How do I train a dog for competition?

Question

I am getting a Sheltie puppy and i want to enter him in the obstacle courses seen on t.v.....jumping through hoops, weaving, etc....do you know any trainers or advice? I know to wait till he gets a little older.

Answer 1

Dogs LOVE agility! And Shelties are very good at it.

I have an AKC regulation course I made, there are some good plans online. Join the yahoo group agility equipment for some good plans as well. Some of it you could make puppy size, I have.

I bought a collapsible garden garbage can and cut out the bottom for a puppy tunnel. I also cut/painted a piece of plywood (3x3) and put one of those squishy balls underneath to get them used to movement. Plastic underbed tubs work well for a short 'table' type obstacle.

Some dog training clubs have puppy/pre-agility classes. Call around and go watch until you find what you are looking for.

There are many good agility books out there. There is also a book about raising a puppy for competition and it contains some games, I don't remember the name right now. Go to dogwise.com for a good selection.

You should not be doing regulation size equipment or jumps until she is a year. Some clubs may have a waiting list for agility, so if you find one you really like look into getting on a list.

Answer 2

I believe that you're talking about agility. In Columbus, OH-USA-(I don't know where you are) there is a good place. Since it's likely you are not from there, I would check around for an all breed training club near you. If all else fails, you can go to your local library and get books about agility. Post questions with agility in the subject line and you may get more answers as well. You can usually find used agility equipment (wave poles, teeter, hoops, etc) for cheaper at a local source than you can at a place like eBay. If you have a local pet store, most of the PetSmarts, etc. have a puppy trainer who may know of someone as well. Wish you luck!

Answer 3

Agility! It's a very fun sport and a lot more dogs can make it than conformation. You should be able to find a local kennel club or breed club listed in your phone book and they will either have a class or know of someone who teaches a class on agility. Make sure that your dog is older, say around 1 or so years before you start so that his hips can set before he begins all the strenuous activity involved. Enjoy!!!!!!!

Answer 4

well start by playing fetch don't start 2 young with the pup u still want it to have fun . when u r playing fetch say things like : good job , nice try if u say it a lot it will start 2 understand . but make it possible u get a smart dog .plus show it things like if u want it 2 jump through a hoop have some 1 hold it up 4 u and jump through hoop your self even if u need 2 do it 700 times (just do it )

Answer 5

As your dog training progresses, you might be wondering where and how you can apply the dog training you and your companion have learned. You have completed your puppy training. You have begun to master your obedience dog training. What can you do next? This article will give you information about taking your dog training to the next level. Competitions can assist you in fine tuning your dog training, open you to a world of fun, and earn titles, ribbons, and trophies for your efforts.

Competition Obedience

Competition obedience gives you the chance to show off the hard work you have done dog training your partner. Competition obedience is point based, A minimum score of 170 out of 200 points is what is required in order to qualify. You must acquire at least 50% of the points for each exercise. Repeated commands are not allowed. Over emphasis on commands are not allowed.

Most organizations offer three levels of competition: Novice, open, and Utility. You must achieve three qualifying scores to earn a title at each level. At the novice level, you can earn the title of “Companion Dog” (CD”. Open dogs can earn the title of “ Companion Dog Excellent” (CDX)”, and utility dogs can earn the title “Utility Dog” (UD). Dogs winning first or second place in Open or Utility classes are awarded points toward a title of “Obedience Trial Championship (OTCH). The points for “Obedience Trial Championship” are based on how many dogs are defeated. It takes 100 points to earn the title of “Obedience Trial Champion”.

Heeling is an important component at all levels of competition to receive good scores. Precision is a key focus of this exercise. A pattern is predetermined by the judge for the handler and dog. This pattern includes straight heeling, left and right turns, about-turns, slow, normal, and fast heeling, and halts. The dog must heel on the handler’s left side. The dog’s shoulder must be even with the handler’s leg. The dog must automatically go into a “sit” when the handler stops. At the Novice level, the heel will be done on and off leash. At the level of Open and Utility, all heeling is done off leash.

