Training Camp: Basic Obedience

Sporting Dog Committee Members:
Avery Pro Staffers Tony Vandemore and Joe Williams
Date: 7/17/06
Products Used:
Avery® Pro Trainer's Bag, Avery® Camo Dog Lead, Standard choke collar, Avery® Heeling Stick, E-collar (not turned on) or dummy e-collar, 30' check cord.

Factors: None apply

Training Process
This process is usually started with dogs between 5 and 7 months old. However, it can be done with older age dogs, and should be reviewed often to insure good manners at home, in the field, and during testing situations. This is also the required training used before implementing the electric collar conditioning process.

The obedience training should start as yard work and then repeated in various locations to teach the dog that it is required to obey regardless of the location and or distractions. Start out on your lawn or a place with short grass and no cover. Also try to do this on flat terrain to avoid any contour factors having effect on the pup.

Heel
Start the process by teaching the heel command with the dog on the leash and the choke collar. Walking along without giving any verbal commands, we want to show the pup that next to you is the place they need to be. As you walk the pup will start to stray away from, or ahead of you. When this opportunity presents itself make a sharp turn and use the choke collar to "jerkÓ the dog back to your side. Still without providing any verbal "heelÓ command. Each time the dog strays from the heel position, repeat turning away from the dog and "jerkingÓ them back to the heel position. If the dog is lagging behind increase your pace and give short sharp "jerksÓ with the lead and choke collar to force them to keep up. Soon the pup will learn that the place with no discomfort is next to your thigh. Once the dog appears to be watching for your turns it is time to give the heel command and praise the dog for complying.

This process should take a couple sessions and soon the pup will know when they are on lead and the heel command is given they are expected to remain at your side.

Sit
Once the pup has a basic understanding of the heel command we will start to enforce the sit command. This is done in conjunction with the heeling drills when we come to a stop by simply pulling up on the choke collar to apply slight pressure while we use our free hand to press their butt to the ground, while giving the verbal sit command. The exact second the dog's hind end hits the ground we release the pressure that is being applied with the choke collar. This is yet another step in teaching that obeying us stops any pressure or discomfort. If the dog decides to get up with out being released, then re-apply the pressure with the choke collar and press their butt back to the sitting position. This is repeated until the dog understands it is to sit until released. In the beginning do not attempt to make the dog sit for extended periods of time. Start with short intervals and use the opportunity to repeat the command often. Once the dog is sitting on command with little or no pressure on the choke collar its time to increase the duration in which you require them to remain there.

Once you have the dog sitting and waiting until released its time to start backing away from the dog and requiring them to remain in the sitting position. This will take a little longer because we have trained the dog to stay at our side and they may try to follow.

As you step away, if the dog attempts to follow, go back and apply the pressure with the choke collar and repeat the sit command. This process should be repeated until the dog allows you to walk a reasonable distance away from them and back with out leaving the sitting position. This entire process is done while maintaining control of the pup with the leash or check cord in our hand at all times.

Here
We are now ready to teach the here command. This is simply done by walking along with the dog at heel and placing them in a sitting position, walking out in front of the dog, once you give the here command "jerkÓ the dog to you with the choke collar and lead. Once the dog comes to you have them sit and repeat the process.

Be careful not to be too eager in calling the dog to you. If the dog attempt to come to you prior to your giving the hear command walk back to them and enforce the sit command. Repeat this process as often as it takes in order to teach the dog to respond to various commands consistently and without correction.

Be sure as the dog progresses to mix up the order of your commands and enforce all of them. Don't allow the dog's sit or heel command to slip while teaching the here command and vice versa. Gradually increase the distance (always keeping the dog under control with the 30' check cord not allowing them to run off or not obey) until you are able to change directions and speeds at heel, make them sit and remain there, and come to you on command.

Conclusion
Once completed you should have a pup that is competent with all three commands in any order and remains compliant with each while on the leash or check cord. It is very important not to rush through this process because it is the foundation for everything that follows in the dog's future training. Take as much time as needed to insure a clear understanding of all three commands, and is able to comply with out excessive use of the choke collar or constant verbal repetition of the commands. Also be sure to not confuse the dog by giving too many commands in a short period of time. Its important that the dog has the understanding of what you are asking before any attempt to add additional commands and complicate the process.

As always Avery's Pro Staff Sporting Dog Committee welcomes questions and problems that occur through this training process. We are here to discuss and clarify in an attempt to help you become a more informed trainer and help you have a safe and enjoyable time in the field with your hunting companion.

Avery Pro Staff Sporting Dog Committee.