Dog Training

Dog Training at Petmania

Positive, reward based training will help your dog to become a well socialised, happy and confident member of your family. It will also help ensure that they are safe and builds trust between you and your dog. Here at Petmania we are committed to helping Irish dog owners with their dog’s training and are delighted to offer dog training courses at our stores. We are now taking bookings for our training courses in Athlone and Waterford, with additional courses to become available soon.

Dog Training Classes Available

Our comprehensive training classes are tailored suit your dog’s ability and with a series of progressive dog training classes that build upon your dog’s skill and experience. With small class groups and experienced dog trainers, our classes will be fun for both dog and owner.

Upon completion of our Puppy School and Intermediate Certificates, you will have the option to complete the exams to achieve IKC Good Citizen Awards.

All our courses listed below run over a 6 week period and cover a range of topics suitable for the dog’s age and/or previous training experience. Advance booking is essential. Simply click on a course to find out more.

Petmania Athlone

Next intake: Tuesday 21st of January 2025

  • Puppy Pre-school – At 4pm
  • Puppy Schoool – At 5pm
  • Novice Certificate for Adult Dogs – At 6pm

Petmania Waterford

Next intake: Thursday 23rd of January 2025

  • Puppy Pre-school – At 6pm
  • Puppy Schoool – Time TBC
  • Novice Certificate for Adult Dogs – At 7pm

Currently only available in Petmania Athlone & Waterford.

Puppy Pre-School

For Puppies aged 3-6 Months

At Puppy Pre-school. we help you discover the joy of play to teach your baby pup. This course is an essential introduction for all puppies and will set the foundations for a happy, well socialised and confident pup.

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Course duration: 6 x 45 minute classes over 6 weeks.

We will cover

  • Play and rewards
  • Chewing and play biting
  • Basic cues – sit, down and stand
  • Response and recall
  • Introducing new experiences and people

Price: €149

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Puppy School

For Puppies aged 6-12 Months

Suitable for all puppies, but ideally they would have attended Puppy Pre-school. This course will help develop focus, recall and impulse control to make everyday adventures safe and enjoyable for all.

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Course duration: 6 x 45 minute classes over 6 weeks.

We will cover

  • Cues with duration, distraction and distance (sit, down and stand)
  • Focus recall with distractions
  • Safe zone training
  • Impulse Control
  • Bed training
  • Meeting friendly dogs

Price: €149

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Novice Certificate

For Adult Dogs over 12 Months

We say all dogs can learn new tricks, even older ones and this course is pawfect to help your dog learn at their own pace. Our Novice Certificate is suitable for all dogs over 12 months and training will be tailored to the needs of each individual dog

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Course duration: 6 x 1 hour classes over 6 weeks.

We will cover

  • Cues with duration, distraction and distance (sit, down, stand, stay)
  • Advanced handling
  • Safe zone with distractions
  • Advanced impulse control
  • Socialisation with a friendly dog
  • Retrieve with more distance
  • Jump onto a platform

Price: €149

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Intermediate Certificate

For All Dogs over 12 Months

Progress your dog’s training with our Intermediate Certificate. This course works towards the IKC Bronze Good Citizen Award and will help your pup excel at home and in social situation. Must have completed our Novice Certificate to enroll.

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Course duration: 6 x 45 minute classes over 6 weeks.

We will cover

  • Cues with advanced duration, distraction and distance
  • Walking past other owners and dogs (on lead)
  • Meeting other owners and dogs (on lead)
  • Advanced examination handling and grooming
  • Focus with harder distractions
  • Safe zone distractions
  • Emergency stop/down

Price: €149

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Dawn Greer, Professional Dog Trainer

Dawn has been working and training with dogs for over 15 years. She has a Certificate in Canine Studies and a Certificate in Canine Behaviour & Psychology.

She is an advocate for the use of positive reward-based training methods, and enjoys watching how each dog learns, what motivates them, and how they react to challenges. She participates in many online training courses with trainers across the globe about various aspects of play training, obedience, and agility.

She currently shares her life with her dogs ranging in age from 16 years to 12 weeks. She has represented Ireland at the World Agility Open and the European Open Championships and has also represented Ireland in the International Agility Event at Crufts. She is a spokesperson for the Petmania Puppy Club where she has demonstrated her knowledge and expertise in obedience training young puppies.

FAQs on Petmania Dog Training

Find the answer to some of the most frequently asked questions about Dog Training at Petmania

Teaching your dog to live in the human world is essential to help your pup be confident, safe and happy. Training your dog will take time and patience, so attending a dog training class is a great way to help your dog learn vital skills in a supportive, positive environment.

Training class dates/times vary by location. Please view our booking form for details of upcoming classes near you.

Puppy classes run for about 45 minutes and adult dog classes run for about 1 hour.

One-on-one classes are not currently available. Please follow us on our social media pages or subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date on future classes.

We recommend that your puppy training starts from the moment you collect your puppy to bring them home. Join our Puppy Club for immediate guidance on settling your new puppy into their new home.

Puppy Pre-School is recommended for all puppies from 3 months old once they have had their vaccinations.

The saying can’t teach an old dog new tricks isn’t actually true! Dogs are innately good learners so of course you can bring your older dog to our adult training classes. Please let us know when submitting your booking form if you have any particular concerns about your dog’s behaviour.

In accordance with the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, restricted breeds must wear a muzzle when in public, which can make attending a group training class difficult, as we use treats to reward positive responses.

If you have a restricted breed, please submit an enquiry form for your preferred course and we will contact you directly to discuss their suitability to join our group classes.

We are unable to accept any dog into a class where there is a risk to the health and safety of other participants or our trainers.

If you have a particular concern about your dog, please let us know on your enquiry form and we will get back to you directly. We are unable to accept any dog into a class where there is a risk to the health and safety of other participants or our trainers.

We recommend that all dogs have their up-to-date vaccinations when attending our dog training classes. Dog owners are responsible to ensure their dogs are vaccinated and have regular boosters where required. Petmania will not be responsible for any failure by a dog owner to keep their dogs vaccinations up to date.

When attending our Puppy Pre-School, your puppy must have received all of their initial vaccinations and boosters prior to the class starting. You may be asked for proof of vaccination prior to starting a class. 

We reserve the right to refuse training to any dog which demonstrate excessive disruptive or dangerous behaviour during a class. If this occurs, our trainer will speak with you directly. In this instance, no refund of fees paid will be available.

Fees paid for dog training are non-refundable. If your plans change before the sessions you have booked commence, we will endeavor to accommodate you in another class at a later date.

If you are unable to make it to a class, please speak with your Trainer about what you have missed and how you can make it up.

If a single training class needs to be cancelled by Petmania for any reason, it will be rescheduled as soon as possible. 

In the interests of the health and wellbeing of all dogs, female dogs that are in heat / season should not attend a class. Please speak with your trainer.

The full terms and conditions of attending our dog training courses can be found here.

Dog Training at Petmania

Petmania is committed to supporting dog owners to provide positive, reward based dog training. Our training classes have been developed to provide progressive training for dogs from three months old, right through their adult years. 

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