Canine Initiative Training’s
Obedience/Rally Training Club
The following information is slightly out of date. Updates coming soon! Please reach out for more information: info.canineinitiative@gmail.com
Who?
The club is open to anyone with specific obedience-related competitive goals, as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about obedience sports in order to see if it is something they’re interested in competing in with their dog(s). This may include AKC, UKC, or other venues of Obedience or Rally-Obedience competition, or other sports that include an obedience element, such as IGP, Ring Sports, etc. Members’ goals may change as training progresses, but since the club will be focusing on competitive-level obedience training, members should have plans to get into the ring at some point, and should be training towards those goals. For members who are new to the sport, we just ask that you are committed to learning!
Membership Requirements:
Have specific competition goals to work towards,* OR (if new to competitive obedience), be committed to learning about competitive obedience sports
* See list of example goals below if you need help brainstorming goals for your dog!
Preferably, commit to regular attendance (as much as possible)
More experienced members: watch others and share thoughts, ideas, tips, and encouragement
Less experienced members: watch others, ask questions about what members are doing and why, and be open to learning via watching, listening, discussing, and also through assisting other members
Everyone: ask questions when they have them, engage in dialogue about training, and be open to hearing others’ suggestions. (Experienced trainers can learn from less experienced people, too!)
Help with any set up or clean up necessary, assist other club members who may need extra hands to work towards their goals
Come prepared with the correct equipment for your dog and your goals - this may include appropriate training collars, leash(es), appropriate food and/or toy rewards, appropriate training attire, training vest or treat bag if needed, dumbbells, gloves, and articles for Open/Utility practice, etc.
Be respectful of other members and their dogs, and be open-minded about methodology and training tools
Support each other!
Additional membership requirements may be added or requirements may be adjusted in the future, depending on how the club develops. Dues may be added at some point, if the club expands and needs to purchase equipment or resources to keep the club functioning.
The goal is to have a group of like-minded individuals who are looking to achieve success in competitive venues through training that is motivational, clear, and fair.
What?
This “club” is modeled after the protection sport clubs that I have been able to be a part of. It is intended as a training group where members can support each other and learn from each other while working together towards obedience training goals. The club is not intended to be in competition in any way with our local dog training clubs.
There are no current plans to turn this into an official club through AKC, UKC, or any of the protection sports, or to host events, etc.
Where?
The club will, by default, meet at Canine Initiative Training in Tremont. Most frequently, we will probably be using the air conditioned / heated building, or we may train outside, depending on the weather, members’ training goals, etc.
Training may also, on occasion, be arranged in other locations, such as local parks, fields, or pet friendly stores - again, depending on weather, club members’ training goals, and what other locations are available.
If/when training is happening outside or off-site, please be sure to bring anything you need to keep yourself and your dog comfortable. This may include: chairs, shade screens and fans for your vehicle, water if water isn’t available on site, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
When?
The club will meet approximately once a week on weekends (working around show schedules). We are currently meeting on Sunday afternoons, and train for usually a few hours. Our Facebook group is used to keep members up to date on any changes to the training schedule, location, etc., or any additional training opportunities, and also to provide a place to ask questions and stay connected during the week in between club training days.
Why?
To create a place where like-minded individuals with common goals can train together towards those goals.
To help each other improve their own training skills and their dog’s performance through input from others.
To provide accountability, in order to help members stay on track towards their goals.
To create a supportive atmosphere where members can work together to help each other solve problems or troubleshoot issues in their training.
To provide a place where people new to competitive obedience can learn about the sport and grow.
To provide a place where experienced trainers and competitors can receive advice and feedback from others in an atmosphere of collaboration rather than competition.
To provide a place where members can, with the help of other members, practice the things that are hard to practice on their own - anything from restrained recalls with young dogs, to practicing with human figure 8 posts, to helping set out gloves or articles or simply having another person around mimicking the presence of a judge.
How?
At each training day, club members will be responsible for having specific obedience-related goals or exercises that they want to work on, problems they want to work through, etc. Each team will get their turn to practice in the training area - depending on how many dogs we have, everyone may get anywhere from 1-3 training sessions.
Teams who are in more advanced levels or are preparing to trial will most likely get longer turns than teams who are just starting out or have young puppies, because their dogs have more experience and the ability to focus longer, and the things they need to practice often take longer. (Less experienced teams whose dogs are not ready for longer sessions should keep in mind that many times in training, less is more.)
Less experienced members are always welcome to ask more experienced members for input or advice on what to work on, how to go about reaching their goals, or how to solve a problem they’re experiencing, but are also responsible for learning through watching others, and should be actively engaged with their dog’s training progression and working to develop a training plan for their dog, not solely relying on others telling them what to do.
For example:
DO ASK: “Do you have tips on how to get more focus from my dog?”
DO ASK: “I have a young puppy and am new to competitive obedience. What do you think I should prioritize teaching first?”
DO ASK: “I need to start teaching a retrieve, but I’m not sure where to start.”
DO ASK: “I’m working on straight sits with my dog. Can you help me watch when he’s straight, and jump in with any advice if you think I could improve my handling?”
DO ASK: “My dog is feeling a little off today. If it were you, would you work on the obedience we normally work on, or should I just work on focus and play today?”
DO ASK: “We’ve been working on our stays this week and I think we’re making progress. Can you watch what we’re doing and give me advice about what I should do next?”
DO NOT ASK: “What should I do with my dog today?”
JOIN THE CLUB
