Dog training tips and methodologies.
This is the 3rd in a series of the 2021 Advanced Rally articles. We’ll be discussing the seven (7) AKC Rally CALL sign exercises, and how they work. CALL signs are used as distance markers. They show a handler the distance they are to move to continue with the current sign.
A reasonable amount of time is devoted to teaching our dogs to hold a position, which we usually term “stay” or “wait”. I used to teach both stay and wait. Stay meant to hold the position, no matter what. Wait meant to hold the position until otherwise directed. My first Boxer truly understood the difference between the two commands.
Awesome Obedience can be thought of as an obedience cookbook. While one could read it cover to cover, it is really meant to be read in discrete bits, as you work your way through skill building. A true novice with a green dog could follow the book sequentially and be assured of success.
Starting April 1, the AKC instituted a new Fix ‘n Go program in obedience competition. This may be the single most important rule change that I have witnessed in my 50 years of participating in this sport.
Scent Work is a sport where the dog locates an odor and communicate that it has found the odor to its handler. AKC held the first Scent Work trial in September 2017.
Using a “V” technique will help to prevent your dog from getting into the habit of cutting the corner of the broad jump. It will also give your dog more arch and ensure he takes the middle.
We are lucky to be living in what is fast becoming the golden age of dog research. For years, scientists treated dogs as animals unworthy of serious study due to the particular complications inherent in studying a domestic species, especially one so intricately intertwined with humans.
There’s no substitute for repetition in learning. How many times do athletes run drills? How much practice does it take to get to the Olympics? How much work does it take to earn an OTCH?
I love doing obedience as a sport and I’ve been lucky enough to own biddable dogs. I’m proud of my dogs when people stop to watch my training, while marveling at the things they are doing. Even though my working dogs impress those who adore their pets, but aren’t really interested in formal obedience I am aware that I still have a long, long way to go to get to reach the top of the competitive obedience ladder.
This is a maintenance concept I teach my dogs while learning the Broad Jump. It keeps their return to me after landing nice and tight.
