Hi Christine
I loved being with everyone on the course! I miss it so much. Loved being between like-minded people. Would love to be part of the 2nd and 3rd course. I do hope our plans line up to be back in time for that and that there is still space for me.
Regards.
Malani
Hi Chris & Christine,
Being back home is great, it’s amazing how you realise how the course changed me and my outlook on life.
I can’t wait for level 2 and 3.
Regards
Chantelle
Hi Chris I hope you are well.
The course was absolutely amazing it has really changed my life and I am so sad that I do not stay closer so I could be there more often. Your teaching methods were great and flexible which helped me a lot and tied in well with the practical side of the course. Christine is amazing I learnt so much from her in such a short time and I am sad our course has ended. Now that I have seen that side to life I am struggling to adapt back to the other side of life. All together I think you two have put a lot of effort and time into the courses you hold and its definitely appreciated and worth it. It is very well rounded and beneficial. You guys really do feel like family to us and I am grateful for all your help thank you very much and keep well.
Amy
Dear Chris
The course has exceeded by far my expectations. The course content (theory and practical) that are covered is intense but super interesting and I have learnt so much in a short amount of time. You, Christine and Biata are excellent and don’t mind spending extra time to explain something more then once. Although we are a fair amount of learners your also managing to give us all individual attention and support. Thank you. In short the course has change my life.
Change the way I think and interact with dogs. It feels that I think more like a dog now,were two weeks ago I was the a%#hole at the end of the leash(like you say). I must still learn a lot and will with you. You will come highly recommended by me, to everyone that loves dogs and have heart.
Kind Regards
Natacha
Coming here was a spur of the moment decision after months of researching and putting it off. With the benefit of hind sight I now truly believe this is where I was destined to be.
I want to thank you and Christine for the dedication and love you are showing towards animals (and people), you are such an inspiration and true beacons of hope.
This course has made me love dogs much more than I ever thought would be possible, it has opened a new door into a new world full of new adventures, it also opened my eyes to the fact that somewhere in life I lost myself but at the same time I realised who I want to be and I know that once I leave here I will be a new happier version of me.
I can’t describe how much respect I have for you and the only way I will ever be able to thank you for touching my heart and my life is by going out there and change the way people think about these lovely animals.
One thing you said that stuck was “you are the dogs last chance, if you mess up the dog will die” I decided that if I am the only hope I will never give up, as long as you have hope, love and patience all is not lost and quitting is not an option the reward of a happy dog is worth it all.
I want to wish you only the best and I hope that many more will be touched in the way I was touched, you will forever be a part of me.
Chantelle
I did a taster day on the Explosives dog course and a day on the Drug detection course, both were very enjoyable.
I realised how much I have learnt from yourself and Chris while there as even though a lot of it was beginner/basic elements I already had as good an understanding as the people on the course and they are all already qualified dog handlers either through the army/police or private (so that was nice).
Carl
I love everything about SADTC and feel very privileged to be close by so I can come and train and gain experience from the team. It motivated me seeing you guys in action.
I was very impressed, and saw the different ways of teaching.
I love the passion, the course was very instructive and instructors very professional.
The lecturers were very professional, and the differences between them was very helpful.
I loved every minute, and enjoyed the family dynamics.
Chris & Christine are amazing presenters.
Hi Christine
Please express our thanks to everyone at SADTC for supporting the Highveld Belgian Shepherd Doc Club Open show on Sunday. We appreciate the support and look forward to seeing many of the competitors back in the ring in future shows.
Well done to SADTC who did exceptionally well at the show once again.
Regards
Keith
Secretary
Elliot our Mini Schnauzer and the man in the house
One of the first few words Alexia spoke (apart from Mamma, Dadda and the usual) was “hondjie” and so the begging and pleading started to get a puppy…
I heroically resisted this onslaught until I felt that she was old enough to take responsibility for a dog’s well being.
Then the hard part, which type of dog will be suitable for us?
I had a German Shepherd to share my childhood with and it is a memory that I treasure till this day.. He has been gone for 20 years now and I still get emotional thinking about him. Purely for that reason I will never get another one because no dog will ever live up to the memory of what we had together (time and youth equals rose tinted glasses 🙂
I wanted to give Alexia the same magical connection that can only exist between a child and their dog. As she is an only child this dog will have various roles to fulfil – best friend, brother, playmate and protector. This was quite a tall order!
To make a very long story short, a friend of mine took in a rescue schnauzer and over a cup of coffee I fell head over heels in love with this awkward looking, bearded lady called Lily. I have never even seen a schnauzer, new nothing of the breed but the personality I glimpsed that fateful afternoon sent me into a flurry of research. The more I learnt the more I was convinced that this is the dog I’ve been looking for and about a year later when Alexia turned 7 I brought Elliot home.
And O! the joy.. I do not think that I will ever be able to top that moment for my child. The wonder and love that this scruffy, fluffy being has brought to both our lives cannot be explained to someone that has never experienced a dog’s love and devotion.
Once the initial euphoria wore off and reality set in, I was like a new mother worrying about food, toys, potty (house) training, shots and off course education 🙂
And that lead me straight to SADTC (thank goodness) and as I never trained a dog before it was literally the blind leading the blind in this case, both myself and Elliot were equally clueless.
Training me proved to be the more difficult part of the arrangement! Elliot quickly figured out that if he can decipher what the big, bearded man talking in a squeaky voice wants, he gets some really premium treats as reward… and so Chris instilled the philosophy in Elliot of “I work for food”. Chris, with the patience of Job and an endless supply of love for his furry charges proceeded to lead us through the growing pains of not only basic commands but also how to socialise safely among a hundred other things.
