"Obedience" is a program by which one individual teaches another individual to become "obedient"
© Canine Caretaker
It is not a method by which to train nor is it a program to force an individual to be obedient. This program can be used on children and dogs.
How can I make the comparison between "training a child" and "training a dog ? Consider the following scenario:
You have a toddler, let's say about 26 months and we"re ready to begin the process of "drinking from a cup/glass". Most parents, after questioning the toddler to raise curiosity, will fill the cup and then insist that the toddler "sit" before taking hold of the cup.
How is this achieved? Do we shove, push, yell, repeatedly demand, point and then give up when our messages are not understood?
... No ... we "Demonstrate" to the toddler what is required before s/he can have the cup/glass by gently bending their knees and guiding them into a sitting position thereby handing them the cup/glass as a reward.
It's an excellent reward if the cup is filled with something the toddler really enjoys, like koolaid or grape juice, rather than just plain water.
It's not long before you find your toddler asking for the drink and immediately "plopping" him/herself to the ground to be able to receive the cup/glass.
Not much difference is taken when "training a dog to sit"... "Asking", "Demonstrating" then "Rewarding/Praising" ... and thus the "Obedience" program is the same.
Obedience is found containing a variety of levels and not all levels are required for the average dog owner to attain a well-mannered and obedient companion and friend. To further use children as a "comparison", consider the following:
A 5 year old has been playing with his/her toys in a room and the toys are scattered about the floor -- it's time for bed and the room needs to be cleaned up. Do we shout, point, demand and expect our message to be understood? Mostly likely "Not"... most parents take the time to explain the process and then "get involved" by demonstrating what they want and thereby "showing by example" and asking the child to follow suit.
Sometimes a reward is given such as ice-cream before bed or a story read and seldom is the child just shoved off to bed after helping, without some acknowledgement of his assistance ... as would be asking a dog to "come when called" and then shoving them in a crate or room without a small reward or Praise first.
Another scenario can be used with an older child, perhaps in a Military/Private school where the "rules of conduct" are more rigid -- results are expected to be more efficient ... as would a dog that is being "trained for competition" compared to a "pet companion".
Expectations and methods vary slightly depending on the result you are seeking but the basis of the "Obedience" program remains the same.
The last decade or so has developed a newly-heightened knowledge of the need for the "beginning level" of obedience. A level that simply introduces the beginnings to actual obedience. A level that is given at that all-important, impressionable age and instills the proper behaviour patterns for a dog to advance comfortably to the "actual obedience" with less stress and frustration to both the dog and the owner.
This level or stage of obedience is normally referred to as "Puppy Socialization" or "Puppy Kindergarten".
At this level it is the Owner AND Puppy that are taught the more simpler terms of Obedience such as "walking on a leash without pulling" or learning "the proper way to sit when asked". A pup also learns basic manners that a puppy needs to learn to become a more desirable and loveable companion such as "not to jump up on company" or maybe to learn "how to take food or treats nicely". The Owner in turn learns to read "body language and "how to train" their pup.
Now some will ask at this point; "Don't they learn that stuff in regular Obedience classes?" - "Why spend extra to attend a Kindergarten class too?"
A simple answer: "No, not always."
They can learn the "Heel" position and possibly how to stay in that position while walking and then you would continue onto the "sit" and "stay" and other Obedience commands but . . . Basic manners are sometimes forgotten in the Obedience Class. Not only is there a time frame to work within (usually 8-10 weeks) for the Instructor but there are usually other students wanting the same instruction at
the same time and to put it simply - there's not enough time to fit in
the Puppy stuff, like manners.
There are a couple of reasons to attend a Kindergarten class as well as a regular Obedience class. The main reason and most common - most trainers will not take pups under the age of 6 months into their Obedience classes.
The reason for this is because the difference in attitude and the attention deficit varies drastically between a 12 week old pup and a 7-9 month old pup (there is also the concern of vaccinations). To keep the classes as even and fair as possible and to maintain a standard of training methods and techniques for all the students - a certain age is required to achieve that.
A different approach is needed with pups under 6 months of age and if this approach is not adhered to, a pup can be spooked, scared or just learn to hate the fact that they should listen.
In most cases, regular Obedience classes are there to help you "train your dog" and few actually "teach the owners" - This is another reason for attending that Kindergarten class. These classes are geared towards puppies of a very young age and their owners. There is less regimented instruction and more emphasis on socializing with other people, dogs and different environments and learning those important aspects like manners and maybe their names, etc.
No need trying to teach the dog until the Owners know HOW to teach their dogs. In a puppy's eyes -- there is always time to learn how to "sit"n"stay" once the basic thought patterns are in place. This also goes for "fetching", "coming when called", and all of that more serious stuff.
Puppy Kindergarten allows the pups to be pups while learning.
If you have any questions regarding this topic or would like to locate a class near you; the Canine Caretaker can assist you and your Best Friend.