This course is designed to help you and your dog take the next steps on your training journey together. It helps to strengthen behaviours your dog already knows and also teaches new skills which can be helpful in day-to-day life or create foundations for things like dog sports or gun dog training.

This course takes place outdoors in an enclosed field at Lower Henwick Farm, Thatcham.

The syllabus used in the Next Steps course is developed by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT) as part of their Partnership Grade Scheme. This covers a range of behaviours and skills across six different grades, split into Beginner, Intermediate and Advance levels.

The course is taught in rolling blocks of five weeks and is designed to take into account the ability and training history of each dog. As such, it has a flexible structure where each particpant can progress at their own pace. For example, in single five week block, one participant may achieve Grade 1 and move on to Grade 2, while another may only achieve their Grade 1 at the end of the block. At a minimum, we aim for each participant to each at least one grade by the end of the five week course.

Dogs of all ages who have previously completed a reward-based training programme are the best fit for this class. It's ideal for puppies who have recently completed a puppy course but also great for any owners who want to top up their previous training. Dogs should be well socialised and comfortable working around other dogs and people.

This course is also available on a 1-2-1 basis if preferred. Please get in touch to discuss.

This is a great opportunity to build on existing training and learn new skills with your dog. Puppy training teaches just the fundamentals or basic training and there is always more you can do to make that training stronger and more advanced.

Further training helps to continue develop your partnership and bond with your dog, gives you increased confidence in your handling abilities, helps you to keep training topped up throughout your dog's different life stages, such as adolescence and provides excellent enrichment for your dog.

You also get a very nice rosette upon completing each grade, as proof of your training expertise!

The safety and wellbeing of your dog continues to be the cornerstone of training at Kaelum Neville Dog Training. I want you and your dog to have a happy and fulfilling life together, so all of my training is based on the principles of positive reinforcement. I do not and will never use aversive training methods (shouting, fear, intimidation, punishment, etc) or equipment (shock collars, prong collars, slip leads, etc). Instead, I use the most up-to-date, ethical and scientifically-backed methods.

For training to be effective, it’s important that you are happy to do certain amount in between classes, as the real learning happens in real life!