Dog trainers sniff out site

HIGH demand for dog training has prompted a Townsville business to seek approval to use a facility in Garbutt.

Dogfather Dog Training has applied to Townsville City Council for planning permission to operate from a facility at 11 Hamill St.

The business is planning to use warehouse space as an undercover area for clients, with sessions to run for about 90 minutes.

Under the plan, Dogfather Dog Training would have permission for a maximum of 10 dogs on the property at any time.

Usually there would be only four dogs on site as trainers take clients through sessions.

On weekends and after business hours, the business would run group sessions with six dogs in a class.

All dogs will be required to be with their owners and on a leash when they enter and exit the premises.

Documents submitted to the council stated the short time the animals spend on site would “significantly” reduce the chance dogs would require toileting at the venue.

Drawings show there will be a main training zone, client consultation rooms and car parking areas.

The business stated its current venue in Currajong was no longer suitable due to problems accessing the site.

Dogfather Dog Training has shared the Currajong facil- ity with other pet- related businesses.

Its clients have experienced a waiting period of between two and three months for the past three years.

The training facility would cover 286sq m and the developer said no structural changes would be made to the current premises.

The Bulletin contacted Dogfather Dog Training dog behaviour specialist and head trainer Michael Burling, who declined to comment.

The business’s website states its methods are about education in the skills of “effective leadership” and “creating calm” to take owners beyond the realm of “pack leader, and into the realm of dog parent”.