, which may arise within the area. It is the responsibility of the dog owner to be in control of their dog whilst off lead, within this off lead area.
The Club does not encourage the use of, or have responsibility for supervision of the off lead area during our training times or any other time.
House Rules
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WILTJA DOG OBEDIENCE CLUB inc. is not responsible for any misdemeanour caused by a handler or dog.
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All Members must wear their Membership Card when attending classes.
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Bitches in season or sick/injured dogs are not allowed on the training ground.
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Dogs must be on lead at all times whilst on the training ground, except when engaged in “off lead” exercises in advanced classes.
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Dogs droppings must be picked up and placed in the bins IMMEDIATELY by handlers with the equipment provided.
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Smoking is not permitted in class.
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A dog that has bitten or shows undue aggression must be reported to the committee.
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Members are not allowed to use SPIKED COLLARS or ANY ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, or ANY OTHER DEVICE NOT APPROVED BY THE CLUB, on their dogs on the training ground.