General Dog Training
Canine and Able can offer a variety of training for you and your dog – confidence, obedience, heelwork, recall, socialisation, gun dog and more … just contact us with your requirements.
We try and keep our training fees as affordable and accessible as possible, and you have the benefit of a warm fuzzy feeling – knowing that dog training sessions with us – helps to fund our Therapy Dog sessions with those in need in your local community.
Our main trainer Charlotte Lewtas has over 20 years’ experience of working with animals from veterinary nursing to wildlife rescue. Focussing on dogs for the last 6 years, she has a Level 3 qualification in Learning, Motivation and Reinforcement from the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers and has experience of training all sorts of dogs including pets, gun dogs, agility, and Assistance dogs.
A word from Charlotte about her training methods
My dog training philosophy is fully focused on positive confirmation and clear communication. The core principle is building a strong bond through positive interactions and understanding canine behaviour. I believe in building a foundation of trust and communication with the dog which embraces their individual character. For me, that means focusing on positive confirmation, rewarding good behaviours by identifying the individual dog’s motivation, and making training a fun and positive experience for both of us.
I’ve learned a lot from various trainers and resources over the years, but one person who has profoundly shaped my approach is Susan Garrett (https://dogsthat.com). Susan is a very successful dog trainer – who’s methods are recognised all around the world – and her methods have had the biggest influence over how I run any training session with a dog. Susan’s emphasis on understanding canine psychology, particularly through her “Four Quadrants of Learning,” has been instrumental in my career. Using these Four Quadrants allows the dog to make the right/correct decision for the most desirable outcome. Basically, they think what you want them to do – was their idea in the first place – and they’ve worked it all out on their own with fantastic rewards for doing so. Lol!
Essentially, I focus on what the dog does right, and I reward those behaviours. I also use “negative punishment” – removing something desirable when a behaviour is not desired – in order to guide the dog in the right direction. For example, if he jumps on me, I might turn away, removing my attention. This helps him understand (and work out on his own) that it is not acceptable without resorting to punishment. It’s not just about training; it’s about building a relationship. My goal is to create a dog who is confident, happy, and eager to learn. That’s the core of my approach – positive, clear, and always with a focus on building a strong bond.
Donate
Help us to help others by contributing to the work we do
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Volunteer
Volunteering can be a very rewarding experience – even more so with a dog by your side!
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Therapy dogs
Sessions for nurseries, schools, hospitals, care homes, workplaces, community groups.
General Dog Training
Our affordable social-enterprise activity to help fund our therapy sessions. Puppy confidence, obedience, heelwork, recall, socialisation, and more.
Transport Training
Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in all manner of transport (planes, trains, buses, trams, ferries, taxi).
Public Access
Confidence and behavioural training for Assistance dogs (and their humans) in public places to the required standard set by the Assistance Dog Assessment Associations (ADAA).
Other Services
Educational talks regarding the roles of Therapy dogs and Assistance dogs and the Laws surrounding access rights.