Obedience Training - A MUST For All Dogs!

It's the wish of most owners to have a dog that is obedient and a good companion. This doesn't just happen by itself! Dogs need guidance and assistance in learning the "rules" of the household. PenDOG classes help owners understand their dogs, and teach techniques to mold the dog into the right kind of companion.

PUPPY KINDERGARTEN

One of the commonly overlooked aspects of training a dog to be a good canine partner is socialization at a young age. When we take puppies home, we remove them from their main area of socialization (their "pack"). Many times these puppies, deprived of interaction with a variety of other dogs and humans, grow up to be frightened and aggressive. This is due to a lack of early socialization, which results in an inability on the part of the dog to understand how to interact.

The PenDOG Puppy Kindergarten classes help provide your puppy with socialization opportunites, while giving you the tools to start teaching beginning obedience exercises.

Puppies can start as early as 8 weeks, as long as vaccinations are kept current.

 

GENERAL OBEDIENCE TRAINING

The basic obedience classes offered by PenDOG are aimed towards providing a bond between dog and owner. Along with this goal, the classes teach such basics as follows:

  • Attention
  • Walking on a loose leash or heeling
  • Sit and sit-stay
  • Down and down-stay
  • Come when called.

Other exercises may be taught depending on each instructor. In addition, classes may incorporate obstacles such as tunnels and ramps, or include free-dog socialization.

New for 2005 is a series of "levels" classes - you can join at you and your dog's current level, and even if you have to miss you just come back into the class that fits where you are in training! Perfect for those who need to work out of town, vacationers or even those with busy schedules who may need to miss an occasional class.

Baron (Akita) heels beside handler, Melanie S.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN

The Canine Good Citizen program is offered through the American Kennel Club. This class is based on what a good canine companion should be able to do. There are a series of ten basic tests to go through in order to receive certification. These include:

  • Accepting a friendly stranger
  • Sitting politely for petting
  • Appearance and grooming
  • Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
  • Walking through a crowd
  • Sit and down on command - staying in place
  • Coming when called
  • Reaction to another dog
  • Reaction to distraction
  • Supervised separation

PenDOG offers CGC classes throughout the year, and testing is available to any dog at the end of each class.

For more information on the Canine Good Citizen Program, visit the AKC website HERE.

COMPETITION OBEDIENCE

Many PenDOG members show their dogs in obedience events. There are three levels of competition available: Novice, Open and Utility. Three qualifying (passing) scores earns a title and allows the dog to move up to the next higher level. AKC also will offer titles in Rally Obedience, starting in January of 2005. Rally is a more relaxed style of competition obedience.

Novice Title: COMPANION DOG (CD)

Novice competition involves 6 exercises:

  • Heeling On Leash, with Figure 8
  • Stand for Examination
  • Heel Off Leash
  • Recall
  • Sit-Stay (one minute)*
  • Down-Stay (three minutes)*

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Open Title: COMPANION DOG EXCELLENT (CDX)

Open competition involves 7 exercises:

  • Heel Off Leash, with Figure 8
  • Drop on Recall
  • Retrieve on the Flat
  • Retrieve Over the High Jump
  • Broad Jump
  • Sit-Stay (three minutes, out of sight)*
  • Down-Stay (five minutes, out of sight)*

Utility Title: UTILITY DOG (UD)

Utility competition involves 6 exercises:

  • Signal Exercise (no verbal commands)
  • Scent Discrimination - Metal articles
  • Scent Discrimination - Leather articles
  • Moving Stand for Examination
  • Directed Retrieve (gloves)
  • Directed Jumping (high jump and bar jump)

Rally Obedience

Rally Obedience involves the handler and dog following a set of cards. Each card requires the team to perform an exercise. There can be between 10 and 20 stations, depending on the level of rally competition.

Rally titles will be available after January 1, 2005. The levels of rally are: Novice, Advanced and Excellent. Titles are: RN (Rally Novice), RA (Rally Advanced), RE (Rally Excellent) and Rally Advanced Excellent (RAE).

(*All stays are done with all dogs [up to 12] in the ring.)

For more descriptions, rules, and information on competitive obedience events, visit the AKC website HERE.

Other organizations offer competitive titles. Most are similar or identical to the AKC titles.

PenDOG offers these competitive obedience classes for those wishing to go beyond the basics. Anyone interested in competing can find rules and information on upcoming obedience trials through the club members.

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