Training Assessment
Our training assessments are a 10-15minute meet with a member of our training team.
The assessment will help distinguish which would be the best course for you if you are unsure between Level One, Reactive Rover or a Private Training Session.
These are held onsite the DSPCA, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
There is a €25 charge on the assessments which is redeemable off any course booked at the assessment.
As our assessments are in high demand if we can help you from the information provided we will send you the most suitable course & action to take by email.
To request an assessment please complete the below form:
Private Training
Private training sessions are ideal for dog owners looking to work on specific issues. The sessions are tailored specifically to you and your dog and the issues you are having.
They are the perfect opportunity to have all family members together during training, we offer these in your home (specific areas only), onsite the DSPCA in Rathfarnham, in Bushy Park, Terenure and in St Anne’s Park, Raheny.
The training session will last an hour and a half, and our trainer will work with you on the practical elements needed to help you and your dog.
After the session, you will be emailed a tailored training plan.
What can be covered during a Private Training session?
Topics Covered:
- All puppy basics. Ideal for puppies that have not completed their vaccinations: Toilet Training, Crate Training, Play Biting, Chewing, Mouthing & more
- Basic Level One Obedience Training
- Separation Anxiety
- Destructive behaviour
- Demand Barking
- Lead Work
- Recall
- Counter Surfing
- New Baby Preparation
- Reactivity
- Resource Guarding
Locations, Dates and Booking
Private Training onsite at the DSPCA, Bushy Park or St Anne’s Park
Training Sessions last approximately 90 minutes with our senior or head trainer, you will then receive a full training program by email.
Price: 1 Session (approx. 1.5hr long) for €220.00
There is a charge of €45.00 per additional dog from the same household.
Training Method: Our methods are Positive Reinforcement only. No aversive methods are used and will not be permitted during the training session.
Terms & Conditions:
If you need to change a session, please provide us with 48-hour notice or you forfeit the session and it is non-refundable & we cannot reschedule. Like our courses & workshops, these sessions are non-refundable at any stage as our income goes directly to fund the work of the DSPCA Animal Shelter.
Puppy Play Session
Our Puppy Play Sessions are for all puppies up to 6 months of age. These are a socialisation session, no formal training takes place.
Puppy socialisation teaches puppies how to behave and be happy and relaxed when around humans, other dogs, other animals and the world around them. Puppy socialisation can also help puppies have a better relationship with their owners and become used to being in a range of environments and scenarios.
During our Puppy Play Session your puppy will display a range of behaviors including chasing, ‘wrestling,’ play growling, yips of excitement and yips meant to say ‘back off.’
This type of play is normal and occurred whilst your puppy was with his or her litter-mates and must continue with their peers throughout their puppyhood. Like people, puppies have a variety of personalities and play styles. However, in general puppies are ideally suited to safely teach each other the rules of canine engagement, to help other pups learn impulse or self-control, and to help pups develop good ‘bounce back’ skills.
There are two groups;
- Up to 5KG
- 5KG +
Locations, Dates and Booking
All Puppies up to 5KG & under 6 months of age
Saturday 14th September 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Saturday 21st September 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Saturday 28th September 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Saturday 5th October 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
All Puppies 5KG+ & under 6 months of age
Saturday 14th September 2024, 11.30AM – 12.30PM
Saturday 21st September 2024, 11.30AM – 12.30PM
Saturday 28th September 2024, 11.30AM – 12.30PM
Saturday 5th October 2024, 11.30AM – 12.30PM
Puppy Starter School
The Puppy Starter School is a 3 week course, ideal for younger puppies up to 6 Months!
Throughout the 3 weeks we cover the early on behavioural issues many new puppy owners experience, while your puppy socialises with the other pups. No prior training knowledge is required in order to participate in our Puppy Starter School.
Fee: 3 Week Course – €155.00 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Topics Covered:
- Getting settled in
- Body handling
- Socialising
- Play styles
- Toilet training plan
- Play biting
- Chew training
- Crate training
- Harness desensitisation
- Enrichment
Locations, Dates and Booking
Tuesday 17th September – 1st October 2024,
7.30PM – 8.30PM
Puppy Training
This course is ideal for puppies from fully vaccinated up to 6 Months of age.
Socialisation on lead is necessary to have a well-balanced happy puppy.
Personal attention in all our classes is our priority. You will never be alone! No prior training knowledge is required in order to participate in our Puppy Manners Course however we do recommend our Puppy Starter School & Puppy Social Sessions which you can do while completing your Puppy Training course.
Fee: 4 Week course is €170 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Topics Covered:
- Socialisation
- Sit
- Lie Down
- Stay
- Recall
- Focus & Attention
- Go to “Bed”
- Leave it
- Loose Lead Walking
- Handling Exercises
Locations, Dates and Booking
Sunday 22nd September – 13th October 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Monday 23rd September – 13th October 2024, 7.00PM – 8.00PM
Sunday 6th October – 27th October 2024, 10.15AM – 11.15AM
Wednesday 16th October – 6th November 2024, 7.15PM – 8.15PM
Tuesday 22nd October – 12th November 2024, 7.15PM – 8.15PM
Sunday 3rd November – 24th November 2024, 11.15AM – 12.15PM
Monday 4th November – 25th November 2024, 7.00PM – 8.00PM
Monday 6th January – 27th January, 7.00PM – 8.00PM
(Meeting point at Marlay House)
Wednesday 2nd October – 23rd October 2024, 6.30PM – 7.30PM
Sunday 13th October – 3rd November 2024, 10.30AM – 11.30AM
Sunday 10th November – 1st December 2024, 10.30AM – 11.30AM
Sunday 29th September – 20th October 2024, 10.15AM – 11.15AM
Sunday 6th October – 27th October 2024, 9.00AM – 10.00AM
Saturday 21st September – 12th October 2024, 11.15AM – 12.15PM
Meeting point in the far car park passed the playground
This location will run again early 2025
Level One Training
Level One Training Classes are the perfect obedience course for all dogs over 6 months.
