About K9 Training Centre
K9 Training Centre in Treesbank has been helping people train their dogs for over 35 years.
General Info
K9 Training Centre is one of the oldest clubs in the Fourways area, and in 2024 we celebrated our 35th Anniversary.
Our talented Instructors are passionate about dog training and have many years of experience. Instructors keep current with dog training trends and new techniques, and attend workshops and seminars to further their knowledge. Several of our instructors compete in Obedience and dog sports, and some of our instructors have ethology qualifications.
Training occurs on the first four Saturday mornings and the first four Wednesday evenings of the month. If there are five Saturdays or Wednesdays in a month, then an outing is held on that day in place of training. Testing is held on the Sunday after the fourth Saturday for the Intermediate and Novice classes, for those who qualify.
The Advanced Class competes for our ‘Dog of the Year’ title in separate Obedience and Field Work tests during the year.
At the end of each year, we have our Christmas party and prize giving event during which a variety of awards are presented to handlers and dogs, including our ‘Dog of the Year’.
What We Do
We offer obedience training for all breeds and levels of dogs, from Puppy Classes all the way up to Advanced Obedience. Training is an important part of any dog’s life and improves character, confidence and stability. It is vital in helping the dog to adapt to the role it has to play as part of the family. Our Obedience Training is for all breeds and includes Obedience, Socialising, Retrieve, Agility, Tracking and Protection Work. We also offer Puppy Socialisation Classes for the youngsters.
Whether you are just looking for some basic obedience skills, enjoy dog training as a hobby, or even want to compete in obedience competitions, we can help you train your dog to the level you want. Our classes are on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings.
K9 Training Centre is a member of Super Pup Certified Puppy & Dog Trainers and Animal Behaviour Consultants (A.B.C.), and will help you turn your dog into an obedient protector and friend.
Meet The Team
Our knowledgeable Instructors have almost 100 collective years of dog training experience.
Chris Waldron
OWNER & INSTRUCTOR
I qualified as a Dog Training Instructor in 1980, and worked with both the Army and South African Police Dog Units. I acquired my own German Shepherd, and joined a dog training school called K9 Training Centre to train her. The owner of K9 emigrated in 1994, and because of my dog training experience and love of working with dogs, I took over the school with a partner. We ran the school together until 2007 when my partner decided to retire. I have run the school on my own since then. I have actively trained dogs as an Instructor for 40 years, and have run a dog training school for 26 years.
Charles Pietersen
INSTRUCTOR
I was born into a home of 4 dogs to a father that loved, understood and trained his own dogs. I grew up loving dogs and later learned to understand and train them to Dad’s methods. I started formal dog training in 1992 with emphasis on obedience and “man-work”.
Cheryl Theron
INSTRUCTOR
I have been involved in training my various dogs for 18 years. I feel it is important to make training fun so that you can both benefit from the exercise. I love seeing the positive change in dogs once their humans have a better understanding of their 4-legged companions!
Debbie Moser
INSTRUCTOR
I joined K9 in 1997, I have had six dogs through the club in that time, three of them achieved Dog of the Year status. My passion is for helping others to pass tests and reach their full potential.
Joanna Wing
INSTRUCTOR
For over 20 years, my border collies have taught me much about life. Patience, awareness and how to think outside the box – all through obedience, agility, protection work & trick training.
Karyn Griffin
INSTRUCTOR
I grew up in a household with German Shepherds who were constantly being trained in both obedience and protection work. So to me it is only natural that if you have a dog, it must be trained. I have been actively training my own dogs now for 10 years and they range from GSD’s, Jack Russells and even a Terry Dog.
Michaela Newey
INSTRUCTOR
I came to the wonderful world of dogs a bit later in life than many. Growing up we always had cats. But then a German Shepherd named Newton came into my life in 2001, and my life was irrevocably changed forever. I have been training my own dogs in obedience since 2001, and I became an instructor in 2009.
F.A.Q.
Why should I train my dog?
A trained dog is much easier around the house (as he listens) and can also be taken anywhere. Even if you do not have a specific problem that you need help with, training is a great way to learn how to build a good relationship with your dog. And it’s fun!
How old must my dog be to start training?
Puppies should attend puppy socialisation classes from between 10 and 16 weeks of age, or whatever the requirements of the puppy school are. Regardless, puppies should not attend any classes or go to any public areas before their 2nd set of vaccinations.
Dogs can attend obedience classes from 6 months onwards.
Is there a limit to how old a dog can be to start training?
Not at all. We have had dogs as old as 10 years old start training with us. As long as the dog is physically capable there is no problem. We are also very happy to adapt exercises for dogs if needed.
Can all breeds attend training?
We accept all breeds of dogs. Working breeds may learn at a faster rate than others, but training is not a race, it is a journey.
How long will it take for my dog to be trained?
