The Home of Surrey Dog Training Society's Obedience Section. Running Puppy classes, KCGC classes (bronze to gold levels) , competition obedience classes an

Surrey Dog Training society started as an independent club in January 1955. Like many other long-established training groups it was originally a branch of ASPADS (Associated Sheep, Police and Army Dog Societies) which in turn had grown out of wartime use of german shepherd dogs (alsatians) for guarding and searching etc. ASPADS ran working trial competitions through various branches all over the country from 1924. Surrey decided to go independent in 1955 so that the subscriptions of the pet owners who formed the majority at its obedience classes would be used directly for their benefit.

But the competitive aspect of dog training which dominated ASPADS was not lost by this change. Surrey DTS has been running working trials since 1957 and is still organising two open and two championship trials every year. In 1957 the breeds placed in the competition were the Labrador, the GSD, the Great Dane, the Border Collie/Working Sheepdog, the Poodle, and the Golden Retriever. Now the placed breeds often include the Weimeraner, the Vizla, the Rottweiler, Belgian Shepherds, and the Springer Spaniel, as well as enthusiasts with, for example, a Sheltie, Border Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,Gordon Setter, Schnauzer, or Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever.

Surrey added to its competitive diary in 1959 when it ran its first Championship Obedience Show, which still features every year in June although it has long outgrown the early homes at Tillingbourne School and Guildford & Godalming Rugby Club.
When agility started some thirty years ago the Society also embraced that activity, and runs an open agility show in the summer.

The Society remains a nucleus in West Surrey for people who want to take part in organised group activities with their pets. It has survived over fifty years thanks to the voluntary efforts of dedicated members and it is to be hoped that it will still be there in 2055!

This is the face book page of the Surrey DTS Obedience section. We train on Monday nights from 6.45pm to 10pm . Are classes are run by our group of volunteer trainers , who have a wealth of knowledge and years of expriace of working with dogs. They attend courses, workshops and seminars regularly to keep up with all aspects of modern training ideas and techniques . We are very proud to say that we are modern , progressive ethical trainers using reward based training and force free methods of training .

We hold puppy classes from 6.45 to 7.30. we keep the classes small (max of 8 puppies) so that we can focus on each dog and handlers . Our course is based on the KCGCDS puppy foundation course , but are main aims are for you to bond with your pup, have some fun and to give you the tools to turn your puppy in to a happy good citizen! The course is run by Helen Lewis and Julia Bryant. (both are working towards imdt full membership).

We hold are intermediate class is runs from 7.45 to 8.30 pm . It is a fun packed course , that aims to give you and your dog the skills to live happy lives and to deepen your bond. its great if you are looking for a class to carry on your training with a puppy who is becoming a 'teenager' or as a refresher with an adult dog. its also great if you looking to start basic training with a rescue dog or if you just want something with furry friend. You get the chance at the end of the course to take one of the KC good citizen test (bronze , silver or gold) . The course is run by Alison Edwards, who has been a member of SDTS for more than 15 years.

Are advanced class runs from 8.30 to 10pm. It fallows a slightly different format, as it is a pay as you go roll on/off course. On the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month class is lead by the amazing Paula Foakes and is great place to learn skills aimed towards the Competition obedience of training , using kind force free methods and clicker training , but it is also the place to be if you want to step up your training but still have some fun! Paula is a very good trainer who can step back and see the bigger picture on the training front, offer advice on how to improve and can always think of away to make any exercise work for all dogs . From collies to lurchers to rescue dogs or the tiniest cross breeds! On the 2nd Monday of the month we hold a Rally class lead by Marie Patchell. Rally is a great dog sport that takes aspects of obedience training and agility training, it is fun and a great way to encourage your dog to think. Marie competes in Rally with her Poodles, truffles and champers. She is also something of a clicker training master and is always full of tips and tricks! Last Monday of the month is our Club night , that is open to all dogs and handlers . It is run as a drop-in group help evening . If your having trouble with your heel work , or a bad retrieve or a shocking recall, then this is the place to come. Show us what your problem is and we will workshop it as a group and come up with ideas that actually help! the class has a lot of are more senior handlers in it and with them they bring so much knowledge that they are more than happy to pass on to others. Us being a friendly punch , this is also know as the night for ' tea and cake '. Something we take great pride in !

So that is us, if you fancy coming and having some fun , drop us a line at surrey.dts@hotmail.com or visit are website www.surreydogtrainingsociety.org.uk/

(We would ask that if you do not get a reply straight away, please bare with us . All are members and trainers have jobs , and Surrey DTS is run by people who also work and have families. We will get back to you asap , but it might take a few days!)