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- Ground Rules
- Class Standards
- Hints
for Beginners at Obedience Training
- Beginners 4 week Course
- Trialling
Levels
- Why put the check chain on a special way? If the loop is not on the underside of the chain, it will not release immediately after you have checked the dog, but will continue to stay tight around the dog's neck.
- Why step off on the left foot? It is the leg nearest the dog, he will feel it move and therefore soon learns that when you move, he moves.
- Why leave on the right foot when leaving your dog? You want the dog to stay: therefore move away so that your leg does not brush against the dog. This is achieved more easily by stepping off on the right foot.
- Why praise your dog when it performs the exercise well? Dogs love to please you, and usually a word of praise works better than over-correction.
- Always use a firm voice for correction (DO NOT SHOUT) - remember the rest of the class.
- NEVER use your training lead to hit your dog.
- A check chain is not cruel - it does not choke the dog if used in the correct manner.
- NEVER let your dog off the lead at training unless under instruction.
- Concentrate on your own dog at all times.
- Be aware of what the next dog is doing but do not worry unless his interfering with your dog in some way.
- A dog about to move from a sit or stand or down should be corrected instantly, not later, and even prevented from actually moving.
- Better by far to keep working your dog on the lead than attempt off lead work too quickly. The lead and chain are your BIG HELP, keep using them. DO NOT BE IN A RUSH TO GO ONTO THE NEXT STAGE.
- If the ground work of heeling is carried out very well, then the work which follows will be much easier and you will have a dog which is confident in what he is doing. Always use the same words of command (one word for each command) i.e.
-
SIT NOT Sit down
DROP OR DOWN NOT Lie down
STAND Drawn out as a long word
STAY NOT Stay there - Each command has a hand signal - be very clear with the signal. Do not rush the signals exaggerate them at first.
- When training at home (about 10 minutes is sufficient at first) each day, always finish an exercise of training with the work that the dog is capable of doing well.
- Never train when you are in a bad mood, just go for a walk with your dog and relax.
- If you lose your temper while training, you may find that your dog is more reluctant to perform the exercises and will become more difficult to train.
- DO YOU KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG OWNER?
- Your dog should be trained to be a well mannered and sociable Member of Society. Many dog problems are caused because the dog has never been socialised with people or other dogs.
- Remember that young children and dogs should never be left unsupervised. Many dog attacks are caused by children tormenting or (knowingly or unknowingly) being cruel to the animal. Unfortunately. the dog cannot tell you the facts and has only one way to protect itself.
- PLEASE FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY ALWAYS SUPERVISE CHILDREN AND DOGS.
- Also your dog should never be allowed to roam freely - keep in mind that if your dog attacks and injures anyone it can be put down and you can be charged. Please ensure that your dog is kept on your property at all times except when you are exercising it.
- When exercising your dog the law does require that the dog be kept on lead and under control at all times while in a public place. It is also your responsibility to cleanup after your dog and you should always carry a plastic bag for this purpose.
- Please do not allow children under 16 to exercise the dog unless they are supervised and do not allow young children to exercise unruly dogs. This is a sure recipe for disaster.
- If you are thinking of breeding your dog - think very carefully first. Breeding is NOT just a case of putting two dogs together and should NEVER be considered just to let the kids see puppies being born. There are many things you should take into consideration such as:
- The temperament of both breeds. Hereditary diseases. Genetic problems. Veterinary costs. whether you have time to look after the pups. Health requirements forte bitch prior to and after the birth. Sleepless nights are often necessary and if a Caesarian operation becomes necessary it is VERY EXPENSIVE.
- Breeders registered with the Royal New South Wales Canine Council have a very strict Code of Ethics by which they must abide. Above all think about the number of unwanted dogs that are placed with animal agencies each year before you consider
- Breeding. No dog should be bred from just for the sake of breeding, it is a very specialised and expensive hobby. Should an accidental mating occur you should take your bitch to the Vet. within 24 hours so that any puppies can be aborted and you should then make arrangements for your hitch to be desexed as soon as possible.
- It is strongly advised that all dogs who are not registered with the Royal New South Wales Canine Council for breeding and showing, should be desexed. They DO NOT have to have a litter first, and it does not normally cause personality changes.
- When purchasing anew puppy you should remember that this dog is going to be your responsibility forte next ten years plus. You should think before you purchase your puppy what breed will suit you and your family. How much time you have to spend with your dog. You will need time for exercise and if you purchase a long coated variety k will need to be groomed several times a week.
