In working with your dog in obedience, you will find you are very active, so dress for the part. Hopefully, you are not doing this for fashion's sake. Choose old clothing, comfortable, that allows free body movement. Wear shoes that will give you maximum balance and stability, with rubber soles. People going barefoot will do so at their own risk.
It is your responsibility to regularly work with your dog. A class-like situation would be very helpful to you and your dog. We encourage to you go early to training/practice so your dog may meet and greet the other dogs (if present) or just get acquainted with the area and have some time to calm down before training starts.
Every training and practice session will be important. Set and keep a regular schedule! Look upon a dog training course as being like building a wall with bricks. Each brick being a class lesson. Every brick, like each lesson, rests on the one before. What you do now will last your dog's entire life.
During dog training, before and after class, and anywhere on the training grounds, your dog will be your responsibility!!!! No puppy/beginner dogs will be off leash at any time. Maintain complete control over your dog, keep the dog close by you and quiet. Attacks or attempted attacks upon other people or other dogs by your dog must be corrected with maximum discipline from you. Confrontations should be avoided, in the first place, by preventing your dog from getting too close to other people and other dogs).
Guests and visitors are welcome at training classes, but they must remain quietly on the sidelines and abide by the class rules. Children are to be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian, not training a dog.
We point out that bringing children, family or friends, might distract the dog's attention from you during a time when you need it most. Small children should not be involved or present.
If more than one person wishes to train the dog, this can be done. All persons planning on teaching the dog must read the course guide and attend class to learn the same training methods. They must use the same commands and methods. Remember: In the Puppy/Beginner Dog Obedience Training Course both you and the dog are students. You will want to keep confusion down to a minimum for the dog! Only one handler per lesson please.
We are here to help you teach your dog the fundamental of basic obedience, good manners, and obedient response to your wishes. If you feel that you do not understand some part of the training, please do not be shy, email us immediately with any training or dog related questions.
As we have said, we are here the (at Dog Forum) to help. We cannot, however, help trainees who will not help themselves.
We would like you to rest assured that we are experts in dog training and experienced, knowledgeable "dog fanciers". We have owned different types of dogs throughout our lives, before settling on our present breed (GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS). We have worked with many types and breeds of dogs. We are people involved in working with our dogs and experienced in exhibiting our dogs in various dog sports and dog competitions. In order to teach the American Kennel Club (AKC) form of obedience upon which we base our class training, we have competed under AKC rules, earning AKC titles for obedience, plus, earning awards for outstanding performances. Because we feel obedience training is so important we also donate mini-courses to rescue dogs through our local rescue organizations.
The mark of a good training program and outstanding instructors is in the record of their achievements and of the achievements of the graduates of that training.
You will be learn the obedience exercises from this course guide. You will teach them to your dog. During the week you will practice with your dog at home in a quiet spot at least once a day for 10-15 minutes. Your class-like sessions should be at least 30 minutes and no longer than 45 minutes.
The dog learns through repetition. You must learn to maintain control, keep the dog's attention, communicate your wishes through commands and corrections, be authoritative, use common sense, be consistent, use gentle firmness, enthusiastic praise, and be patient.
Do not expect the dog to work after eating with a full tummy. Feed it several hours before training or wait until training is over. Do not expect a dog to work, if it is hot or if the dog is sick or if it is a female in "season."
Before training your dog in class or at home, give it plenty of time to relieve itself. If in a public area, or on the training grounds, always clean up after your dog when it is finished. In public, carry your own plastic bags.
Learn to be aware of your voice tones and your body movements. Learn to control these. The dog is highly sensitive to these. They can be a negative or positive effect on your dog! Be very conscious of your hands, feet, body, head, voice. Don't send out confusing "signals."
Responsible dog ownership is the ideal human-dog relationship in today's world. As has been said, in these days of urbanization, the dog is required to be well mannered, obedient and responsive, as well as a good canine citizen, to conform to the dog owner's needs. Apply what you have learned about obedience in class to your life at home. Require good behavior, manners and obedience from your pet and you will receive them!
Responsible dog ownership also means, keeping your dog safe in a securely fenced yard at home, when you are not enjoying your dog's company. Never allow your dog to roam the streets and yards of the neighborhood. Your neighbors certainly don't appreciate loose dogs on their property. Besides, loose dogs are in danger of catching diseases or being hit by cars or injured in dog fights. Not to mention the danger of a loose dog biting someone! Most cities and counties have leash laws.
You should care enough about your dog that you are willing to share time with it by going on "outings" for the dog. You can go to parks, walks around the neighborhood, etc. When around other people and other dogs always have your dog on a leash under control and your supervision. Most pet stores and many other businesses allow dogs to visit. Once the dog is obedient, well-mannered, and responsive to your wishes, control is very easily accomplished and your dog becomes a complete family member and companion! Welcome wherever you go.
Responsible dog owners control their dogs from breeding through spaying, neutering or confinement. Mixed breed dogs should never, ever, be bred for any reason. There are simply too many unwanted dogs being put to death every year. Purebred dog breeding should be left to the experts with total dedication to the breed they are interested in. The fact that a dog is from "pure" breeding and is registered, does not make it a candidate for breeding. Only the "best" of any breed of dog should ever be bred. These are dogs having proof of their quality through competition at dog shows and earning of titles and awards as well as having certificates testifying to their freedom from genetic faults.
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