I am currently looking for puppy classes to take my lab to once he has had his second injection. One of the adverts i found the instructor had the following letters after his name can someone please tell me what they mean: M.B.I.P.D.T

Thanks
Tracy

PS Does anyone know of any classes in the Wisbech area? I am going to the vets on saturday so will check there as well.

Member of The British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers

Hi there! first, congratulations on your new puppy and on your (wise) decision to commence early basic training with it! Search the members index of www.apdt.co.uk to hopefully find a kind, fair & effective trainer in your area! Good luck! :)

Caroline
I spoke to you just before Christmas about your puppy classes but you told me you were just about to stop and another lady was taking over from you. Do you have her number? And are the classes still behind Mansfield Civic centre? My Lab is now ready to start his training:)
Thanks, Rachel (The Furry Godmothers)

Hi Rachel! Yes they are still behind the Civic Centre! Email me privately at k9trainer4110722@aol.com and I will send you her phone number. :)

Hello Caroline, long time no see :-)

Can you explain to me what the difference between the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and Association of Pet Dog Trainers? There seems to be so many of these organisations! Is there a governing body or is it just a free for all?

Leigh

This is taken from the APDT wedsite: 'The Association of Pet Dog Trainers was set up in 1995 in order to offer pet owners a guarantee of quality when looking for a training class or a puppy class in their area. All members of the APDT have been assessed according to a strict no choke-chain policy, which the members themselves decided they wished to include. Link: http://www.apdtuk.f9.co.uk/intro.html The BIPDT do not seem to have any reservations about using choke chains. Their link is : http://dogtraining.co.uk/bipdt.htm They also appear to be more based in the scurity dog sector, as opposed to dogs as pets.......

HTH

Fran
'

Thank you Fran :-)

It must be very confusing for people who are new to the world of dogs to know which way to jump mustn't it! As for Check Chains, I have seen them put to good use and seen them used badly :-( Its like any tool, its all down to the operator.

Hi Leigh! The APDT, Association of Pet Dog Trainers do insist that their members use kind, fair and effective training methods only. They do not allow the use of choke chains, electric collars or prong/spike collars. No punitive, harsh methods may be used either. On the whole, if an owner is looking for modern dog training in a pleasant atmosphere, the APDT is the place to look. I am not saying that the occasional bad apple does not wangle their way in! The assessment process, although thorough, is not foolproof! But providing that people complain, any allegations of foul play by members are swiftly investigated. Qualifications, seminar/workshop attendance etc must be held and upgraded regualrly by members. The APDT does have its own accredited courses available.
As far as I am aware, the BIPDT do expect their members to further their knowledge about dog training methods etc and do run courses but do not appear to have any preferences where training methods are concerned.

Hope that helps. :)

Thanx Caroline :-) All interesting stuff !

I believe that the BIPDT was set up originally by people involved in service dog training - and in a way was originally meant for them. (Don't quote me though!!!).

John Fisher set up the APDT because he partly wanted dog owners to have good pet obedience, rather than as an example insisting on a dog doing a perfect straight sit. So generally classes tend to be geared towards pet owners needs, with the opportunity of doing further advanced stuff if they so wish.

HTH a bit- and yes it can get confusing!!! :)

LIndsay

I am also looking for puppy training classes. I have emailed APTD and others to find out about classes in my area. As yet I have received no response. Does anyone know if there is anywhere near me ( Finchley, London) where I can take my 3 month old Lhasa for training?

Sharon

Sorry, can't help, but it's a shame people haven't replied - perhaps they are on holiday! :)

Hope you find a class soon.

LIndsay

Have you tried asking your vet, mine was able to give me a couple of ones around my area, and not too far away.

Just an update I managed to find a puppy class for Bailey that wasn't full at last. Had just given up hope and the local Village news letter came through the door with an advert for dog training and puppy classes - rang up & the trainer seemed very nice and we start next monday. :D

I have to say i tried the local APDT trainer and she wasn't very helpful said this course was full and that the next class would probably start in a couple of months :(. Not great when you have got a 13 week pup that you want to start socialising with other dogs. (I live in a village but there is no one place people take their dogs so he can't meet others that way) Hopefully i just caught this trainer at a bad moment because her attitude could have been off putting :(

Sorry moan over just had to get it off my chest! :)

Tracy

Good luck with your classes Tracy :-) Let us know how you get on.