- It is strongly advised that when you decide to purchase a puppy that you do so from a Registered Breeder. This will ensure that you will have a healthy puppy and that you will know that every effort has been taken to eliminate hereditary and genetic problems. You will also be given a diet chart and advised of everything that is required for your dog.
- You dog will also require vaccinations every twelve months and will need to be wormed regularly. Your Vet will advise more on these matters.
- Of course on top of all the above-mentioned requirement we know that you will provide food, water and shelter from heat, cold and rain and that you will provide necessary Veterinary care.
- ABOVE ALL REMEMBER THAT YOUR DOG IS YOUR FRIEND NOT JUST AN OBJECT TO BE DUMPED OUTSIDE AND THROWN SOME FOOD AND WATER.
- LOOK AFTER YOUR DOG - TRAIN IT WELL - MAKE A CLOSE FRIEND OF IT AND YOU WILL HAVE A FAITHFUL FRIEND FOR LIFE.
- INFORMATION REGARDING REGISTERED BREEDERS AND DOG TRAINING CLUBS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE ROYAL NEW SOUTH CANINE COUNCIL LTD., ON (02) 9834-3022.
- THE MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB WILL ALSO BE VERY WILLING TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR INQUIRIES AND ENDEAVOR TO ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US.
- Community Companion Dog CCD
- Companion Dog CD
- Companion Dog Excellent CDX
- Utility Dog UD
- Utility Dog Excellent UDX
Ground Rules
HANDLERS PLEASE REMEMBER – EVERYBODY ASSISTING YOU IS A VOLUNTEER
1. All dogs MUST BE IMMUNIZED. (Vaccination Certificates must be sighted on joining, and at renewal of Membership and at re-vaccination time).
2. Bitches in season ARE NOT permitted on training grounds. (minimum 3 weeks)
3. No puppies will be accepted under the age of THREE MONTHS and at least 2nd vaccination has been given.
4. Jumping WILL NOT BE ALLOWED for dogs under the age of TWELVE MONTHS.
5. Any dog which has been diagnosed as having a contagious disease – i.e. Distemper, Hepatitis, Kennel Cough or Skin Problems, etc, MUST PRODUCE A VETERINARY CERTIFICATE when returning to training.
6. Dogs MUST BE UNDER CONTROL AND ON LEAD AT ALL TIMES unless directed by an Instructor within a class situation.
7. All dogs arriving on the Training Grounds MUST BE ON A MINIMUM 2’6” (760mm) TO A MAXIMUM 4’ (1220mm) LEAD PREFERABLY MADE OF COTTON. A longer lead may be used in class at the request of, or with the permission of an Instructor.
8. ALL DOGS MUST BE SECURED AND SUPERVISED WHEN UNATTENDED. DOGS ARE NOT TO BE TETHERED ON A CHECK COLLAR. Please bring a fixed collar for this purpose. Fixed collars should be attached firmly enough so that the dog cannot slip out of them, but not so tight that it will choke the dog. A chain lead may be used to tether a dog which chews its lead but is not suitable in the class.
9. All Members are required to carry a PLASTIC BAG FOR THE REMOVAL OF DOG WASTE. It is your responsibility under the law to remove all faeces.
10. All dogs attending class CAN BE VETTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR. Owners of any dog showing signs of stress during training will be asked by an Instructor to leave the grounds.
11. New Members will be accepted on the LAST SUNDAY OR THE LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH without the dog, to start training with the dog on the FIRST SUNDAY OR THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH unless they have previously trained a dog.
12. Children from TWELVE YEARS AND UNDER SIXTEEN YEARS are permitted to train their own dog provided they can control their dog and an adult is present for the duration of training. Children between 10 and 12 years may be permitted to train a dog under the direct supervision of an Instructor, with an adult present.
13. PARENTS MUST ENSURE THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE SUPERVISED AT ALL TIMES WHILST ON THE TRAINING GROUNDS. No responsibility will be accepted while a child is unsupervised.
14. No person will be permitted to physically abuse any dog or bitch. (NO HITTING, PUNCHING, KICKING, YELLING). Reprimands given in a proper manner are of course necessary and permissible. Any person found abusing any dog may be called to the Committee to explain their actions.
15. ABUSIVE OR FOUL LANGUAGE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED ON THE GROUNDS.
16. SUITABLE FOOTWEAR MUST BE WORN DURING TRAINING – i.e. closed shoes and appropriate clothing. No thongs or floppy clothes.
