Most training companies are reluctant to quote prices OR specifics about their training regimens. It has always been our policy to reveal all facets of the training process, no matter what it may be, in written form so the client understands both the command structure itself AND the psychology and methodology behind it. Obedience commands have a twofold function - the practical, everyday use and communications system it creates between owner and dog AND, in cases where necessary, to be utilized to alter behavior patterns through repetition and "learning". In short, obedience has both a practical and clinical application possible, and this is how we create "behavior modification" scenarios for problematic actions on the part of the canine. In other training systems we've found the two are not connected properly and do not produce long-term reliable, or fast, results.
Below is a list of what we've always considered "basic" obedience. They are the fundamental commands that make up our basic course and provide both a foundation for more advanced activities and applications as well as being necessary to any further endeavor in training or performance between owner and dog. If you call our offices with an interest or ultimate goal of doing Therapy work with your dog, or Protection, or even Search and Rescue or Agility competition, everything starts with basic obedience. Think of this as the ABCs of your communications system with your dog. Once these foundational skills are in place, the potential and possibilities are endless. Differing specifics within this command set can be utilized in different ways to alter behavior patterns (behavior modification/therapy), increase control and focus, and reduce response time. They impart positive personality traits in the canine such as focus and self-control and can be used to hone other areas of behavior such as social structure, calmness, and all the triggered responses necessary for every other activity one can engage in with a dog.
• Heel - Most people are at least nominally familiar with this command. It means simply "stay beside me" in its basic form. We use a shoulder of the dog to hip of the handler formation, about a human hand's width between the two. Dog should neither lag nor lead and the leash should be completely slack with the dog's focus constantly checking its position in relation to the handler by choice, not force or function of tightness of the lead.
• Sit - Obvious.
• Sit Stay - Maintain the sitting position for a maximum (in most cases) of five minutes duration. No standing, scooting, shifting or, ideally, taking eye off the handler.
• Down - Assume a supine position on command.
• Down Stay - Maintain the supine position. As in the sit, attention on the handler. Duration minimum for basic obedience is one hour with distractions.
• Walking Sit (Return to Heel) - Out of motion on verbal and hand signal commands, momentarily assume the sitting position and return to the walking heel. Handler maintains speed and forward motion; dog stops and sits momentarily. This is an instant response and focus drill and is used as a basis for training the curb and door commands/functions described below.
• Recall or The Come Command - Starting on a five or six foot leash, extended out to 20'+ and working into off-leash control by completion of course.
• Walking Down (Return to Heel) - Out of motion on verbal and hand signal command, assume a supine position momentarily and return to the walking heel position. Handler maintains speed and forward motion; dog drops to a down momentarily and returns to heel beside the handler. This is an instant response and instant "submit" drill and the basis for both confidence building and dominance reduction in accordingly behaved dogs depending upon how it is employed. It is also a safety command if suddenly confronted with a loose dog in public, lowering the profile of the handler's animal and making him/her less of a target for an altercation.
• Curbs and Doors - The dog is taught to automatically sit and not proceed forward without being given a command to do so at curbs, doors, gateways, surface changes (tile to carpet), or any well demarcated line the owner does not wish them to cross without permission. Given practice, this function becomes reliable to 90% even if there is no human present and can and has on multiple occasions been a life-saving drill and ingrained behavior for our clientele over the decades.
• Wait - Informal stay, standing, sitting, or in supine position. Less than 1 minute duration, can be used as short stay but does not allow the attention decay problematic in beginners in the long stay exercises.
• Off - Used to move a dog away from the handler, paws off counter tops, feet off carpet, etc.
• Leave It - Either do not pick up or drop whatever is in the dog's mouth. (Can be combined with "Get It" for service work.)
• Kennel or Crate - Used to cue the dog into a holding area, kennel, or run.
• No - Stop what you're doing.
Clients are to work the dog once or twice daily for 15-20 minutes on obedience commands and exercises, separate from down-stays. Typical session with trainer per dog is 45-60 minutes once per week. Equipment supplied. Life of the Dog Guarantee. Course completion is based on function, not number of lessons. Average completion time is 5-7 weeks but there are no limits.
In addition to obedience commands and functions, all areas of behavior and management are supported and encouraged to optimal levels.
