Obedience
Thank you for your
interest in Waggin' Tails obedience program.
We are pleased to offer a unique and “user friendly” obedience training
program: Levels Training.
What is Levels Training?
A Five level obedience training course with each level scheduled at a different time and teaching different skills. You and your dog will progress through the levels at your own pace. Each level has specific skill requirements that must be met prior to moving on to the next level. Each student will have a six-month time frame from the date of registration to complete any or all five levels.
Advantages:
Using the levels training program rather than the more traditional class structure of training has the following advantages:
1. Students may start Level 1 the first Thursday of each month
so there is little wait to get started.
2. Since all the dogs in each level are at the same stage of
training, we can better address the needs of each dog.
3. Students are able to work at their own skill level for as
long as necessary.
4. Students can revisit a lower level at any time to brush up
on previous skills if needed.
5. If a student finds that time off is unavoidable, it can be
taken without the frustration of feeling that you have fallen behind since you
can return to the same level you left.
6. Even after completing level five, students can continue
training at any level for as long as desired up to the end of the six-month
period. Continued training beyond six
months is also available.
Our training methods are based on positive motivation utilizing toys, treats, petting, and praise to make training fun. This type of training focuses on teaching and rewarding good behavior rather than on punishing bad behavior. This builds a relationship based on trust and cooperation. These methods are effective for puppies as well as adult dogs, bold dogs and shy dogs, large dogs and small dogs. We welcome mixed breeds as well as purebred dogs.
Please contact Waggin' Tails at (512) 990-2016 or kim at waggin-tails dot com to register for classes and for any questions about the program. Private lessons are also available. See the fees and schedule page for class times and cost. We do not allow dogs with serious aggression problems in group classes, but we would be glad to assist with behavior problems before enrolling you in the levels program. We also offer competition obedience lessons and classes (call for more info).
Obedience
Levels Outline
Level 1 – “Getting started” – Starts the 1st Thursday of each month
·
Week 1 is orientation
without dogs: training techniques and goals, start teaching recall.
·
Weeks 2 and 3 focus
on getting the basics: teach Sit, Down, Stand, Stationary Attention and Eye
Contact, stop dogs from jumping up, and start teaching Stay.
·
Silly Pet Tricks:
Spin and Play Dead
Requirements to move to Level 2: Dog can sit, down, and stand on command. Dog will watch owner with mild distractions.
Level 2 – “Manners 101”
·
Moving attention –
walking on a leash without pulling, paying attention to owner, and ignoring the
other dogs. Then you can teach him
anything!
·
Recall – on leash, no
matter what!
·
Stay – sit, down, and
stand
·
Problem solving
session for barking, digging, chewing, mouthing, house-soiling, etc.
·
Silly pet tricks:
Touch (ring bell, push ball), Leave-it (treats on paws), Shake, and Beg.
Requirements
to move to Level 3: Dog can stroll around training area with attention on
owner, leaving other dogs alone. Dog
will recall on leash with mild distractions.
Dog will stay for 30 seconds down and 30 seconds sitting with mild
distractions (handler standing on the leash).
Level 3 – “Strengthening the Basics”
·
Recall – long line,
no matter what!
·
Stay – sit, down, and
stand with distractions.
·
Heeling – straight
lines and circles.
·
Distance control – sit,
down
·
Silly pet tricks –
Roll Over, Balance treat on nose, Weave between the legs
Requirements to move to
Level 4: Dog will heel past other dogs with leash over shoulder on in
pocket. Dog will stay for 1 minute
down, 1 minute sitting, and 15 seconds standing with moderate distractions
(handler standing on leash). Dog will
sit and down from 10 feet away. Dog
will come from 10 feet away with moderate distractions.
Level 4 – “Polishing the Basics”
·
Recall – long line,
proofing if needed.
·
Stay – sit, down, and
stand at a distance for a longer time.
·
Heeling – turns,
automatic sit, fast, slow.
·
Finish(both kinds) –
dog gets into heel position
·
Agility – Broad jump
and Bar jump: teach your dog to jump on command! Also learn other obstacles.
·
Silly pet tricks:
Around and Bow.
Requirements to move to
Level 5: Dog can heel (off-leash or tab) past other dogs and distractions. Dog will stay 10 feet away for 5 minutes
down and 2 minutes sitting with heavy distractions, and 30 seconds standing
while being petted. Dog will come from
20 feet away with heavy distractions.
Level 5 – “Graduate School!”
·
Recall – off leash,
no matter what!
·
Stay – out of sight.
·
Drop on Recall.
·
Retrieve – teach your
dog to bring things to you AND let you have them!
·
Canine Good Citizen
skills – practice.
·
Silly pet tricks:
Speak and hanky retrieve.
Requirements to graduate
from the program: Dog must pass all 10 tests of the Canine Good Citizen test
receiving the AKC title “CGC”. Dog must
also come off-leash past distractions from at least 25 feet.
Please check our fees
and schedule page for more information.
We also offer
competition obedience lessons and classes (call for more info).
ã Waggin' Tails Dog
Training, 1999. This material cannot be
reproduced for other than personal use related to participation in Waggin'
Tails activities without express permission of Waggin' Tails Dog Training.