"Creating a better rapport between you and your dog"
Dog Training Level 1 Classes
Moving on from the puppy school, I personally think that the doggie primary is well worth your time, if not very much needed class. As the puppy grows, they can be harder to direct and control. Doggie primary would shape all these up with the verbal markers and other components learnt from the puppy school.
This class was particularly interesting as your grown up puppies will have to learn how to interact with other dogs and walk with you in a calm and controlled manner. Sonia ensures that these trainings are done in an organised and controlled manner.
This class was particularly interesting as your grown up puppies will have to learn how to interact with other dogs and walk with you in a calm and controlled manner. Sonia ensures that these trainings are done in an organised and controlled manner.
Peter, North Geelong ,
Having recently completed Sonia’s Doggie Primary at the excellent All4Paws facilities I am so very glad we did. My personal confidence as my dog Tilly’s leader grew tremendously along with Tilly’s trust in me. It’s all about setting things up for happy success for both you and your dog which Sonia excels at.
The techniques that Sonia teaches each week really work. As an example, Tilly can now go to and relax on her mat with a single ‘mat’ command and stay there. She can also walk beside me in an engaged manner and wait at doorways and gates without charging through.
Importantly – Tilly has become ever more relaxed and less highly strung. She has softened I think because I have stepped up as a leader using the techniques from Sonia’s program. Also, Sonia really takes the time to give one on one during the classes too so the learning is customized to you and your dog’s behavioural quirks.
And once these techniques are in place it can be so delightful! Tilly goes to her mat and stays there as part of different kinds of hide and seek games we play in the house, only leaving her mat (happy and curious) when I give a release word - Or she might rest there quietly while I cook the dinner.
A bonus improvement for us is when I now come home with the shopping I can open the front door or my son can open the side gate and wheel his scooter through - without concern that Tilly will charge out. Instead – from practicing the ‘wait’ command in these situations - Tilly waits inside the doorway or gate - all tail a-wag and welcoming for sure - but she now knows to ‘wait’ when these ‘openings’ are before her regardless of what side of them she is on. Knowing how to behave makes for a truly happier Tilly.
The techniques that Sonia teaches each week really work. As an example, Tilly can now go to and relax on her mat with a single ‘mat’ command and stay there. She can also walk beside me in an engaged manner and wait at doorways and gates without charging through.
Importantly – Tilly has become ever more relaxed and less highly strung. She has softened I think because I have stepped up as a leader using the techniques from Sonia’s program. Also, Sonia really takes the time to give one on one during the classes too so the learning is customized to you and your dog’s behavioural quirks.
And once these techniques are in place it can be so delightful! Tilly goes to her mat and stays there as part of different kinds of hide and seek games we play in the house, only leaving her mat (happy and curious) when I give a release word - Or she might rest there quietly while I cook the dinner.
A bonus improvement for us is when I now come home with the shopping I can open the front door or my son can open the side gate and wheel his scooter through - without concern that Tilly will charge out. Instead – from practicing the ‘wait’ command in these situations - Tilly waits inside the doorway or gate - all tail a-wag and welcoming for sure - but she now knows to ‘wait’ when these ‘openings’ are before her regardless of what side of them she is on. Knowing how to behave makes for a truly happier Tilly.
Terri-Anne, Highton ,
We have completed the 6 weeks of Doggie Primary School classes and found them very informative and enjoyable. Sonia provides honest and constructive advice tailored to each dog and also provides the instruction we need as owners.
Our dog tends to be excitable around other dogs, so it was good to have her become calmer more quickly each week.
It was very beneficial to work with her in an environment with distractions, and have her focus on the task required, such as mat training or walking on the lead. The impulse control training was great and one we have really put into practice at home.
We have really enjoyed working with Sonia and would highly recommend any of her classes.
Our dog tends to be excitable around other dogs, so it was good to have her become calmer more quickly each week.
It was very beneficial to work with her in an environment with distractions, and have her focus on the task required, such as mat training or walking on the lead. The impulse control training was great and one we have really put into practice at home.
We have really enjoyed working with Sonia and would highly recommend any of her classes.
Bruce, Jen and Isla, Leopold ,
We have completed the 6 weeks of Level 1 classes and found them very informative and enjoyable. Sonia provides honest and constructive advice tailored to each dog and also provides the instruction we need as owners.
Our dog tends to be excitable around other dogs, so it was good to have her become calmer more quickly each week.
It was very beneficial to work with her in an environment with distractions, and have her focus on the task required, such as mat training or walking on the lead. The impulse control training was great and one we have really put into practice at home.
