Obedience

Obedience training is the foundation upon which all canine activities are based, whether conformation, agility, tracking, search and rescue, service dogs, fieldwork, etc. It does not matter if your dog is big or small, old or young, all dogs and their owners will benefit from obedience training.

The concept behind obedience training is to develop a very close working relationship between human beings and dogs, while demonstrating the usefulness and enthusiasm of dogs. What training does is structure the dog’s responses. In fact, it establishes a channel of communication between you and your dog that significantly enhances your mutual respect and friendship.

Why Do We Need Obedience Training?

Training is necessary for dogs to be productive family members. Training may be in the form of simple housebreaking or learning to walk on a lead; training may also be more elaborate – from keeping off the furniture and not chewing on a favorite shoe to not jumping on visitors and not chasing people. Training involves everything relating to how a dog interacts with its family members, in particular, and society, in general.

Dogs are easily trained. Training does not strip a dog of its natural instincts or characteristics. After all, these are the things that attract people to dogs in the first place. We want you to celebrate the canine spirit, not abuse it.

Every civilized dog should know at least five basic commands – heel, sit, down, stay and come. Even if you don’t take your dog beyond these beginning lessons, they are absolutely essential in making every dog a true companion.

Obedience Trials

Many owners who join basic obedience training classes with their dogs progress through the classes and compete in SKC Obedience Trials. These trials are held regularly throughout the year.

The best part of watching a trial is to see the close bond that has developed between the dog and handler. Their total concentration on the task at hand gives way to the sheer delight of accomplishment that can be seen on the faces of both dog and handler and in the wag of a tail.