Eager to please and quick to learn, some adult dogs become top performers in spite of a late start. Spot may excel at one or more competitive events and love showing off on center stage.
Obedience
The best way for a dog to learn to obey, despite such distractions as strangers and other dogs, is to attend obedience school. Obedience training that’s upbeat and creative will provide a fine outlet for Spot’s enthusiasm and spirit. It will also stimulate his innate intelligence, by making demands on his trainability, memory, and dexterity. When properly presented, obedience will enhance Spot’s inborn desire to please by teaching him exactly how to please you. Best of all, it will educate him in self control without dimming his sparkle.
But what if Spot’s personality doesn’t sparkle because he’s too insecure or shy to express himself? Then obedience training may be especially useful since it gives apprehensive animals exactly what they need—a fool proof way of doing something right and being rewarded for it. If Spot lacks confidence, make progress slowly and reward even his most hesitant efforts to please. When he discovers that every time he sits on command, or walks proudly beside you, he is rewarded with praise, he’ll gradually gain self-assurance. The next reward will be yours. Spot’s hidden sparkle will emerge and you’ll savor its reflection for the rest of his life. That’s exactly what happened when Hugo A. James of Trumbull, Connecticut, brought out the best in his adopted dog, Shadow.
Shadow's Second Start
Hugo James had been looking for the right black Labrador Retriever for several months when a volunteer at Labrador Retriever Rescue of Southern Connecticut told him about one at an animal shelter whose time was running out. At the shelter, Hugo was introduced to a listless, bedraggled three-year-old, the bottom dog in a pen of three. The spiritless dog has been in the shelter three months and Hugo could easily understand why no one had adopted him. But Hugo made an effort anyway. He talked, he walked, he spent time with the dog trying to elicit a response. When everything failed he drove home alone. He wanted a dog, but not this joyless, lifeless creature.
That night Hugo couldn’t sleep. His thoughts kept returning to the sad sack, soon-to-be-euthanized dog. In the morning he returned to the shelter, paid the adoption fee, and named his new dog Shadow. On the way home, Shadow broke a car window, tripling his cost.
Within hours of adoption, it became evident that Shadow did indeed have intelligence. Within days, the dog asked to go potty outdoors with a soft whine at the back door. Within a month, Hugo and Shadow started attending training classes and discovered that obedience exercises were fun for both of them and elevated Shadow’s personality. Within a year, they progressed to showing at local matches. “The thrill of winning a blue ribbon in a Pre-Novice competition at a local match is still with me, Hugo says. “No win has ever been so sweet or so exciting since.’’
Soon Hugo began thinking about entering AKC Obedience Trials so Shadow could earn Obedience titles. But there were two obstacles. One was that Shadow, although obviously a purebred, had no AKC registration papers. The American Kennel Club allows obvious purebreds to compete in obedience (and several other events) provided they meet the requirements for an Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number, so Hugo obtained the forms and read the requirements. Shadow met all but one, and that was the second obstacle. Before dogs are issued an ILP number they must be spayed or neutered.
Hugo admits, "Like many a male pet owner, I had resisted Shadow’s castration, but I knew if I were ever to enter an AKC event, I had to agree to the neutering. Thus, I reluctantly had Shadow neutered. My fears of his getting fat, of losing his spirit, or changing for the worse in some other way were all groundless. As soon as the incision healed Shadow was the same frisky, happy, and well-proportioned dog that he had been. With the neutering accomplished, AKC issued Shadow his ILP number and we were off to the Obedience Trials.”
Well, almost. Actually Shadow was more than obedient enough for a pet, but he wasn’t attentive enough to compete in trials. At a practice match, Hugo was impressed at how well a female Labrador worked and asked her owner where they trained. He was soon introduced to a new instructor and attended a series of classes. The new school’s methods worked so well that within a few months Shadow was ready to compete. When he entered the ring, he did much more than just qualify for titles. In his first two shows alone, he averaged 197 out of a possible 200, and won first place in his class.
“I can’t overemphasize the importance of having the correct teacher for person and dog,” Hugo says. "Our choice changed our lives. Working hard on a regular basis in an effort to attain the highest possible scores is both fun and rewarding.”
