By Mary Jane Anderson

February is a very important month in the dog world because breeders all over the United States bring their dogs to the Westminster Dog Show in New York City and compete for the best breed and the Best of Show. The breeders have been conditioning their dogs for the most prestigious show of the year.

Many dog owners look at the obedience trials sponsored by the American Kennel Club as a sport exclusively for pedigree dogs. Sure, their point shows are exclusively done for pedigree dogs but Match Shows, which are the proving ground for later competition, are the same as the AKC point shows in skills and judges. Any dog can enter these match shows and mixed-breeds are also welcomed to join in for a day of fun.

Obedience trials or March shows can be a good testing ground for your dog. If your dog can perform, off leash in a crowd of 2,200 dogs, your dog is reliable to be off leash at various times in your daily routine. However, reliable or not, do not take the leash off your dog on busy streets or highways. You must always remember that your dog is an animal and could forget his training, run into the traffic and be killed by a passing car. In fact, there are such cases that has happened.

“The American Kennel Club’s purpose of obedience trials is to demonstrate the usefulness of the pure-bred dog as a companion of man, not merely the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience trials . . . The basic objective of obedience trials is to produce dogs that have been trained and conditioned always to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience  . . . However, it is also essential that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment of its work, and that smoothness and naturalness on the part of the handler be given precedence over a performance based on military precision and peremptory commands.”

 

After reading the AKC requirements, you will find that the first level of basic obedience is exactly what every dog should know and do! If you take your dog, pure-bred or mixed-bred, to an obedience school for good manners, you are essentially training your dog the exact same way a dog owner begins training their dog for competition in the AKC Obedience trials. The only difference is the judge; you, as the dog owner, might accept lower standards while the qualifying judge looks for your dog’s response to your commands and points are taken away if the handler makes errors as well as errors made by the dog.

Let’s look at the six basic commands of an obedience trained dog – heel, sit, down, stand, stay, and come. Teaching your dog to “heel” is a practical approach for enjoying a walk with your dog. Your dog keeps up or stays back with you rather than your dog leading you on the walk. The dog adjusts to your speed, not his own. He must not be allowed to sniff, bark at or bother other dogs and people. The dog is to “sit” until he is given another command. You may meet a friend and want to talk for a few minutes. A quiet, obedient dog will make the meeting a pleasant experience. The “stand” exercise is very practical when you visit the veterinarian or groom your dog. The command “down” has many applications – good manners when visitor came to the home, control barking, control of difficult situations, or visiting a neighbor. And finally, the dog is taught to “come” when called. Most untrained dogs come, but at their convenience!

As you see, the definition of the AKC purpose of obedience trials applies to all dogs, pure-bred or mixed-bred. The lessons are not just for show dogs in an obedience ring but rather practical applications for a good mannered companion. So, teach your dog the basic training lessons, either at home or at an obedience school. Your dog will be happier knowing you are pleased with his good manners. It will not be no, no, no but good boy from then on in.