17. TRAINING TIMES:
SUNDAY Victoria Street Community Cottage, Werrington
9.00 am to 10.15 am (Summer) 1st November to 30th April
9.00 am to 10.45 am (Winter) 1st May to 30th October
WEDNESDAY Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs (RNSWCC Ltd)
44 Luddenham Road, Erskine Park
7.30 pm to 8.40 pm (Summer) 1st November to 30th April
7.30 pm to 8.30 pm (Winter) 1st May to 30th October
CHECK IN TIME IS FIFTEEN (15) MINUTES PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES
so that all Members will be ready for classes on time. To avoid disruption to classes, people who arrive after classes have commenced may be asked to wait until the second session.
18. Class sizes will be at the discretion of the Chief Instructor and will depend on the number of available Instructors.
19. THE CLUB MUST FOLLOW STRICT RULES REGARDING AGGRESSIVE DOGS (AS SET DOWN BY THE ROYAL N.S.W. CANINE COUNCIL) AND WE ARE OBLIGED TO TAKE ACTION WHEN THIS SITUATION OCCURS. You may also be asked to muzzle your dog or remove it from the grounds.
20. Members MUST WEAR THEIR NAME TAGS IN CLASS AND HAVE THE TAGS STAMPED when paying their Ground Fees. Please remember to bring your name tags with you for EVERY CLASS.
21. All Club Equipment used during training sessions must be returned to the storeroom by the person/s using it. CLUB EQUIPMENT MAY ONLY BE USED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN INSTRUCTOR.
22. ALL DOGS ON THE GROUND MUST BE HANDLED BY A RESPONSIBLE ADULT WHEN NOT IN CLASS. LARGE DOGS MUST NOT BE HANDLED BY YOUNG CHILDREN AT ALL WHILST ON THE GROUNDS (EXCEPTING GROUND RULE No. 12).
23. Promotions will be held at the discretion of the Chief Instructor and will be conducted at least monthly.
24. If you require any equipment such as Check Chains, Leads, etc. please see the Ground Secretary or Equipment Officer.
25. If you have a training problem - ASK AN INSTRUCTOR FOR HELP!!! If you have any other problems please see the Chief Instructor or Ground Secretary on the day / night so that we can solve the problem.
26. If you have a problem during training (e.g. a problem with your Instructor or another Member) PLEASE SEE THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR OR GROUND SECRETARY ON THE DAY. REMEMBER WE CANNOT SOLVE A PROBLEM IF WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.
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Class Standards
First Class
Heel, normal, slow and fast pace,all turns on lead
Drop/Down dog going straight down
Stand Stay handler immediately in front of dog's nose
Sit and Down Stay 30secs and 60secs respectively
Stand for exam handler by side of dog
Recall on lead handler returning round dog
Second Class
Heel normal, slow and fast pace on lead plus figure 8 and weaving down line. Heeling to be on loose lead
Sit to be automatic
Drop straight down
Stand for examination handler in front of nose
Sit and Down Stay 1min and 2 mins respectively
Recall on lead and with finish.
Third Class
Heel on lead all paces on and off lead
Sit automatic
Stand for examination at end of lead
Recall off lead at 5 metres
Stand/Stay on and off lead
Sit and Down Stay to 1 min and 3 mins respectively
Fourth Class
Community Companion Dog level, Novice trialler and upwards.
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Hints for Beginners at Obedience Training.
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Beginners 4 week Course.
Week 1
Club Rules
Check Chain
Hold of Lead
Reward
Signals
Footwork
Sit Stand & Drop exercise
Week 2
Revision of Wk1
Stay
Turns
Week 3
Revision of Wks1 & 2
Recall
Week 4
Revision of Wks1-3
About turns
Sit for examination
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Trialling Levels
The classes and title names are:
The exercises for Community Companion Dog are:
Heel on Lead
Stand for Examination on Lead
Recall
One min sit stay
Two min down stay
The exercises for Novice are:
Heel Free
Stand free for examination
Recall
a) Optional Retrieve Dumbbell - or
b) Change of Position (From stand to down - start of training of drop on recall)
One minute sit stay
Three minute down stay
The exercises for Open are:
Heel Free
Stand for examination
Drop on recall
Retrieve Dumbbell on Flat
Retrieve Dumbbell over Solid Jump
a) Optional: Broad Jump - or
b) Distance Control without heel work
3 minute sit stay handler out of sight
5 minute down stay handler out of sight
The exercises for Utility are:
Seek Back
Directed Jumping
Scent Discrimination
Signal Exercise
a) Optional: Speak on Command - or
b) Food Refusal - or
c) Directed Retrieve
Group Examination
7 minute down stay handler out of sight
The exercises for Utility Dog Excellent are:
Seek back with decoy article
Positions in Motion
Scent Discrimination - Judges Scent
Directed Sendaway and recall
Distance Control
Multiple Retrieve
Temperament Test
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