If you have already trained your dog on basic
obedience and want to find some training that is more advanced then here are a
few suggestions of advanced training that you and your dog may enjoy. Advanced
training isn't just for people who want to show their dogs it can be for people
who want to have fun with their dogs as well.
One way to get some advanced training for your
dog is by participating in the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. This is a
program sponsored by the American Kennel Club. There are CGC evaluators in most
communities that can help you with the training and administering the task when
your dog is ready.
If you would like to compete with your dog in
AKC obedience competition then seek out a trainer who can teach you the
exercises that are required to compete in an AKC obedience trial. I have found
that training your dog to this level is not only exciting but it's rewarding as
well. Obedience trials are held throughout the country every weekend. Go to
AKC.org and see when one will be in your area so you can see what it s all
about. I really think you will enjoy it.
If you have a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler,
Belgium Malinois or some other working type breed you might be interested in
the sport of Schutzhund. This sport involves 3 different areas of training from
obedience, tracking and of course protection. The actual trials are conducted
all over the U.S. Actually it is a German sport and has been in this country
many years. If you are interested Google "Shutzhund" and watch a
couple of videos, you'll be hooked.
For those dog owners it want something a
little bit calmer you might want to consider getting involved with therapy
dogs. Therapy dogs are used in hospitals, children hospitals and nursing homes
to bring joy to the people who are there. In fact therapy dogs are now used for
other things as well including in reading programs for children and some
therapists actually have therapy dogs in their offices to soothe their
patients.
If you want to get involved with advanced
training just for have a better trained dog or if you are looking for advanced
training so that you and your pet have something to do together, I can assure
you that it will be time well spent. Here is the link to the CGC info http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm
Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior
Specialists, http://www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com in
Nashville, TN where he helps people train their dogs and solve behavior
problems.
We now also offer training and solve behavior
problems online at http://www.TrainMyDogOnline.com.
