ABC Dog Training Caroline Bird Cpdt - Ka

10/23/2026

Just a heads up that l still have my agility course set up at my home grounds from the August time agility fun day. We will be taking in down and bringing indoors for winter storage within the next few weeks so if you want a last chance to try out the course before that time then do message me.
It is booked out for this Sunday at 9pm but apart from that its available for hire at 30.00 per hour.
Reach out before this opportunity is gone and winter sets in😌
My home address is at my boarding kennels location at 721 BIG SALMON RIVER ROAD, NEAR ST. MARTINS.

10/21/2026

RALLY OBEDIENCE PREP CLASS FOR BEGINNERS
Starts Thursday 22nd October at 6.30pm
A set of 8 classes, cost is $160.00 plus hst

This class is for anyone who has done obedience with their dog and is now looking for a fun way to build on the skills they have. This is not a competition based class but for us to be able to see how far the dog have progressed we will set up our own course on week 8 so students can experience what a Rally course would be like
Class content will focus on
Better heeling in position at the handlers left side of the body
Rear end awareness as dog learn how to use move their rear paws to create straighter healing lines, better tighter turns and tighter sits in position next to their owners side.
We will also cover better come front positions , changes of pace, how to read the rally signs correctly , how to keep your dogs head up higher when heeling and much more.
This is a no pressure class, using positive methods to get good results, but mostly it about enjoying the bonding opportunity with your dogs.
l have limited spots available so dont miss out.

10/19/2026

While rocky is still here for training l used the opportunity to do some more Rally Prep training with him. We worked on his sits, the first one was the traditional one we do in obedience classes, the second was the down from the standing position which will be used a lot in Rally , the third one was a opps because she did the down from a stand but when down on her backend first, l was working towards elbows down first so that she would fold into position closer at my side (but we need to work on more back end awareness first before we can expect to much of him.
If you are interested in joining in with our beginners Rally Prep class it starts on Thursday 22nd October at 6.30pm
register under OTHER on the registration page on the website
www.abcdogtraining.org

10/19/2026

This is from class today, normally this little dog goes into a barking frenzy if l walk past him.
Today after looking at me approaching he decided it was far more rewarding to check in with his owner than to bark at me.
Thats good progress, well done Milo.🙂

10/17/2026

This is Rocky in for board and train. Nothing is really wrong with him except his extreme pulling on leash so once i got this under control i took the opportunity to work with him on some of the RALLY OBEDIENCE PREP skills that we will be doing in the Rally class starting on Thursday 22nd October
We got to work on teaching him learn that he does have 4 legs and the back ones are as important as the front ones if he wants to have some nice straight walking lines and turns.
He is doing really well and is learning to line up in position at my side, but it all starts with learning to move the back end around while keeping his front paws in position on the target (upturned bowl). If l keep rewarding him enough if will automatically come to my left side position at the side of my leg and then we can start walking positions from there.
To register for the Rally Prep class go to the website www.abcdogtraining.org
Register for the class under the heading of OTHER and then a comment in the note section that it is for the Rally class

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

Gracie the puppy was not able to attend the last two weeks of the puppy class.
But that did not mean that she missed out on the learning as all puppy and basic obedience classes are backed up with class review notes and you tube videos so even if people can not attend they can still follow along via you tube.
We are happy to send her the graduation certificate and proud to add her the face book page as a graduating puppy student.

Our next new puppy class starting on Sunday 18th October at 5.30pm
For pups aged 3-5 months old.
register via the website www.abcdogtraining.org

10/14/2026

This 5 month old pup is in for training. I know one of her behaviors is grabbing hold of something and not wanting to let go so today we worked on getting her to release her toys on a verbal command I use the word OUT but any word can be used.
I trade the toy for a treat, if she is still does not want to release the toy l make it more of enticing by adding the GO FIND IT GAME.
The GO GET IT word to start the play is taught under a different exercise that is not covered in this video, but i needed it to get her to start tugging on the toy.
With enough repeats of this game she should be releasing whateer she has with very little resistance.
If you start playing this at home always start with a lower value toy it is the release word that you are working on the most.

10/12/2026

RALLY-0 PREP CLASSES.
THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBER @ 6.30pm
register via www.abcdogtraining.org
register under the class OTHER when on the website

People have been asking me what the RALLY-O class is. so for anyone that has asked here is a general guideline for this sport.

Rally obedience is a sign based canine sport. Combing elements of traditional obedience teams (dog and owner)navigate a judge designed course performing skills such as sits, downs ,turns, fronts, changes of pace.
The sport starts at the novice stage, then teams can work their way up to higher levels of competition.
HOW IT WORKS
COURSE STRUCTURE
10-20 stations each with a sign describing the required exercise.
FLOW
Teams move at their own pace from sign to sign without judge called commands
COMUNICATION
Verbal cues, hand signals, and encouragement are allowed.
SCORING
Teams start with 100 points , deductions occur for errors such as tight leashes , incorrect ex*****on of the exercise or poor heeling.
qualifying score is typically 70 points.

GENERAL OVERVIEW
Rally Obedience is for beginners or experienced teams, it is more relaxed than the traditional obedience trials.
It builds on real world skills like loose leash walking, attention and impulse control.

A separate post will be done soon explaining what we will be teaching in the class to prepare dogs and their owners to be able to complete a novice rally course