Tips & Hints

At Penrith Kennel & Obedience Club Inc, we aim to give you, the handler the skills and tools for you to be able to train and handle your dog to the standard you wish. We will not train your dog for you.

Remember  when training your dog it takes time and patience, you may find you and your dog are doing well one week, only to go backwards the next. Try to treat training as an enjoyable event. In the dog world, there is a phrase it is about the journey not the destination! There is no set timeline when it comes to when you will achieve what you want, it all depends on the time you put in with your dog both at training and in your home environment.

Below are some tips and hints to use when you first start training your dog, As well as our responsibilities as owners of our dogs.

  • If you are using a check chain, why put the check chain on a special way? If the loop is not on the underside of the chain, it will not release immediately after you have checked the dog, but will continue to stay tight around the dog’s neck.
  • Why step off on the left foot? It is the leg nearest the dog; he will feel it move and therefore soon learns that when you move, he moves.
  • Why leave on the right foot when leaving your dog? You want the dog to stay: therefore move away so that your leg does not brush against the dog. This is achieved more easily by stepping off on the right foot.
  • Why praise your dog when it performs the exercise well? Dogs love to please you, and usually a word of praise works better than over-correction.
  • Always use a firm voice for correction (DO NOT SHOUT) – remember the rest of the class.
  • NEVER use your training lead to hit your dog.
  • A check chain is not cruel – it does not choke the dog if used in the correct manner.
  • NEVER let your dog off the lead at training unless under instruction.
  • Concentrate on your own dog at all times. And be aware of the behaviour your dog is presenting, e.g. eyeballing another dog, or pulling at the end of the leash to get to another person or dog.
  • Be aware of what the next dog is doing but do not worry unless they are interfering with your dog in some way.
  • A dog about to move from a sit or down stay should be corrected instantly, not later, and even prevented from actually moving.
  • Better by far to keep working your dog on the lead than attempt off lead work too quickly. The lead and collar are your BIG HELP, keep using them. DO NOT BE IN A RUSH TO GO ONTO THE NEXT STAGE.
  • If the ground work of heeling is carried out very well, then the work which follows will be much easier and you will have a dog which is confident in what he is doing. Always use the same words of command (one word for each command) i.e.

o   SIT- NOT Sit down

o   DROP OR DOWN- NOT Lie down

o   STAND- Drawn out as a long word

o   STAY- NOT Stay there

Each command has a hand signal – be very clear with the signal. Do not rush the signals exaggerate them at first.

  • When training at home (5-10 minutes is sufficient ) each day always finish an exercise of training with the work that the dog is capable of doing well.
  • Never train when you are in a bad mood, just go for a walk with your dog and relax.
  • If you lose your temper while training, you may find that your dog is more reluctant to perform the exercises and will become more difficult to train.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A DOG OWNER?

  • Your dog should be trained to be a well mannered and sociable member of society. Many dog problems are caused because the dog has never been socialised with people or other dogs.
  • Remember that young children and dogs should never be left unsupervised. Many dog attacks are caused by children tormenting or (knowingly or unknowingly) being cruel to the animal. Unfortunately. the dog cannot tell you the facts and has only one way to protect itself.

PLEASE FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYBODY ALWAYS SUPERVISE CHILDREN AND DOGS.

  • Your dog should never be allowed to roam freely – keep in mind that if your dog attacks and injures anyone it can be put down and you can be charged. Please ensure your dog is kept on your property at all times except when you are exercising it.
  • When exercising your dog the law requires that the dog be kept on lead and under control at all times while in a public place.
  • It is also your responsibility to clean up after your dog and you should always carry a plastic bag for this purpose.
  • Do not allow children under 16 to exercise the dog unless they are supervised and do not allow young children to exercise unruly dogs.
  • If you are thinking of breeding your dog – think very carefully first. Breeding is NOT just a case of putting two dogs together and should NEVER be considered just to let the kids see puppies being born. There are many things you should take into consideration such as:

o   The temperament of both breeds.

o   Hereditary diseases.

o   Genetic problems.

o   Veterinary costs.

o   Whether you have time to look after the pups.

o   Health requirements for the bitch prior to and after the whelping.

o   Sleepless nights are often necessary and if a Caesarean operation becomes necessary it is VERY EXPENSIVE.

  • Breeders registered with the Royal New South Wales Canine Council have a very strict Code of Ethics by which they must abide. Above all think about the number of unwanted dogs that are placed with animal agencies each year before you consider breeding. No dog should be bred from just for the sake of breeding; it is a very specialised and expensive hobby. Should an accidental mating occur you should take your bitch to the vet within 24 hours so that any puppies can be aborted and you should then make arrangements for your bitch to be desexed as soon as possible.
  • It is strongly advised that all dogs that are not registered with DOGS NSW for breeding and/or showing should be desexed. They DO NOT have to have a litter first, and it does not normally cause personality changes.
  • When purchasing a new puppy you should remember that this dog is going to be your responsibility for the next ten years plus.  Think before you purchase your puppy about what breed will suit you and your family, and how much time you have to spend with your dog.  You will need time for exercise and if you purchase a long coated variety it will need to be groomed several times a week.
  • It is strongly advised that when you decide to purchase a puppy that you do so from a Registered Breeder. This will help to ensure you will have a healthy puppy and know every effort has been taken to eliminate hereditary and genetic problems.
  • Your dog will also require vaccinations every twelve months and will need to be wormed regularly. Your Vet will advise more on these matters.

ABOVE ALL REMEMBER THAT YOUR DOG IS YOUR FRIEND NOT JUST AN OBJECT TO BE DUMPED OUTSIDE AND THROWN SOME FOOD AND WATER.

LOOK AFTER YOUR DOG – TRAIN IT WELL – MAKE A CLOSE FRIEND OF IT AND YOU WILL HAVE A FAITHFUL FRIEND FOR LIFE.

INFORMATION REGARDING REGISTERED BREEDERS AND DOG TRAINING CLUBS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DOGS NSW, ON (02) 9834-3022.

THE MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB WILL ALSO BE VERY WILLING TO ANSWER ANY OF YOUR INQUIRIES AND ENDEAVOR TO ASSIST YOU IN ANY WAY. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US.