Classes Available

Club Class Content & Levels

Puppy Class For Pups under 6 months

In this class new owners and puppies are guided very gently through various exercises. You are taught about correct equipment and its proper use and puppies are encouraged to socialise with other puppies and handlers. Early socialisation is all-important to the future development of your dog. This class also introduces basic obedience work that includes teaching puppy to walk on a lead, sit, stand, some turns and to come when called on lead, known as the recall.

Class One - Puppies and Dogs over 6 months

Class One is usually divided into three main areas:

 

Socialisation is still a key factor even for an older dog that may have missed out on being socialised as a puppy and their basic obedience work is similar to the work that is done in Puppy Class. Class one runs for approximately 10-12 weeks and at the end of that time you are ready to be tested for the Beginners Certificate. An Instructor tests each dog individually in a ring. Those who are successful move on to Class Two. Those who are not successful stay in Class One to work towards the next Promotion Day.

Class Two

Once you have achieved your Beginners Certificate it’s time to get a little more serious about obedience work. The work you began in Class One will be extended even further. It is up to you to practice during the week. This will ensure that you keep pace with the class. Again, this class runs for approximately 10-12 weeks and at the next Promotion Day you will try for your Merit Certificate to move into Class Two (A).

Class Two (A)

By now most members will have started ‘off lead’ work and you will be really testing the teamwork between you and your dog. The Sit and Down Stays will be longer and you may even be considering Obedience Trials. Keep in mind, not all breeds learn at the same pace, but if your work is consistent, most dogs are capable of achieving the same results. As in the previous classes, when the next Promotion Day arrives you will be tested for your Graduate Certificate to move into class three. Test Guideline Sheets for all Class Levels are available from the Equipment Shop (50 cents).

Class Three

Class Three basically consists of three areas:

1. Our social class enjoys the companionship of fellow class members without taking on the more serious training. You are still required to do some obedience work as well as some fun activities for you and your dog.

2. A more structured class offering both trial work and fun activities.

3. Trialing class for those who wish to compete at Trials.

Class Four

Class Four is Open training for those members who have gained their Companion Dog (CD) title and aspire to the Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.

Class Five

Class Five is Utility training for those members who have gained their Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title.

Class Six

Class Six is Utility Dog Excellent training.

Agility

Fun activity that both you and your dog can enjoy.  Agility is a dog sport where your dog negotiates obstacles on a course including jumps, tunnels and an A-frame. Your dog must be at least 12 months of age, controllable off lead and you must seek written permission from your Class Instructor before you can enter this class.

Flyball

Flyball is a team sport for dogs. Dogs go over four jumps, retrieve a ball from a box and return over the jumps in a relay race.  Your dog must be at least 12 months of age, controllable off lead and you must seek written permission from your Class Instructor before you can enter this class.

Starting Dates

Puppies & Dogs - Sunday Mornings

Puppies and dogs joining our Sunday morning classes must be fully vaccinated and we need to sight a current vaccination certificate when you join.

Intake dates for Puppies (16 weeks to 6 months ) - 2008

 Classes begin at 9.00 am. 
Note that the first session for new members will be an induction class starting at 10:30 and without your dog.

Intake for Dogs 6 months and over - 2008

Classes begin at 10.45 am.
Note that the first session for new members will be an induction class starting at 10:30 and without your dog.

Obedience Trialing

The following are the various levels you can work towards if you consider Obedience Trialing. This aspect offers not only titles for your dog, but also the social companionship of traveling with other Club members to Trials held at other Clubs and venues throughout the State.

For those wishing to begin Trialing, there are a few pre requisites we suggest:

1. Buy an Obedience rulebook from the equipment shop.

2. To enter a Trial you and your dog must be members of the VCA.

3. When the Club holds our Obedience Trials, volunteer as a Steward (at present, Stewards must be VCA members) which will give you a great insight into the world of Trialing.

