Obedience Clubs or What? - Page 1

Not sure if this is only related to the UK, but quite a lot of Dog Obedience Clubs include other activities such as Agility, Heelwork to Music, Games and Trick Training now.  Wondered why this might be?  Afterall, I don't see Agility Clubs or Gundog Clubs or Ringcraft Clubs including other variations.  If I was interested in Agility, then that is what I would want to concentrate on during my Class, likewise with Obedience, that is what I would want to focus on.

There appears too to be a decline in the levels of training being available. There are even a number of Clubs that only offer Puppy Training. 

I don't believe that people are not interested enough in the subject, so wonder if the actual training is lacking in some way, and being compensated with additional activities to occupy the time?

 

Curious, Vixen

 

 

 

 

 

I think many people are looking for some activity to do with their dog.  Many, most, dog people are not into competition, just a variety of fun things.  Those looking for "specialty" training groups probably have a more focused interest.  I think the emergence of broad range "clubs' or groups is a good thing.  Much better for the owners and dogs than the dogs that sit in a kennel all day only to be put away in their crate at night.....

 

 

Hello Animules,  The problem though is that I am not referring to 'Competition'.  Similarly, people who attend Agility Clubs for instance are not all necessarily competing at Shows are they?  But they are hopefully expecting a good standard of teaching, and presumably want their hour of training to be focussed on their particular interest?  So why are Obedience Clubs digressing?

 

Vixen

 

 

JMO I don't think the clubs are digressing at all.  I am glad to see this diversity.  A lot of people ASSUME that only people who do OB and Agility classes are into it for competition and they feel they won't fit so therefore they don't go.  I don't know about the UK but I do know here entries are slowly dropping.  I feel if there are " fun" classes to get started in, then people might even get interested in competition.  And Tina I certainly agree that it is better to have people take their dogs to these " diverse"  classes rather than having them in a kennel all day or never getting out of the yard........................

ATCOB is an obedience club and that is what we train, not everyone competes but we have enough members working to enter a team to compete in the South West Obedience league.  We also have members who train and compete in other activities (CanniX and Agility) but they attend other clubs for that training.

Our club policy is that we never turn away a GSD and have had to introduce a behaviour/socialising class as most owners only come to us when they have a problem. They are not ready to learn and having them at club can be very distracting for green dogs hence the seperate class. Clubs and their profiles are listed at http://www.obedienceuk.com/ although some are 1 man bands out to just make money some are genuine clubs with members competeing in C.

Shonnag

Surprised to hear that dogs in your Country are mainly housed in kennels all day or left in a yard!  In the UK I should think the majority of dogs live in the home and get out and about quite frequently.  We have a lot of off leash places - in fact it is more unusual to find a notice stating to keep dogs on leash.

I would not object to a Mixed Dog Sport Club (either ideal for someone wanting to try out various Sports with their dog, to find what might interest them most, providing they have appropriate skilled Trainers.  Not simply someone being a "Jack of all Trades, Master of None" !

What I don't understand is why the Mixed Dog Sport is not a separate Club, leaving Obedience Training Clubs to focus on this, like any other specialising group.

In the UK there are not that many Clubs that actually even have an Advanced Group.  Most advertise Puppies, Beginners, Improvers and Intermediate.  So I don't see how anyone would think the Club Members all compete.

I do sadly wonder if the Obedience Clubs and Trainers are not fulfilling the needs of their Members to learn and achieve good control with their dogs, which is very rewarding for Owner and dog.  They perhaps are not progressing in learning about dog management and obedience not just at the Class, but helpful advice for at home too.  This lack of help and progression may be why these Clubs are including other ideas.  Don't see this problem in other specialised dog sports.  So I can only conclude that Obedience Trainers are not helping people to understand how to gain good control and earn the respect of their dogs.  So the members get fed up and disallusioned.  Don't blame them!

 

Vixen

 

Vixen, you are making an assumption regarding dogs being mainly kenneled, that was not the intended meaning.  Some dogs are kenneled and could benefit from more time and activities with their owners.  Even dogs that are mainly "house dogs" could benefit from more activities.  I just hear people too often say since they are not competing, they do not think they would fit into an obedience club, as an example. 

No, Animules, I assumed what you said to be true.  I am sorry that I misunderstood you.  It is good for people and dogs to share an enjoyable and educational activity together - both human and canine profit from learning.

It is a shame that the people you refer to, do not realise that they may well progress to having a far better well-behaved dog, than the Owner and dog who compete - to whatever level. 

 

Vixen

 

 

I have always taken my new pup to training classes, not because I am not able to teach the basics but so my new pup can have new experiences. Prior to moving here, I owned my own business and had too much work and my boys would come with me to the jobs, no time to devote seriously to any club. My point is, now that I am not running a business, I want to get involved in something but I'm afraid I won't "fit" in because I do not know if I would compete or not. Heck I haven't been able to find out if there is good solid club for any type of more intense training. Mostly it kind of feels like a closed clickish world so far and that's not my way. I'm sorry to kind of slip off topic, I guess I was agreeing animules assessment of newcomers to more in depth training. Take care, Jennifer

Hello clee27, Surely 'competing' is not compulsory at these Clubs is it?  Check out some of their Web Sites, and perhaps contact a few that appeal to you.  Having a conversation with the Trainer should give you some idea of what they are like and do.  Then visit a couple to compare.  Watch a Beginners Group as well as a more Advanced Group, in order to hopefully see a good progression.  Observe the Owners and their abilities with their dogs.  Including the Trainer and his/her dog(s) - what are they like?

When you feel confident in your choice, concentrate and work well with your dog, (you are not competing with the other members),  you are learning to share your life with a well-behaved dog .... your dog!

Don't allow anyone who might compete in Shows to intimidate you in any way.  It is not unusual to see a Competition Handler who performs exercises, but has not taught appropriate dog good manners outside of a Ring.   Therefore, it is you who could have a well-behaved and obedient dog - not them.

 

Vixen