Getting on board with the program I bribed Elliot through his puppy classes, proceeded to Sandra’s class (in the big open space outside the safety of the fence:), survived Keith’s super energetic classes, had a super chilled run in Mark’s class, enjoyed the dignified wisdom Oom Johan imparted on us, moved on to John’s classes that was a joy every Saturday and now we are full circle back in Sandra’s class which feels like coming home. It is only now that I’m writing this that I grasp the long way that we have come.
And all throughout we were encouraged and guided (me), given treats and scratches (Elliot) and generally just being absorbed into a feeling of community where we are regular fools and shining stars all in one day.. and even being the “mini” in his class filled with big dogs we feel like we belong and can achieve more than what I could comprehend when we started this journey.
Elliot has an abundance of love that he will lavish on anyone in close proximity but most of all he has that mad love a dog has for his human – Alexia. I was lucky enough to get the perfect breed for myself and Alexia, but I have all the instructors at SADTC to thank for the well adjusted, sociable and confident little boy he is today. I’m loving the journey that we are on at the moment and cannot wait to see what this year has in store for us!
Hi Hi
I was very nervous, because it was my first class with Johan. But his way of training is remarkable. He is excellent, on the other hand your school is excellent!!!
I must say thank you to you guys for seeing my dogs potential and moving me up! Clearly this shows you guys are truly honest and not doing this just for the money… because other people would rather keep us in puppy class for a long time so they can make alot of money.
Thanks once again. Hope you have a blessed week!
Hi, I reached your premises, loaded off my dog and went to stand near a tree near the parking area and oh my God I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears. I had Biata and a friend walk up to me, knowing my name and my dogs name, introduced themselves to my dog and I, making me feel so so comfortable and so at home, just so at ease. Talking, asking questions, sharing some of there remarkable knowledge.
They both helped out with my dog, once he was nice and calm they carried on and I decided to walk onto the field.
Immediately a gentleman walked towards me, also a trainer (didn’t get his name)but he knew mine, also greeting myself and my dog by our names, checking out my dog, making sure I’m ok with “handling” my dog and sharing his knowledge with me a swell and that was AMAZING!!!
The warm and welcoming feeling from the 2 ladies and the gentleman was AMAZING, the way they do things, the explanations and the eagerness to help was truly something amazing.
I am so so happy that my husband pushed me to attend the first class or I would of been missing out on so much more.
When the class was done, I didn’t even wait to drive back home to inform my husband, I immediately called him from SADTC parking area and told him of the great experience I just had, I told him how good they treated me and how professional they are and was happy to drive back home, the minute I reached home I repeated how happy I was and how amazing those 3 people were and he burst out laughing saying you phoned me to tell me this and you really repeating again you clearly are very happy!
I must say, I have been to a lot of training but this is the BEST, if your dog trains here you have really done your best to give your dog the best! I will continue at SADTC it is a great amazing place with very nice people!
Biata, her friend and the gentleman thank you to the 3 of you for making our training there so grate and for welcoming us so nicely also thank you for the loads of help and knowledge shared with me the hours before training started!!
See you guys next Saturday!
Suraiya
Zeus; our wanna-be Pug.
In December 2017 we were devastated when we sadly lost our much-loved male Boerboel, Blade, to Spirocerca Lupi. His absence left a big gap in our lives and after dropping many hints with my husband about getting a smaller breed puppy, such as a PUG, he surprised me one day by bringing home what I now realise has become my new furry BFF. 1 year, 50kgs of growth, buckets full of slobber, 4 pairs of shoes and plenty of torn washing later, I can’t imagine my life without him.
As a kid, I did a bit of dog training with my Dad and our Bullterriers, and I remember how it used put me on a natural high. I live pretty close to Walkerville, and have often driven past the SADTC grounds and looked in longing for the opportunity to train a dog from puppyhood. My own kids have finished school and recently started working/studying, so in an attempt to side-step any feelings of empty-nest syndrome, as soon as Zeus had his final puppy inoculation, I knew exactly where I would be able to spend my time and reignite my love of dog training.
Zeus and I started in the puppy class with Chris and after just a few weeks I was hooked. We are both equally excited to get our Saturday morning fix, albeit that I think he has seriously outgrown my two-seater MX5!
Looking back, I realise that these early puppy classes which included socialisation, moulded his amazing nature with kids and other dogs. The proof of which is his Canine Good Citizen award in November.
Over the months we have progressed up the rungs and currently we participate in Basic Home Obedience with John, and Agility Training with Mark and Lorna. This year we look forward to a new class – Protection Work, and although I am a little nervous of Zeus’s strength, I know that I am in good hands with SADTC.
I have learnt that training deeply strengthens the bond between you and your dog, and I’m still learning that size means nothing if you use your voice.
I have registered to attend the Level 1 Instructor Course in March and simply cannot wait to learn even more!
SADTC is an extension of my family and I am super excited to get going again in 2019. (We promise that we have been practicing!)
Good morning,
I thoroughly enjoyed my first lesson with Chris.
I’ve been practicing with Kai and he’s coming on nicely. I’m really looking forward to Saturday’s.
Could I please hassle you for the instructors course information?
Best Regards
Christopher
Hi Romayne,
Yes, instructors are all amazing and inspiring.
Tarryn
Hi Romayne
I was Extremely satisfied with the training, and Chris, is Great and Very Knowledgeable.
Little Senna, was Petrified before coming to You, and within the very first lessons, He was is Different Dog, so Yes! It Certainly it is Very Important to get the Puppies to Your Lessons.
To All the Team, Keep Up the Great Work!
Regards
Gina
Good Afternoon
Rowan and I really enjoyed our first class. Chris was really great and so easy to work with. I think it was all very exciting for them as they slept very well after we got home.
Looking forward to next week’s class.
