How Does Basic Obedience Work

seHow does basic obedience work?


 Well, first, it takes a commitment to your dog and family to do what it takes to make it work.  It's not magic, it is work.


Second, you need to understand who you've hired, what their philosophy is, what protocols will be put in place and be comfortable following thru.  If you aren't comfortable following thru and, with some research into it still feel that way, then it might be best to look for a trainer who's philosophy more aligns with yours.  Everyone needs to be on the same page for it to work.  This is not to say one trainer is right and another is wrong but a matter of which one is right for you.


Third,  you have to understand that it starts with baby steps, in the very beginning, at the simplest point in order to capture and keep the dog's attention, establish communication and trust.  Each following behavior is added in a specific order so that it reinforces the previous behavior while adding the new behavior.  Each step has to be climbed in order to get to the landing.  You can't skip a step without losing progress.    And sometimes, if we move too fast, we go backwards a little bit to make sure we don't leave anyone behind.

As the behaviors come together, working with each other, and the dog learns when to provide these different behaviors we have success.  We have a well mannered dog that knows how to listen, what to provide and can continue to learn new, even more exciting, behaviors. 

Above you see Henley.  Henley has learned his basics thru AKC STAR Puppy and CGC classes.  He can provide these basics in different environments with different distractions.  But it all started with the first step.  Each behavior leads to the next behavior. Your commitment to the training to follow thru.  It's not magic,  it's work.  And a sense of accomplishment when you get the end.