By Me
Michael Lee
www.tigerlandk9.com

World Union of German Shepherd Dog Associations
www.wusv2009.com/english/index.html

Picture show Adreinne, Peter and miniature schnauzer Fara on sunday training at PAAPP Dog Agility Club. wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_agility_worldwide

By Me

I started with luring my first puppy into the correct position with food and then gradually pairing that with the desired command word. This works great for teaching a puppy basic sits and downs, but free-shaping with the clicker goes one step further, the dog learns to be aware of his own body. When you lure a dog into position, he is thinking about the food rather than what he is doing. When you use free-shaping, you either wait for him to take up the position naturally and let him work out what you are rewarding, or you break down a more complicated sequence into small pieces and gradually ask for more each time. Click here for more information about Luring, Moulding and Shaping.

Clicker training is great fun, for both dog and trainer, and as the dog learns to offer more and more behaviors, he learns faster and faster. My dog learned the articles for tracking using the clicker, starting in the living room, and then gradually training in different locations, then pairing the action with a word, and finally using it on the track. He knows when we are going to train with the clicker, I usually leave him off leash or on a long line, and he gets to be free and offer all kinds of behaviors, we have also free-shaped tricks and seemingly useless actions such as putting his foot on a box or pushing a container with his nose. But this allows both dog and trainer to relax and do something different from the more serious competition exercises.

One of the most important concepts to teach a competition dog is focus. The clicker is an easy way to teach this, because you can catch the behavior you want precisely when it happens. It takes some practise to get the timing just right but the results are well worth it. You also need to be very clear about what you are trying to train and break it down appropriately for your dog. Something I learned from the Monty Roberts Intelligent Horsemanship technique, if you approach something like it will take ten minutes, it will take an hour, but if you allow for an hour, it will take ten minutes. Never be in a hurry to train something new. If you are getting a lot of failures, you may be pushing too fast, take a step back and think about what you are asking for. You must have a high rate of reinforcement so that the training can progress.

When starting training with the clicker, I used quite a few lures and the leash to help achieve the results I wanted, but as I train more exercises, and with each subsequent puppy, I am using free-shaping more and more. It gives me a chance to watch the dog’s reactions, and natural inclinations, so I can tailor my training to each individual dog. For instance, I was teaching articles to two pups recently, one went from sniffing the article to biting it, the other went from sniffing to pawing the article. The first pup investigates things much more with his mouth, which should make the retrieve easy! The second likes to play with items with her paws. Once the pup pawed the article, I rewarded that, and soon she tried a play bow, and then a down. After 4 short sessions of 10 repetitions, she had the basic idea of lying near the article. Then I just had to teach her that the article must be between her paws.

By Louise Jollyman
from schutzhund-training, brimwylf, bodeus

Thanks to Louise Jollyman suggesting and provide great article. He been training in Schutzhund since 2001. In that time, I have titled my own dog, Bodeus, from 8 weeks to SchH3 IPO3 FH UD NA CGC TC AD WUSV. United Schutzhund Clubs of America . By Me

A vinyl tube or lightweight canvas, 9 to 20 feet long and about 2 feet (22in to 24in in diameter, through which the dog runs. The tunnel is constructed of flexible such that it can be configured in a straight line, or in a variety of curves. Open tunnels are a factor in every major agility competition. If you are able to scrunch your tunnel up, this is one way to introduce it to your dog. Attach a long leash to your dog and have him sit on one end (or have a friend hold him). Go to the other side of the tunnel and call your dog through, gently guiding him with the leash. Give your dog the command you will be using for the tunnel exercise. The word can be something simple like “TUNNEL” or any other word of your choice. If necessary, reach your hand out to show that you placed a treat on the ground. (Don’t put food in the tunnel as you don’t want to encourage your dog to ever stop in a tunnel to sniff). Give him a hug and a treat on the other side. Do this at least a few times. Gather the lead and encourage the dog toward you with a treat or toy, and give her the toy when she reaches you. Tunnel Training the more important don’t let the dog pee inside, for someone just starting learn tunnel, try make it tunnel shorter.