Kind Regards
Nicky
Hallo, yes Leo and I enjoyed it very much. We are extremely happy with our trainer Biata.
Will be back for more. Just need to teach him and me a few tricks this week.
Thank you, very professional.
Arrie & Leo
Morning Christine
Our first lesson was great,
Our instructor is Chris, Yes he is brilliant.
Thanks for a lovely establishment.
Kind regards
Rudy & Sandy
Hi Christine
Mark is really an awesome person. Very happy. Must say today homework was better than yesterday so hopefully by Saturday we will be a bit further.
Rietjie
Good evening
Our first lesson was wonderful.
It didn’t take long for Rylee to become comfortable with a strange environment.
Our instructor was Biata. She is absolutely amazing.
Thank you so much for the great lesson and warm welcome.
Sindera
Hi Christine
We had a super 1st training session. Dogs were mostly relaxed – and seemed to be a good group together.
Chris was relaxed but firm – and the puppies responded well to him.
We are so glad we have been able to come back to you guys to train our second schnauzer!
Thanks for the follow up.
Regards,
Colleen
Please express our thanks to everyone at SADTC for supporting the Highveld Belgian Shepherd Doc Club Open show on Sunday. We appreciate the support and look forward to seeing many of the competitors back in the ring in future shows.
Well done to SADTC who did exceptionally well at the show once again.
Regards
Keith
Wow! I can’t believe our Colin is dog of month! Thank you so much!
Our journey with Colin has been filled with tears, laughs, frustration, games, but mostly lots and lots of love. We decided to get Colin for protection reasons as my dad, Warren, travels often for business. We had never really had a big dog before and had no idea what we were actually getting ourselves into. Those of you who know Colin, will know that, although he is super cute, he can also be quite the handful.
After about 2 weeks of having Colin, 3 T.V remotes, a pair of Nike running shoes, sunglasses, a handbag strap and the dustbin lid, we knew that we had to get him into training, and FAST! My dad being who he is, and an extensive researcher, was determined to find the best training school for Colin. We wanted a training school that first and foremost, loved animals and focused on cruelty-free methods, as well as offered both Obedience and Protection work. And we found so much more than that at SADTC!
In the beginning, Colin was really difficult and pulled me off of my feet numerous times. After about what felt like the 800th time being pulled off my feet by Colin, we decided that it’s best if my dad became his handler at training, and I practice with him at home.
Since then, Colin has come a long way. He even won his Obedience competition!! (This was a huge surprise victory in our house – my dad even wanted to replace Colin’s certificate with my graduation photo…) He has started to settle down at training and has become quite popular, especially in his agility class. We are even able to take him to the park and let him run off leash without worrying about pandemonium breaking out.
We are so proud of Colin, and so thankful for SADTC and all of Colin’s instructors for all their help, support and guidance.
Although we have only had our Colin for little over a year, he is such an important part of our family (as are any of our animals). He enjoys going on walks, driving in the car and simply going places with us. He loves being around people and LOVES being the centre of attention. He is filled with personality and is super intelligent, constantly trying to outsmart us.
We are so grateful to everyone at SADTC for helping us get through the difficult phase of Colin’s training but also cheering us on now, and for always giving us the best advise! We have learnt so much about our furry friends, and have also made so many new friends that we will never forget!!
Regards,
Warren, Carmen and Dannica
Hi, this is Rapelang Moso Litabes brother, we have recently opened a dog training school and we are achieving great success at the homes we consulted, I would personally like to thank you for the training you equipped my brother with, I already knew enough about dogs but he broadened my knowledge and experience.
What a humbling yet exciting privilege it is for Lucy to be nominated as dog of the month. Our story is a journey of dedication, perseverance and overcoming individual obstacles, fears and difficulties. Our story starts at chapter 1 as usual but with a twist. My dad was invited to take a puppy from a litter of x border collie pups. Mom a working dog on a plot nearby. We were told that they are getting rid of the pups, one way or the other (if you know what I mean) So Dad decided to get the little red one. We were told that she is 8 weeks old. But from pics included and education I now know she was taken at a very young age. She didn’t get any imprinting a young pup needs. But little did we know these things. We took her home and that is how the journey starts with my Dad as her owner.
Chapter 2
Seeing dogs at wodac doing some agility and other exercises, I finally convinced my dad that Lucy is a high energy dog and we need to train her. I started looking for some sort of training where I can teach dogs tricks like what they showed on Expresso that time. Which was 2015. I finally came across SADTC. (Where I enrolled for instructor course level 1 a little bit later.) I saw how awesome it looked to have a trained dog. Never training a dog in my life. We started Bho In April 2015.
Chapter 3
Realizing it is not as easy as it seems.
What a nightmare. Lucy would not have a collar around her neck let alone the leash clipped on. She was as nervous as could be and lashed out to any dog near us. She was fearful to people and I literally had to carry her where I wanted her. Resulting in us standing far away from everyone and standing in the end of class line to avoid any nervousness. Words cannot explain how many times I wanted to give up. I was crying in most of the classes, either during or after or even both. But then after pressing through, Things started to change and Lucy chose me to be her caretaker. Now she is my dog.
Chapter 4
The big change.
We could actually sit between people in the clubhouse provided the dogs do not make direct eye contact. Wow! We then did some socialization with some of the placid dogs at school. We waited till every one went home and under the watchful eye of Chris. We let the dogs out. I think I was more nervous than anything else. But it worked.
Chapter 5
Building confidence.
Being the nervous dog that Lucy is, we decided to build some confidence. She would not tolerate me being more than 1 step away from her. They call it Velcro collie. Frustrating if you think of obedience recall, retrieve and most of all stays. We tried agility for a start. Starting with baby steps. First showing her that this thing will not hurt her or separate her from me. She loved it!
Chapter 6
Adding other classes.