There is no real answer to this question as it depends on many factors outside our control.
Firstly, you must know what you want to accomplish. We want you to train to the level that YOU want to achieve. This may mean a few months to help you with some basics, or it may mean that you wish to go on to advanced levels. Or anything in-between. Specific problems may take time to address. At our school we train to competition standards, but that does not mean that everyone must compete. We have many handlers who have no wish to progress to advanced levels, but simply enjoy dog training as a hobby and having a nice time out with their dogs.
Secondly, success in goals in training depends on a multitude of factors. The dogs breed, age, confidence and personality, your experience as a handler, your relationship with the dog, how much you practice and so on.
My dog is aggressive – will you accept us?
Yes. Our senior instructors have decades of experience in working with aggressive dogs. We also have instructors who are qualified behaviourists. Dogs can be aggressive for a multitude of reasons. We applaud and welcome handlers who would like to learn how to help their dogs overcome problems, and build a good relationship with their dog. Obviously, safety of all dogs and people is our primary concern, and we will take the required steps to help you with any necessary precautions.
I have a Pitbull – will you accept my dog?
Yes, we accept all breeds. Pitbulls can actually be pretty smart and good at training. We have even had Pitbulls reach our most advanced level. We have experience in working with them, and if needed we will take any necessary safety precautions.
I want to have a protection dog – how soon can my dog be trained to do this?
Our protection classes are only available to handler and dog teams who have reached the Advanced Obedience class – this is a legal requirement for family dogs. How long it takes to get to advanced class depends on a multitude of factors – 2 to 4 years is an average time frame. Please note that for various reasons not all dogs are suitable for this type of training, and may not be eligible for protection classes at the discretion of the instructors.
What kind of training methods do you use?
We use positive reinforcement as a method of training. For the most part, we work on a rewards based training system. This basically means that when we are teaching a dog to do an action, if he does something that we want, he gets something that he wants, such as a food treat or a toy.
The dog is my child’s. Can my child train the dog?
Children must be a minimum of 14 years old to handle a dog in class, and must be accompanied by an adult. The child must also be able to physically control the dog in class. The class Instructor will determine if the child is capable of handling the dog, and if not will then ask the adult to step in. Provided the child has CORRECTLY mastered the technique, they can practice at home with the dog, under adult supervision, what is learned in class, even if the child does not handle the dog in the class.
My partner and I would both like to train our dog and swap around in class, is this ok?
For the sake of the dog, it is preferable that only one person trains the dog in the early levels while the dog is learning actions and behaviours. This is because dogs are very perceptive in the smallest nuances of voice and body language between people, and while learning a behaviour it is best that only one person teach it, so the dog does not get confused. Once the behaviour is learnt, the partner can also practice with the dog, PROVIDED they have the correct technique. We love it when partners attend, even though only one of them is going to work with the dog, so that they also understand what to do.
My dog is on heat, can she come to class?
No, a dog on heat will affect the behaviour of a great many other dogs in the classes, and she will be under immense pressure.
I don’t want to train my dog with food – is this ok and what are the alternatives?
It is perfectly fine to not want to train with food. Indeed, a great many working dogs such as detection, tracking, police and Search & Rescue dogs are not trained with food at all. These dogs are chosen for their high toy drive and are trained with toys and play. Food is not the only way. A reward is anything that your dog enjoys – such as play with or without a toy, a physical touch, a verbal “good boy” and even your enjoyment.
Can I train more than one dog at the same time?
We work on a one dog one handler basis, so you cannot, as one person have two dogs with you in the same class, at the same time. The alternatives are to have another member of the household train the second dog, or to train one dog and then the other. After beginner level you are eligible for Wednesday night classes, so a lot of people start with one dog on a Saturday until they are eligible for Wednesday nights, then do one dog on a Wednesday and the other on Saturday.
Do you have branches in other cities?
No, we only have one training school in Treesbank, in the Fourways / Kyalami area. If you are looking for dog training in your region, ask your local vets, pet shops and even groomers – they all usually know about training facilities in the area.
What must I bring with me to class?
Apart from your dog, this depends on your level. In all cases you must ensure that your dog cannot slip or escape from the collar, harness or leash. Also, as classes are in the sun, please make sure that you as a human have the adequate protection – hat, sunblock, something to drink. Please wear shoes suitable for walking or running in a field, such as takkies.
Elementary – collar & leash, small food treats or toy, muzzle if required.
Beginner – as above.
Intermediate – as above, (toy now compulsory).
Novice – as above, formal retrieve article (dumbbell).
Advanced – as above, squaring articles (small piece of cloth, small piece of hosepipe, peg, matchbox), tracking harness and long lead.
Protection / Manwork – leash, wide flat buckle collar or Manwork harness.
Talk to us.
Have A Query?
We would love to hear from you. If you have any more questions about our club you are welcome to drop us a message below!