Training Options

Our puppy and dog training classes are designed to meet the real-life needs of the family dog at every stage of their development, from the young puppy through to the mature adult. Whether you want to master the basics or get that more reliable obedient response under distraction, with over 30 years professional and qualified dog training experience, A.C.E. Dog Training in Wellington are the people to see.

Smaller group sizes at our indoor weekend training venue allow individual attention, without weather constraints, offering a more positive training experience for both people and dogs. Individual training options are flexible to fit into time or travel constraints. Get training tips on toilet training, crate training, socialisation, dog barking, aggression, reliable recalls, meeting-and-greeting manners and all the basic pet dog training obedience skills.

We encourage the whole household to attend, and design our classes for other family members to be involved in the training activities if they wish. Please note that children under 7 years of age may require an additional adult present to supervise them during class.

Puppy Training Classes

Puppy Preschool

Next Available Courses start:

Sunday 12 January 2019, 5pm. No class Anniversary Weekend.

Held at Nose2Tail, Unit 4/66 Kingsford-Smith Street, Rongotai
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Cost: $135
Enrol here

Four week group class for the best start for socialisation, training and information on key puppy raising topics. All family welcome. Ideal for all puppies 8- 14 weeks of age at class start. We follow the modern positive approach to puppy raising, maintain low student:teacher ratios and ensure social experiences are well-managed for a better value learning experience.

Note: Proof of 1st Parvovirus vaccination a pre-requisite, but full vaccinations are not required to begin.

Puppy visits

Next Available Course
As arranged. Time slots available Tuesday-Friday
In Home, (travel charges may apply)
Cost: $80 per 1 hour session
Enquire Here

An opportunity to tailor the basics of a good puppy upbringing to your own situation. Home based advice on housetraining, chewing, nipping and biting, play and early training. Perfect for the new puppy owner to iron out any specific questions, to help younger family members to be involved, get early training underway, or as part of the preparation before your new pup has actually arrived.

Puppy Primer

Next Available Courses:

Sunday 13 January 2020. First class 3pm then 2pm or 3.30 thereafter. No class on Anniversary weekend.

Weekend training held at Nose2Tail Doggy Daycare, Unit 4/60 Kingsford-Smith Street, Rongotai

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Cost: Full price $165 with 10% discount ($150) for students registering within 1 week of completing our Puppy Preschool
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A five-week group class for the older puppy offering age-specific training, positive socialisation experiences and qualified development advice. Introduces loose lead walking, recalls, wait and stay, basic commands and includes off-lead interaction for your rapidly growing puppy. Class size limited for more individual attention and suitable for puppies under 20 weeks of age at class start. Family involvement encouraged.

Dog Training Classes

Recall Redux

Next Available Course:
to be confirmed, register interest for 2020

First two sessions held at our weekend training venue: Unit 4, 66 Kingsford-Smith Street then a third session at a local park.
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Cost: $140
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A specialist class for any age of dog over 3 intensive sessions. Build a more reliable recall or “come quickly when called” off-lead – for in the park or on the beach. Includes an off-site practice session at a local park. Dogs attending must be both people friendly and socially comfortable around other dogs, as this class involves considerable off-lead activities.

Tricks Training Taster

Next Available Course:

To be confirmed. Register interest for 2020
At our weekend training venue – Nose2Tail Doggy Daycare, Unit 4, 60 Kingsford-Smith Street Rongotai
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Cost: $140
Register interest here

Introducing a wide range of tricks from the very simple to the quite complex, with an emphasis on fun and learning techniques suitable for handlers of all ages. Surprise your family and wow your friends with all the cool things your dog can now do. A special three week intensive class covering up to a dozen different tricks and trick ideas in each 90 minute session. Note – student dogs should be socially reliable as many of the tricks are taught off-lead.

Teen Training

Next Available Course

Sunday 12 January 2020, 10.30am. No class Anniversary weekend.

Weekend training held at Nose2Tail Doggy Daycare, Unit 4/60 Kingsford-Smith Street, Rongotai.
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Cost: Full price $160, with 10% discount ($144) for students registering within 1 month of completing Puppy Primer.
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The best choice for young adolescent dogs aged 6-9 months ready to start learning about focus and control. An activity focused class builds on-lead skills, close control, good meeting and greeting manners and building handling confidence as well as the “selective deafness” which teenage dogs often develop. Class size is limited to 6 dogs for individual attention over a five-week course. Price includes weekly handouts and certificate of completion.

Adult ABC’s

Next Available Course

Saturday 11 January 2020, 9.30am. No class on Anniversary Weekend.

