Andy Gussey
My name is Andy Gussey and I have over thirty years of experience in dog training which include 12 years as a Police dog handler. As a Police dog handler I handled 3 different General Purpose German Shepherds and a Specialist search Springer Spaniel. I represented Avon and Somerset Police at Regional Police Dog trials winning the Obedience trophy twice as well as trophies in searching and criminal work.
I have been helping other people train their dogs for over twenty years and have worked with a wide variety of different breeds from Great Danes to Border Terriers and everything in between with a variety of training needs. I have trained Pet dogs, Gun dogs, Police dogs, Search dogs, Assistance dogs, Support dogs and Therapy dogs.
Through the Cambridge Institute of Dog Behaviour and Training I have studied and qualified in Advanced Dog on Dog Aggression and Advanced Dog on Person Aggression.
I have always owned English Springer Spaniels, I love their energy and character. I was brought up surrounded by working gun dogs becoming involved in their training as soon as I was old enough and later working them myself. I currently own one very lively Springer and a very fit Dachshund.
Private Dog Training
Every dog is different and so I can provide personal one-to-one training for your dog to help you get the most out of its training.
I can take on private training of puppies and older dogs, to train the dogs to do the things that are important to you so that you have the best relationship possible and can enjoy walking and playing with your dog.
I can also address a range of behavioural issues.
Based in Keynsham but being local to Bristol and Bath, we can run sessions at your home, or in a park or other suitable public place as necessary.
A standard one to one, home visit or meeting at my training venue is £100 for between 1 hour and 90 minutes, If within a 20 minute radius of Keynsham. Outside a 20 minute radius will incur an additional charge.
Scent / Nosework Classes
Teaching your dog to search is great fun and allows them to make use of their amazing sense of smell. Watching your dog tasting the air to try to find something that’s hidden is a fantastic experience. Not only does it stimulate the dogs physically, on a completely different level to just running and retrieving it also stimulates them mentally.
I run group, Scent / Nose work classes where we teach the dogs to search for, locate and indicate the presence of a chosen scent. This is done in a similar way to how Police Search dogs are trained to locate illegal drugs.
We look at how to introduce the chosen scent, how to reward a successful find, shaping an indication as well as search techniques and fieldcraft skills.
We have out buildings, stables and open spaces to use as our search area.
Sessions are generally on Saturday or Sunday afternoons, are 1 hour duration and the cost of a five week course is £105.
My next available blocks of classes will start on the weekend of 15th-16th February 2025.
If you are interested or would like to reserve a place please email me. k9gussdogtraining@gmail.com
Obedience Classes
I run group training classes for puppies, beginners, and more advanced dogs. I previously ran the Kennel Club Good Dog Scheme but now operate my own “K9 Guss award scheme” whereby Certificates of achievement are awarded in the categories detailed below.
My classes are in blocks of 5 weeks. £90 for the block with the option of doing follow on blocks afterwards.
Classes are 45 minutes in duration.
My venue is on Woollard lane on the Outskirts of Keynsham. I have use of a large fully enclosed grass paddock, sand covered horse riding arena and a large barn. There is ample parking and room for people to watch.
During the initial course we will cover the following: Heeling on and off lead, recall, including around other dogs, sit, down, stand, good behaviour around other dogs, socialisation with dogs, people, noise and different surfaces, some simple age appropriate agility. I aim to have between 5 and 8 dogs in each class. To attend the dog needs to have completed / be up to date with its vaccinations.
I run classes all day Saturday and Sunday.
My next available blocks of classes will start on the weekend of 15th-16th February 2025
If you would like more information or to reserve a place on the next course please email k9gussdogtraining@gmail.com
K9 Guss Puppy Award
Here's an overview of the K9 Guss Puppy award goals;
Socialisation (People, dogs, noises, surfaces
Give up a toy / treat
Controlled walk around other dogs
Sit Stay
Recall
Take treat nicely
Controlled walk off lead
Basic positions (Sit, down, stand)
Small jump, Tyre, Tunnel, Ramp
Puppy Handling / Grooming
Controlled walk on lead
Control through gate / doorway
Negotiating obstacles
Bronze award
Handling / Grooming
Controlled walk on lead
Controlled walk off lead
Control around other dogs
Control through gate
Controlled greeting
Sit stay
Down or stand stay
Recall
Agility
Silver award
Examination
Controlled walk on lead
Controlled walk off lead
Recall from off lead around other dogs
Controlled greeting person with dog
Sit stay
Down or stand stay
Stay at distance
Recall from sit
Agility
Gold award
Controlled walk off lead incorporating different paces
Recall to heel
Finish to heel
Recall from off lead around other dogs also off lead
Long stay, handler going out of sight
Stopping the dog (Emergency stop)
Send to bed
Control with food
Agility
Talks / Presentations
I enjoy delivering talks on the subject of dogs. I can talk to large or small groups about Police dogs, covering my career as a dog handler, looking at how one becomes a dog handler, what Police dogs are trained to do and how they are trained to do it, with some funny stories included.
I can also talk about dog training in general and what I have learned from my career as a Police dog handler, and from running group classes, one to one sessions and behavioural consultations.
I have delivered a training package on Dog Awareness to Local Council Dog Wardens in line with national guidance. I can deliver a similar package to professional groups who deal with dogs as part of their business or are just interested in the subject or anybody looking to start a dog related business including Dog Walking, Grooming or sitting. I can cover the law relating to dogs, how dogs learn, body language and the practical handling of dogs.
If interested please contact me to discuss your requirements.
Assistance Dog Training
I have worked with a number of clients looking to train their dog to be an assistance, wellbeing or therapy dog. The differing requirements are generally very individual to the clients needs and desires but always need to be based on a well behaved environmentally sound dog.
Assistance dog Dexter
I was approached by Felicity, a young lady living in the heart of London who has Epilepsy and experiences what she described as vacant seizures. She had been trying to get an assistance dog to give her security and assistance as she was vulnerable when having seizures. The procedure was proving very challenging due to the criteria potential assistance dog handlers have to meet.
We discussed her requirements and agreed to work together to provide her with a seizure response dog.
I found Dexter a suitable 14 month old Labrador and began training, focussing on environmental work and general obedience before moving on to some specific tasks required to fulfil his assistance role. Six months later Dexter was paired with Felicity where he was able to detect and warn her of oncoming seizures and to respond appropriately when she suffered a seizure. I am proud to have been able to make a difference to her daily life and help improve her independence.
Wellbeing Dog Training - Rex
I was contacted by Steve who wanted a dog to be a wellbeing dog for his 14-year-old son Tom, who has Autism. Again, difficulties matching the necessary criteria made obtaining a dog through a charity problematic. We discussed the type of dog they were after and what they were hoping it would provide. We agreed to work together to get Tom that special friend.
I found a nice litter of Labrador puppies, and chose the one I felt would grow up to be the perfect partner. I collected Rex at 8 weeks of age and started environmentally training him immediately before adding all the necessary obedience training and then the additional extras we felt would assist Tom.
After 8 months of training, Rex was collected by Steve and taken to live with the family. His arrival made a significant difference and helped give Tom the independence they hoped he would.
Questions?
If you have any questions or just want to say hi?