Lucy was crawling out her shell and I decided to give other classes a go. We did detection for a while but she got bored to quick. One day we sat at clubhouse watching the protection work, and all of a sudden she jumps up and barks at the decoy. What was this? A border collie who wanted to be a police dog! So. We gave her a turn. Her second favorite class now. This built her confidence even more and I was able to take her out to parks and walks with no worries. We even did a fun day at Gilhooleys with dogs she did not know. Makes me so proud of her.
Chapter 7
Mutual growth and bonding.
Doing dog training with Lucy has not only been challenging in a training perspective but has been challenging personally as well. The two of us growing from 2 separate nervous wrecks, building and working at each other to become what we are today. More confident, more educated and ready to take on any challenge. Being able to walk on and off leash, walking between dogs at clubhouse, greeting certain dogs and people this is what Our Sadtc family helped us achieve.
Chapter 8
2018.
I am tremendously proud of my little girl Lucy. Changing my life for the better. I would always be grateful for your sloppy kisses and your hair al over my clothes and bed. With all the challenges we have to face I could not imagine it without you my little therapist. Listening to me when I’m sad and bringing the ball so we can go and play and forget about life for a while. We achieved so much together.
4 years of blood, sweat and lots of tears. She might not be an obedience champ. But she is my champ! Loving agility and protection work like she was born for it. I love spending my time with her doing fun stuff or just chilling. I learned that border collies are very versatile contrary to popular belief that they are only herding dogs. They make great detection dogs, and really good companions given that you meet their high energy level needs. They have a way of giving you a certain look, or bark and you better start throwing the ball or there’s trouble. The collie stare is one of their trademarks and they use it wisely. So be warned, they can get you to do anything.
Finally Getting our awards this year for 1st in advance agility. Was beyond amazing and shows what hard work and perseverance can achieve. In Afrikaans there is a saying : AANHOUER WEN!
Thank you to all the amazing instructors and friends at SADTC for all the help support and education we received. Lucy also received best all rounder for the year thanks to all who did not give up on us. SADTC is more than a dog school. It’s a support system where friends become family. I love you all.
Volde, short for Voldemort, came through for a private lesson.
He is an extreme busy body and gets distracted very easily.
His handler wanted some tips on keeping him focused and attentive. We worked on this and homework was given.
We will see his progress in January.
This beautiful girl is Matilda. She came through for a private lesson as her owner recently took a tumble while out walking her and then got a bit nervous to take her out on a walk again, and had someone else walking her instead.
We changed up some of the equipment being used and gave the handler the necessary skills and confidence to take Matilda out for more walks.
They were both very happy by the end of the lesson and the owner committed to taking Matilda for a walk that evening.
This handsome fellow came to us this week for a private lesson. He had been trained at another club but they weren’t sure what to do about his ‘aggression’ issues.
We made some changes to the equipment being used on him. Then we worked on his obedience to start. We showed his owners some tips on how to keep him focused. He picked this up really quickly.
Lastly we worked on his reactions towards other dogs. He was worked initially by our instructor, so that the owners could see how to work with him in those situations. Then it was their turn. By the end of the session he was behaving like a champion.
This boy is not aggressive in the slightest, he is just being an inquisitive boy. His owners now know what they are dealing with and how to handle him when he reacts.
Hi Christine
I think we gained more knowledge in the 1 lesson from you than what we did in 3 months on the “other” side.
It was great. Much appreciated.
This man, Jerry Selwane, is very special to SADTC. He came out one night about 7 years ago to help with a dog that been hit by a car.
We wanted to give something back, to the only man willing to help that evening, so we sponsored him the SADTC Level 1 Instructor’s Course and then one of our members sponsored his level 2 and 3 courses. He is now a very busy man, helping animals and educating people. We had our awards evening last night and collected (along with Honeydew Equestrian Centre) some things for the rescue Jerry runs, SARAC.
Wishing the dogs at the centre a very good Christmas and hoping you all find homes soon.
Jerry’s response:
“We at SARAC wish to convey our sincere gratitude to Biata Hodges and everyone at SADTC for the love and generosity towards our shelter.
On the average day we stare into the desperate faces of dozens of hungry, ill and malnourished animals. The pressure to assist and intervene is all too often overwhelming, but it is simply not always possible due to our heavily constrained resources.
We thank people like you for your compassion and generosity. We thank you for your huge hearts from the bottom of ours.”
Hello Chris and Family!!
Marcella here I was a part of your level 1 course that happened in September. I’m now working from home so I’ve been busy working with my own dogs! So far so good! I’ve already got family and friends asking me to come work with their dogs so that’s good.
I’m also very keen to join the level 2 and 3 course so I’m going to be saving up this year for that.
Hope you and your family are well and just know I’m still very grateful for all you guys taught me in the level one course.
Regards
Marcella
Hi Chris,
Out of all the dog schools I have been in discussion with, the SADTC is by far superior in feedback, passion and willingness to help.
Kind regards, Shaun
Hi Biata
A bond between man and dog is unbelievable and unbreakable, but a bond between a family and their dog has nothing to compare too. Oden has been the centre of our world since he came home and the amount of love we have for him is unexplainable. One of the biggest issues we had is the dog training, on one hand mom would spoil and let Oden get away with the bratty things all dogs love to do, while myself would try more to enforce discipline and obedience. Hence came in the search for a dog training school, we called multiple schools, and received many disappointing answers like we don’t accept ‘Pitbull breeds’ or what is an American Bully, with this came doubt that they would understand his breed and not treat him correctly because of this. Then one day I came across SADTC, the email responses and communication was almost immediate and so full of exactly what we wanted to hear, a school that knew his breed, that was excited to meet him and us, and not only were they interested in training Oden , but explained why it was so important that us as parents needed to be trained too.