At the Novice level, each team does their predetermined pattern, including a figure 8 around two humans. The team must also perform an off lead stand for examination. A recall must also be performed. A recall consists of the dog in a sit and stay. The dog is then called to the handler, and then sits facing the handler. The dog , on command then returns to the heel position and sits. This exercise is done individually. The next phase is the dog in a down-stay for a minute and three minute interval. The down-stay is done with up to 12 other dog teams in the ring..
In the Open class, all the exercises are done off lead, including the figure 8. The recall requires a drop in place half way in ( on the handlers signal the dog drops to a down position).

In addition, the dog must also complete a broad jump, a high jump, and a retrieve of a dumbbell. The Stays in the Open Class are three and five minutes with the handler out of site.

In the Utility Class, heeling is performed with had signals only, no voice commands. The judges may also require the handler to have their dog sit, stay, stand, down, and come by hand signal.

The dogs must also retrieve two objects that have been scented by the handler. The objects are placed with eight similar objects that are not scented. The dog must then identify and retrieved by the dog. In addition, the dog must retrieve one of three identical gloves. The glove to be retrieved is designated by the judge. The dogs then compete in a send out and directed jumping exercise.

If you are looking to take your dog training to the next level, consider entering your dog in an obedience trial. Along with a great learning experience, it can be a lot of fun. You will also gain a large amount of dog training information from your fellow handlers.

Answer 6

Why would you want to do that? Let your dog lead a normal life. But, youre one of those, who uses their dog for competition, I see.

Answer 7

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Since it is obvious that you do not have a clue about obedience training, your services should be for free. You cannot train even an adult dog for 8 hours a day. About the most that can be done at any one time is 10 - 20 minutes and that is with an adult dog and not a puppy. The attention span on this baby is extremely short and training session should be no more than 10 minutes and twice a day. Additionally, there isn t going to be much learned if you will only be training for 5 days. Obedience training is cumulative and is done over a much longer period of at least several weeks to several months.
What you can charge is determined by your experience, reputation, and accomplishments and in a case like this, should also include guaranteed expectations. Just working with dogs over several years, is not the experience that is necessary to be a dog trainer. There are too many people who are putting that title to their name and fleecing the public. Don t be one of them.

Answer 8

You should read books on agility training and get a starter course agility set so you can practice with him.

Answer 9

that kind of compitition is called agility not obedience. try joining a yahoo group for agility training.

Answer 10

If out strolling with my dogs they are not required to "heel" and are not provided that command. it is reserved for operating purely / competition. they're nevertheless anticipated to stroll less than "free" administration on a leash, and if a command is neccesary in any respect, it is purely "decrease back" and body language, no longer something else. So, definite, in "daily existence" the demands are mild and comfortable. # i assume I easily have diverse procedures to diverse activities. better: Ditto what Basset reported. also, I artwork a number of my dogs in diverse disciplines, each and every requiring diverse "kinds", yet each and every canines that does so knows it is needed immediately away. Herding, monitoring/trials heelwork, or conformation. extra; wondering about this, and in each and every of the time I easily have competed (because the early 70's beforehand) i won't be able to imagine of one useful competitor, on the excellent of whichever "dsicipline" they compete in who demands a similar factor of concentration and interest from their canines each and every of the time, even as no longer education or contained in the hoop. easily, except the dogs are kennelled each and every time they are not with you, this does no longer be conceivable. I for you will be able to no longer be contained in the placement to call for that 24/7 or perhaps as out purely taking area in the time on walks, or something else, if i replaced into no longer completely centred on the canines, with none outdoors distractions, then i ought to no longer assume that from my canines, and to attempt to finish that ought to point decreasing criteria, so how ought to I then assume the canines to strengthen the criteria even as competing? ok, in case you purely save dogs for no longer something else, and kennel them even as no longer operating, or prepare dogs to some extent for different lazy human beings, yet I also appreciate my dogs as pets, which i imagine maximum folk do besides.