OBEDIENCE

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Queanbeyan and District Dog Training Club's obedience training syllabus is primarily based on positive reinforcement training methods. We offer group classes from Beginners through to trial level classes. Each class will generally have no more than ten (10) dogs in a class and is supervised by a qualified Club Instructor for the entire period. All dogs are trained on lead until higher training levels or advised by an Instructor. Beginners classes are divided according to your dog's age (i.e. older or younger than 6 months). This segregation enables younger dogs (in the Kindergarten class) to gradually socialise with other dogs nearer their own age before progressing onto higher levels of training. When you start training, Beginners is the first class that you are enrolled into, though you may be able to start at a higher level if you have had prior formal training with another club or accredited trainer. You will need to provide proof of this and will be formally assessed.

We run four (4) training terms each year during February to December in conjunction with the NSW school terms. Each term runs for at least eight (8) weeks and ends with an assessment to ensure that dogs and handlers are ready to go on to the next training level. Dogs can repeat a level as often as needed.

Our instructors are members of the Club who volunteer their time and expertise freely. Just like you, they commenced training their own dog and after a period decided to undertake a specially conducted dog obedience Instructor training course to be able to pass on their newfound experience and expertise to you as members.

The obedience classes we offer are Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, through to competition level classes of Community Companion and upwards. You do not need to compete in official trials to train at these levels. Many people keep on to higher levels to keep their dogs' minds active and learning new things. For members that are obedience trialling, assistance with higher training is also provided.

Class syllabus - all levels (PDF, 190KB)

Beginners - is an introduction to the basics of dog training. You will teach your dog to heel (walk) nicely on a loose lead on the left-hand side beside you, with turns and different paces; to drop, sit, sit quietly while patted; sit and stay; and come when called. You will learn cue words and hand signals. Advice can be provided about common doggy issues and how to better manage your dog at home like learning not to bounce all over people and getting used to coming to you when you call.

Intermediate - builds on skills learnt in Beginners. At this level, your dog should be automatically sitting when stop heeling and walking reliably on a loose lead even with there are other people and dogs around. You will progress with your heeling, recalls, sit and down stays, and people examining your dog.

Advanced - builds on skills learnt in Intermediate.  At this level, your dog will progress with your heeling, recalls, sit and down stays, and will learn to perform stand for exam and the figure of eight.

Companion class - gives you and your dog the opportunity to challenge yourselves with a higher level of precision training, or competing in formal obedience trialling.  Please visit Trialling Obedience & Rally for more information on trialling.

Dogs are trained in accordance with the ANKC Obedience Trials Rule Book for CCD, Novice (CD), Open, Utility and Utility Dog Excellent.

As well as providing training to make your dog a better companion and member of the community, these skills set you and your dog up to participate in many dog sports, including Obedience, Agility, Rally, Dancing with dogs, Endurance, Flyball and Tracking, as well as some breed specific sports such as gundog retrieving, herding and earth dog trials.

Assessment Day

At the end of the eight (8) week term, Assessment Day is held for each of the training levels, except Recreation, to determine whether you and your dog progress to the next training level.  Your instructor will review with you a few weeks before what will happen on Assessment Day - that all classes commence at 9am, what exercises you will be expected to complete and that there will be presentation following.  Instructors may do a practice run through if time permits. If unable to attend assessment day, please advise instructor.

Assessment Day Exercises (PDF, 158KB)