Dog Obedience Training - an Overview!

DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING – AN OVERVIEW:




Dog Training can be Divided into Three Categories.

1. Restrictive routines

2. Active routines

3. Combination routines


• The “Sit Stay”, “Down Stay”, & “Stand for Examination” are wholly “Restrictive routines.

• Dog jumping and retrieving are “Active Routines.”

• Exercises such as “Heelwork” and “Recalls” are considered “Combination routines.”

One of the problems with dog training is that in the beginning the usual sequences of exercises learnt in training are normally “restrictive routines”. As the first year of a dog’s life is the most physically active period of his life, it has two distinct disadvantages!

1. It fails to take into account, and fails to capitalise on the young dogs natural tendencies. The young dogs natural tendencies are to be active and playful. Young dogs also have very short attention spans and need constant direction of their attention.

2. It also introduces exercises that the young dog finds boring and sometimes even unpleasant, which could hinder attempts to build a positive attitude towards working with his handler.


The positive association of “play”, can form the beginning of a strong human canine bond, thus develops the positive attitude so desirable in future training. This could be called the “desire to learn” or the “will to please” without which, no learning can take place!

To too many people,

“Training” means punishment, yelling and being forceful.

It has been proved beyond a shadow of doubt, that positive reinforcement, and reward based learning methods, are far more successful than any negative methods of training!

Play and fun in training – especially in the early impressionable age is often totally neglected! By beginning with play exercises, the handler learns to relax, be happy and encourage his young dog/puppy, thus developing a positive attitude, which is so necessary when training any species of animal.

As the young pup matures and develops – the reward of play (combined with any other motivations necessary i.e. treats, toys, ball etc) becomes a wonderful habit. Learning and working is such fun the dog actively looks forward to his training sessions.