On the first day of orientation, it was so cold we could hardly feel our ears! But with winter at its peak, we saw the warm smiles of people walking their dogs around the grounds and saw the determination of these humans and the happiness of their fur babies! Everyone looked like they belonged and it was a warm feeling to know we soon are going to part of this.
The first day at dog training, were up at 6 already taking Oden for a walk because we knew exactly how much of excitement he can contain within, and as told by the school to try to be there a little earlier so we could walk him and get him accustomed to the environment, boy can I tell you the excitement he had every Saturday morning thereafter.
We woke up early each Saturday with anticipation of learning more ways of understanding and loving our boy, we had amazing trainers who not just understood our boy but us as his owners too. They helped identify the mistakes we were making and gave great advise to prevent and rectify them.
Oden has come so far since we started at SADTC, he’s more attentive, we learnt how to understand him and sense his reactions before he can act out, he’s much more obedient and well-mannered and we are so grateful for what we have gotten from the school.
In the future, we hope to stay in obedience for as long as we can as well as up his skills to scent and protection training!
Regards Kimberly & Oden
Hi there Christine, family, colleagues and friends.
Just wanted to say thank you so much for a fabulous evening on Saturday. When we got home, Kyle sat Odin down. Kyle told Odin “look boy.. you got a certificate” Kyle then showed him his certificate. Odin looked at the certificate, propped his goofy ears up and tilted his head left and right, as if to say “wow dad.. that for ME??”
We both made a fuss and he was quite chuffed with himself.
Thank you everyone – especially Biata and Christine for all your love and kindness and gentleness you show us and our animals.
Have a very blessed and safe festive season.
Hi Christine,
I just wanted to let you know that Phillip is with X at X in X. I dropped him off there this past weekend. He is doing his DH course as well and getting lots of experience. He says yesterday a guy came to give them some extra training and this was someone who jumped out of an airplane with his dog! He was so excited and awed. He says the course material is very tough.. I just wanted to thank you and Chris again for all that you have done for Phillip. He absolutely blossomed and found purpose and passion and it was thanks to you both. You made such a huge impression on him and he looks up to you. I can never say thank you enough. I hope you have a lovely day.
Hi Shaun
I completed the Level 1 Instructor Course end August and I can assure you it was an eye opener! The more I “thought” I knew about dog training the less I realized how much I actually knew- and put into practice. The first thing I did when I returned home was to apologise to my 3 German Shepherds!
I am currently running 2 classes on Wednesday but the dogs are quite young- mostly under a year and owners only looking for basic obedience- they will all be doing their CGC Bronze in November.
If you are looking to both becoming a dog trainer instructor- and understanding dogs in general I would urge you to attend Level 1. I have already booked my slot for 2 and 3 next year.
The theory as well as practical experience you gain is something you can only grow with, it really was a life changing experience.
Even now if I have a question I know that I can approach Chris, Christine or Biata and they are always more than happy to assist/ guide.
I do hope that I have given you food for thought and answered some of your questions.
Hello my name is Carl and my partner in crime is Casi.
My background:
My dad was a police dog handler in the UK. As a result, I grew up in the company of German Shepherd (attack/protection dogs) and Labrador/Springer spaniel (drug detection dogs).
My experience of SADTC:
I joined SADTC in March 2018. In September I completed Levels 1-3 of their Instructor course. It is certainly one of the best things I have done in my life.
Starting off I had some knowledge of dogs and dog training, but the more I learned from them, the little I realised I knew. Witnessing their humane approach was my aha moment!
My wonder dog Casi:
A year ago I took over caring for my mum’s dog Casi (a German shepherd cross Labrador). At that point she was 4 years old and had basic obedience training.
The last 7 months spent working with Casi have opened my eyes to the miracle that she is. She has clearly inherited the best from both breeds.
A phenomenal dog, full of life and drive. Whether it be swimming, agility, protection or her favourite past time of chasing a ball over and over, her energy is ever present. Casi has taught me a lot about high drive dogs.
During a less active obedience class, It’s hard work keeping her attention from slipping to the smallest fly or leaf: D
Our short time together at SADTC has born much fruit. The improvement in both Casi and myself have been great. The most notable improvement being Casi’s ability to channel her energy effectively. Before the time spent together, Casi was the proverbial ‘bull in a china shop’. I look forward to our continuous improvement as we learn from each other and go from strength to strength.
With the new insight gained from SADTC, I see that Casi and all dogs are capable of so much more than we understand they are.
In summary:
The family at SADTC is amazing and anyone wanting to get into dog training could not find a better place to go. There is no question to small or problem too big for Chris, Christine and all the instructors there.
Thank you so much for your effort and give the opportunity and presenting the seminars that we need! You are appreciated and loved!
Knowledgeable and experienced, lots of fun and laughs. Thank you, it’s like coming home every time I visit SADTC. I would like to attend the Behaviour Seminar.
Very good presentation, great experience – Fantastic!
A very good seminar – Chris is always so enthusiastic when he speaks about puppies! Seminar covered all the important information and the practical work was excellent.
All were lovely and welcoming, a very good set up too. Seminar was complete with all one needs to know, it will help me in future to explain better to our clients.
Lovely presentation, huge value out of actual puppy demos. Thank you for a wonderfully enjoyable weekend, everyone was super helpful & friendly.
Let’s do a Level 4!
SA Dog Training College is AMAZING! I’ve completed the instructor course level 1 and can’t wait to complete level 2 and 3. Their knowledge is incredible. I highly recommend SADTC.
Great people doing awesome work assisting owners to get the best out of their dogs. Our lives have changed drastically since we did the training. Such wonderful people doing such a wonderful job. Thank you Chris and Christine you are awesome.