Continue this method until your dog willingly comes through the tunnel to you. That is time off lead and allow he/her to go through the tunnel on he/her own. So the faster she runs the course, the better her scores will be build speed gradually into your dog’s run. Next you can encourage him to enter the tunnel on his own while you “run-by” the tunnel, clapping and talking to your dog along the way. Then you can lengthen the tunnel and eventually curve it too, both to the left and right. They are obstacles that can be run in either direction, are simple to set up and are easy for the judge to score. Training your dog to properly complete an open tunnel exercise is a simple endeavor that can be accomplished in just a few short training sessions.

By Me

People worry that Schutzhund will make their dog aggressive towards people. In my experience, dogs which have not been aggressive towards people beforehand do not suddenly become aggressive after Schutzhund training.

Some people who like to avoid aggression try to train Schutzhund protection as an obedience exercise, where the dog learns to bark to “ask for a reward”, and gets the sleeve or “prey object” as this reward. They argue that Schutzhund is a game and their dogs will only bite a sleeve. This may be a good way to relieve their conscience when asked if they train their dogs to bite.

Schutzhund is however, supposed to be a test, a dog should show aggression in the protection phase, the decoy, helper or bad guy, should be a worthy adversary, and the dogs courage should be tested. The protection phase at a trial should be more like a boxing match, not like a choreographed movie-fight. All dogs of any breed will bite if they feel that they are being threatened or cannot escape, so dogs do not need to be trained to bite! When we are training protection, we build the dogs confidence and encourage him to enjoy the fight, we often let him win, by carrying off the sleeve, we also work on control, we teach the dog when and where it is ok to bite and when it’s not.

 
A dogs basic character, socialization and training affects whether he will be aggressive towards people. A dogs genetics will define whether he has the protective instincts and courage to protect his family. Schutzhund training will not change this basic nature but will give the owner some idea of how their dog might react, and also enable the dog to remain under the control of his handler. As far as home and family protection; in general, just the presence of a German Shepherd will deter any would-be attackers or thieves.

Schutzhund Titles:
BH – basic obedience and temperament test
SchA – obedience and protection only
SchI – first level
SchII – second level
SchIII – top level
OB I,II,III – separate obedience titles
TR I,II,III – separate tracking titles
IPO 1,2,3 – international schutzhund degree (International Prüfungsordnung)
FH I,II – advanced tracking titles
WH – watch dog title
AD – endurance title (for breed-worthiness)
Schutzhund Information and rules:
United Schutzhund Clubs of America
What is Schutzhund – Big Sky Schutzhund
Schutzhund Rules Tracking, Obedience and Protection – Top Working Dogs
Your First BH
DVG – BH 2004 Rules
DVG – IPO rules
DVG – VDH/SchH Rules
DVG – FH rules

By Louise Jollyman
from schutzhund-training, brimwylf, bodeus

Thanks to Louise Jollyman  suggesting  and provide great article. He been training in Schutzhund since 2001. In that time, I have titled my own dog, Bodeus, from 8 weeks to SchH3 IPO3 FH UD NA CGC TC AD WUSV. United Schutzhund Clubs of America . By Me

Even in natural habitats, a dog will have some kind of enforced limits of behavior by the pack structure and hierarchy that exists. Success will come quickly to anyone that praises a dog for good behavior.

For example – If you ask your dog to sit and she does, you give her a treat. In the dogs mind sitting when told equals treat.

Now what if you tell the dog to sit and she doesn’t, and then you punish her? In the dogs mind you have just doled out a random punishment for nothing.

This can only serve to puzzle your dog and lead her to mistrust you.

Positive reinforcement is the key.

Into bad habits. This is standard territorial behavior.

Your dog warns you – as a member of its pack – that there’s potential danger at the doorway. If your dog spends the best part of its waking life barking at nearly anything including you, then it is formed into a bad habit – but one that’s straightforward to fix. The particular reason why this could not work is simple. From your point of view you are hollering at your dog to shut up. From your dogs’ perspective, you are barking along and enjoying the noise. A better system is to hang about for a pause in your dogs barking then heap heaps of praise and a treat on your dog. As quickly as the barking starts again, ignore your dog, walk off – anything except don’t pay your dog any attention.

