Please try to let your coach know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a class. You will be provided with the training guide for the week you missed so that you can catch up at home. We are not able to offer replacement classes or refunds but will help you catch up in time for the following class. If you require help in understanding or practising the guide for the week you missed get in touch with your coach for advice.

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Competitive Obedience is a sport, and has been such since the early fifties. People probably get involved in Obedience in the first place through Dog Training Clubs. Not all people who go to DTC’s are there to train their dogs for competition (in fact only a small proportion go on to this), the majority only going to give their dogs basic obedience and ‘socialisation’ with other dogs.
At a basic level, owners want dogs with which they can pleasantly share a house, a car, or a walk in the park. Some dogs need only a minimum amount of training to learn to eliminate outside (be housebroken), to sit, to lie down, or to come on command (obey a recall). Many other dogs prove more challenging. New dog owners might find training difficult and fail to make progress, because they expect dogs to think and act like humans, and are surprised and baffled when the dogs don't.
^{Competitive Obedience is a sport, and has been such since the early fifties. People probably get involved in Obedience in the first place through Dog Training Clubs. Not all people who go to DTC’s are there to train their dogs for competition (in fact only a small proportion go on to this), the majority only going to give their dogs basic obedience and ‘socialisation’ with other dogs.}
In competition, merely sitting, lying down, or walking on a leash are insufficient. The dog and handler must perform the activities off leash and in a highly stylized and carefully defined manner. For example, on a recall, the dog must come directly to the handler, without sniffing or veering to one side, and must sit straight in front of the handler, not at an angle or off to one side or the other. Training for obedience competitions builds on basic obedience training.

Before you begin dog obedience training, choose the best method for you and your dog. Training styles vary, but most trainers agree that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement, such as praise or treats. One common training variation, known as clicker training, includes the use of conditioned reinforcer. There are plenty of dog training books and websites where you can learn about training techniques and determine which best suits you and your dog. When planning out your training methods, don't forget about socialization.

^{New to dog training? This is what you're looking for! A step by step guide on teaching your dog all of the basics. The videos are arranged IN ORDER. These are my current best versions of teaching these essential skills to your dog. There are tons of examples with LOTS of different dogs! None of the puppies or dogs were trained on the topic prior to the video they were featured in I've also included 5 different leash walking videos with 5 very different dogs who behave differently when taking a walk.}
I bought one of their books which is fine... Really disliked how they give you the "free" Elite Dog Club for one month then automatically charge your card $37 a month after. I went on there anyways to check it out while it was free for me. Personally it wasn't something I would pay $37 a month for so I canceled the subscription before they billed me. During the 2nd step of the 3 step process to cancel they offered me a ONE TIME FEE OF $37 TO HAVE A LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP!!! This upsets me because I'm sure there are people that enjoy this site and these poor loyal customers are being taken advantage of.
_{It typically takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully house trained, but some puppies may take up to a year. Size can be a predictor. For instance, smaller breeds have smaller bladders and higher metabolisms and require more frequent trips outside. Your puppy's previous living conditions are another predictor. You may find that you need to help your puppy break old habits in order to establish more desirable ones.}
  "I bear no commission from any quarter," returned the Pilot; "I rankonly an humble follower of the friends of America; and having led thesegentlemen into danger, I have thought it my duty to see them extricated.They are now safe; and the right to command all that hear me rests withMr. Griffith, who is commissioned by the Continental Congress for suchservice."
Dogs competing in dog sports, such as flyball, agility or Schutzhund, must be trusted in an open field, off leash and surrounded by other people, dogs, hot dogs, and flying discs. This requires more focused attention on the owner and a better recall than that found in most household companion dogs, and more advanced training than that required for formal obedience.
  Katherine waited not to hear the close of this sentence, but walked to adistant part of the room to conceal the burning blushes that coveredher countenance. The manner in which the plans of Barnstable had becomeknown to his foe was no longer a mystery. Her conscience also reproachedher a little with some unnecessary coquetry, as she remembered thatquite one-half of the dialogue between her lover and herself, under theshadow of that very wall to which Borroughcliffe alluded, had been on asubject altogether foreign to contention and tumults. As the feelings ofBarnstable were by no means so sensitive as those of his mistress, andhis thoughts much occupied with the means of attaining his object, hedid not so readily comprehend the indirect allusion of the soldier, butturned abruptly away to Griffith, and observed with a serious air:
  The Pilot had conducted his surprise with so much skill and secrecyas to have secured every individual about the abbey, whether male orfemale, soldier or civilian; and as it might be dangerous to leave anybehind who could convey intelligence into the country, Griffith hadordered that every human being found in the building should be conductedto the cliffs; to be held in durance at least until the departure ofthe last boat to the cutter, which, he was informed, lay close in tothe land, awaiting their re-embarkation. The hurry of the departure hadcaused many lights to be kindled in the abbey, and the contrast betweenthe glare within and the gloom without attracted the wandering looks ofthe captives, as they issued into the paddock. One of those indefinableand unaccountable feelings which so often cross the human mind inducedCecilia to pause at the great gate of the grounds, and look back at theabbey, with a presentiment that she was to behold it for the lasttime. The dark and ragged outline of the edifice was clearly delineatedagainst the northern sky, while the open windows and neglected doorspermitted a view of the solitude within. Twenty tapers were sheddingtheir useless light in the empty apartments, as if in mockery of thedeserted walls; and Cecilia turned shuddering from the sight, to pressnigher to the person of her indignant uncle, with a secret impressionthat her presence would soon be more necessary than ever to hishappiness.
Anybody who is involved in the care of your dog is encouraged to come along to class, including children. Please bear in mind that your coaches will be talking to the class on a group level to teach you valuable key messages about behaviour, so it is important that anybody attending is able to listen quietly (if young children are attending it could be a good idea to bring something to keep them occupied with at these times). Let your coach know if you have any special requirements or will have more than 3 people attending with your dog, so that they can prepare and make sure there is enough space. To make sure you can concentrate on training your puppy, we would ask that you leave any other pets (including other dogs) at home.