dog obedience training, bird dog training, hunting dog training, hunting dog training basics, dog training

dog obedience training, bird dog training, hunting dog training, hunting dog training basics, dog training

Practice. Regular, routine practice is essentia' to refining and perfecting what has been learnt in basic trai.ning. I)o not overtrain, 20 mninutes a day for each dog is sufficient and a day of rest here and there refreshes dog and handler.

Obedience Class Situations. Some variations of the training methods are easy to teach in the class situation eg, check chain pop method or the food treat method, while other methods can only be taught satisfactorily on a one-to-one basis with the instructor. Of course, all methods should be demonstrated by the instructor and the earlier it is done the better.

Flooding Technique. Flooding is not an obedience training method per Se, it is a behaviour modification technique used to overcome problem behaviours usually associated with fear and anxiety or uncontrolled excitement. The problem with correcting some unwanted behaviours is that they occur at random, ie on irregular occasions which are unpredictable; therefore, they are difficult to train for, eg a visitor to the front door whkh sends the dog into a frenzy of barking and excited jumping or the fear of being examined or petted by a stranger. Using the flooding technique, the owner can create an artificial situation where there are many ~visitors! to the front door (maybe twenty in ten minutes twice a day for a week) so that the dog can be trained in what is the acceptable behaviour when the door bells rings. Like all training, the flooding is worked up in stages. In the ease where the dog has a ~ fear of meeting strangers, the dog might be placed in a sit by his handler and approached by a class of twenty handlers who, on the first occasion, just walk close by; if the dog tolerates this he is praised and rewarded. The next step may be an approach and chat with the handler by class members one at a time, followed by an approach and pat on the head, followed by an approach and stroke down the back, etc, etc until the dog can tolerate a full examination off lead.

Proofing. Once the dog has learnt the basics of an exercise, the exercise needs to be tested (proofed) under all conditions, repeatedly. Regardless of the methods used, training consists of three phases, ie, teaching (training), practice (refining/perfecting) and testing (or proofing). Proofing is the technique where distraction or variations are introduced on the theme to make sure the dog understands an exercise.

Here is an example of proofing. YOU teach the handler and his dog the 'Sit Stay'. After making the dog 'Stay' in a relatively distraction free environment, you step up the pressure. You throw balls up in the air and catch them, squeak toys, have someone stand near the dog and talk softly to it, If the dog gets up, have the handler gently correct it. When the dog passes this step, increase the distraction by throwing balls all around him, bouncing them on