Also wild dogs will lick the face of a higher member of the pack to express and accept their submissive standing in the pack. This is maybe going to bare the kid to germs that its immune mechanism would doubtless not be ready to handle. In a corresponding way if your dog has worms or has been looking into other dogs’ faeces or grooming itself, the final thing you want is for your dog to come and lick your face. When the dog first responses to the’No’ phrase, it is time for a treat. Jumping Up – Jumping up may not appear such a bad habit, but if there are babies about it can be quite hazardous. Your dog will not know that jumping on you is o.k. But jumping on the youngsters isn’t. There are heaps of simple tactics you can train your dog. These are some. There is no real need to endure bad habits in your dog as they can be so simply cured.

By Dechen Lau | Picture  By Me

The American Kennel Club (AKC) began the Canine Good Citizen program in 1989, in order to improve the image of man’s best friend. The Canine Good Citizen program is the only AKC program that is open to all breeds and to mixed breed dogs. The test to achieve the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) award consists of ten simple tasks, which are scored on a pass or fail basis. In some areas, dogs with a CGC are granted additional privileges or entitle their owners to special breaks on their homeowner’s insurance.

The road to the CGC often starts early, with training that begins in the first few months of your puppy’s life. For some lucky dogs, that road starts with the new AKC S.T.A.R. program, open to puppies up to a year of age. The S.T.A.R. program consists of socialization, training, activity, and responsibility tasks. These tasks are taught in a basic training class held by a certified CGC evaluator. All of these tasks are focused on helping the new puppy owner get started with things such as housebreaking and very basic obedience.

Any dog, graduate of the S.T.A.R. program or not, can take part in the CGC program. Training for the CGC consists of slightly more advanced obedience, such as staying in place after sitting or walking through crowds of people without anxiety. Many dog owners take part in an obedience course that is focused on training your dog to pass the ten exercises that are on the CGC test. Once your dog is ready, the two of you can take part in the formal CGC test, which is often available through local training clubs or which may be held at dog shows.

In order to test for your CGC, your dog must be wearing a flat buckle collar and be on a six-foot leash. In addition, you must bring a brush or a comb, whichever the dog is usually groomed with, for test number three. Prior to testing, you will need to show proof that your dog has been vaccinated against rabies and sign the Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge. In order to receive the CGC award, your dog will have to pass these ten tests:

1. Accept a friendly stranger
2. Sitting (or standing) politely for petting
3. Appearance and grooming
4. Walking on a loose lead
5. Walking through a crowd
6. Sit and down, the stay in place
7. Come when called
8. Reaction to another dog
9. Reaction to distraction
10. Supervised separation

These tests are intended to challenge your dog in terms of obedience; however, they also enable the CGC evaluator to determine the stability of your dog’s temperament. With the exception of tests number three and ten, all tests require some form of obedience. All of them, however are designed to determine the stability of his or her temperament.

Dogs that pass the CGC are less likely to cause difficulty at home and, for that reason, are less likely to end up in shelters. In addition, dogs that have passed their CGC have the skills to accompany their owners in public, proudly trotting at the end of their leashes, acting as ambassadors for their kind. So why not give your dog the chance to be a canine ambassador? It’s never too late to start training!

My Rocky look like Canine Good Citizen! He like joining with golden Retriever.

By: Ron Ayalon | Picture: By Me

Ready the stand-stay position for start the game.

Beginning run together with your dog give the jumping command, which may be  “Jump!” or “Over!” Follow with hand signal point to the jump.

He can do a proper finish to end, After he is sitting in front, pat him, then complete the exercise by having him a reward. Do not give just a piece of treat, need give many to him.

Thanks Sharon gave more information and teach a dogs to run faster through course with Rocky, Ricky and Rusty.

 

By Me | Picture By Me

Let me show you how easy DIY the simple agility bar jump.

The PVC three way connector center need cut 50% as picture. It use for hold the pipe bar.

Take a rest have a coke. It’s almost done. I done the agility bar jump for 5 sets.

Testing by Rusty, my Black Miniature Schnauzer.

Thanks to my friend Sue, Cindy gave more information how to do this Bar Jump. Thanks to Clean Run Magazine for more information. Special Thanks to CKLOH for rent the workshop for an hour to me.

By Sharon | Picture By Me