With highly experienced and qualified instructors, our classes have been running in Coney Hall since 2004. Our training includes basic skills such as lead walking, recalls, etc. as well as life skills and body awareness exercises to help your young dog grow into a confident and happy adult.
Are you trying to decide between an actual training class or an online course?  Coming to a class is a valuable experience for a young puppy as it teaches them to focus on the owner while in a distracting environment. You can’t replicate that at home.  It is also a fun activity for your puppy and will tire them out very effectively. It also usually involves a car ride (they need experience with that) and meeting new people and new environments. Hands-on training for the owners is also vital, and we can help you to improve your handling skills and your effectiveness in training your puppy, whilst also helping your pup to gain confidence in new situations.
Dog Training and Canine BehaviourÂ
The KCAI gold badge is awarded to instructors who have passed the Kennel Club Accreditation, which is run on similar lines to an NVQ and is accredited by City & Guilds. Only instructors who have been teaching classes for a minimum of five years can apply for Kennel Club Accreditation, and there is a rigorous assessment process. It is therefore a guarantee of good quality teaching and an assurance that up-to-date techniques are being taught from a sound knowledge base, in accordance with Kennel Club best practice and their own Code of Conduct for Instructors. Jenny has again been nominated for the “KCAI INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR” award for the second year running. This is in recognition of good teaching and expertise, along with a willingness to offer extra help and advice where needed.
The Gypton Dog School has been running now in its present location since 2004. It was originally created as a pet dog training club in 1986, by Jenny Harknett, and ran successfully for four years in South Norwood. It was then disbanded due to a move in location. The club was reinstated in 2004, still with the original name “Gypton” which is the Kennel Name (breeder’s affix) owned by Jenny, and the dog club classes are now held in Coney Hall, near West Wickham.
The dog club also has its own Display Team who perform at local fetes in the summer time.
Jenny has owned the affix “Gypton” for 40 years and, under this affix, has bred occasional litters of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Working Sheepdogs. Jenny has owned, shown, bred and trained dogs for over 40 years, including Cavaliers, working sheepdogs, and German Shepherd Dogs. Jenny is also now a volunteer dog trainer for the charity Dog AID which supports disabled owners to train their own pet dogs to become their assistance dogs.
LOOKING FOR DAYTIME DOG TRAINING CLASSES?
Classes are available on Friday afternoons throughout the year, including Puppy Courses, Adolescent Dog training sessions, and the Advanced Class for really smart dogs ! For more details about timings of classes, and dates of Puppy Courses, see the Friday section below.
We are very proud to showcase our Friday afternoon Advanced Class who all undertook a “50 Trick Challenge” to raise money for the charity Dog A.I.D.Â
Altogether, we raised the amazing amount of £600.00.  We would like to thank our sponsors and everyone who donated to help us towards this wonderful result. And of course our dogs who have all achieved 50 tricks!