Weekend training venue at Nose2Tail’s, Unit 4/60 Kingsford-Smith Street, Rongotai

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Cost: $165 with 10% discount ($150) for recent Wellington-SPCA adoptees, or returning from Teen to complete a basic training level.
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A basic training starter course for dogs around 12 months and over – who may not have previously attended group training. Also ideal for recently adopted dogs adjusting to a new home environment or perhaps those with special needs in a group situation. Covers all the basic pet dog skills like loose lead walking, recall, close control skills, and stay with more age-appropriate activities for the adult dog. Class size is limited to four dogs for even more individualised attention over a five-week period. Price includes weekly handouts and certificate of completion.

Advanced Companion

Next Available Course

Sunday 13 January 2020, 9am. No class Anniversary weekend.

Weekend training venue at Nose2Tail, Unit 4, 60 Kingsford-Smith Street
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Cost: $150 for continuing students who have completed either Teen and/or Adult ABC.
$180 for students new to A.C.E. Dog Training – including short home visit make-up session.
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The next step in training with your dog. Strengthens control under distraction, adds more complex handling techniques and builds recall and stay reliability. Graduates receive the certificate recognised by Wellington City Council Animal Control Services for RDO registration discount applications. A five week course limited in size for maximum value and individualised attention from our highly experienced instructors.

Fiesty Fido Class

Next Course February 2020 – register interest
Working Spot: $280 (Students with a dog participating in class),
Observer Spot: $120 (Observers attending without their dog present).

Venue: SBRC Gym, 2 Bell Road, Brooklyn

Enrol Here

A specialised class for dogs who bark, lunge and otherwise show aggression when on a lead around other dogs. This science-based class will help you calm your leash reactive dog and gives you the confidence to walk your dog in public again. With a high student-teacher ratio this class is limited to a maximum of four participant dogs and their families, with an additional four places available for auditors – people who attend as observers and can use the skills to practice at home with their own dogs. An application form is sent following registration to determine the best candidates for this highly successful positively-based class.
Each weekly 90-minute session covers a range of useful and positively developed skills under experienced and qualified instruction with veterinary behaviour endorsement and ongoing support.

Nosework Classes

Nosework Introductions

Next Available Course

Friday 21 February 2020, 8-9.30pm

Weekend training venue at Nose2Tail, Unit 4, 60 Kingsford-Smith Street, Wellington
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Cost: $120
Enrol Here

Does your dog follow its nose? Tap into your dog’s unique sense of smell and have fun teaching them what custom’s dogs do but in a less formal context. This class suitable to all dogs – even those with “issues,” or physical disabilities as each dog works with the handler alone and need not be comfortable in group situations. This Introductory course runs over four weeks with an opportunity to build more advanced training by opting to repeat at this level or continue into our Next Steps level.

Nosework New to Next Steps

Next Available Courses

New To Next Steps – Next start 8pm Friday 24 January 2020

Next Steps Nosework – Next start 8pm Friday 24 January 2020

Three weeks held at our weekend training venue: Unit 4, 60 Kingsford-Smith Street View Map

Cost:$90

Enrol Here

Continue developing your dog’s unique sense of smell and their skills at identifying and alerting on a special odour where-ever it might be placed. Further develop your teamwork and handling skills in this new sport. This course will be specifically for dogs who have already completed a nosework introductory course and understand the basic principles. Dogs with “issues,” or physical disabilities are welcome as each dog works with the handler alone and need not be comfortable in group situations. Nosework-Next Steps is a three-week class ( 90 minutes sessions) and builds the odour recognition work begun in earlier Nosework classes.

Nosework Advanced Session

Single session Saturday 14 December 2019, 4pm-6pm

Venue: SBRC Gym, Bell Road, Brooklyn

Cost: $30

New challenges with outdoor, vehicle and more advanced searches. Ideal for those considering entering Novice Nosework Trials or wanting to extend their training in more “real-life” challenges.

Enrol Here

One-on-One Dog Training

Private Training Classes

Next Available Course
As arranged, time slots available weekdays Monday to Thursday
In Home
Cost: Typically $360-$440 pre-booked packages or $120 per individual session

We have a 4-5 week package to cover all the basics with you or can individually tailor puppy or older dog training to achieve the agreed goals. One-on-one sessions are focused into 40-45 minute blocks and can be pre-purchased at a package rate or arranged individually as you prefer for specific goals. The concentrated nature of one-on-one means we can accomplish much in a short time. Additional travel charges may apply for locations outside Wellington City.