Very good facility totally focused on all the aspects of dog training.
SADTC is “real life” dog training, real dogs with different behavioural challenges being patiently modified by changing the way the dog thinks. Excellent protection training, Because of the extremely qualified trainers working both dog and its owner.
Good Day
Although quite verbal at the awards evening I didn’t express enough my thanks for the 2 weeks of Level 1. It is very true that I am not sure that I can be away from my amazing husband, Andre for so long again but seeing the wonderful relationship between yourself and Christine definitely made it easier.
There are a few things I will never forget and the first is that you can always teach an old dog new tricks. Here I am referring to myself. I did a job, got paid and went home day after day and year after year. It was only after I had my stroke (and was told I would not walk again) that I decided to follow my heart. After the stroke I am prone to panic attacks but for the entire time I was training with you I never had one!
I tried to “hide” the nutty side of my personality but I think you saw right into (not through) me with the man work – thank you for letting me be me. The course did not only meet my expectations but exceed them. Thank you. I have already apologized to my dogs for not thinking like a dog.
Christine, I would like to thank you, for explaining what we were doing and why. Your patience but at the same time, inner strength is a true blessing. Chris, your passion and dedication is astounding. I have heard you referred to as the best puppy teacher. This I now know is true but watching you teach you are a role model for all dog owners. Biata is that one person who crosses your path and leaves a stamp on your soul. I have said it before but she is the best of both you and Christine with a ‘something’ extra.
Thank you for opening a new door in this journey of life.
Dear Chris and Christine,
I cannot believe it has already been a week since I finalised the course with you. I have been apologising to my dogs for my many mistakes and am working with them every day. I wanted to just thank you again for a really great experience. I have learnt so much. I will be back for level 2 & 3 and already look forward to that.
I wanted to also thank Romayne. She is quietly behind the scenes and has been absolutely wonderful to me. Lastly Biata – you have been such an inspiration too, I wish I had spent more time with you but maybe next time.
That all for now – lots of thanks and praise – you are all very special people and I am happy our paths have crossed.
Morning, thank you for the knowledge I gained in your school about dogs and their behaviour my dogs are different now within these few weeks from SADTC and we doing very well because I never thought grown dogs knowing nothing can learn basic obedience.
Now I’m in a process of my kennel club and dogs training school.
They are doing well and seem to be much more disciplined in general.
Really impressed and grateful!
Hi Christine
Sasha is doing very well. Sits by just saying the word Sit. The laying down is getting better as well. She stays if I say stay and doesn’t run over everything in the house. Will keep you updated on her progress.
Dear Chris & Christine,
Just a short note to tell everybody how very proud we are of Sherri and Lexi!
Lexi has done a 180 degree turn around through Sherri’s complete dedication and your invaluable coaching. She is now integrating all of our 6 cats with Lexi which until recently is something I did not think possible, especially in such a short time-frame!
Titan is doing very well, I have had friends over to my house and they noticed there is a big change in his behaviour, the jumping up is really at a minimum as I have been able to come to work with a clean shirt for more than 2 weeks.
Went for our first lesson yesterday. Already received many helpful tips. Clean facilities, friendly training staff and my pup had a wonderful time.
Check out SADTC, they train any breed of dog, I’ve been there for only four weeks now and already I have a huge improvement in my dogs behaviour.
Really enjoyed today. Good time spent with my dogs, good people teaching, what more could one want, SADTC rocks.
Hi Chris
Zoe loves the school, so do I.
Your daughter was pleased with all of us, our group has older dogs and they are settled and clever and eager, in my opinion.
We started agility last weekend and Zoe did well.
Hi there,
Impressed by professionalism and knowledge of the instructors. Enjoy the individual attention that each handler and dogs gets as well.
Regards
Faeez
Hi Christine
My first lesson has already changed LouLou and myself dramatically. We have both just clicked and reading your booklet makes even more sense.
Today I went for a walk at Rietvlei with LouLou & Matteo and it all worked out.
Matteo(toddler) and myself are the ones who need the lesson’s as LouLou would honestly be in advanced training by now.
Regards
Taryn
Hi Christine
So far the first lesson was good and informative and it reminded me a lot of things to remember going forward so I enjoyed it and I think my puppy did too.
Marilena
Hi
No complaints other than my dog that was not interested in being taught, just plonked himself down on the grass.
Very impressed with how the instructor handled all the different dog and handler personalities, well done!
Kind regards
Tania
Hi Christine
The training was very good thanks. Much better than other places I’d been to previously. Chris gave a lot of helpful tips which I am trying to practice on.
Kind regards
Dhameer
‘J’ and ‘G’ the Anti-poaching detection dog.
Today ‘G’ and my Anti-Poaching unit and the Park’s board, did a search for game meat and Rhino horn. G was 100% in every room searched, she also did one outside where we found a plastic bag with blood. Her indicating was so spot on. We found a lot of meat. Mostly it was elephant meat and one blue wildebeest meat. Some were dry and others were wet.
Later we did found out that the elephant was shot about 2 week’s ago.
The blue wildebeest had a broken leg, so they did put him out 3 day’s ago.
I’m very happy and proud of you ‘G’ and my Anti-Poaching unit field rangers.
Hi Chris
So far the experience has been both entertaining and informative – I enjoy your sense of humour and Gryffin LOVES your treats.
I am really impressed with the training methods and how quickly Gryffin responds to the commands/signals – when he is not being lazy.
We look forward to our next lesson and see you on Saturday!
Kind regards
Léana & Gryffin
Hi Chris,
Over the last few weeks we have seen a huge improvement in our pups behavior and obedience, to add to that we also are made more aware of his behavior and way of communicating to us. The training is making a huge difference in our relationship from the first week and look forward to learning and gaining more from the course.
