Obedience – Schmobedience… Why Bother?

I went to the first night of the fall obedience classes at the Paducah Kennel Club. It got me all philosophical, and if you’ll humor me, I’ll share some thoughts with y’all here.

Why take an obedience class with your dog? Oh holy hounds! The reasons are as numerous as the gifts your dog will give you if you let her. The No. 1 cause of dogs being surrendered to shelters is “behavior issues.”

Arrrgh!

Dog folks just shudder: this is such an easy fix! Whether we know it or not, we train our dogs with every interaction. Some very easy education of the human part of the equation can make a huge difference in the dog/human relationship.

The Kennel Club obedience classes have always been taught by volunteers. I asked head instructor, Debbie Cavitt, why she invests so much of her time and energy into teaching the basics to local pet owners.

“Oh, goodness,” Debbie says. “It is so rewarding. People come the first night, and maybe they’re frustrated with their dog, or embarrassed, or just worried. And by the end of the sessions they are proud of their dog, and of themselves. It’s great.”

Volunteer Sally Moore adds, “You see a closer relationship develop. People get a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of their dog. What is better than that?”

Obedience Chair Virginia Manchester adds, “People are surprised by just what their dogs can do! I think in just about every class we’ve ended up with someone who has gone on with their training so that they can compete in AKC events.”

All dogs and people benefit from basic training, but there are some common sense issues to consider when you pick a class. There should be room. Dogs should not be crowded, and there should be plenty of space for heeling and recall (calling the dog to you) exercises.

The instructors should have real credentials. They should have personally handled dogs to titles in AKC obedience events. The training techniques should be positive and happy. The pace should be appropriate and individualized. It might seem a little slow at first to you, but your dog is getting used to an entirely new situation.

Case in point: Precious. Precious is now in a great home. But. Her original owner thought it would be a good idea to duct tape her mouth shut and cut off her ears with kitchen scissors. (There were a number of mutters of a fervent desire to cut off that person’s ears – or other parts – among the folks gathered.)

Precious spent the first class simply being patted and fed treats by the instructors. Volunteer Judy Johnson spent time convincing the little dog that she was safe in this scary new environment. It worked. Judy earned a tentative little wag of Precious’ tail.

To have asked more of the frightened soul would have been a crime.

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