An Obedient Dog Is a Happy Dog: Train Your Dog to Show Quality in Just 8 Weeks

By D.A. Wilson

TRAIN YOUR DOG TO BE A MARINE! Not really. It takes 12 weeks of boot camp to become a marine and it takes twelve years to graduate from high school, but you can train your dog to show quality in just 8 weeks.

Following the instructions offered in this book can result in you and your four legged companion becoming perfect neighbors and the talk of the neighborhood.

Nothing compares with winning Best Of Show or even on of many lessor awards and there is so much pride realized when you and your dog have completed the program.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468556353

D.A. Wilson

Many years ago, I trained a border collie by the name of Rowdy and showed him in AKC obedience trials. His success was overwhelming to the point that our local AKC kennel club changed their rules, eliminating unregistered dogs from competition. In fact, there was so much resentment that Rowdy was out performing registered dogs that the Michigan State AKC Kennel Club followed suit and refused to allow unregistered dogs to compete in their obedience trials. Rowdy was the first dog that I knew of that repetedly earned perfect scores of 200, including 2 trials that were performed outdoors, where various distractions effected the performance of most contenders. Due to Rowdy being disqualified from competition, I set out to offer my training methods to anyone who had a dog and numerous students went on to successfully competing in local competition. After many years of sitting on my hands, I have decided to publish my training methods and help others to develop obedient and happy companions. I am now retired and live in Sunnyvale, California with my wife of 52 years and where I work part time as a security officer. My one daughter, son in law and 3 grandchildren live nearby and serve to fulfill my life.

Book preview

Contents

AN OBEDIENT DOG

IS A HAPPY DOG

INTRODUCTION TO TRAINING

DISCIPLINE

GETTING STARTED

WEEK ONE

WEEK TWO

WEEK THREE

WEEK FOUR

WEEK FIVE

WEEK SIX

WEEK SEVEN

WEEK EIGHT

This book is intended to assist a dog owner to teach his or her dog basic obedience with a few advanced features over an eight week period. Adhering to the instructions and scheduling in this book will assure any owner or handler that their dog will at least learn basic obedience and possibly reach show dog quality.

If you are participating in a structured obedience class, do not let this material interfere with your instructor’s program.

I wish to acknowledge Megan Price and her dog, Barney for producing the picture representing Rowdy, who could have passed as Barney’s twin brother

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AN OBEDIENT DOG

IS A HAPPY DOG

This work is dedicated to Rowdy, a Border Collie and his sidekick, Cherokee, who was a loving and gentle German Shepherd.

During seven obedience matches, Rowdy placed 4th once, 2nd once and 1st 5 times. Each of his first place finishes resulted from perfect scores of 200 points. Two of his perfect scores were achieved during outdoor matches, which is normally unheard of. His lowest score ever was 196.

Although Cherokee was a well trained and very obedient dog, she was never entered in obedience competition. Due to inattention and improper care on my part, Cherokee died due to heart worms.

Dedication is also made to Cheyenne, my most recent German Shepherd. Cheyenne, like Cherokee was gentle and loving, well behaved and obedient, and was my faithful companion for 12 years. After serving as a cancer research dog for the University of Cincinnati and being completely cured of cancer, Cheyenne had to be put down due to severe, crippling arthritis.

I also dedicate this work to K.C., a black Lab/Rottie mix, who we obtained when she was 1 year old. K.C. was never trained to show quality, but was a sweetheart, who behaved as a lady and returned our love for 3 years. Unfortunately, K.C. developed untreatable cancer and had to be put down at the tender