Help with AKC/UKC Competition Obedience Please - Page 1

Hello Everyone!

I am looking for some advice on obtaining books or videos geared towards AKC or UKC Obedience training, is there a difference between these two groups in competition? I want something that's related to the competition angle of training so I start out on the right track.

Any suggestions book title/author or name of videos please.

I've just exhausted myself trying to find a Schutzhund group in my area. I want to do some things that are related to fun yet train the obedient dog.

I look forward to any and all help to help me achieve this goal. I'm 24 years old and have worked mostly with dogs trained in the German method and just don't know anything about the AKC or UKC which is offered more in my area, I need help please.

Thanks A Bunch!

Arrakis

One of the only things that I know is different between AKC and UKC obedience is that in UKC when you do your recall, it's over a jump.  The jump height is determined by your dogs height.  In AKC you do a plain recall to you and the dog comes to you and does a sit in front.  I have done AKC fun matches with my dogs, but have competed in UKC obedience trials.  Two of my dogs have legs on them, but I have since then only done conformation because I find it more fun than the obedience.  Less stressful too!  After Chaos gets his grand, I may start up the obedience again to see what we can do with that.  But the obedience messes a dog up in the ring when you are showing them.  I want him to run out in front of me in the ring, but because he has done so much obedience, he feels he needs to run more beside me.  I'm hoping I can get him out of that.  You can go onto the UKC site and they might have some book ideas on there for you.  Don't know about the AKC though.  Good luck with what ever you do with it though.  www.ukc.dogs.com  

Another avenue you may consider with AKC is Rally Obedience, much more fun and upbeat for both you and the dog!  You can learn more about it on the AKC's website www.akc.org  Not really familiar with books or videos, good luck with your search!

Thanks Shepherd Woman for the information and the link.

As for conformation, umm... Although my grey dogs are beautiful to me... I think that there would be a lot of "turned up" noses if we stepped into a conformation ring.

Tee-hee

Where are you from Arrakis?

I've done several CDs, took my Aila to a UD (the year she got her CDX she was in the top #20 GSDs in Open A), and just got a perfect 100 and a 1st place in rally this weekend Chicago...feel free to pm me w any questions.

I know a great video/book..can't remember the title, I'll have to get back to you on it.

KCzaja, congratulations on all those titles and placements on your dog; that's outstanding and gives the dog world a great impression of the breed. So many in other breeds think all GSD's are shy hock walkers. I love obedience; taught  a little, judged at some matches and used to participate in it years ago. If Blitz had a different tremperament, I would have tried agility ond rally with him, my plans when I bought him. He's very athletic and energetic and I think he'd have done well.

Anyone who thinks AKC advanced OB titles are easy should try it one day. It is not easy to take a dog to a CDX or a UD or a rally or agility title. 

Arrikas, I always liked Win Strickland's OB book, I've forgotten the name right now. Win does not not advocate using food in training, so you would not like her version if you believe in treating your dog with food when he performs correctly.  Try to find a good class with a trainer who shows or has showed or judged in OB. You'll want someone who can show you all the little nuances that will help you and your dog work as one and earn the best scores  you can. Good luck and have fun.

One of the most important books you can get is the AKC obedience rule book.  I'm sure UKC has one that's similar.  I always carry it with me to competitions.  If you decided to do AKC Rally, it's important to get a complete set of the signs.  AKC Rally had a bunch of rule changes this year and you have to be sure they are sending you the most up-to-date versions when you order the books.   You'd be surprised at how many times there's an error on the Rally course set up by the judge.   It could mean the difference in your dog qualifing or not.

J&J dog supplies www.jjdog.com has several good books on training for AKC/UKC style obedience. 

Good luck and have fun.

Melissa

I did a ton of AKC and UKC obedience before I got into Schutzhund (through a AKC UDX with some OTCH points and a UKC UD).  The best way to learn more about it is to go to some trials... watch, learn, ASK questions!! Do this before you enter for the first time so that you have a better idea of what to expect.  Also, read the rules!! Don't just glance through them, but actually read them.  See if there is an AKC obedience club in your area.  Join it and take a class.  Find some fun matches/correction clinics and go to them for good practice.