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Thank you Julie and Cindy for officering me the opportunity to contribute some obedience articles to the Everythingolden site. Cindy, you’ve left some big footsteps to fill. First,
let me introduce myself, and my wonderful obedience partners. I was turned onto
obedience after watching a top obedience competitor warming up her dog prior to
going in the ring. Keep in mind that this was the first obedience trial I’d
ever seen and knew nothing about the sport. I decided I wanted to do that too,
how hard could it be! I excitedly went home and started doodling with my Indy
girl. I found an obedience instructor who unfortunately was very heavy handed
and nearly ruined any chance of our showing. That could be a topic for another
column! As a result, Indy hated
obedience, but after changing trainers, and methods she finished her UD title
only a few months after she completed radiation treatments for fibrosarcoma. She
was then retired and spoiled rotten for four more years! I was hooked and did an
extensive search for a “performance” puppy. After a two year search, I found
Skye. I got just what I was looking for and so much more. Skye took me on a
journey that got me to where I am today. He became the breeds first CH ptd. OTCH/MH.
He cemented my love for the breed, my love for performance events and introduced
me to the conformation arena as well as to breeding. I recently retired Skye
after the 2006 National Specialty so I could devote my training time to my
current competitive dog, Echo, who is a Skye son. Echo’s main mission in life
is to make me a better trainer. He challenges me to learn and to grown and to
find new ways to train. He has also shown me what it is like to earn a perfect
200 score and get a TD! I enjoyed reading Cindy’s article last month,
titled, “Hard Work Does not =Success!” Cindy pointed out that it is not how
hard you train your competitive dog, but how wisely you do it. To be successful
at dog training, we must establish a solid foundation based on sound training
principles. Regardless if you are training just to qualify or training to be
competitive, the foundation still needs to be there. Dog training is never
static, but always changing depending on the training issues that arise and the
current dog you are training (I’ve learned that lesson well!). This is one
part of this sport that makes it so appealing. It is
important to break down each exercise into all of its tiny components and make
sure each one is taught in a manner that the dog understands. For example, the
Novice recall. The dog needs to understand to stay stationary while the handler
leaves them; to pay attention to the handler; to listen for the command despite
distractions; to come straight; to come briskly; to sit in a front position that
is straight and not too close or too far away from the handler; to complete the
finish with precision and quickness. Once the dog understands the parts it will
be able to do the Novice recall nicely. This is just one example, but it can be applied to
every exercise in every class. If you enjoy teaching the parts, you’ll
certainly reap the benefits and enjoy the performance you get in the ring. I
look forward to sharing some training ideas with you in the future. I am
continually learning myself, which is one reason I love this sport so much. You
homework until next month is to take an exercise
at the level you are training, break it down in to
the tiny components and work on each one of those pieces. I forgot to mention
that I am a teacher so I just had to give you some homework! Until next time,
enjoy your training! |
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