| Obedience is a good way to control your dog. All dogs, even those pets, should have basic obedience. Being able to control your dog can allow you to save its life and keep it from jumping on visitors. Obedience also shows your dog who is dominant in the house. This could keep your dog out of trouble because it will know that you are in charge and make the rules. Some people choose to show their dog in obedience. Don't worry, it isn't as hard as you might think. The novice level includes the basic commands plus heeling off lead. Most pet dogs can get a novice obedience title (CD). There are more advanced levels of obedience training, such as open and utility. Open includes retrieving a dumbell and jumping over hurdles plus the basic commands. Utility is the hardest and it requires you to teach your dog scent retrieval and hand signals. Some people have fun with training and teach tricks to their dogs to keep them excited about training. You'll keep a lot of people entertained, if you can think up some good tricks! | How to Start Training Obedience training is good for all dogs to know. It is pretty simple to teach basic obedience. There are many obedience classes out their from puppy level to trick training to advanced training. 1. Your dog can be any age when you start obedience training. Puppies from ages 7 - 14 weeks are the best to train because they will retain what they learn in this time for the rest of their life. 2. The five basic commands of obedience are sit, down, stay, come, and heel. Some people consider no and drop it basic commands. Other useful commands are stand, off, and leave it. In my opinion come should be the first command taught because it could save your dog's life and it gives you control over where your dog can go. 3. Advanced training includes commands, such as heeling off lead, jump/over commands, and retrieving with or without a scent. In advanced training you have to be able to control your dog by verbal commands as well as hand signals given without a verbal command. 4. Many people have fun with tricks. These allow you to be creative and think of something new. Most people just train the basic tricks such as roll over, shake, and play dead. You can think of others, such as high five and and spin in a circle, just be creative and have FUN. |