HULA DOGS: TRAINING SCHOOL

Kaiser's Training Diary

by Karina Collins

Kaiser recently passed his Kennel Club Bronze Good Citizen Award So after a weekends rest he is now in training for his Silver & Gold Good Citizen Award.

WEEK ONE

We practiced lead walking to heel and Kaiser’s ability to walk past all sorts of new people and dogs under control & whilst listening to his handler when asked to leave & walk on.

We practiced Kaisers road walking and his ability to walk across roads in a controlled manner. Kaiser had to cross from between parked cars and in open spaces but at all times Kaiser had to sit and wait as the roadside when asked and was allowed to cross the road after hearing the follow me command.

We practiced the wait and stay command with all the other dogs standing around in a semi circle. This tests whether the dog will return to its handler and succumb to the distraction of the other dogs, sights and smells!

Our first silver/gold class was a resounding success and the dogs were rewarded with an off lead play at the end of the lesson. Angela our trainer seemed very pleased with Kaiser and after all his hard work Kaiser returned to the sanctuary exhausted. Since the first class we have continued practising the tasks that we learnt at the first class and we have also continued to work with Kaiser concentrating on his continued socialisation & helping him gain confidence in meeting new people.

WEEK TWO

For this week's class we began by continuing to practice the road walking that we started last week. Kaiser had to pass many people and objects under control and whilst listening to his handler. This is particularly difficult for Kaiser as he can be very wary of new people. However Kaiser is improving, we walked passed several children and horses and dogs not associated with our group – with no problem what so ever.

I often use the ‘look at me command with Kaiser’ this help Kaiser to look at me and maintain eye contact which enables him to then forget about the issue that is troubling him and re focus on his handler and let me make the decisions for him. We spent a lot of time working with the dogs and ensuring that they returned to us when called and not be distracted by the others dogs.

Angela then explained ‘stop the dog’ to us. This is the exercise whereby you leave the dog in a controlled stay or wait and then walk quite a distance away whilst ensuring that the dog remains still. You then ask you dog to return to you but when it reaches half way you ask your dog to stop using the command that you have taught the dog. In Kaisers case we use the term ‘down’. This exercise tests the dog and is really useful in that once the dog has mastered this you can use it if you need to control a situation whereby a dog is approaching or a hazard is ahead.

Once again I am pleased to say that Kaiser did very well, he is a happy and engaging lad who is always willing and keen to learn.

Kaiser really enjoyed his off lead play and run-around with all the other dogs in class. He particularly enjoys being chased and one again returned to HULA exhausted.