K9 Guss Dog Training and Behaviour in Bristol and Bath.

Andy Gussey

My name is Andy Gussey and I have over thirty years of experience in dog training which include 12 years as a Police dog handler. As a Police dog handler I handled 3 different General Purpose German Shepherds and a Specialist search Springer Spaniel. I represented Avon and Somerset Police at Regional Police Dog trials winning the Obedience trophy twice as well as trophies in searching and criminal work.

I have been helping other people train their dogs for over twenty years and have worked with a wide variety of different breeds from Great Danes to Border Terriers and everything in between with a variety of training needs. I have trained Pet dogs, Gun dogs, Police dogs, Search dogs, Assistance dogs, Support dogs and Therapy dogs.

Through the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training I have studied and qualified in Advanced Dog on Dog Aggression and Advanced Dog on Person Aggression.

I have always owned English Springer Spaniels, I love their energy and character. I was brought up surrounded by working gun dogs becoming involved in their training as soon as I was old enough and later working them myself. I currently own one very lively Springer and a very fit Dachshund.

Private Dog Training

Every dog is different and so I can provide personal one-to-one training for your dog to help you get the most out of its training.

I can take on private training of puppies and older dogs, to train the dogs to do the things that are important to you so that you have the best relationship possible and can enjoy walking and playing with your dog.

I can also address a range of behavioural issues.

Based in Keynsham but being local to Bristol and Bath, we can run sessions at your home, or in a park or other suitable public place as necessary.

A standard one to one, home visit or meeting at my training venue is £100 for between 1 hour and 90 minutes, If within a 20 minute radius of Keynsham. Outside a 20 minute radius will incur an additional charge.

Scent / Nosework Classes

Teaching your dog to search is great fun and allows them to make use of their amazing sense of smell. Watching your dog tasting the air to try to find something that’s hidden is a fantastic experience. Not only does it stimulate the dogs physically, on a completely different level to just running and retrieving it also stimulates them mentally.

I run group, Scent / Nose work classes where we teach the dogs to search for, locate and indicate the presence of a chosen scent. This is done in a similar way to how Police Search dogs are trained to locate illegal drugs.

We look at how to introduce the chosen scent, how to reward a successful find, shaping an indication as well as search techniques and fieldcraft skills.

We have out buildings, stables and open spaces to use as our search area.

Sessions are generally on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, are 1 hour duration and the cost of a five week course is £105.

If you are interested or would like to reserve a place please email me. k9gussdogtraining@gmail.com

Obedience Classes

I run group training classes for puppies, beginners, and more advanced dogs. I previously ran the Kennel Club Good Dog Scheme but now operate my own “K9 Guss award scheme” whereby Certificates of achievement are awarded in the categories detailed below.

My classes are in blocks of 5 weeks. £90 for the block with the option of doing a follow on block afterwards.
Classes are 45 minutes in duration.

My venue is on Woollard lane on the Outskirts of Keynsham. I have use of a large fully enclosed grass paddock, sand covered horse riding arena and a large barn. There is ample parking and room for people to watch.

During the course we will cover the following: Heeling on and off lead, recall, including around other dogs, sit, down, stand, good behaviour around other dogs, socialisation with dogs, people, noise and different surfaces, some simple age appropriate agility. I aim to have between 5 and 8 dogs in each class. To attend the dog needs to have completed / be up to date with its vaccinations.

I run classes all day Saturday and Sunday.

Please email k9gussdogtraining@gmail.com for the latest course details and how to register your interest.

K9 Guss Puppy Award

Here's an overview of the K9 Guss Puppy award goals;

Socialisation (People, dogs, noises, surfaces

Give up a toy / treat

Controlled walk around other dogs

Sit Stay (10 secs, 1 step distance)

Recall

Take treat nicely

Controlled walk off lead

Basic positions (Sit, down, stand)

Small jump, Tyre, Tunnel, Ramp

Puppy Handling / Grooming

Controlled walk on lead

Control through gate / doorway

Negotiating obstacles

Bronze award

  • Handling / Grooming

  • Controlled walk on lead

  • Controlled walk off lead

  • Control around other dogs

  • Control through gate

  • Controlled greeting

  • Sit stay

  • Down or stand stay

  • Recall

  • Agility

Download the Bronze Award notes of guidance.

Silver award

  • Examination

  • Controlled walk on lead

  • Controlled walk off lead

  • Recall from distractions

  • Controlled greeting person with dog

  • Sit stay

  • Down or stand stay

  • Stay at distance

  • Recall from sit

  • Agility

Download the Silver Award notes of guidance.

Gold award

  • Controlled walk with distractions

  • Controlled walk off lead

  • Recall to heel

  • Recall from distractions

  • Long stay

  • Stopping the dog

  • Send to bed

  • Controlled separation

  • Control with food

  • Agility

    Download the Gold Award guidance notes.

Finding the right Dog

I found a suitable dog, a nice natured 14 month old black labrador dog and with the agreement of Felicity began training him. Initial training was focussed heavily on environmental work and basic training (he did like to pull on the lead). I then moved on to specific assistance training which included lying with me when simulating a seizure, locating and fetching a handbag and mobile phone on command. I was in regular contact with Felicity including trips to London to ride the train, tubes and buses.

Assistance Dog Training - Dexter

I was approached by Felicity, a young lady living in the heart of London who has Epilepsy and experiences what she described as vacant seizures. She had been trying to get an assistance dog to give her security and assistance as she was vulnerable when having seizures. The procedure was proving very challenging due to the criteria potential assistance dog handlers have to meet.

We discussed her requirements and agreed to work together to provide her with a seizure response dog.

The results

After 6 months of training Felicity collected Dexter and has had him as an assistance dog since then. He has been a great success and has begun to detect oncoming seizures alerting Felicity who can get herself to a suitable location before it happens. I enjoy receiving updates from Felicity as their relationship grows and am very proud to have been able to make a difference to her daily life, helping to improve her independence.


Wellbeing Dog Training - Rex

I was contacted by Steve who wanted a dog to be a wellbeing dog for his 14-year-old son Tom, who has Autism. Again, difficulties matching the necessary criteria made obtaining a dog through a charity problematic. We discussed the type of dog they were after and what they were hoping it would provide. We agreed to work together to get Tom that special friend.

Finding the right dog

I found a nice litter of Labrador puppies, and chose the one I felt would grow up to be the perfect partner. I collected Rex at 8 weeks of age and started environmentally training him immediately before adding all the necessary obedience training and then the additional extras we felt would assist Tom.

The results

After 8 months of training, Rex was collected by Steve and taken to live with the family. His arrival made a significant difference and helped give Tom the independence they hoped he would.

Questions?

If you have any questions or just want to say hi?