Obedience Training Resources

          Last month I wrote about some of the criteria you would want to use when looking for an obedience instructor. This month, I thought I would share some helpful resources. This list is by no means complete so if you happen to have a good resource or seminar giver that you would like to share, send me an e-mail and I will include it next month.  In addition to the resources, I would encourage your to attend obedience seminars whenever you can. I know I learn something new every time!

Publications: “Front and Finish” This magazine covers a wide range of sports and offers some pretty good training articles by some very knowledgeable individuals. More information can be found at their website: www.frontandfinish.com

          Obedience books: Building Blocks for Performance: Giving your Puppy a Head Start for Competition by Bobbie Anderson and Tracy Libby. This book is a must for anyone getting a puppy that they plan to show in a performance event. It is loaded with good training tips!

 Terri Arnold’s three book series: Steppin Up to Success Book 1: Theory, Footwork, Handling and Attention; Steppin Up to Success Book 2: Novice and Steppin Up to Success Book 3: Open and Utility. I own these three books and have gone back and reviewed them over the years whenever I am training something new or am having a training issue.

          Beyond Basic Dog Training by Diane Bauman I have the third edition copy and it offers a wide variety of training ideas covering all of the skills needed to compete from Novice to Utility

          Ring Ready an obedience workbook by Marie Sawford. This is a recent addition to my library and I really like it. It is a reference book filled with advice on how to deal with the various training issues that always seem to creep up!  I found the format to be very user friendly and I refer back to it whenever I have a training issue with Echo or with someone in my class.

          My newest edition is Debby Quigley and Judy Ramsey’s book, Success is in the Proofing. This book covers just about any proofing idea you can come up with all organized by the different obedience skills for quick reference. Great Book! Available at www.dogwood-dog-training.com

          Tapes: My favorite have to be Sandra Ladwig’s Straight Talkin’ Training Videos: Series One Puppy Training from the Beginning; Series Two: Puppy Training/Phase II; Series Three: Beyond Puppy Training/The Next Level These tapes may only be available from www.sandraladwig.com If you ever get a chance to see one of her seminars, they are very good. The tapes go through each step in detail.

          Audio Tape: When you are getting ready to show, Patty Ruzzo’s Positively Ringwise offers lots of little hints on how to be prepared to go into the ring with a positive attitude and how to “stay in the moment”. It is a great tape to listen to on the way to a dog show!

Most of these resources can be found at Dogwise.com or J and J Dog Supplies except where noted.

Until next month, Happy Training! Remember that almost every mistake that happens in training or in the ring in our fault, not the dogs. It is either a result in a hole in our training or a lack of teaching the skill correctly and completely! Enjoy the journey!

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