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 Obedience training is primarily two things:
- Establishing and promoting a proper relationship between you and your dog
- A way of communicating so that your dog understands your commands and those commands have meaning
The aim of the basic obedience course is to teach dog owners the art of training their dogs and solving behavioural problems. The practical exercises covered are practical skills needed by the dog to live happily together with us:
HEEL ON LEAD - Command used "Heel"
The dog learns to walk by your side without pulling on the lead. This is an important exercise as the dog learns to concentrate on you and your commands. Includes different paces, turns and heel patterns.
SOCIAL WALKING - Command used "Let's Go"
In this exercise, the dog learns to walk at the full length of the lead without pulling. It is allowable for your dog to sniff and walk in a relaxed manner. This is the general mode of walking your dog when you are not training it.
SIT - Command used "Sit"
The dog will learn to sit on command as well as to come to an automatic sit when you come to a stop.
RECALL - Command used "Come"
Teaches the dog to return to you on command. Initially this is taught on lead and gradually to on or off lead up to 5 metres.
DOWN - Command used "Down"
This teaches the dog to lie down on command from the sit position. Food is used initially to teach the dog what is required, and then only guidance, correction and praise is utilised. During the intermediate stages of the exercise, a hand signal is used as a visual aid.
CLOSE - Command used "Close"
This teaches the dog to assume the CLOSE position on the left of the handler. It is a very useful position for the dog to assume before the start of any exercises.
RESTRAINT
In this exercise, the dog learns to be handled and examined. This is useful in establishing our dominance by restraining the dog as well as to build up the dog's confidence in being handled and examined. The groomer and the vet will love your dog as a result!
STAYS - Command used "Stay"
The stays are taught in a progressive sequence over a number of weeks. Initially the distance away from the dog is small and the leash is still attached. As the dog becomes more proficient, the distance and time away from the dog is increased. The sit and the drop stay is finally taught up to 3-5 metres for 1 minute.
The recommended length of the training programme for the basic obedience course is 5 to 6 lessons. For the first lesson, it is useful to have a session for solving any behavioural problems. A subsequent 5 lessons is recommended, for us to instruct the handler in the techniques of teaching the dog the exercises described above. Lessons are recommended to be held on a weekly basis, allowing the handler to practice with the dog during the week before the next lesson. In the event that the handler is too busy to practice with the dog during the week or has other commitments, the handler can reschedule the next lesson to a time which is more convenient.
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