Training
Grade One – six weeks
We teach the dog that ‘Click’ means a treat is coming. The timing of the click is extremely important! That’s where you come in! In my opinion, the number one most important exercise to teach a dog is ‘Attention or Eye Contact’. A dog that is watching you & focused on you will generally always be obedient.
We teach the dog to ‘Sit’ quickly on one command. To ‘Target’ to your hand, or any object held in your hand. Target to an object on the floor. You will learn ‘Loose Leash Walking’.
We teach ‘Targeting’ to a mat. To ‘Sit’, ‘Stay’ & ‘Down stay’. To ‘Come’ when called. The dog is taught that it is not to run through an open door. Greeting behaviour is to offer a sit, not to jump on you & your guests.
We are teaching you to learn the method of training! Questions are encouraged, as we will try to offer & cover items of interest to good behaviour & management.
*Six weeks does not train a dog. Remember, we are training you. PLEASE consider continuing for the benefit of you & your dog!
Grade Two – six weeks
This is the continuation of Grade One, the exercises will flow into each other. Yes, the exercises become more complex & require you to spend more time with your dog.
We encourage more work on ‘Attention’, ‘Targeting’ to objects & your hand for more control & positioning.
Perfecting ‘Loose Leash Walking’. Sitting by your left side in heel position.
‘Down’ by hand signal & voice command. Sit Stay & Down Stay.
Self-Induced Eye Contact!
We will encourage you to teach ‘Tricks’ to your dog; as a great way to have fun with your furry friend.
Another of my favourite exercises is ‘Leave-it’. This exercise starts to give you the control that you need in all situations. ‘Recall’; teach your dog to come away from distractions such as food, cats & other pets. ‘Fronts’; dog is taught to sit in front when called.
We will train the dog to like being handled by you, a stranger i.e., the Vet or a Groomer. More on ‘Safety exercises’. Busy class, lots to keep you busy!
Grade Three – six weeks
This is the level where we start to become more serious & expect a little more from you & the dog!
He/she will be taught to ‘STAND’ & STAND for EXAMINATION on signal & command.
PUSH-UPS, doggy style!
HEEL POSITION & heeling. (Much more different than Loose Leash Walking!)
EYE CONTACT with distractions. RECALLS away from rewards.
COMEFORE: stationary, while walking.
FRONTS & FINISHES.
SIT & DOWN STAYS with distractions.
RANDOM EYE CONTACT.
FIGURE OF ‘8’.
BEHAVIOUR PROJECTS: Rounding, Touching at a distance and Weaving. By this time we expect you to have a good handle on ‘The method of training’
INTERMEDIATE – eight weeks
This class is quite comprehensive in that it not only trains the dog for more exacting exercises; it trains you to become a good handler.
We assume that you know the method of training & now you have a chance to apply that technique. You will shape the exercises, breaking them down into small increments until you get the desired results.
What makes for a well trained dog; “A good handler”?
Some of the exercises:
- Heel position & attention.
- Off Leash Heeling.
- Heeling starts, Heeling – slow, normal & fast.
- Automatic sits, Moving left U turns, Right about turns.
- Stationary Left, Right & About turns.
- Moving Left turns, Right turns. Random Sits & Downs.
- Formal & Informal Comefore.
- Fronts & Finishes (both ways).
- Figure of Eight. Sit & Stand for Examination.
- Sit Stay & Down Stay with distractions; building time up to 3 minute sits & 5 minute downs.
- Recall & Drop on Recall.
- All Signals.
- Zigzag, Spirals, Circle Right & Left & various heeling drills.
WHY: After this class you will be prepared for the Novice level of competition where the dog can earn his Companion Dog title (CD).
Not interested in competition? Can you imagine how well your pet would be trained for everyday lifestyles & interactions with you, your friends & family; regardless of what you want the training to accomplish.
There is nothing prouder to own than a well trained dog!
OPEN: 8 weeks (+?)
This level of competition is considered the most interesting & fun for handler & dog.
The dog will do all Heeling Off Leash; including the Figure Of Eight. Drop On Recall, Retrieve on the flat, Retrieve over the High Jump; also the Broad Jump.
He must Sit stay with handler out of sight for three minutes & a Down stay with handler away for five minutes.
After three qualifying legs, the dog earns the title Companion Dog Excellent. (CDX)
UTILITY: 8 weeks (+?)
This course is considered the PHD for canines.
- Your dog will learn to track a dropped item (a glove).
- He will learn to pick your scented article out of a group of 15 items. These are made of ‘wood’, ‘metal’ & ‘leather’.
- To respond to hand signals at a distance. "Down", "Sit", "Recall", "Sit and Finish".
- You will be commanded to 'Heel' & then 'Stand your dog', you will then continue for a distance before turning to face your dog. The judge will physically examine your dog & then be command to call your dog. He sits in front & then goes back to heel position.
- To ‘go away’ from you & sit at a distance, then jump a specific jump on command.
Upon qualifying three times; the dog earns the title Utility Dog (UD) He then can be called an Obedience Trial Champion. (Otch).
Definitely a feather in your bonnet!
PRIVATE BEHAVIOURAL CONSULTING
Many people are given a puppy as a surprise gift. Unfortunately, puppies generally don't come with directions!
Some take the time to read a book, buy a video or ask a friend for advice. Most people tend to 'stumble' along trying to enjoy this cute little ball of fluff.
There are many different suggestions & recommendations for 'Housebreaking' your puppy. What do you do when this puppy starts chewing everything in sight? Coming home & finding the dining room table leg has been chewed, a hole in the couch, a pile of poop in the middle of your carpet!
Bad dog, I think not?
Your son or daughter are running around the house, puppy takes up the chase & grabs one of them with his mouth & punctures the skin.
Do you have a vicious dog; I think not? You have a 'Management' problem. I could go on &
on, you need help.
Training the puppy (when he is young) is the bottom line to most behavioural problems. Yes, you need to train the pup; but you also may need some advice on 'Managing' they way your family lives with this new puppy.
I have a program where I like to talk to the family as a group. There are some definite do's & don't when it comes to living with a dog.
If your pet isn't a pleasure to have around, maybe I can help you?
Please call and ask about our Behavioural Consulting Service.
