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About
Animazious
Animazious was formed at the end of 2005 to ensure Armidale's access to family dog training based on the sound scientific principles of animal learning and animal behaviour (ethology).
We are a family-friendly training provider. We believe that training the family pet is a family affair and that children, in particular, benefit from exposure to humane, positive educational practices and from positive, respectful interaction with animals. Responsible children are encouraged to participate in the training, while other, younger, children are also welcome to attend with appropriate parental supervision.
We also aim to provide pet-related educational services which would not otherwise be available in our region.
Who
We Are
Animazious was formed by a group of experienced and Nationally Accredited instructors who found their passion lay more in promoting pet-relevant education and family dog training classes than programs which give first priority to competition performance outcomes.
The School is directed byLeonie Rutherford and Tina Wolverson . Together with our assistant instructors we have many years experience in teaching puppy and dog training classes in Armidale, Canberra and Brisbane, and have competed in canine sports (agility, obedience, endurance and retrieving) in NSW, ACT and QLD and at national level.
What
We Do
Our training programs are based on operant conditioning, often called "clicker training". This is a fast, humane and enriching way to teach dogs to be great companions. it is also a very precise communication technique which can be used to develop advanced skills for competitive canine sports.
Introductory Courses
Family Dog 1
At Animazious we provide introductory short courses designed to provide essential skills needed by the owners of pet dogs. In Family Dog 1 (Canine Companion, Puppy Next Step) educate you in the basics of canine behaviour and communication.
Both Canine Companion and Puppy Next Step teach you how to manage your pet in order to prevent problem behaviours, to modify normal doggy behaviours so that they are expressed in ways which are acceptable in our families and communities, and to help owners acquire the knowledge and skills to meet their dog's behavioural and environmental needs.
Advanced Courses
Family Dog 2
In Family Dog 2 we go "beyond basic" to teach you more advanced manners and behaviour management. Dogs (and owners) are rarely "trained" after a few weeks. We need to practice and advance our skills, and continue socialization and manners training for life. Puppies, in particular, should attend 2-3 training classes in their first eighteen months of life, to ensure they remain responsive and well-socialized through the difficult "adolescent" months as they make the transition to social maturity.
Animazious Training Groups
Just because your dog is a family pet, first and foremost, it still deserves to take part in fun, enriching and mentally stimulating activities throughout its life. Many dog owners find that they enjoy spending time with their pets, and the company of other active dog lovers. Ongoing dog training activities provide social and mental stimulation (to say nothing of the exercise) for pets and people.
Animazious run informal training groups in fun sports (competition and manners training in "obedience" and agility. Once you have completed advanced courses with us, you may like to contact us to find out about these ongoing training activities. These are not "classes" in a formal sense during 2007, but groups of interested "hobby trainers" who get together to support each other in goal setting and feedback on training progress.
Code
of Ethics
As Delta CGC Trained Instructors and Professional Members of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers Australia we conform to the following:
CODE OF ETHICS
- We shall:
- Perform services to the best of our ability within the guideliness of this Code of Ethics
- Employ only humane, dog-friendly techniques in the training of dogs
- Actively reject the use of harsh, physical, coercive and aversive methods in the training of dogs
- Make the welfare of the dog of primary importance
- Be honest and trustworthy
- Treat all dogs and humans with respect
- Do no harm
- Promote responsible dog ownership
- Actively pursue ongoing education in order to provide a service based upon sound scientific principles and current best practice
- Promote a positive human/canine relationship between owner and dog
- Work at developing and applying positive methods of dog training
- Provide a service of the highest standard within the limits of our skill, knowledge and ability
- Repect the confidentiality and privacy of clients.
Code of Practice
We are also refining our business code of practice, which includes the following guidelines:
- Feedback and evaluation
- Our courses and services will routinely be evaluated, and feedback from clients incorporated into revision and improvement of our services
- Referral
- We are qualified Dog Behavioural Trainers but we are not Veterinary Behaviourists, Certified Applied Animal Behaviourists or Veterinarians. We will not provide professional advice in areas outside our Accredited areas of expertise.
- We will provide you with educational resources concerning animal learning and animal behaviour on request (fee for service applies in some cases)
- We will provide a behavioural assessment of your pet on request (on a fee for service basis) but we will normally refer you for a veterinary examination to eliminate physical causes in the case of behaviour problems.
- We may provide consultations on behaviour problems where these do not contain elements of serious aggression. Such cases should always be referred to a qualified specialist.
- We will maintain professional contacts with appropriate specialists to whom we can refer you at need.
- We will happily refer you to professional colleagues (other training providers) should you wish to use methods which are not consistent with our Code of Ethics, or to access services we do not provide.
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