What Training Programme?

Basic Training

Here at Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy dogs we offer basic training for those who want to work towards having an obedient dog. Training really can be the most fun and rewarding part of dog ownership. As soon as you have decided to own a dog, training your new four-legged friend needs to be high on your list of priorities. Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy Dog's are members of the Kennel Club Scheme. We promote responsible dog ownership by teaching owners to train their dog for everyday life situations. There are four award levels: Puppy Foundation, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

Assistance Dog Training

Assistance dogs are dogs that have been highly trained to carry out a range of tasks and alerts that support a individual disabled person or person with a long-term medical condition. Examples include a guide dog that guides a visually impaired person, a medical alert dog that alerts a person to an oncoming medical episode, or an assistance dog that alerts someone with a psychiatric condition to take medication. To achieve this, everyone on the Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy programme will complete the Kennel Club awards then move on to the Public Access programme.

Therapy Dog Training

A Therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to many people, often in settings such as hospitals, care homes, schools, libraries or hospices. In contrast to Assistance Dogs, which are trained to assist specific people with their day-to-day physical needs, therapy dogs are trained to interact with all kinds of people, not just their handlers. To achieve this, everyone on the Oliver's Army Assistance and Therapy programme will complete the Kennel Club awards then move on to the Therapy programme.

Eligibility for training

Equipment

Leads such as bungee, slip, retractable or chain leads are NOT permitted.
We do NOT allow any adverse training tools such as electronic, half or full choke, prong or citronella collars.
All dog's are required to wear identification tags with the legal information on it.

Breed of Dogs

Unfortunately we don't work with any of the banned breeds or dogs mixed with the banned breeds. Currently on the UK banned list is:

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Braziliero
The XL Bully

Medical

All dogs MUST be microchipped and fully vaccinated before attending classes.
Updated vaccines are required.
Dogs must receive flea and worming according to their veterinary guidelines.
If any dog has been in contact or shows sign of illness they cannot enter the centre.
Female dogs in season require to take 3 weeks off classes.
Dogs who are being spayed and neutered cannot return to class until a qualified veterinarian has cleared them for working/returning to class.

Insurance

All handlers are responsible for providing your own Insurance for their own dog which MUST include Full Public Liability.

Public Access

Dogs must be over 2 years of age and no older than 6 years old.
All dogs must not be sired or bred and must be spaded or neutered before they can sit the Public Access assessment.
Over drooly breeds are not permitted on the assistance programme.
Everyone is required to provide evidence that a qualified veterinarian has cleared their dog for working and is in good physical condition.
Dogs should have completed and passed the Kennel Club Scheme before working towards our Public Access Assessment.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs cannot be on a raw diet.
Dogs must be over 18 months of age and no older than 6 years old before passing the Therapy Assessment.
Our Therapy dogs can only work for 1 hour and must rest for another hour before doing another session.
Females should not work while in season, whelping or caring for newborn puppies.
Everyone is required to provide evidence that a qualified veterinarian has cleared their dog for working and is in good physical condition.
Dogs should have completed and passed the Kennel Club Scheme before working towards our Therapy Assessment.