Basic Obediance Class: what is normally taught?

[BSan]

I just started my 11mth. old pup in a basic obedience class.I have been working with him, and unfortunately missed a few chances at classes that filled up quickly. I think what I had hoped was teaching my pup to heel. We are doing tail wagging game, name game, look, sit, leave it, loose leash walking, sit/stay, down, stand, recalls, sit at side, touch, down/stay, wait, stand/stay.
My pup already does, sit, down, both positions in stay for at least 30 seconds, come, but not great on that, walks pretty well on leash without pulling, and currently working on heel.
He does need to learn to listen with distraction, and it will be good for him to be around other people and dogs, to see how he does with what he knows. I guess I was just surprised that heel was not included. I should have checked before enrolling. Alot of attendants have been together in puppy kindergarten, and perhaps the pups are a bit younger. Is this a normal progression, to get to heel in intermediate class??

 

[IliamnasQuest]

Hi BSan -

A lot of basic training classes don't teach formal heel anymore. I've taught classes for over 15 years now and we used to teach the heel, but found that the vast majority of pet owners didn't really care if their dogs did a formal heel. They just didn't want their dogs to pull them around. So we went to the loose leash walking instead, and left the heeling to those who wanted to come to advanced or competition classes.

But in all honesty, the only difference between walking on a loose leash and heeling is the exact position. If you reinforce for a heel position when practicing the loose leash walking, you're going to get a heel position. If you just reinforce for a loose leash, the dog will wander around a bit more most likely. I actually teach my dogs both. They can wander around at my left - slightly in front or behind or out a bit is fine - as long as they're not pulling. But when I say "heel" then they're to do the formal heeling. Both behaviors have valid uses and it makes no sense to me to not teach both.

Good luck in class! Take advantage of all the distractions - I go to various classes just for the distractions with the girl I'm currently showing. Sometimes I even take her to a class she's way past just because the dogs will be more bouncing around and more distracting! *L* It's good for her. Luckily as an instructor for the dog group, I don't have to pay for classes so it's easy for me to pop in whenever I want.

Melanie and the gang in Alaska

 

[BSan]

Thanks IQuest! That answers alot of questions. Things have changed so much since I had dogs (and myself) attending classes. And yes, I will take advantage of the distraction, and appreciate even more improvement!

 

[CanadianK9]

*Most* of your basic classes will include

- Watch me
- Wait
- Emerg recall
- Sit
- Down
- Stay
- Come
- Lets go
- Stop/Halt
- Heel
- Leave it
- Variations of the above (not in that order)

Some have more, some have less, but from what ive seen thats what most have, differs with trainer and area though.

 

[DanL]

Basic classes are as much for the handler as they are for the dog. Many people do not know how to interact with the dog, how to read it's body language or how your own body language can affect how your dog responds.

In our basic class it was all about teaching loose leash walking, how to turn, sit, down, stay, and recall.