We have really enjoyed working with Sonia and would highly recommend any of her classes.
Our dog tends to be excitable around other dogs, so it was good to have her become calmer more quickly each week.
It was very beneficial to work with her in an environment with distractions, and have her focus on the task required, such as mat training or walking on the lead. The impulse control training was great and one we have really put into practice at home.
We have really enjoyed working with Sonia and would highly recommend any of her classes.
Jen & Ben, Leopold ,
Rex and I learnt so much from Sonia in Level 1 Class. I appreciated her straightforward nature and her advice and training helped Rex and I to form a closer bond as trainer and dog.
I thought we enrolled to train my dog, but realise it was more about training me! I learnt a lot about body language and posture and breaking down the steps for different commands.
I recommend anyone who is interested in learning how to connect with their puppy and get results with their training, to contact Sonia.
Thank you for your work with Rex! And me!
I thought we enrolled to train my dog, but realise it was more about training me! I learnt a lot about body language and posture and breaking down the steps for different commands.
I recommend anyone who is interested in learning how to connect with their puppy and get results with their training, to contact Sonia.
Thank you for your work with Rex! And me!
Megan,
Thank goodness Level 1 class wasn’t a ‘teach your dog some tricks’ type of course!!!
Though, initially I wasn’t sure how valuable Level 1 classes would be. Having just completed all 6 weeks, we gained some great, practical skills that all owners & their dogs should learn! Sonia definitely knows dogs (plus great training facilities)!!
Highly recommend Sonia & All 4 Paws.
Though, initially I wasn’t sure how valuable Level 1 classes would be. Having just completed all 6 weeks, we gained some great, practical skills that all owners & their dogs should learn! Sonia definitely knows dogs (plus great training facilities)!!
Highly recommend Sonia & All 4 Paws.
Linda ,
We took our very excitable and highly social 12 month old Labradoodle to Sonia’s 6 week Doggie Primary School classes.
Sonia is a no-nonsense, straight talking trainer with years of experience. She rightly sets the expectation that it is the owners that need the training but the dogs certainly received a work out too.
It was amazing to see the difference in the dog’s ability to understand and follow an instruction in one simple lesson and we are still using the techniques she taught us.
While our pup can still be a bit of a handful at times, we can see changes in her ability to learn and follow our instructions which makes life easier for us all.
Sonia is a no-nonsense, straight talking trainer with years of experience. She rightly sets the expectation that it is the owners that need the training but the dogs certainly received a work out too.
It was amazing to see the difference in the dog’s ability to understand and follow an instruction in one simple lesson and we are still using the techniques she taught us.
While our pup can still be a bit of a handful at times, we can see changes in her ability to learn and follow our instructions which makes life easier for us all.
Linda, Geelong West ,
Doggie Primary School with Sonia was a great way for us to train our seven month old pup in a higher distraction but controlled environment, and to gradually work on her fear of other dogs.
Over the six weeks, her impulse control, as well as her behaviour around other dogs improved dramatically, and it was the perfect step to help us transition from mostly training at home, to training at the park.
Sonia’s ongoing support both in class and at all hours of the day was invaluable as we tackled tricky behaviours.
Thanks again for all of your support,
Over the six weeks, her impulse control, as well as her behaviour around other dogs improved dramatically, and it was the perfect step to help us transition from mostly training at home, to training at the park.
Sonia’s ongoing support both in class and at all hours of the day was invaluable as we tackled tricky behaviours.
Thanks again for all of your support,
Ella & Jarrah , Inverleigh / Melbourne ,
We completed Doggie Primary School classes with Sonia and I would highly recommend attending. I attended with my Labrador 16 month old who I had recently adopted, he would bark when meeting dogs now he is calm and under control when out in public and we now receive compliments about his behaviour! I’m looking forward now to attending the Obstacle/Walking classes”
We are very happy with Archie’s progress since we’ve had him and attended your classes, he certainly has come a long way! However, there has been a few signs of aggression/dominance towards us, growling/barking/standing his ground but only in certain situations, he definitely ruled the roost at his last home so not sure if he’s testing us or if it something that may get worse. We may need a consult from you, is there a good time I can call you for a chat?
Thanks
We are very happy with Archie’s progress since we’ve had him and attended your classes, he certainly has come a long way! However, there has been a few signs of aggression/dominance towards us, growling/barking/standing his ground but only in certain situations, he definitely ruled the roost at his last home so not sure if he’s testing us or if it something that may get worse. We may need a consult from you, is there a good time I can call you for a chat?
Thanks
Julia , Modewarre ,
