If you want your dog to listen to you and your commands there needs to be some form of dog obedience training. This will not only teach your dog what you mean when you tell him to sit, stay, or heel – it will also establish who the boss is in the relationship of dog and dog owner. It is usually recommended that an entire family attend the training sessions as consistency in terminology and handling is the key to successful training.
A dog doesn’t need to be a certain age to attend dog obedience training but it is best to send them when they are still puppies (at least five months old) to teach them properly from the beginning. You have choices of private lessons, group lessons, or you can go it on your own with the back-up of a good reference source. Once you have started to train your dog, don’t stop. It is confusing to the dog and the sooner you finish the sooner you and your dog will know what to expect from one another.
There are approximately 16-20 phrases you will have to teach your dog to understand in dog obedience training. An important one to start with is heel. You are going to be doing a lot of walking with your dog and he or she needs to learn right from the beginning you are taking the dog for a walk not the other way around. “Leave it” and “stay” are two other important ones that should be taught in the beginning. Remember, you are the boss and your dog will follow a strong lead.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Getting Started With Dog Obedience Events
Entering your dog into one of the many local, state, national or even international obedience events is a great way to show off your dog’s talents. These events are often sponsored by breed associations, dog product companies or even marketing firms and agencies. The great thing about these events is that they are usually not limited to only registered or purebred dogs, but rather anyone can enter. Most classes or groups within the competition are either broken down by breed or breed crosses as well as size. This helps keep the competition fair and equal for all types of dogs entering the events. Children can even enter their pets and often special classes for junior handlers are offered. The cost to enter these events is usually very minimal, especially at local level events.
Basic level
Depending on the country you are competing in the events may be slightly different. Overall the basic level of obedience training includes the dog being able to walk on and off a leash with the handler, coming on command, sitting, changing directions while walking without brushing the handler or not paying attention, as well as being able to stand while the judge does a examination of the dog. The dogs will also be required to do a sit and stay exercise as well as a down and stay exercise for a set period of time.
Open
An open level class becomes more challenging to test the ability of the dog to work with the owner completely off the leash. The dogs will work together as a group for some of the exercises and alone for others. The basic requirements are to heel in a figure eight, retrieve an item and drop it on recall, retrieve an item by going over a jump and dropping it in recall, jumping over a broad jump as well as following the sit and down command.
Each dog will also have to do a lengthy three to five minute sit and down with a stay component with the handler out of the ring and out of the dog’s site.
Utility
This is the most challenging of the classes and adds to the above requirements by adding finding specific items touched by the handler in a pile of things, bringing back a specific item on command, following hand signals with no verbal component and complete both a broad and high jump component.
Each obedience class is judge by each dog having a full score when entering the competition. Each variation or mistake by the dog results in a decrease in the score. For most kennel club sanctioned events all dogs start with 200 points and then work with the deductions. The dog that makes the fewest mistakes is considered the champion for that event.
Obedience training is time consuming but highly rewarding for both the dog and the owner. Many owners train their own dogs for events and if you are interested in this fascinating sport plan to attend a few competitions to get a feel for the event and then get involved.
Basic level
Depending on the country you are competing in the events may be slightly different. Overall the basic level of obedience training includes the dog being able to walk on and off a leash with the handler, coming on command, sitting, changing directions while walking without brushing the handler or not paying attention, as well as being able to stand while the judge does a examination of the dog. The dogs will also be required to do a sit and stay exercise as well as a down and stay exercise for a set period of time.
Open
An open level class becomes more challenging to test the ability of the dog to work with the owner completely off the leash. The dogs will work together as a group for some of the exercises and alone for others. The basic requirements are to heel in a figure eight, retrieve an item and drop it on recall, retrieve an item by going over a jump and dropping it in recall, jumping over a broad jump as well as following the sit and down command.
Each dog will also have to do a lengthy three to five minute sit and down with a stay component with the handler out of the ring and out of the dog’s site.
Utility
This is the most challenging of the classes and adds to the above requirements by adding finding specific items touched by the handler in a pile of things, bringing back a specific item on command, following hand signals with no verbal component and complete both a broad and high jump component.
Each obedience class is judge by each dog having a full score when entering the competition. Each variation or mistake by the dog results in a decrease in the score. For most kennel club sanctioned events all dogs start with 200 points and then work with the deductions. The dog that makes the fewest mistakes is considered the champion for that event.
Obedience training is time consuming but highly rewarding for both the dog and the owner. Many owners train their own dogs for events and if you are interested in this fascinating sport plan to attend a few competitions to get a feel for the event and then get involved.
Basic Dog Obedience Training
One reason for doing the basic dog obedience training is to build a framework from which the owner and the dog can learn to effectively rehearse with each other. First, you can start the obedience training by establishing a general language for both of you. In return, this will train your dog to understand the exact response manner that you await instead of his maladaptive traits.
