PP Joining Information
Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in our Puppy Progression personal 121 session followed by a group course.
The dates for your personal 121 and the course are shown on the email.
What to Expect:
Hamble Hounds aim is to help families to learn how to teach their dog to behave in a socially acceptable way and form a strong, happy and rewarding bond with their dog, and for the dog to have a relaxed, rich, fulfilled life.
In your 121 session, we will aim to expand the knowledge you already have and to make sure all the basic building blocks are in place, so that you and your dog can relax and make the most of the group course right from the start.
We will adjust the session content to suit your dog’s individual needs and follow up with notes to remind you for what we covered.
We’ll discuss what to expect on the group course.
Occasionally, we can see a group setting would be difficult for a dog. Should this be the case for your dog, we’ll explain our thinking and suggest alternatives which will better help your dog develop at this stage. The course element of the cost will be refunded or transferred in that case.
What We Won’t Do:
All of our suggestions will be based on a knowledge of how dogs think and learn, and will always be positive experiences for the dog. We will never use any harsh treatment, raised voices etc. There are very straightforward, non-abusive ways of teaching a dog that some behaviours are not acceptable, these will be explained, and positive alternatives taught!
Please note, we will not work with choke chains, head collars, slip leads or extendable leads.
We limit to a maximum of 2 people per pup in both locations as this keeps things simple for the dog.
WHERE TO COME:
We meet in the grounds of Bursledon Infant & Junior School, Long Lane, Bursledon, SO31 8JH
PARKING
There is a long layby outside of the school, and Great Down car park is very close by, SO31 8BY. If you park in Great Down, simply cross the road and come into the nearest school gate.
WAY IN TO OUR FIELD Find the correct gate!! Entrance is through the double gates at the infants end of the school, on the far left of the buildings (as you face the school, see header photo). We will meet you there.
IMPORTANT The following is really important, please take time to read
The field we use is fair way from the gate, which is locked exactly at the start time. The locked gate isn’t within sight or hearing of the field so we can't see/hear anyone who arrives late. Worth allowing a few minutes to park and walk to the gate; dogs need time to check out their surroundings!
(also note the gate will be opened only a few minutes before your start time, once the previous class is clear. If you arrive early, you may like to go into Great Down Park opposite).
WHAT TO BRING:
· Dog!
· Collar or harness & shortish lead
(We recommend a well-designed harness as physically best. There are good and not so good types. Ask if you’d like some guidance).
· Poo-bags
Food Rewards. Food is a great help when training, and is worth planning well! Here are some ideas:
Please inform us in advance if your pup has food allergies or intolerances
Food needs to be easily accessible but out of sight. It’s worth investing in 2 food pouches which you can for instance attach to your belt. The silicon ones work well. You want to be able to swiftly access with one hand! Note, bags that need to be held in the hand(s) make life difficult!!
Pouch 1: a range of textures and tastes
· Their normal food
· Propriety treats (but watch for colourants, sugar, salt content)
· Chopped vegetables and fruit (not grapes or onion), if liked
· Meat, small pieces (no bones),
· ham, cheese, sausage, luncheon meat in small amounts and small pieces
· liver or tuna cake pieces, sea jerky etc
Pouch 2 (not needed for your 121 session but useful on the group course):
· Half sausage,
· tuna or liver cake chunks
· chunk of chicken breast or other meat,
· large pieces of vegetable if liked
· chunks of fruit if liked
Adjust to suit size and your dog’s preferences. Novel items often have more value.
Please note both of our venues are PEANUT AND NUT-FREE zones, as we share space with children who may have allergies
WHEN YOU ARRIVE:
KEEP YOUR DOG ON LEAD AT ALL TIMES in 121 and group sessions, unless directed otherwise.
Group: DO NOT LET DOGS SAY HELLO ON LEAD. Even if your dog is relaxed and confident, others may not be. They can easily get overwhelmed and/or over excited. So find space away from the others when getting out of car, walking to field and when in the field. There may be mixing together sessions during class but we want that to be in a calm and managed way!
POO As always, you’ll need to pick up poo. As we are using school grounds, please be extra meticulous with your “picking up”. If it’s a wet sloppy poo that isn’t easy, let us know and we’ll help make sure its thoroughly clean. You can dispose of poo bags in the bins in Great Down Park, not the school please.
OTHER INFO:
WEATHER We try hard not to cancel classes because of weather and will continue in light rain/drizzle. It's likely however that we will postpone classes if heavy rain and/or high winds and/or thunder, or a temperature of above 28 degrees, are forecast. We base the decision on the Met Office forecast for Bursledon read at 9.30 am.
Any postponement is emailed to you. Please check your emails including spam before setting out! If we do postpone, a replacement session is added to the end of the course.
ILLNESSES dogs can get tummy upsets and viruses such kennel cough. Some things are very contagious, others not. We would rather be safe than sorry, so please phone us and/or your vet if you are ever in doubt before coming to class, thanks.
Bitches in season cannot attend classes…. please call us if your bitch is close to or comes into season during the course and we will make other arrangements.
2 people can accompany pup but please do not attend if there are Covid or Flu symptoms.
Please note there are NO toilet facilities available
Emergency mobile 07707 951007