History

The Gentle Modern Method of Dog Training™
Would you like to have fun and success with your best friend- if so, you may like to find out more about us? So here goes...........

The Gentle Modern Method of Dog Training™ was developed by well known dog trainer and author, the late, David Weston. David's formal introduction to dog training began back in 1967 when he joined an obedience club with his Miniature Schnauzer, Fred. During the next eight years he trialled Fred to C.D.X. standard, became an obedience instructor and full panel judge and was President of the club for two years. However David was increasingly disillusioned with the conventional way of training using correction chains and force and he set out to research another, more gentle and effective way. Rather by chance, he came across a reference to a man who trained rats, Burrhus F. Skinner, and so his introduction to modern psychology began. David began to put Skinner's principles of operant conditioning into practice with stray dogs in his neighbourhood! He was amazed at how quickly the dogs learnt their lessons and even more surprised they seemed to remember what they had learnt when he saw them weeks later.

David also began to study wolf behaviour so that he could better understand how dogs tick. He put his new found knowledge into practice at the obedience club but eventually founded a new organisation, The Kintala Club, with encouragement from a few members who wanted to use his new method. That was back in 1976.

The Kintala Club

The Kintala Club is a unique and friendly organisation founded on two very important principles, which David felt were critically important:

training dogs using positive reinforcement and
socialising dogs from eight weeks of age onwards at a special puppy training class. In this way, the process of socialisation was started during the critical period which research has shown to occur mainly between three and twelve weeks of age.

The club was way ahead of its time and like many organizations who dare to be different, it suffered a lot of flack. It was not until "Dog Training: The Gentle Modern Method" was published in 1990 that the method became available to the 100,000 people who have since purchased the book. Kintala is an Aboriginal word for "happy dog" and when you see all the dogs meeting off lead and playing together before training each Saturday, you know that it is bearing out its name. It seems to be just as enjoyable for the handlers who socialise with as much gusto as the dogs.

Training Courses

The Club offers:

On going training & socialisation for dogs of all ages whether pure or cross bred.
10 different levels of training from basic to advanced.
Our famous Canine Commandos agility course.
Pets as Therapy training.
Tracking and scent work.
Games training.
Friendly competitions.
Behaviour modification program.
Regular informative magazines.
Lots of friendship & fun with your dog & much, much more.

The Kintala Club runs a four week puppy training course which pups can start when they are between eight and fourteen weeks of age. Handlers are given lessons with their own individual instructor and the pups socialise beforehand. It's a very popular course and there is often a waiting list. On completion of the Kintala School, handlers can choose to do further group training in a six week session "Ideal Dogs of Australia™" course. The course is approved by the Victorian Government and is designed to produce a happy, well behaved dog which fits into the twenty first century.

Many people opt to join the club afterwards to continue training and socialising their dogs. There are ten classes. Tracking, retrieving and scent work are encouraged very early. The club also runs Pets as Therapy at a local hospital in Bundoora. A relatively new program "Kids and Canines" for kindergarten and primary school children was greeted with great enthusiasm a few years ago by children, teachers and parents alike.

One of the favourite activities for the dogs is what we call, "Canine Commandos" which started back in 1983 when the club was approached by the Quarter Horse Association to stage an obstacle course for dogs similar to a show jumping competition. The first public demonstration was given at the showgrounds the following year. Since then agility has become fairly common throughout Australia. Flyball and other games are also popular past times. Regular magazines are produced for club members about training, behavioural problems and containing news of club members and club events.

Instructor Training Courses

The club has been active in training its own instructors since 1977, giving them a great grounding in both practical work and theory. In response to new legislation by the Victorian Government, a new umbrella Association was formed and these courses were opened to people outside the club who wanted to teach others about The Gentle Modern Method of Dog Training™. This has proved very popular especially with people living in country areas who in turn have been great ambassadors for motivational dog training in their local areas.

Find out more about our Instructor Training Course

Phone : Melbourne (03) 9439 8546 after 6 pm

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