Today Shadow has a Companion Dog (CD) and a Companion Dog Excellent (CDX) title and is well on his way to earning the Utility Dog (UD) title. For Hugo, a retired college professor and former administrator, competing in dog events adds a new dimension to his life. Through Shadow, he has become actively involved in a variety of dog activities including stewarding at matches and shows, and serving as his club's Obedience Match Chairman.
Hugo says, “Friends tell me how lucky Shadow is to have found such an ideal home as mine, but I think I’m fortunate in having found such a wonderful dog as Shadow. He has become my steady, constant companion. He rides on my backhoe when I work, picks up and carries the newspaper to the house, plays catch, and loves to ride in the boat and the car. To dwell further on his virtues is unnecessary. My rescue dog Shadow may not be perfect, but he is certainly the best dog I have ever known.”
Attending Training Classes
Obedience classes may be offered by dog clubs or private instructors, and may be advertised in the yellow pages or the newspaper. Shop around to find the best school for you and Spot. Good obedience instructors are not prejudiced against any type of dog, and they do more than just call out commands. They encourage the use of praise and take the time to solve individual problems, offering alternative training methods when necessary.
Spot may revel in the additional attention and praise, prompting you to showcase his talents by competing for Obedience titles. Depending on whether he is a registered purebred or a mixed-bred, you may earn titles through the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), or the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR). With knowledge of Spot’s background, your obedience instructor will guide you to the correct organization. It’s always important to know the rules of the game, so write for a copy of the obedience regulations.
Obedience titles are awarded at three levels of difficulty. While sound dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages are physically capable of earning the Companion Dog title, the advanced titles are more demanding because they include jumping obstacles. You are the best judge of whether or not Spot is a candidate for the rigors of advanced work. While it’s excellent exercise for most dogs, it may be too physically demanding for an oldster.
Whether or not you compete in Obedience Trials, schooling will give Spot direction and stability. Obedience is often called “companion dog training” because it teaches dogs to be responsive partners while teaching handlers how to train and understand their dogs. The result is enhanced companionship. Learning to be attentive to you, to heel smartly by your side, to come immediately when called, and to obey a variety of commands makes Spot a far more responsive pet. Obedience enthusiasts often say, “A trained dog is a happy dog. and they are right. Since trained dogs are such good companions, they get to go along on more outings, are welcome in more places, and generally have fuller lives. Earning an Obedience title is nice, but the ultimate goal of every trainer should be a happily working dog with a trustworthy temperament. Use encouraging methods, combine firmness with fairness, and incorporate fun and games into every practice session, and you will end up with more than a well-trained companion. You and Spot will be partners.
Agility
Agility is the canine version of a challenging obstacle course. Thrilling to participants and spectators, this sport epitomizes the ultimate in exciting teamwork. At Agility trials, dogs sprint up A-frames, crawl through brightly decorated tunnels, stride across balance beams, soar over jumps, and maneuver see-saws. And they do it all at high speed, while taking direction from their handlers. The object of the sport is for the handler to direct the dog through the obstacle course without the dog making a mistake such as touching a jump or missing a weave pole. Scoring is based on faults and time, and the course is never the same twice.
Dogs of all shapes and sizes are capable of earning Agility titles provided they are healthy and physically fit. Big dogs don’t have an advantage over little dogs either. Agility classes are divided into height divisions for judging, so Spot will compete with dogs that are similar to him in size, and the height of the jumps will correlate to the size of the dogs.
An especially good sport for high energy dogs, Agility training will help Spot learn how to be under control and in high spirits at the same time. It will also turn you and Spot into teammates. The best place for you to learn Agility together is at a dog training school or an Agility training club that has all the necessary equipment. Good Agility instructors move ahead slowly and safely, taking each obstacle one step at a time. They are patient, upbeat, and keep the dogs motivated through rewards such as toys, treats, and praise.
Several organizations offer Agility programs where dogs can earn titles for excellence in the sport. For Agility regulations and additional information, contact the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA), the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), or the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR). While dogs must be AKC registered to participate in AKC Agility, non-registered and mixed-breed dogs are welcome in the other three programs.
Curing Kegger
Two-year-old Kegger had a barking problem. Kenneled near a public walkway and starved for human attention, the Brittany barked his hello whenever someone walked by. Naturally the neighbors complained. To keep peace in the neighborhood, Kegger’s owner offered the dog “free to a good home.”
