What to Expect at Classes

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Taking Away the Uncertainty

Not knowing where to go, what’s expected, or whether you’ll be put on the spot can make new experiences feel really stressful — even when you’re excited to attend.

I know that feeling well. As an autistic person, uncertainty is something I find especially challenging. So I’ve created this page to take the guesswork out of attending dog training classes with me.

If you're the kind of person who likes to know the plan, or you're feeling a bit nervous about coming along, this is for you.

I always aim to set you and your dog up for success — that’s my job. I want you to enjoy yourself, make progress, and leave class feeling proud. And if things don’t go quite to plan? That’s okay too. I promise there’s no judgement from me whatsoever.

What Happens When You Book

Once you’ve signed up for your course, here’s what to expect:

Booking Confirmation & Welcome Pack

You’ll receive a confirmation email with your course Welcome Pack, which includes the class details, what to bring, directions, and everything else you need to feel prepared.
Please note: this isn’t sent instantly — I send it manually, so there might be a short delay before it arrives in your inbox. Please remember to check your junk folder.

Before Your First Class

You don’t need to do anything else at this point — just take a bit of time to familiarise yourself with the Welcome Pack when it arrives. Please contact me if you have any other questions.

The Day Before Class Begins

I’ll send you a reminder email the day before your course starts to help you feel ready and confident.

Class Day

On the day, follow the details in your email, arrive no more than 10 minutes before your class time, and we’ll take it from there!

The Venue

Location

Private, secure training field in Stoke Golding (Leicestershire), near Hinckley, Burbage and Nuneaton. The exact location will be detailed in your booking confirmation email.

Car Parking

Parking is on grass, inside the field itself. I’ll open the gate when you arrive so you can simply pull in and park up.

Class Size

Maximum of 6 dogs per class. You’re welcome to bring people along with you, but please keep numbers limited. Only bring children who can remain quiet and under control — no children under 5, please.

Water

There are water bowls available for dogs. If your dog isn’t comfortable sharing a communal bowl, feel free to bring your own.

Toilets

There are no toilets on site. The nearest option is Morrisons in Hinckley, around a 6-minute drive from the field — it’s a good idea to stop there beforehand.

Weather

There is no shelter on site, so please dress appropriately for the weather — bring waterproofs, layers, sun cream, or anything else you might need. The field is grass and can get muddy in wet weather, so please wear suitable footwear — wellies or walking boots are a good idea.

Accessibility

The field is grassy and slightly uneven in places, which may be tricky for some mobility aids. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch and I’ll do my best to help.

How Sessions Run

Each session follows a gentle, consistent rhythm so you and your dog know what to expect.

First Class

Session one begins with a short introduction. I’ll invite everyone to introduce themselves and their dog — this is just for fun and to help break the ice. No pressure to say anything fancy.

Following Weeks

All classes begin with a quick ‘dog win of the week’ – absolutely anything positive about your dog, not just training related. If you don’t feel like sharing, that’s completely fine.

Main Activity Time

We work through that week’s training exercises together. I will explain first, then you practise with your dog. You’ll each have your own designated training space marked out with black poles, so you’ll always know where to stand and work.

Personal Support

I’ll walk around to offer personal tips and encouragement. This is guidance, not criticism — my goal is to help you feel confident.

Questions & Wrap-Up

We end with space to ask questions or chat through anything that came up.

Need Anything Else?

Please don’t be afraid to ask — I mean that. I want this to be a space where you feel welcome, safe, and able to focus on enjoying training with your dog — not stressing about logistics or expectations.

Here are just a few things I can help with:

Going to need a chair?

I’ll provide one.

Would a post-class recap be helpful?

Text message or voicenote?

Require extra time with activities?

Just let me know.

Learn better by watching?

I might be able to demo with your dog.

Not Sure if Class is Right for You?

I completely understand — group classes aren’t for everyone. They can feel overwhelming, or things might just not go as expected with your dog. If it turns out that class isn’t the right fit, that’s totally okay. There is an option to switch to 1:1 sessions instead, where you’ll still cover the same course content in a more personalised, private setting. There is an additional cost for private training, but it’s always an option — just let me know if you need to make the change.

Field Rules

Arrive on time — not early or late.

I may have another class or 1:1 in progress, and early arrivals can be distracting (especially when the gate rattles open mid-session). Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before your session.

Please don’t open the gate yourself

I will come and open it when it’s safe to do so. This helps keep dogs secure and sessions uninterrupted.

Keep your dog in the car until instructed otherwise

The field is next to a busy road, and I need to make sure the gate is securely shut before any dogs come out of vehicles. Safety first!

Pick up after your dog

Always bring poo bags and dispose of waste responsibly — either take it home or use the bin provided.

Keep dogs on lead unless told otherwise

Even if your dog has great recall, I may have dogs in class that are nervous or easily distracted. I will let you know when and if it’s appropriate to let your dog off.

autism-friendly dog training