We run multiple activies at EGDOC.
OBEDIENCE
Obedience classes are run by volunteer instructors. Members are shown how to use Positive Reinforcement Methods to train and manage their dogs.
In Beginners, Grade 1 and Grade 2 the emphasis is on “pet dog training”. Our aim at the completion of Grade 2 is for members to have a dog that has bonded with its owner, is well socialised with other people and dogs, and is attentive and able to respond to basic obedience commands in a distracting environment. These basic skills include walking on a loose lead or at the heel, sitting and dropping on command, short stays and coming back to the owner when called.
The Obedience Trialling group is for dogs and handlers assessed to be nearing a level ready to compete in Obedience trials.
Classes are held on Sunday mornings, rain or shine, every week of the year (except for Easter, Trial weekends and a short break over the Christmas/New Year period).
Beginners Intake is on the 1st Sunday of any month excluding December and January.
New members are asked to arrive before 09:00 am on the first Sunday of the month.
Please see the “Contact” page if you would like to book in to a beginner class.
AGILITY
The Club runs an Agility/Jumping program for all club members, regardless of whether you plan to compete or not. Agility and Jumping involves the dog running at speed around a set course of obstacles. The event is timed and in order to pass, your dog must not make any errors. The fastest, clear dog, wins. It is a team event, the team being you and your dog.
This activity is for the person that loves dog training and is looking for a fun activity/game to do together. It involves running for both the handler and dog. It is a light hearted sport, but very challenging. As equipment is involved, after you master the foundation skills, you will find that you will end up wanting to have a couple of jumps and a set of weave poles at home for training purposes. These can be made for minimal financial outlay.
The training method is 100% positive reinforcement. There are no corrections given. We make use of Clicker when appropriate, use lots very high value food treats and a wide variety of toys.
WHAT YOU NEED TO START:
We recommend you complete the 8 week beginner obedience program so that you understand the basics of how a dog learns.
A fit, trim and healthy dog that is not aggressive to other dogs.
Lots of very high value food treats
A variety of toys that your dog loves.
If your dog is not very toy motivated, then a toy that you can put food inside and throw.
A flat collar and standard leash.
A crate, or safe peg to tie your dog to.
A water bowl.
Don’t worry if your dog is not great at Staying or Coming when called. These foundation skills plus more are all taught as part of the agility program.
We will accept puppies 8 months or older, but they will not be able to start jumping until they are 12 months old (depending on the breed).
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU COME ALONG.
We will do a temperament test to ensure your dog is going to get along ok with the other dogs. We have to take this precaution, because Agility is an off leash sport.
Initially the lessons will focus on your dog finding joy for staying, coming when called, and chasing you around on either your right or left hand side. You will also be shown how to teach your dog tricks using shaping.
We will evaluate what is the best reward system for your dog. You will be taught how to reinforce your dog for the behaviours you want.
We will then add in building value for jumping obstacles and running through tunnels causing your dog to find joy in doing these activities.
You will be taught the Greg Derret handling system and we will start to run small sequences of obstacles focusing on different handling manoeuvres.
If you are interested in doing Agility, please speak to any Club instructor.
RALLY
The purpose of Rally is to demonstrate a dog’s usefulness as a companion of mankind, not merely the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the ring. Dogs who participate in Rally are dogs that have been trained and conditioned to compete at Novice level and in the presence of other dogs.
The chief objective of Rally is to provide a fast-moving and motivational sport for both handler and dog that demonstrates a handler and dog’s competency in basic obedience exercises without requiring exact precision for success. Dogs in Rally events should demonstrate willingness and enjoyment. To that end, handlers may use praise, encouragement and patting throughout the Rally course.
All participants in the Rally Classes are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way so that the quality of the various performances may be compared and scored.
THERAPY DOGS
Volunteers for EGDOC Therapy Dog Group are affiliated with Dogs Victoria and have been accredited by EGDOC. The Therapy Dog Group has been created for the purpose of increasing the quality of life for residents in aged care facilities.
As a group we aim to:
•Promote a general feeling of wellbeing, unconditional love and acceptance for all residents.
•Try and help improve resident’s focus and attention and to stimulate memory functions
•Allow the therapy dogs to interact with elderly people who have difficulty communicating
•Help encourage and aid speech functions.
•Provide simple physical activities for those who are mobility impaired by patting the dogs.
Our Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes:
•Small dogs are good because they can be lifted easily and by size are non threatening
•Large dogs make a good companion for someone in a wheelchair, or bed sitting patiently and allowing the patient to stroke their fur.
•The Therapy dogs must have a calm, gentle personality and be people oriented
•They must love attention, being patted & not be shy.
•They must also have basic obedience training and should be conditioned to sudden noises, movements and hospital equipment (i.e.-wheelie walkers, wheel chairs etc).
SCENT DETECTION and TRICK TRAINING
At EGDOC, we recently started up scent training and trick trialling.
In scent training and trialling, dogs need to distinguish a certain smell that has been placed somewhere (could be on the ground, hidden in an object, placed on a wall…) and indicate to their handler when they have found it. Sound simple? Not quite! The dogs also have to ignore all other scents that are there, and some of them might be darn tempting.
In trick trialling, handler and dog perform a number of tricks and are scored on them. The tricks you are allowed to choose from are set by Dogs Australia (formerly the Australian National Kennel Club) and vary depending on what level you are competing at. Trick trialling is a lot of fun for handler and dog alike.