We have also witnessed our wrong doings and upon correcting that have seen the difference in our pups behavior.
Thank you,
Thumesan
Hi Romayne,
Please extend our thanks to Christine for the special she gave me. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with SADTC and will certainly recommend all my friends to them.
I would appreciate your keeping us on your communications list still, as we would still like to support the school in any functions/events that are held.
Margaret
We would like to take this opportunity to thank SADTC for all the help.
We have seen an amazing improvement with Willow and Sandra has been a fantastic instructor.
Kind regards,
Allison
Hi, Christine.
I would like to let you know that I will recommend SADTC to anyone in need of training.
Kind Regards
Jan
Hi Christine.
The behaviour shaping is going well. It’s taking a while but definitely improving, I am able to leave the house for about 15 minutes before he starts to stress. So I think it’s definitely getting better. When I get home he is still over excited but I just ignore him until he calms down. He seems to be calming down quicker.
I have also been putting him outside for a bit even when I’m home so that he isn’t always following me around. Normally I would just leave the door open so he could come and go but he would always hang around me. At first he would stand at the door and cry but now he goes exploring for short while. I had thought that he would learn to be a bit more independent and that may help too?
I am still working on it everyday so I think we will definitely get there.
Kind regards,
Michaela
Good day Romayne,
I would like to thank SADTC for the time we had with you doing the Basic Home Obedience Course.
We had a wonderful time with you and wish that you were closer.
Regards,
Zenobia
The training is going so amazing.
Once you have had your eyes opened by people like yourselves it’s very difficult to turn and not try change the world.
I cannot even begin to tell you how many dogs have come my way “ you are their last chance ” type of comments and I’ve got them back to being the best dogs they can be and it’s humbling to be able to rebuild the relationship between them and their owners It’s beautiful.
I have 88 dogs I deal with now and still love every minute of it.
Thank you for everything
Erin
Hi Christine
We are home safely. I just wanted to thank both of you again for everything you did for P… He’s had to deal with a lot and was really on the verge of giving up before he met you guys. You’ve given him a shot and a way to live his dream. I’ll always be grateful to you. We’ll speak again soon.
Kind regards.
Chrisna
This is what happened on Saturday morning to my wife:
Our almost 5 month old German Shepherd is trained in obedience. My wife had to drop our daughter off at 5 this morning so I told her to take the Misty (the dog) with as a safety measure. The rear seats were down so the boot and that space is nice and big and Misty lies down nicely.
A traffic officer pulled my wife over and asked for her lisence and immediately asked if she has a weapon. Before she could answer, Misty sat upright when she saw the officer and the officer moved to saying that it is illegal to transport a dog without being in a crate and that it is against the road regulations. She then said that there is no such law and he got arrogant, raising his voice asking ” who is the officer, me or you”?
She replied being an officer does not automatically make your statement correct. He then made a sudden move toward the window and in a flash Misty was on my wife’s lap, muzzle halfway out the window (it was rolled down about 15cm? and she went full protection mode barking, growling and snarling at the officer!
My wife then asked the officer if he is going to give her get lisence back, or is he going to follow her to the police station to resolve this matter? He then very carefully slipped the card through the window.
As my wife drove off, she saw them making an ILLEGAL u-turn in the middle of an intersection and drive off.
The training is going very well. I will send you video links. The tracking is going extremely good! Heads down moving at a pace that requires me to run a bit to get to the item so she can get her toy.
Nova is very thorough, moving slowly, but directly on the trail keeping her head down. Misty runs at a pace switching between tracking and trailing, not necessarily moving on the spoor, but getting to her target as fast as possible.
As for the poison prevention, it is going really well. If food falls out they either stops eating and move away until I place it back in their bowl, or continues to eat and leaves the food that fell out.
I will be in touch for further lessons on protection.
Regards, G
Hi Christine,
Thank you, we really enjoyed our training!
Warm regards,
Petro
Good day
Kindly note that we will be cancelling our Saturday classes due to it clashing with our honours schedule, we will however be looking at private classes for Chuck to keep the training going.
Thank you so much for the excellent services provided! You guys are still our number 1 holiday home.
Regards
Trev
Dear Christine,
Training is going well. I’m concentrating on Rasca and socialising. I walk with her and put her on sits when strangers pass by. She is doing much better–now I need to work on her lounging at cars. I take her to peoples homes and she does very well. She is a different dog in other settings. Still weary but much less agressive. Maca is a saint, she does her commands very well.
Rasca has a new trick now. She sits for cuddles, which is cute. I am slowly working with her on the jumping and im trying to be the pack leader.
All the best!
Maria
Much improved. Thanks a lot to you Chris and Christine for the training course Giselle and Jaco went on.
The training is going very well he is listening to me more since I believe my attitude toward him has changed he is still very busy but reacts more positively to my commands.
Romayne, Chris, Christine and Yolanda
Cindy and I would like to thank you on behalf of Draco.
He thoroughly enjoyed his training sessions and playtime with his training mates and especially the bond he formed with the training staff of SADTC. Although he is missing training because his parents have to work away he will surely be back for further training.
Draco says he is still training at home and looks forward to come back soon
We would all like to sincerely thank you for the special memories and look forward to seeing you soon to resume the training.
Thank you
Teacher was awesome and really interesting – couldn’t fault anything.
Kind Regards
Leisha
I did training with Tammy, last an I were very satisfied with her training. I will suggest any person to join your training.
Many thanks for a great Instructors Course.
The two weeks spent with you as stated by one of the other students, “this was not just another dog training course”.
All the information that you supplied on the course will be very helpful in the days to come, as a reference book and a guide to solving any problems and difficult challenges with people and their dogs.
