SILVER OBEDIENCE COURSE
The Silver obedience course is to reinforce what you have already learned and to teach you how to use body language and signals to develop your training techniques. You will also be learning new skills and practising them with greater distractions.
Develop Your Training Techniques
Now you are ready to continue to develop your dog training skills. Cementing what you have already learned, and preparing your dog for off lead obedience.
You will be mastering new and exciting disciplines, with greater distractions.
You Will Learn
Change of pace
Gaynor will teach you how to train your dog to go at the same pace as you, as you change from normal, fast, and slow paces while you are on the move. Changing the pace that you walk increases the dog's interest in what you are doing.
Recall with distraction
Recall is reinforced, this time with the distraction of other people, with their dogs on lead walking around you. Problem solving is done as we go, giving guidance and advice as it is needed. When you have called the dog back to you, Gaynor will show you how to get the dog to sit in front facing you. This makes it easy to put the dog's lead on when it is time to go home. This is called the present.
Recall is like a muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes.
Retrieving an article.
This exercise is one that your dog will love. Gaynor will show you how to get the dog interested enough in an article to retrieve it. Then guide you how to encourage him to return to you and release the article. This is a great way to exercise your dog. It is a very positive way to play with your dog that he will never tire of. Once he likes this, you can use it as a positive reward to teach him many other things.
Stay
Waiting is a natural part of a dog's life.
Teaching your dog to stay is an extension of this; patience will be rewarded with your dog remaining in the same position and relaxing. We will aim for a one minute stay in this class.
Instant down
Once shown the right techniques, you will be able to get your dog to drop into the down position. It is also the beginning of teaching your dog the safety down when off lead.
Agility
Agility courses are great fun, and dogs love the activity.
Dogs need to be over 12 months of age to complete a full agility course.
Younger dogs can enjoy some of the obstacles, such as going through the tunnels and controlled walking over raised walkways and learning to go through the weave poles.
Over the six week silver course you will have prepared your dog for off lead obedience, have more control over your dog in different situations, and continued your dog's socialisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I come to the Silver course if I have not attended the Bronze course?
Yes, you can, if your dog is at the relevant obedience level.
Q2: Do we have to book into the Silver obedience course?
Yes, you do have to book into the Silver obedience course, as this is a course that runs for six consecutive weeks.
Q3: Can children come to the obedience courses?
Because the people in the obedience courses are constantly on the move and changing direction, children have to sit on the side and watch. Many do, and they are welcome.
Q4: Do we have to pay in advance when we book into the obedience course?
You pay for the course on the first week when you arrive at A1K9 Behaviour and Training Academy.
Q5: Does my dog need to have had kennel cough vaccination to come to classes?
No, your dog does not need to have kennel cough vaccination to come to training classes, but their yearly vaccinations need to be up to date.
Q6: Where are the courses held?
They are held at A1K9 Behaviour and Training Academy just outside Pontardulais. (See directions on website)
Q7: What do I need to bring with me?
Collar, lead and some treats that your dogs like to eat. Bring whatever you have and I will advise you what is best to use with your dog.
Q8: What should I wear?
You should wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes as we will work outdoors whenever possible.
Q9: If I miss a week in the Silver course can I have that credited on the next course?
Sorry, no, you cannot, as the courses run in six consecutive weeks and you have paid for those dates.
Q10: If it is raining will the class be cancelled?
No, it will be held indoors, in the training barn.
Successful participants of this course are invited to graduate to our: