Ideology

We aim for our dog training at DogBasics to be a positive experience for both dog and owner. There is no need for violence or cruelty in dog training, so only positive reinforcement will be used in the training and we will always work with the breed and individual in mind. All dog breeds have specific behaviors that needs to be taken into consideration when training.

We aim to help you build a respectful and loving relationship with your dog. We will train you to train your dog using your voice, body language, touch, treats and toys.

The Basics

During the classes or private lessons, you will learn about the psychology of dogs, their background (ethology) and how their breed/breeds affect their behaviour - these are the basic corner stones in the courses. With these basics, you will be able to develop a closer and more understanding relationship with your dog. Our aim is co-operation between dog and human, not blind obedience.

The Dog Instructor - Caroline Kjall

I'm Swedish, but I have lived in the UK since winter 1997.

I took my first dog instructor diploma in Sweden, in 1994. Click here to see my Swedish Dog Instructor Certificate, translated into English. I quickly followed that with an instructor diploma in Agility and one in Competitive Obedience. I have since trained dog owners and all kinds of dogs, in various types of courses.

I have held courses in: Puppy training, General obedience, Competetive obedience, Agility, Shaping, Search, Tracking, Activity exercises and Private Training.

I keep myself updated on the latest training techniques and behaviour knowledge by reading books and going to seminars. You can read reviews of my favourite books on the book page.

My two favourite seminars to date (since I moved to the UK) was Jean Donaldsons talk for Barking Jones (click the link to get updates on when Jean Donaldson will return for her next talk) and the 1st European Dog Training Conference arranged by friendlywithdogs.com. At the conference I saw Suzanne Clothier speak for the first time and was very impressed. I would recommend anyone to read her book - Bones would rain from the sky.

Rescue Centres

I have worked with rescue dogs and dogs with behaviour problems in Sweden as well as in Britain. In Sweden I worked in two rescue organisations - HOPP (sorry, can't find a working link to their site) and Hundframjandet. In the UK I've worked at Battersea Dogs Home, in their rehabilitation unit.

Working in rescue centres has taught me so much about dogs. Not only do you get to see a multitude of breeds, you see so many 'problem' behaviours every day and can see which training techniques work and which ones don't, in a very short space of time.

Dog Day Care and Dog Boarding in my house

What has taught me more than anything is my dog day care and dog boarding. The dogs live with us in our house, as part of our family. Living with a changing pack of dogs, watching the interactions between different breeds of different ages, on a daily basis, has taught me more than years of studying.

I don't believe in the dominance theory

The dogs here sleep on a selection of sofas and dog beds scattered across our open plan living room/kitchen and office space. They often curl up next to each other in a small bed or sofa, even though there is plenty of space for them elsewhere. As true pack animals, they like to be together!

I often sit on the floor and cuddle with one or more dogs, with another dog lying on the sofa above me. I don't believe in the dominance theories, where dogs are not allowed to be 'taller' than you and not allowed to lean against you. Most dogs love close body contact, not to dominate you, but because it makes them feel better, being close.

I respect dogs and they respect me. I've earned their trust by being kind and loving to them, building up their confidence in me, not by treating them as a lesser being. I wouldn't dream of alpha rolling a dog! I feed them before I eat and I let them out through the door before me, becuause that gives me more space to get my gear ready for the walk. I don't like dogs jumping up at me, so I simply reward them for keeping their paws on the floor and ignore them when they jump up. It works a treat!

Published material about DogBasics

* DogBasics featured in an article about dog day care by Jackie Cosh in the October 2003 issue of Dogs Monthly (vol. 21, no 10).
* A local magazine called 'Village Affairs' wrote an article about us in October 2004. You can read it by clicking here.
* We had a small feature in the July 2005 issue of B Magazine.

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You can find out more about IMMI (abbreviation for "Individually shaped Methods Motivated Instructors" if directly translated), the instructor organisation that I am a member of, if you click on the name link. Unfortunately the site is not yet available in English.