I have a question about Obedience Classes.
There is a dog training club in town, and I might want to participate in a class but don't know which one we would be appropriate.
The "Beginner Class" is listed as Canine Good Citizen stuff. We've done that.
The next one up is Advanced Beginner and it's listed as being for dogs working on Beginner Novice or Novice titles. So I went to the AKC webpage and copied this:
For the dog just getting started in obedience. Exercises include:
- Heel on Leash and Figure Eight -- show whether the dog has learned to watch its handler and adjust its pace to stay with the handler.
- Heel Free -- done off leash.
- Stand for Examination -- is of great benefit when the dog needs hands-on care by a veterinarian.
- Recall -- provides the handler with the ability to call the dog and get an immediate response at all times.
- Long Sit (1 minute) -- allows the handler to have control of the dog when visitors come to the home.
- Long Down (3 minutes) -- dog must remain in a down position.
We have this down. Except for the recall. She doesn't do a front sit... and I really don't know if I want her to learn it. I don't know if I would honk off the ladies of the dog obedience club or not, but maybe I could explain she's a field dog and that's that. And I don't necessarily want her to walk with her eyes looking up at my face, as long as she maintains her position next to me.
But then there is stand for exam. That is probably going to be a killer. How do you teach that?
I have sent an e-mail to them describing what she can and can't do and asking them. I guess it may depend upon whether or not they are training for "street obedience" or "ring obedience". I won't know how anal they are until I hear from them.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Addendum: I looked at the AKC website again and noticed this: (I guess this is Open...)
The second level includes more complicated exercises, which teach the dog to do a variety of tasks and to follow commands either by voice or signal. Exercises include:
- Heel Free and Figure Eight -- Same as Novice, but off leash.
- Drop on Recall -- can be a lifesaving command for a dog, since it gives the handler control in potentially dangerous situations.
- Retrieve on Flat
- Retrieve Over High Jump
- Broad Jump
- Long Sit (3 minutes) -- similar to the long sit in Novice, but the position must be held for a longer period of time with the handler out of the dog's sight.
- Long Down (5 minutes) -- dog must remain in a down position.
To tell you the truth, this might be a heck of a lot easier. No stand involved. She retrieves like... well... a retriever. We've done jumps in training to teach her to take a line no matter what is in front of her. She stops on recall, I'd just have to teach her to down.