As stated during the course I intend using the course material, and the practical knowledge obtained, to encourage people to enjoy their dogs (disciplined in obedience and trained) so that the puppy and/or dog will not just be given away or put down.
The CD that I received is out of this world, the information on it must have taken many hours of hard work putting it together, thanks very much.
Once again thanks for all your help and patience.
Kind regards
Terry
Hi Christine,
Ek mis julle en die training baie wens ek kon ook elke week daar wees om saam met julle te train. Dit was baie sleg om weer te begin werk al wat ek kon aan dink is die honde, die sadtc club en al die vriendelike mense daar.
Het n paar aande gedroom hoe ek march en about turns en left turns oeffen. Wens ek kan eerder net met honde werk, maar ek sal nog daar kom eendag.
Stuur groette daar vir almal.
I’m doing fantastic. My pet sitting business did amazing this year and the clients asked me to work with their dogs a bit as a trail run for training as well. And they all want to continue with training when they came back and saw the results. I also worked with some dogs who had behaviour problems and the people were so thankful and impressed with the results when they got back they even gave me a bonus. It’s so amazing because all of the new clients now are referrals from those clients I had over nov-jan.
My parents got me a great canon camera for Christmas for many reasons. One being that I want to bring pet photography into the business one day when I have some more experience. My dad’s the expert photographer so he will mentor me and I will take some courses. But I made calendar for my clients with a few photos of their pets on which I took while I was looking after them. The training school will start when my partner returns from holiday. But I’m still taking on private consultations.
Nadine
I am starting my classes on Sat 12 and on the 22nd I will have a third class starting with 5 new dogs so that will be 3 classes on a Sat. All 14 people have taken another month which is great, I must be doing something right. We have fun but think I must get a bit harder as i would like us to all go to The Cape Handlers Association when they have a day open to clubs. I don’t want to look like a idiot and should expect the best from them so I should give my best. So from now on 80% hard work and 20% fun.
I am also seeing a few people who don’t want classes just home obedience and lead training which is very enjoyable. I think the fact that I am not emotionally attached to the dog that I am training helps me get much more out of the dog than I do with my own. Hope all well on your side and hello to all. Many thanks
Colin
I met up with Colin this morning, he is assisting me with the rehab of a foster dog I have taken in. She is a beauty. She was hit and dragged a distance under a car when she was younger, so her pelvis was shattered and she has only ever spent her life (1 year old) in the vet`s hospital centre, where she is currently looking for a new home. She also hasn’t been exposed to leash training and prior to this morning with Colin, she didn’t want to walk on the tar roads. He has only good things to say about your course and if I thought I was excited before this, now I am super excited!
Dear Chris & Christine
No words can ever describe how profound this course was to me. You were right when you told us the first evening that this will not only teach us about dogs, but also about humans and ourselves. It has made my love for dogs so much stronger and given me hope again. For the first time in my life I really feel like I have achieved something. It has renewed my faith in me and my abilities and taught me things about myself that I never even knew. And for that I will be forever thankful. Meeting “dog people” has shown me that there are still good people in this world. And at a time in my life when things were tough, I met a group of people who walked straight into my heart.
I honestly have never met 2 people as passionate about something they love and do. To Christine, thank you for all the support and motivation, inspiration and pushing us to be the best we can be. To Chris, thank you for sharing your abundant amount of knowledge and wisdom. And yes SOMETIMES “harder is better/easier”. Thinking like a dog has changed my view about the world so much and things make so much more sense now. However I do think that you should make it a requirement that the students should be able to differentiate between left and right. If not, do list it as an advantage that by the end of the course they will be able to. I certainly can now.
To Biata and Darryl, thanks for all the laughs. I hope that you will continue your parent’s amazing work for many years to come as I can see that love for the dogs in you too. And Darrel, next time have some mercy on the poor instructors to be. To the other instructors at SADTC, it was a pleasure to meet you and inspiring to see what the products are of Chris and Christine’s work in terms of instructor training.
I cannot stop telling people what an amazing experience it was for me. I will treasure all the moments forever. It definitely was hard work but every bit of it was worth it. I love challenges and this certainly was a challenge.
I have always been a dog lover and have been passionate about working with them. But now I am in awe of them and their world. I will definitely be looking forward to the advanced course and intend to drop by when I can to say hi.
So what from here? Well, I guess it’s one letter of the alphabet at a time. But Z would be to make a difference in this world not only to the dogs but to people through the dogs because they can do it so much better than we humans can ever wish to do it. This course was yet again proof of how dogs changed my life. I see it every day when I look in Logan’s eyes too.
I will continue to refer people to you guys and spread the word of what you guys and the dogs can do in their lives.
Thanx so much again. I hope all is well there and that I will see you guys soon as I am already missing you. May God bless you, because you and the dogs were a blessing to me.
Regards
Nadine and Logan
Hi Christine,
I am so excited, I have 4 Labradors in training, had their second session this week. I have to do it a bit different, I go to the peoples home and do the training there. Another lady phoned me with 2 pointer pups and a weimerana 1 year old.
Regards,
Maryke
Hi Christine
Thanks for the lead. Was with the Rottie on Sat. Went well. He is very dominant, but I got him sitting and down in a couple of min. They are taking 6 sessions of home obedience. Also had appointment with Cocker rescue, beautiful dog, got him nice and calm at the gate, opened it and walked him out.
Owner impressed. I am not joking but she said the dog must think i am God as he was being so good. They also taking 6 sessions. They had taken him to (name withheld,) and they could not control him in class.
Told that he is too loud and out of control. Will be quite funny when he goes back in 4 weeks’ time and he is no problem. It is so amazing how well the methods that you guys taught us work, but i have realised that it is all about attitude and reading the dogs behaviour. I am having such fun. Thanks again and chat soon. Love to all
Regards
Colin