Your dog can react exactly to your commands if he learned the basic dog obedience training, in place of neurotically attempting to incline him and becoming more fearful with your dissatisfaction. Your dog will admit the members of your family as the leaders and grew more protected and peaceful in this bond of love and influence. This can be utilized to help complete some of his essential and fundamental needs, such as feeling of fulfillment, exercise, productive social interaction and the protection of knowing what's anticipated. Basic obedience training will provide your dog some helpful task to achieve and can be beneficial in directing again some of the mental potency of an animal that was ideally intended for work.
The two most popular basic obedience training patterns are reward training and leash or collar training. We can almost regard the reward training to be a tender and sympathetic training method while collar and the leash training are of very difficult training styles. They are both primitive styles nevertheless, the leash and collar has been applied more effectively and is considered as the most conventional style. It’s because of the perception that most obedience training has customarily expanded from military dog training. Some motives are revealed why these training styles would prefer the use of food such as, the nature of the dogs to be trained, the kind of mission or the task of the dog, and the background and disposition of the owner or the trainer.
Your dog can react exactly to your commands if he learned the basic dog obedience training, in place of neurotically attempting to incline him and becoming more fearful with your dissatisfaction. Your dog will admit the members of your family as the leaders and grew more protected and peaceful in this bond of love and influence. This can be utilized to help complete some of his essential and fundamental needs, such as feeling of fulfillment, exercise, productive social interaction and the protection of knowing what's anticipated. Basic obedience training will provide your dog some helpful task to achieve and can be beneficial in directing again some of the mental potency of an animal that was ideally intended for work.
The two most popular basic obedience training patterns are reward training and leash or collar training. We can almost regard the reward training to be a tender and sympathetic training method while collar and the leash training are of very difficult training styles. They are both primitive styles nevertheless, the leash and collar has been applied more effectively and is considered as the most conventional style. It’s because of the perception that most obedience training has customarily expanded from military dog training. Some motives are revealed why these training styles would prefer the use of food such as, the nature of the dogs to be trained, the kind of mission or the task of the dog, and the background and disposition of the owner or the trainer.
How To Stop Bad Dog Behavior
Dogs belong to the Canidae family which includes wolves, foxes and cayotes. Since dogs came from ancestors with wild behaviors, it is not surprising for dogs to demonstrate a wild or aggressive behavior. Although dogs are now domesticated, there are still tendencies for dogs to exhibit their natural behavior. Humans take this behavior as bad dog behavior and expecting their dogs to behave and live with them in peace and harmony.
Here are some guidelines you can follow to stop bad dog behavior:
Early separation from the mother. Dogs are pack animals and they don’t like to be alone. When puppies are taken away from their mothers early before behavior development, this will result to behavior problems. It is advisable that puppies stayed with their mother and other puppies for about 8-10 weeks old. He will learn his behavior under the care of the mother dog. If he tries to bite other puppies, for instance, the mother dog is there to growl as a warning that his biting and bad dog behavior is not acceptable. Puppies will learn to modify their behavior if they stay long enough with their mother and by the time you take them home they are already equipped to communicate properly. It will be easier for you to house train your puppy and stop dog bad behaviors.
Reprimand when needed to stop bad dog behavior. If your dog displays bad behavior, do not ignore it. Use punishment or be strict when your dog does something that displeases you, but do not hurt your dog. Just let him know or feel that you don’t agree with his bad dog behavior.
Don’t be afraid to show appreciation or acknowledge your dogs’ good behavior. Through praises and affirmations, dogs learn that they are doing the right thing that makes you happy. Remember that dogs like to please you and if he feels you are happy with his behavior he will keep doing it until it becomes a habit.
Train your dog. Dog obedience is not innate; you must put time and effort to train your dog to stop bad dog behavior. Lack of obedience training will result to bad dog behavior. You cannot communicate properly to your dog if he is not acquainted with the proper dog trainings.
Here are some guidelines you can follow to stop bad dog behavior:
Early separation from the mother. Dogs are pack animals and they don’t like to be alone. When puppies are taken away from their mothers early before behavior development, this will result to behavior problems. It is advisable that puppies stayed with their mother and other puppies for about 8-10 weeks old. He will learn his behavior under the care of the mother dog. If he tries to bite other puppies, for instance, the mother dog is there to growl as a warning that his biting and bad dog behavior is not acceptable. Puppies will learn to modify their behavior if they stay long enough with their mother and by the time you take them home they are already equipped to communicate properly. It will be easier for you to house train your puppy and stop dog bad behaviors.
Reprimand when needed to stop bad dog behavior. If your dog displays bad behavior, do not ignore it. Use punishment or be strict when your dog does something that displeases you, but do not hurt your dog. Just let him know or feel that you don’t agree with his bad dog behavior.
Don’t be afraid to show appreciation or acknowledge your dogs’ good behavior. Through praises and affirmations, dogs learn that they are doing the right thing that makes you happy. Remember that dogs like to please you and if he feels you are happy with his behavior he will keep doing it until it becomes a habit.
Train your dog. Dog obedience is not innate; you must put time and effort to train your dog to stop bad dog behavior. Lack of obedience training will result to bad dog behavior. You cannot communicate properly to your dog if he is not acquainted with the proper dog trainings.
