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Basic Dog Obedience Skills at AthleticDogs.com
Obedience Basic Skills
There are a few basic obedience skills your dog will need to master before training for obedience competition. They are:
Sit
Sit is not technically an obedience command, but is an integral part of most other exercises. The dog must sit any time the handler stops during the heeling exercise and at the end of most other exercises.
Down
The down position is also used extensively throughout obedience exercises.
Stay
Obedience dogs should be able to sit and stay for at least a short period of time in order to build on that skill for the various obedience exercises.
Come
Dogs who are already in the habit of coming when called will be better prepared to master the correct recall exercises.
Heel
Teaching your dog to heel is essential. Heeling is when the dog remains by your side (on the left) at all times, or until commanded to do otherwise. When you walk, the dog stays aligned with you whether you speed up or slow down. When you stop, the dog should stop as well (preferably in sit position). Not only is learning to heel a foundational skill for an obedience dog, it also makes walking the dog much easier!
Finish
Following nearly every obedience exercise, the dog is expected to finish, or return to the heel position to the left side of the handler. This is typically a straight sit position to the left because the handler is usually standing still.
Attention
While not technically an obedience skill in itself, it is a good idea to train your dog to keep his or her eyes on you at the appropriate times (when you are giving commands, when you call for the dog).
Check out obedience training aids and products at
the AthleticDogs.com store!
