OBEDIENCE
Australian Shepherds are extremely intelligent and active dogs, sometimes even out-smarting their owners (though the owner may not admit to this). It is highly recommended to take your Aussie to obedience classes, even if you already have prior experience training a dog. Obedience classes offer you the opportunity to socialize your dog in a controlled environment, as well as the opportunity to gain some new techniques; a well trained dog is a happy dog. There are almost as many different approaches to training a dog as there are breeds, find an instructor who's methods you respect and approve, and will work for your individual dog. Ask your veterinarian or other dog owners at your local dog park for the name of instructors in your neighborhood. Interview the trainer and ask if you can sit in on a class; remember classes should be fun, if you are not enjoying it your dog probably isn't either.
Australian Shepherds excel at basic obedience and should be enrolled in advanced classes or more appropriately dog sports, such as agility, competition obedience, rally or herding. You may decide to take the challenge of obedience competitions, CKC, AKC and ASCA all offer obedience titles to registered dogs. In Canada the first title you can achieve is a CD (Companion Dog) the dog and handler must pass 3 novice trials, which include healing on leash & figure 8, stand for examination, heel free (off leash), recall (come), long sit (1 min.), long down (3 min.). This may sound easy, but it takes many hours of practice to obtain this title. |
