Obedience

Training would be a cinch if dogs spoke the same language that people speak. But alas 'tis not so. Dogs have their own attitudes, voice, body language, and mindset. They can be stubborn, dominant, submissive, playful or fearful. The idea of Obedience Training is to demonstrate the usefulness of the dog as a companion. Companionship is the key aspect of obedience and with a well controlled and well-mannered dog, owning a dog becomes a pleasure and not a hassle!

Registrations of interest to: email ~ Laurinda Lewis Phone ~ 027 4824 541

Courses Offered

Puppy

This is for puppies 13 weeks and over (must be fully vaccinated) and is for basic obedience and socialisation. Handlers and puppies will learn how to ‘heel’ without pulling, sit, lie down, stay and come when called. This is an 8 week course which is often repeated (at a reduced cost) if further basic training is needed.

Domestic

This is for adult dogs (usually 9months and over) who have had very little obedience training and owners wish to gain more control over their dogs. Again this is for basic obedience and socialisation. Handlers and dogs will learn how to ‘heel’ without pulling, sit, lie down, stay and come when called. This is an 8 week course which is often repeated if further basic training is desired.

Where to from here?

On completing and achieving certification in the Puppy or Domestic class there are several options open: Some people decide they now have what they came for - a controllable well behaved dog that will obey the basic commands. Some may wish (or need to) repeat the class for better control. Others, having passed the certification and formed a bond with their dog, wish to continue learning new skills or improving what has become a very special relationship between them and their canine friend.

The club offers several alternatives in Obedience: you can either enter the social class if you wish to continue training your dog in a relaxed and social environment OR you can continue to train your dog, improving on the skills you have learnt, and possibly competing in the Obedience Ring… or you can give agility or heel work to music a go.

Social Class

This is for dogs who have completed and achieved certification in the domestic course and for those owners who wish to train their dog on a weekly basis. The social class continues throughout the year., ie., there are no specific courses. Dogs must have mastered the abilities of their ‘heel’ work, ‘sit stays’, ‘down stays’, ‘recall’ and be socially confident with other dogs. It is a relaxed and social environment and will help you to continue to improve your dogs ‘obedience’. It is a very popular class for those members wishing to keep basic obedience skills whilst also doing agility.

Competition Classes

Elementary / Special Beginners is for dogs who have completed and achieved certification in the domestic course and who wish to improve on their obedience skills and possible work towards competing in Obedience competitions. This class is an ongoing weekly class and focuses mainly on heelwork maintaining the ‘correct’ position, right, left and about turns, sit and down stays for specific time lengths and correct recall present position. Novice class is for dogs and handlers who have been placed in Special Beginners competitions. It incorporates more advanced heelwork and retrieval of a dumbbell. Senior class is for dogs and handlers who are competing in Tests A, B and C .

For obedience competition details, click here