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Training classes

Conformation

FSCKC holds occasional conformation classes in the Flower Building at the Preble County Fairgrounds. The first conformation classes this year will be held at noon on March 8 and March 22. There is no cost and there will be no instructor;
participants will take turns acting as the ring judge.

Basic obedience

Dates: Call (937) 456-4724 or e-mail pdane@flowdry.com for dates and times

We offer basic obedience classes three times a year on Saturday mornings. Classes are nine weeks long. Fall and winter sessions take place in the heated Flower Building at the Preble County Fairgrounds; spring classes are usually held outdoors at the Fairgrounds on St. Rt. 122 south of Eaton.

FSCKC instructors teach owners to train their dogs to become well-behaved companions. We emphasize walking on leash without pulling, interacting with other dogs in a non-threatening manner, coming when called, and responding to basic commands such as sit and down. The classes culminate with the administration of the AKC Canine Good Citizen test. Dogs that pass are eligible for AKC certificates and tags. We also offer advanced training during some sessions.

Cost of classes is $65 which includes a collar and leash. Dogs adopted from the Preble County Humane Society are accepted at half-price. The CGC test is given the last Saturday of each session. Dogs not enrolled in classes are welcome to take the test for $10.

"Canine Dr. Phil" Dane is our director of training. To register for classes, receive additional information, or training advice contact Phil at (937) 456-4724 or pdane@flowdry.com. Phil has been helping owners train their dogs in the Dayton area since 1984.

WHAT MAKES A CANINE GOOD CITIZEN?

The Canine Good Citizen test consists of the following exercises.

  1. Accept a friendly stranger. The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach and shake hands with his handler with no show of resentment or shyness.
  2. Sit politely for petting. The dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach and pat it while out on a walk with its owner.
  3. Appearance and grooming. The dog will welcome being groomed and examined by a stranger.
  4. Out for a walk. The dog will walk with its owner on a loose leash with no pulling or dragging. The dog does not have to "heel" nor must it sit when the handler stops.
  5. Walk through a crowd. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people. The dog behaves politely without appearing overly excited, shy, or resentful.
  6. Sit and down on command/staying in place. The dog will respond to the handler's command to sit and down, and will remain in the place when commanded by the handler.
  7. Come when called. This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog.
  8. Reaction to another dog. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other and handlers shake hands in a friendly greeting. The dogs should show no more than a casual interest in each other.
  9. Reactions to distractions. This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations, such as the dropping of a metallic object or a jogger running in front of the dog.
  10. Supervised separation. The owner will go out of sight for 3 minutes while the dog is held on leash by a stranger. The dog will behave mannerly and show nothing stronger than mild agitation or nervousness.

All dogs - purebred and mixes - are eligible to take the test. Those that pass all ten items can receive certificates and tags from the American Kennel Club.

 

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