You and your dog are judged as a team and how you work together. The CCD exercises include heel on lead, stand for examination and both a sit and down stay and you must achieve 50% of your marks in each exercise to achieve a pass. A passing score is 75 points out of 100. Four your CCD title you are required to achieve 3 passing scores under at least 2 different judges for your CCD title.

Novice

This class includes the exercises as above but is all off lead which includes an off lead recall. A pass in this class requires a score of 170 points out of 200 with a 50% pass in each exercise. For your Novice title you are required to achieve 3 passing scores under at least 2 different Judges. This will then give you your CD (Companion Dog) title.

Open

This level adds a new dimension to your competitive skills with the addition of retrieving, broad jump, change of position and the out of sight stays. Passes in this class are as for Novice which when achieved, will give you your CDX (Companion Dog Excellent) title.

Utility

One of the highest aims of all Trialers in Obedience is to achieve a UD (Utility Dog) title. The exercises include your dog using its excellent sense of smell in the Seek back and Scent Discrimination exercises and his ability to work without voice command in the Signal exercise. There is also a seven-minute Down Stay with the handler out of sight. UDx The highest obedience class where you can achieve a UDx title.

Agility & Jumping Dog

If you have tried Agility at the Club you may wish to go on and try for one of three Agility Titles.  Passes are gained by having a clear round of the course within a certain timeframe, designated by a Judge at an Agility Trial.  The requirement of VCA membership is the same as in Obedience.

Tracking, Field Trialing and Endurance

Although the Club does not currently offer these disciplines, they are competitive areas you may, at some time, wish to consider.

HAPPY TRAINING

Important Reading -  Understand Your Dog

Left to themselves dogs show an incredible capacity for learning. Too bad that most of this learning is not to our advantage. Training channels the dog’s energy.

  TEN GOLDEN RULES
taken from the GSD Club of Australia Manual

1. Always make the dog feel that he is your companion and friend.

2. He does not possess a human mind, can not reason and comprehend language.

3. A close relationship between master and dog will lead to harmonious living.

4. Dogs vary in their attitude to us, in willingness to learn and adapt.

5. You should recognise the talents of your dog, develop and mould them.

6. The dog is learning only by memorising his past experiences.

7. Never lose your self-control, instead show love and understanding.

8. The dog is a trotter a (German Shepherd) and needs plenty of exercise for his well being.

9. Praise or correction at the right time will lead to final success.

10. Senselessly hitting your dog is useless and unworthy of a dog lover, but too much pampering would make him lose his respect for you.

How Do Dogs Learn?

Dogs learn from experience. If an experience is rewarding to the dog it repeats it, if it is stressful, frightening or painful, dogs avoid repeating that experience.  In training, we should try to make it fun for the dog so active participation by the handler, using fair and consistent training methods, is necessary.

All dogs, regardless of size, have certain needs. They need a firm and fair leader who will provide for them, play with them, train them, groom them and generally make them part of the family; always remembering this is a DOG, not a human in a furry coat. Join our library or go to the local one and read about dogs and their behavior. You are the driver now and must know how a dog thinks to get the best results from your training. Whoever trains the dog becomes the dog’s pack leader

What Is Training?

At Geelong Obedience Club we train YOU how to train your dog.  Training is teaching the dog to respond to certain sounds or signals, “Cues” for certain actions.  Dogs react to voice tones NOT words.  MODERN TRAINING METHODS use ASSOCIATION and MOTIVATION. Show, tell, and do, with praise for honest effort.

THE SECRET OF HAPPY TRAINING

We show the dog what we want him to do and praise when in the correct position.

We induce him to do the action and praise him.

We induce him to repeat the action, with mild compulsion and praise.

We practice and praise every time the dog assumes the right position.

TRAINING THAT WORKS, REQUIRES EFFORT FROM YOU, THE HANDLER

Location Breakwater Road, Belmont Common

Phone ( 03) 5243 4555

Postal Address P.O. Box 186 , Geelong , Vic. 3220

E-mail to Geelong Obedience Dog Club

Weekday Office Hours Thursday 2 pm - 6:30 pm

Training Sunday Mornings.

 

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