When Michelle Knefelkamp, of Houlton, Wisconsin, heard an adult Brittany was available, she visited the dog with her husband, her toddler son. and their aging Brittany, Bastus. Kegger liked them and they liked him, so they took him home for his second start.
Trouble started immediately. Kegger had seemed so happy during the half hour ride to the Knefelkamp’s rural home that Michelle just knew he'd go from the car to the house with the rest of the family. Wrong. Instead, he dashed off across the countryside. The Knefelkamps searched and called fruitlessly for a long time, then were amazed when the dog’s sensitive nose eventually brought him back. His return wasn’t the only thing that surprised Michelle. “I’m still amazed I made that stupid mistake,” she says. “Kegger only knew me for half an hour and here I thought he’d be gratefully doting on me for his second chance at life.”
Sweet and sociable, but utterly untrained and totally out of control after being confined to a kennel for two years, all Kegger wanted to do was run. The Knefelkamps had him neutered and spent many months on his training. Their effort paid off. Eventually he became a reliable companion, and more.
Today Michelle teaches dog obedience classes and Kegger is her demo-dog; proudly displaying how an educated and trustworthy partner should behave. Besides his outstanding obedience work, he participates in Agility and Flyball. Even more important, he’s always been marvellous with children.
What does Michelle say about Kegger seven years after giving him a second start? “He’s an ideal Brittany; happy, energetic, enthusiastic, and friendly. I know I’ll never have another dog like him. Every dog is unique, but sometimes those who are the most work turn out to be the truest companions.”
Tracking
If Spot is AKC-registered, he’s eligible to earn a variety of American Kennel Club tracking titles through participation in non-competitive tests. The American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR) offers similar tests for mixed-bred dogs.
Tracking combines training with instinct, and results in a dog that is able to follow the path of a person who is minutes or hours ahead of him. The training can be viewed as either good exercise or hard work, but watching your dog learn to use his incredible sense of smell in a beneficial way is both fascinating and fun. Nine and ten-year-old dogs have started this sport as beginners and earned titles. For more information contact AKC or AMBOR.
Dog Shows (Conformation)
The purpose of dog shows is to preserve the best qualities of the breeds. Every breed of dog has its own Standard of excellence. This Standard is a word picture of what constitutes a perfect specimen of that breed. Dogs competing in conformation are registered purebreds, and they are judged on how closely their physical attributes conform to the written Standard. The winner is the dog that, in the judge’s opinion, of those competing that day, comes closest to the faultless animal described in the Standard.
Most dogs destined for the show ring are bred by dedicated breeders and sold as potential show prospects.
The vast majority are acquired as puppies or young adults, but in rare cases a mature show dog may be sold provided the new owner agrees in writing to show it. Don't sign any contracts or make any promises to show a dog until you attend a show or two as a spectator to see if the sport appeals to you. If it does, buy a show catalog and stay awhile. Watching the judging is the best way to learn ring procedure. While procedure may differ slightly under different judges, there will be more similarities than differences, and knowing what to expect will be mighty helpful the first time you compete.
You and your dog will need special training in preparation for conformation competition plus your dog will need grooming and conditioning. Check the yellow pages or newspaper for conformation classes (also called handling classes), or ask your veterinarian if he or she knows where show training is available. Spayed and neutered dogs, blind, deaf, or lame dogs, and male dogs which are missing one or both testicles are not eligible to compete in conformation. For complete show rules, including the point system by which dogs earn conformation championships, write to the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
While show dogs in their prime competitive and breeding years are seldom sold as pets, retired show dogs sometimes become available because their owners may need room for the next generation and want to retire the older dog to a loving home. It’s showing days may be over, but the benefits an ex-show dog gained from performing in the show ring linger forever, and make it an engaging companion. Crate-trained, super-socialized, a placid traveler, and a confident companion, a retired show dog is usually a pleasure to have as a pet. And if your Spot or Spotss is a retired champion, you may want to learn a bit about dog shows and participate in a national Specialty. Your pet could strut his stuff in the Parade of Champions or even compete in the Veterans Class when he is old enough (even if he or she is neutered or spayed).
