HOW TO SELECT A DOG OBEDIENCE CLASS
by Gail S. Alenick 1985,1987
WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR?
There are no licensing agencies which give accreditation to dog class instructors. Therefore, it is often difficult to know if you have found a qualified dog obedience instructor or one whose personality and methods are right for you.
It is one thing for an individual to self-appoint him/herself a dog obedience instructor. It is quite another thing to actually possess the breadth of knowledge and experience required of a good dog trainer. Rather than settling for a class that is just nearest, cheapest or at a good time, it is essential to ask a prospective teacher his/her qualifications in the following areas.
1. Has the instructor earned AKC titles with dogs s/he has trained, preferably with different breeds and sizes of dogs.
Some would-be trainers may tell you they work only with household pets, not show dogs. In reality, the only difference between pet training and obedience trial training is the extent of "finishing" or "polishing" of training, not the commands taught or method of teaching the dogs. In addition, someday YOU might become interested in showing your dog's training. But, if you were taught procedures inappropriate to the show ring, then you would be unprepared and would need to retrain yourself and your dog.
There are four titles given under American Kennel Club regulations.
C.D. (Companion Dog): A "novice" dog is trained to follow commands used in every day living, such as sit, down, come, stay, heel etc. while the handler is close but under very distracting conditions.
C.D.X. (Companion Dog Excellent): In addition to the commands listed above, an "open" dog has been taught to retrieve and to jump hurdles on command. All exercises are done with the dog off leash and with the handler at a good distance away.
U.D. (Utility Dog): In addition to all the commands listed above, a "utility" dog must respond to hand signals, discriminate between the scent of its handler and that of a stranger, take a given line of direction, and choose the proper hurdle to jump. This title requires the highest level of willingness and attention on the part of the dog.
O.T.Ch. (Obedience Trial Champion): The Obedience Trail Champion is the highest title awarded to trained dogs. Very few dogs or trainers ever attain this level of consistently high scores to accumulate the required points.
Scores tell you how closely the handler and dog approximate an ideal performance. A perfect score in obedience is 200. Dogs must have more than 50 percent of the points of each exercise and a total score of at least 170 to qualify.
2. Has the instructor had students who earned titles with their own dogs?
Even if an individual puts titles on his/her own dog, s/he may not be able to teach another person to do the same. The instructor should be able to give references of students who also have successfully earned titles.
Though most people entering a beginner dog obedience class do not wish to prepare their dogs to earn titles in obedience trials, one way to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program is by the number of dogs enrolled that do earn such titles. At least you know that these dogs have been judged by experts who agree that the dogs have learned the required work.
3. Has the instructor attended workshops, seminars and clinics presented by well-respected and proven trainers from around the nation?
Training clinics bring together the best of obedience instructors to discuss and display their individual training techniques. It is important for any instructor to refresh his/her knowledge and learn new ideas.
4. Has the instructor read extensively on effective training methods, canine behavior and dog psychology?
There are many books available to the interested instructor. Some repeat the same thing in different words. Some use methods with which the instructor disagrees. But every book provides the opportunity to learn at least one new technique which the instructor might use in the right situation. The more ideas and techniques one knows, the better trainer one can be. The effective instructor understands the reasons why certain methods are successful and why others are not, and how to match different techniques with individual dogs.
5. Has the instructor gained membership in obedience clubs?
Obedience clubs bring together people interested in sharing ideas on obedience training and promoting the sport of dog obedience. You would certainly question the qualifications of a doctor who was not a member of his/her professional organization. Similarly, you should think twice about a dog obedience instructor who is not sufficiently motivated and knowledgeable to have joined an obedience club.
The National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI) is a club concerned about the qualifications of instructors and training methods employed countrywide. The group is opposed to cruel or unnecessarily harsh training methods. It promotes humane teaching methods based on animal psychology and learning theory. Membership in NADOI is an endorsement that the instructor's experience and abilities have met the minimum professional standard set by the Association.
6. Does the instructor contribute back to the sport of dog obedience and promote the people-pet partnership?
The instructor should help local organizations put on dog shows for the Fancy. The instructor should judge or act as a judge's aide (steward) at local shows.
The instructor should be a member of the local Humane Society, Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), Dog Rescue Agency and/or Delta Society and give volunteer time to the community.
7. Is the instructor acquainted with types of dog training activities other than competition obedience?
The instructor should have some knowledge of how dogs are trained for police work, search and rescue, tracking, seeing eye guides or therapy dogs, herding, field work, sledding, coursing and circus tricks, etc so as to have a broader concept of how obedience training fits into the entirety of dog training activities. This gives the instructor a better opportunity to understand the natural instincts of the breeds and how different training requirements relate to each other.
8. Does the instructor honestly enjoy working with dogs and inexperienced handlers?
The instructor should model enthusiasm and patience with both dogs and handlers. The main reason the instructor should be teaching is to provide pets a better, more secure life with a more informed and understanding family.
WHICH IS THE BEST CLASS?
Try to select a class that offers training from very basic through Utility. This way you will be able to continue dog training up to the highest levels, if you wish, without having to switch methods or undo improper training habits.
You should attend classes unannounced and observe the various instructors in action. The instruction should be clear and easy to understand, so the handlers can learn how to train their dogs in an uncomplicated manner. It is essential that the obedience instructor be a capable teacher of people, as well as an able trainer of dogs.
The atmosphere of the class should be one of relaxed and happy dogs receiving praise and other positive reinforcements. Commands to the dogs should be given in a pleasant tone of voice. The training process should flow in a way that is easy for the dogs to learn. Knowledgeable obedience trainers understand behavior modification techniques that do not require physical abuse. Most pets do not require severe treatment. It is very rare that extremely harsh corrections or training tools are necessary.
As part of the course, information on general care of the dog should be provided. Several techniques for solving specific household or training problems, such as housebreaking, digging, chewing, jumping on people, biting, carsickness, etc. should be available.
Although an obedience instructor can train a dog in less time, a good obedience class for a beginning dog and handler should be at least eight to ten weeks long. It takes this long to teach the handler to train the dog properly and to include and review all the following exercises: heeling on leash (and sometimes off leash, as well), sitting, laying down and standing on command, allowing a stranger to touch the dog, coming when called, staying where left when the handler crosses the room, and others.
The school should have recommendations from a number of veterinarians in the area. A knowledgeable instructor recognizes that physical problems can prevent a dog from doing its best in class, just as medical problems can prevent a child from doing well in school.
The training should be offered at a reasonable price so that the greatest number of people can afford the pleasure of a well-trained dog.
CONCLUSION
If you research obedience classes and instructors carefully, you and your dog will enjoy the training experiences together. Obedience training cements a relationship of respect between dog and handler in a way that nothing else can. An obedience trained dog will be able to more fully participate in your family activities. In addition, through the classes, you may discover a new hobby that will bring you pleasure for years to come.
This statement has been prepared as a public service by SOUND DOG OBEDIENCE SCHOOL, Tacoma, WA (253) 588-6175 |