Fee: 4 Week course is €170 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
NO dog is too old, NO breed restrictions
Topics Covered:
- Sit
- Lie Down
- Stay
- Recall
- Focus & Attention
- Go to “Bed”
- Leave it
- Loose Lead Walking
- Handling Exercises
Locations, Dates and Booking
Monday 23rd September – 13th October 2024, 8.00PM – 9.00PM
Sunday 22nd September – 13th October 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Sunday 6th October – 27th October 2024, 9.00AM – 10.00AM
Wednesday 16th October – 6th November 2024, 8.30PM – 9.30PM
Tuesday 22nd October – 12th November 2024, 8.30PM – 9.30PM
Monday 4th November – 25th November 2024, 8.00PM – 9.00PM
Monday 6th January – 27th January 2025, 8.00PM – 9.00PM
(Meeting point at Marlay House)
Wednesday 2nd October – 23rd October 2024, 6.30PM – 7.30PM
Sunday 13th October – 3rd November 2024, 9.00AM – 10.00AM
Sunday 10th November – 1st December 2024, 9.00AM – 10.00AM
Sunday 29th September – 20th October 2024, 10.15AM – 11.15AM
Sunday 6th October – 27th October 2024, 10.15AM – 11.15AM
Meeting point in the far car park passed the playground
This location will run again early 2025
Level Two Training
This FUN 4 week course takes your dog’s obedience training to the next level enabling owners to enjoy their dog’s by creating a new scope for the dog’s exuberance into a great relationship and obedience.
Fee: 4 Week course is €170 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Topics Covered:
- Fading food out as a lure
- Leash walking throughout a crowd
- Impulse control
- Doggy push-ups
- Food manners
- Jumping up at guests or friends you meet on the street
- Door manners when guests come to visit & for entering through a doorway
- Find it/Search
- Enrichment
- Give & drop
- Fun Tricks
Locations, Dates and Booking
Sunday 3rd November – 24th November 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
The Terrible Three
Recall, Leash Manners, Jumping up!
Fee: 3 Week course is €165.00 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Topics Covered:
- Recall, coming when called with distractions
- Focus & Attention with distractions
- Jumping up and self-control
- Leave it – Take it
Locations, Dates and Booking
Tuesday 17th September – 1st October 2024,
8.30PM – 9.30PM
Sunday 29th September – 13th October 2024,
11.30AM – 12.30PM
Tuesday 17th September – 1st October 2024,
8.30PM – 9.30PM
Well Behaved Walkies
This is a two-week Workshop that solely focuses on Loose Lead Walking & Rocket Recall.
These are the skills needed to have your dog under effectual control in public places.
Fee: 2 Week course is €100 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Topics Covered:
- Building your dog’s confidence in public places
- Loose leash walking
- Friendly greeting dogs and people
- Reading your dog’s body language
- Walking to heel on and off leash
- Recall with distraction
- Keeping yourself and your dog entertained on walk
Locations, Dates and Booking
Sunday 8th & 15th December 2024, 10.00AM – 11.00AM
Sunday 8th & 15th December 2024, 11.15AM – 12.15PM
Reactive Dog Training
This course is particularly suited to lead reactive dogs, our aim is to help change your dog’s reaction towards those overwhelming situations and triggers when out and about on walks.
During this course we will provide support to owners and show you how to teach them alternate behaviour to barking, lunging, etc. all using reward based, positive reinforcement techniques.
This course is not about finding a ‘Eureka’ moment or ‘fixing’ a reactive dog, but rather it’s about giving you as a dog owner a set of tools that you can use to better handle and manage your dog.
We train you the owners who will then implement the training with your dog during and after the course duration.
It is a requirement of this course for dogs to be muzzled and wear a training harness or any other equipment recommended by your trainer.
Because of the nature of this course, places are very limited, so early booking is advisable to avoid disappointment.
Fee: €320.00 (+Eventbrite Fees)
Duration: 4 Week Course; 1 Hour class each week consecutively unless stated otherwise.
Please note Week 1 is a seminar held via ZOOM, then week 2, 3 & 4 are held onsite the DSPCA in Rathfarnham with your dog.
Locations, Dates and Booking
Wednesday 18th September – 9th October 2024, 7.15PM – 8.15PM
Wednesday 27th November – 18th December 2024, 7.15PM – 8.15PM
Agility Training
Beginner Level
We are delighted to bring back our Agility Training at the DSPCA, this fun course will take you and your dog right through from the basics of agility to running a full agility courses – over hurdles, through tunnels and tyres and over contact equipment such as the A-frame and dog walk. Suitable for all dogs over the age of 5months!
This is run as a 4 week course or in Taster sessions.
Locations, Dates and Booking
There are currently no spaces available on this course. To join the waiting list please fill out the following form: