8 Week Basic Training to Advanced
WHAT IS DOG TRAINING?
Dog training is a term used to describe two different activities:
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To teach a dog to do something he would not do on his own, and;
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To inhibit him from activities he would do on his own, but which we consider objectionable.
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In both instances, we have to recognize the dog's limitations. While some canine behaviors can be modified, it would be cruel even to attempt to change others.
The moral is: UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG AND LET HIM BE A DOG!
Facts about dogs and dog training
Dogs are such popular pets because they have so many seemingly human qualities. They are honest, trustworthy (at least once they have been trained!) and loyal. Dogs are social creatures, who enjoy our company as much as we enjoy theirs. In times of need they comfort us, and in general mirror our moods. Precisely because dogs have so many of these qualities care must be taken not to attribute human traits to the dog which he does not posess.
A dog is Amoral
This simply means that he does not know right from wrong. The greatest injustice to a dog is to endow him with a set of human moral values and to expect him to live up to these values and to punish him for failure to do so. A dog will not do something or refrain from doing something out of a sense of duty, gratitude or conscience - a dog is an ANIMAL.
What about the dog who has done something naughty and slinks around "looking guilty"? The dog is actually showing apprehension or fear because of the owner's attitude and body language.
How does a dog learn?
A dog learns through experience. The number of times a particular action must be repeated for a dog to learn and then commit it to memory varies. For training to succeed we must clearly distinguish, in terms understandable to the dog, what is to his advantage and what is not. Once a dog perceives that it is to his benefit both to refrain from conduct we consider objectionable and to adopt those actions we consider desirable he learns very quickly. Of course all this is done through praise and reward.
Influence on learning
The objective of obedience training is the ability to communicate your desires to your dog in a manner that does not violate his dignity and which results in a harmonious and mutually enjoyable relationship. The question frequently asked is how long should it take for a dog to learn a particular exercise. The answer is that it depends on the dog and the exercise. Try to familiarise yourself with your specific breed of dog - every breed has specific traits which will impact on how quickly they learn. For example a herding dog can usually learn more quickly than a hunting dog, just as a gundog can retrieve more easily than a toy breed. What one handler's dog may learn in a few sessions could take your dog several weeks to learn. Do not be disheartened.
Your attitude
The most important influence on learning is your attitude towards your dog. A positive and benevolent attitude on your part sets the stage for maximum co-operation on your dog's part. If at any time you feel disappointed, frustrated or even angry your dog will become anxious and apprehensive. STOP immediately and only resume training when you have regained your proper outlook. To become successful in your training banish the notion that your dog is wrong. The dog's behavior is largely the end result of his upbringing. Always be consistent - never allow your dog to do one thing one day and then stop it from doing the same thing on another day.
Conclusion
Dog training is a rewarding and satisfying undertaking that is fun for both you and your dog. A five minute training session (if possible twice a day) is all that is required to effectively train your dog. Choose a time of the day when you are in a good mood and when your dog is alert. Before you start to work plan what you want to work on. You need not practice everything everyday. You also don't need to go to a special area in the garden to train - the kitchen can be a very good place to train sits, downs, stays and tricks.
KEEP IT FUN - if you or your dog is bored, stop immediately.
Always end your training with your dog feeling that he has succeeded. Try to finish with a fun game together.
DOGS ARE NOT OUR WHOLE LIFE, BUT THEY MAKE OUR LIFE WHOLE! - Roger Carras
Please come about 10 to 15 minutes before the start of the first lesson so that you can sign in. Please also note that you will need treats and the dogs will be trained on a training collar - NOT A CHOKE CHAIN. A training collar is like a collar and just has a small piece of chain that makes the noise, but NEVER chokes the dog.
THESE TRAINING COLLARS ARE AVAILABLE TO BUY AT THE LESSON:
Small - R55
Medium - R65
Large - R75
Available Courses:
Puppy Kindergarten:
For puppies between the ages of 8 weeks and 4 months of age.
Saturday 12:30 to about 1:30
4 lessons R280
92 1st Street Parkmore / Sandhurst Border
No waiting start as soon as possible.
Basic Home Obedience:
This course is for any dog over the age of 4 months. It teaches the dog to walk correctly and nicely on a lead; to stand, sit and down on command; to sit and down stay; to come and finish on command; normal, slow and fast pace. This is done in a group situation so that the dog aquires social skills as well. There is an exercise where they walk around the other dogs and learn control.
8 week course R560.
Saturday 09:00 - 09:30
10:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 11:00
11:00 - 11:30
14:30 - 15:00
15:00 - 15:30
Tuesday 10:00 - 10:30
INTERMEDIATE CLASSES:
For dogs that have completed the basic obedience course.
8 lessons R560.
Saturday 09:00 - 09:30
10:00 - 10:30
10:30 - 11:00
14:30 - 15:00
Tuesday 10:00 - 10:30
ADVANCED CLASSES:
For dogs that have completed the intermediate course
8 lessons R560
Saturday 08:30 - 09:00
09:30 - 10:00
15:00 - 15:30
Tuesday 09:30 - 10:00
15:30 - 16:00
8 Week Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Training Map
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