OBJECTIVES:

• Give people the information and skills they need to train well-mannered, well-behaved dogs;
• Provide opportunities for the dogs to socialise during class; and
• Provide information to handlers on how to manage their dog through the 'puppy years' and turning them into good canine citizens.

During the first four weeks of the course, the training focuses on providing handlers with the opportunity to achieve a sound understanding of the Operant Conditioned Training Method (clicker training). Handlers are taught the skills to train their dog in the elementary beginner exercises: pay attention, sit, down, stand, wait, come when called and walk on a loose lead. The final three weeks of training continue to build on the Beginners syllabus, providing handlers and dogs the opportunity to become confident in all exercises.

Teamwork between handler and dog should be emphasised. Overall, responsiveness and stability of the dog should be greatly improved when compared at the last week of training to the first week of training.

Handlers are encouraged to practice the clicker training method and each of the beginners' exercises daily in order to succeed.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

An assessment day will be held in the last week of the session. Handlers will be assessed on:

1. Controlled walking on a loose lead, within an arm's length of the handler, correct heel position is not expected:

a) Normal pace
b) Automatic sits
c) Left and right turns
d) Right about turns

2. Down: from stand or sit position beside the handler

3. Stand: from down or sit position beside the handler

4. Examination: Dog in sit stay beside handler

5. Recall: End of lead recall from sit position to sit in front of handler

6. Attention: Dog to be focussed on handler (15 seconds - non-assessable)