How To Choose A Good Dog Obedience School
There are so many dog obedience schools and training centres that its often difficult to know what to look for in choosing one.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
How To Choose A Good Dog Obedience School
There are so many dog obedience schools and training centres that its often difficult to know what to look for in choosing one.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
It is essential to decide what you want to achieve out of attending dog obedience training and it's a good start to ask yourself the following questions:
1. Would you prefer one to one training, or group lessons?
One to one training is significantly more expensive than group lessons, so you should consider the budget that you have set for the training.
2. What is the aim of attending dog obedience training?
Is it for puppy socialisation?
Is it simply general training; walking to heel, sitting etc?
Do you intend to compete in obedience trials?
Are you interested in any specialist disciplines; i.e trick training, Heelwork to Music, agility?
3. What type of atmosphere would you like?
Would you like to join a proper “Dog club”, with all of its associated social activities and competitions? Or are you just looking for somewhere to train your dog once a week?
Once you have a good idea in your mind of what you are looking for, then you’re ready to start contacting relevant dog obedience schools and finding out whether they meet what you’re looking for.
It’s a good idea to visit the dog obedience schools, attend a lesson (without your dog), and talk to the trainers. You should trust your instincts when deciding whether you think you and your dog will fit into the training classes and enjoy working with the trainers.
A serious consideration in your decision should be the methods of training used by the dog obedience schools; you should look for trainers who believe in kind, positive methods of training. Dog trainers who encourage the use of choke chains or any kind of rough handling, should be avoided at all costs.
There are professional associations, regulating some dog obedience schools, so you may prefer to choose a dog obedience class that is regulated by one of these associations. But do remember that there are lots of good obedience schools that may not be registered with the associations.
Dog obedience training
Which dog owner won't feel proud of his disciplined dog? Reversely, who won't feel ashamed of an unruly dog? It is very important for your dog to be absolutely obedient to commands of his owner. You can't expect your dog to be obedient by birth or nature. You have to take pains to make him understand obey your commands.
Obedience training to your dog can be imparted in many ways - two of the more popular methods are typically carrot and stick methods. First method heavily depends on the stick or punishment approach. Second method deals with the reward system for the dog.
Leash and collar method of dog obedience training has survived for a long time now. It is primitive but still mostly followed. The premises of this training method are based here - leash will be the mode of communication with the dog. Dog must understand the commands, and if not obeyed to, leash should be put to action. Using leash alone is not sufficient - dog must be made aware of the good and bad behavior. Once tracked on the path to bad behavior, dog can be punished with the leash.
Reward system doesn't believe in punishing the dog. It follows psychological approach to deal with dog training. Dog is made to know the good parts of behavior and rewarded for the same. His ugly behavior is neglected in the form of psychological treatment. The trainer or owner walks away from the dog immediately after the show of bad behavior. Dog is an intelligent animal to understand the difference between the bad and good behavior.
Whatever technique is used for dog obedience training, it is important to know that the training must be consistent. Dogs get easily confused due to double standards employed. If you expect your dog never to jump on the bed, never let or invite him on the bed. Ensure that your dog never reaches the bed.
Obedience training starts on the fundamental issues like sitting, standing, walking, listening to your commands & following those, sitting in the car, etc.
The dog owner can easily impart obedience training. You may find alternates to this by getting your dog enrolled with some obedience classes or dog instructor. Evaluate all the training techniques, methods, equipment, infrastructure, experience, etc before taking the final decision on outside help. Remember, the most ideal way will be yourself to be the instructor. Your dog will love it.
Obedience training to your dog can be imparted in many ways - two of the more popular methods are typically carrot and stick methods. First method heavily depends on the stick or punishment approach. Second method deals with the reward system for the dog.
Leash and collar method of dog obedience training has survived for a long time now. It is primitive but still mostly followed. The premises of this training method are based here - leash will be the mode of communication with the dog. Dog must understand the commands, and if not obeyed to, leash should be put to action. Using leash alone is not sufficient - dog must be made aware of the good and bad behavior. Once tracked on the path to bad behavior, dog can be punished with the leash.
Reward system doesn't believe in punishing the dog. It follows psychological approach to deal with dog training. Dog is made to know the good parts of behavior and rewarded for the same. His ugly behavior is neglected in the form of psychological treatment. The trainer or owner walks away from the dog immediately after the show of bad behavior. Dog is an intelligent animal to understand the difference between the bad and good behavior.
Whatever technique is used for dog obedience training, it is important to know that the training must be consistent. Dogs get easily confused due to double standards employed. If you expect your dog never to jump on the bed, never let or invite him on the bed. Ensure that your dog never reaches the bed.
Obedience training starts on the fundamental issues like sitting, standing, walking, listening to your commands & following those, sitting in the car, etc.
The dog owner can easily impart obedience training. You may find alternates to this by getting your dog enrolled with some obedience classes or dog instructor. Evaluate all the training techniques, methods, equipment, infrastructure, experience, etc before taking the final decision on outside help. Remember, the most ideal way will be yourself to be the instructor. Your dog will love it.
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