School for dogs zooms into lounge rooms

Coast pet owners are excited to continue training their fur friends through the coronavirus crisis with RSPCA Queensland’s online training program.

Due to government guidelines in regard to public gatherings, RSPCA Queensland's School for Dogs trainer De Durdevic said they're using the internet to bring the school to your lounge room.

PET owner Breanna De Wit is excited to be able to continue training her pup Jexster through her dog school online.

Due to government guidelines regarding public gatherings, RSPCA Queensland's School for Dogs is using the internet to bring the school to pet owners.

"A lot of our current clients have embraced the new technology after the outdoor classes had to be put on hold," School for Dogs trainer De Durdevic said.

Baringa pet owner Ms De Wit is one of them.

"Since training Jexster at home via the RSPCA's online platform, we have seen him flourish and grow," she said.

"Jexster is a fun, energetic and extremely cheeky new addition to this family and keeps us on our toes.

"With the support of the RSPCA, he has found it easier learning from home and spending more time with him has only strengthened our family's bond."

Jonathan McMahon and partner Breanna De Wit are excited to be able to continue training their puppy Jexster with RSPCA Queensland's School for Dogs as it turns to online during the COVID-19 crisis.

School For Dogs uses the increasingly popular video conferencing system Zoom to connect trainer and clients in the comfort of their homes.

Not only is it a great way to continue training, but it also benefits the dogs that might have some "issues", such as fearful, timid and reactive dogs, Ms Durdevic said.

"At home, your dog is really comfortable so we can get a lot of successful behaviours," she said.

"(But) it'll always be your homework to practise those behaviours so they really do solidify."

The online tutorials include one-on-one training sessions for those who have the curlier questions and behaviours to sort out.

Ms Durdevic said once the current crisis was over, School for Dogs would return to on-site classes, but there was every chance that more classes would continue to run remotely.

"It will be great to continue this into the future. I mean, this is the new-age stuff," she said.

"The best thing is that we can target people from all over Australia."