Conference 7.286::canine

    
    	Canine Learning Center is now offering obedience run-throughs!
    	
    	Wednesday nights  Starting March 5th 1997
    
    	Registration by phone - No waiting.. Or drop in and take a chance!
    
    	Heres the scoop on times, but this may fluctuate greatly depending
    	on how many advanced dogs sign up;
    
    	6:30 Utility
    
    	7:30 Open
    
    	8:30 Novice
    
    	$5.00 entry fee
    
    	Call Canine Learning Center to register 508-263-7156
        1526 Massachusetts Ave. Boxborough, Ma 01719
    
    	Located at the intersection of 495 and Rt 111 in Boxborough Ma.
    	Exit 28
                                                                   

    What does 'Utility' mean in terms of obedience?  I take it that is a a
    'drop in' situation, rather than sign up for 7 classes?
    
    thanks ****andrea****

As I believe Susan Conant said in one of her dog books, the Utility title
is sort of like the Ph.D. of dog obedience :-)

There are several levels of AKC competition for obedience titles.  The first
is Novice (for the CD Companion Dog title), where the dog must pass exercises
in heeling, stand, recall and stay.  The second level is Open (for the CDX
Companion Dog Excellent) title, which is more off-leash heeling,
drop-on-recall, retrieving on the flat as well as over jumps, plus the
broad jump and out-of-sight stays.

Then comes Utility for the UD Utility Dog title.  The dogs have to demonstrate
knowledge of hand signals (no voice commands allowed) for sit/down/stand/come;
do directed retrieve (where the handler directs the dog to pick up exactly
one of 3 gloves that are placed across the ring);  scent discrimination
(retrieving exactly one article with the handler's scent on it, that's been
placed in a pile of similar unscented articles);  and the directed retrieve,
where the handler instructs the dog to go away about 30-40 feet and turn to
sit facing the handler -- then, on the judge's command, the handler directs 
the dog to jump either the high jump or the bar jump (whichever one the judge
chooses, and which the handler points to and commands either 'jump' or 'bar'
-- the dog then has to jump exactly the right one).  Whew!  One of my friends
who's showing in Utility says there's a ton of ways for the dog to mess up
in this class, and the handler too.  So it's really something to get the title.

Sue (who's training one each in Novice and Open, and thinks Utility is
light-years away)

As I believe Susan Conant said in one of her dog books, the Utility title
is sort of like the Ph.D. of dog obedience :-)

There are several levels of AKC competition for obedience titles.  The first
is Novice (for the CD Companion Dog title), where the dog must pass exercises
in heeling, stand, recall and stay.  The second level is Open (for the CDX
Companion Dog Excellent) title, which is more off-leash heeling,
drop-on-recall, retrieving on the flat as well as over jumps, plus the
broad jump and out-of-sight stays.

Then comes Utility for the UD Utility Dog title.  The dogs have to demonstrate
knowledge of hand signals (no voice commands allowed) for sit/down/stand/come;
do directed retrieve (where the handler directs the dog to pick up exactly
one of 3 gloves that are placed across the ring);  scent discrimination
(retrieving exactly one article with the handler's scent on it, that's been
placed in a pile of similar unscented articles);  and directed jumping,
where the handler instructs the dog to go away about 30-40 feet and turn to
sit facing the handler -- then, on the judge's command, the handler directs 
the dog to jump either the high jump or the bar jump (whichever one the judge
chooses, and which the handler points to and commands either 'jump' or 'bar'
-- the dog then has to jump exactly the right one).  Whew!  One of my friends
who's showing in Utility says there's a ton of ways for the dog to mess up
in this class, and the handler too.  So it's really something to get the title.

Sue (who's training one each in Novice and Open, and thinks Utility is
light-years away)

    A friend of mine recommended Gail Fisher's Dog Gym over Jim Ward's
    Granite State Dog Training Center because I have a Chihuahua mix and my
    friend described Jim Ward's approach as more military and more suited
    to a larger dog.  

    A few notes in this string say they like Gail Fisher's method.  How
    would you describe that method?

Hi,

I've been taking my dogs to Jim Ward's place for nearly a year and a half
now, so let me offer some direct experience with him and his methods.
(By the way, just out of curiosity, were your friend's comments based on
personal experience with the 2 trainers? Not challenging, just wondering...)

Jim is naturally acclimated to the bigger dogs, especially German Shepherds.
For instance, you'll see more Shepherds in his classes simply because he 
breeds them and many of us who buy pups from him take the pups to him for 
training.

However, as for his classes being _suited_ to a larger dog, I'd disagree.
I've been in 7 different classes there, and doggie classmates have been
mini Shelties (all of 12 lbs.), a long-haired Dachshund (maybe 8 pounds
soaking wet), Cocker Spaniels and other small and medium breeds. All dogs
(and owners ;-) were treated equally. Owners are taught how to motivate
their dogs to sit, stay, come, lie down, and heel; the primary motivators
are the use of food treats and praise.  Judging from the way all of the dogs
responded to training, I'd say the dog's size never entered into the equation.

Hope that helps,

- Sue

    Yes, my friend brought her dog, a German Shepherd, to Jim Ward's place.