Take the Lead Training

Next Available Course
As arranged, time slots available weekdays
In Home
Cost: $800-$990
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Let the experts come to your home and train your dog for you. A better solution for training issues when you are too busy or struggle trying to make progress yourself. Take the Lead Training packages will kick start a better relationship – teaching your dog to walk nicely on a lead, come back when called, wait nicely while visitors arrive, or help work on problematic phobias, fears or aggressive behaviour. Conducted with 4-5 daily or near-daily visits, over a condensed period. Packages include a handover session to pass on the skills achieved, so you too enjoy the benefits of your dog’s new training skills.

Consultations

Puppy visits

Next Available Course
As arranged. Time slots available Tuesday-Friday
In Home, (travel charges may apply)
Cost: $80 per 1 hour session
Enquire Here

Behaviour Consultations

Appointments Available
Mondays to Thursdays.
Location: In Your Home
Cost: Initial session charge $200 Additional travel charge may apply. Options and Packages available.
Enquire Here

Not all problems can be resolved with attending a group class. There are times when your dog’s issues would be best addressed by working with you and your dog alone, perhaps in your own home. An initial consultation with an experienced, qualified behavioural trainer is supported by written materials and tailored notes to help find a solution best fitted to your dog’s needs. Common issues we address by private consultation include house-soiling, destructive behaviour, barking, fence running, fearfulness and on-lead aggression to name just a few.

Events

Nosework Advanced Session

Single session Saturday 14 December 2019, 4pm-6pm

Venue: SBRC Gym, Bell Road, Brooklyn

Cost: $30

New challenges with outdoor, vehicle and more advanced searches. Ideal for those considering entering Novice Nosework Trials or wanting to extend their training in more “real-life” challenges.

Enrol Here

NOVICE Nosework – The Test

Next Trial Date
Saturday 11 January 2020
Commences approximately 8.30am
Venue: TBC but likely to be Western Suburbs Rugby Football Clubrooms, Ian Galloway Park, Curtis Street, Wilton.
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Cost $30 per dog

A.C.E. Dog Training Novice Nosework Trials will require entrant teams (dog and handler) to find our key training odour (oil of clove bud) in four different scenarios – Container, Interior, Exterior and Vehicle. Each is within a specific time frame. Note that each dog requires a separate handler. Note this trial will be run under the sanctioned rules of the Scent Sports Association of New Zealand. A ballot will be drawn if entries exceed capacity for the judging schedule, as per the SSANZ rules.

Entries have closed

TEST Registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for class?

All canine students attending A.C.E. Dog Training Classes at the Rongotai site must be up to date with vaccinations. A vaccination certificate or other proof of vaccination provided by your veterinarian will be noted on your form by a staff member prior to bringing your dog into class for the first time. This can be brought to the first session, or alternately a copy of the certificate can be scanned and submitted with your enrolment form.

How long are the classes?

Most group training sessions run for an hour. The specialty classes such as Tricks, Nosework and Recall Redux are a bit longer and may run for up to 90 minutes each session.

How do I enrol for the next A.C.E. Dog Training class?

Click on the link at the class you are interested in to direct to the online registration form. If you are not sure which class to enrol for then check the box requesting further information or contact us directly.

How do I pay?

Payment in advance is recommended and can be made online to A.C.E. Dog Training at 12-3223-0130439-00. Please put your dog’s name in the reference field. Alternatively, bring cash or cheque to the first class. Sorry, but we do not offer EFTPOS at this time.

Do you offer any discounts?

We actively support the work of the Wellington SPCA, and offer a 10% discount for recent adoptees on enrolment at their first class. We also have a 10% discount available for students who re-enrol within one calendar month of completing a previous level.

What do your dog training classes cover?

Standard group classes are age-specific, and geared to the needs of the average dog at each stage of their development. In puppy training classes, we teach the basics – sit, down, stand, stay, come when called and start loose-lead walking along with structured off-lead socialisation. Puppy classes offer heaps of additional content with training tips and advice on toilet training, house training, nipping, biting, chewing, jumping up, clicker training to name just a few. In the teen and adult dog training classes we briefly review these areas in case you missed the early start and then expand on loose lead walking, add heeling or close control and recalls under distraction, teach wait and stay, start on-lead meeting and greeting manners without jumping up, offer training advice on dog barking, destructive behaviour, safe travel, retrieving, grooming and much more. In addition to obedience training classes, there are specialty classes for the fun stuff such as Nosework skills (detector dog training with a fun flavour), dog Tricks Training, child handlers and our ever popular Recall Redux – to get that really reliable come when called. All sessions are supported by class handouts so that the skills learned can be reviewed later and progress is not interrupted if for some reason you are unable to attend a training class session.