Assistance Dog Workshops
Our Assistance Dog Workshops provide hands-on training support for members of our Owner-Trained Assistance Dog Programme, helping you work towards your Puppy, Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards in a practical, supportive environment.
These relaxed monthly workshops are tailored to meet the needs of each team, offering expert guidance in:
🐾 Temperament assessments – Ensure your dog is on the right track for assistance work.
🐾 Lead walking skills – Improve loose lead walking and public access manners.
🐾 Recall training – Build reliable recall in different environments.
🐾 Training around distractions – Strengthen focus in real-world settings.
🐾 Medical detection training – Guidance for scent training and medical alerts.
🐾 Troubleshooting – Get help with any training challenges.
WHY CHOOSE US?
✔ Led by Head Trainer Mike Newland
✔ Positive training methods
✔ Families & children welcome
✔ Practical training support for your assistance dog’s progress.
✔ Video submissions – Record elements of your awards during the workshop.
✔ Personalised guidance – Each session is adapted to the needs of the group.
✔ Small class sizes – Limited to 12 teams per workshop for individual attention.
✔ Wheelchair friendly arena
✔📢 Workshops are open to all ages and abilities, but you must be a member of our Assistance Dog Programme to attend.
"All classes are relaxed, great fun and so informative. Small classes ensure you get individual attention, help and support. First class dog trainers, with their help, patience and kindness I have achieved great results with my dog"
"We would like to say a huge thank you to the team with helping us train our Labrador. Without their help and knowledge we would not have the great relationship we have with him today and the confidence in letting him go off lead."
"Such an excellent experience all round. We arrived at our first class with a crazy and untrained pup (ourselves being untrained owners), and here we are after completing his first training course, as a little star! "
There is no 'one size fits all' when it comes to puppy training but the team at Adolescent Dogs took the time to get to know Tess and worked with us to ensure that the training worked for her - this is so incredibly valuable."
Upcoming Workshops
Sat, 24 MayMerrist Wood CollegeWith our unique program, you can train your dog to detect medical events before they happen. This scientific breakthrough has allowed thousands of people with special medical needs to live a life without fear and worry.
Workshop directions
Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon Road, Guildford, GU3 3PE.
Google Map Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nfmAtEWw1jxXmmWEA
Please follow the drive all the way to the top until the T-junction (you should see a large wooden owl in front of you) and turn right.
Follow the signs for ‘Dog Day Care’ and drive round to the left. Follow the road around until you reach the gravel over flow car park.
The Day Care Playground is on the left hand side (Big Green Container) . Please do not let your dog approach any animals on site.
Video below showing the drive to the Workshop arena from the Merrist Wood Entrance