Rambo doing an advanced heelwork position
Rambo doing slow pace
SIGSL offers obedience training from the very basic manners necessary for life in the average kiwi household, to competitive obedience at all levels.
We are constantly exploring ways to improve the quality and range of training we offer to members. We have recently introduced the concept of contracting external instructors to take specific classes as the need arises. This has the advantage of bringing in new ideas and expertise to the club and presents an ideal training opportunity for our small band of dedicated instructors.
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Rambo doing an advanced heelwork position |
Rambo doing slow pace |
Obedience at SIGSL starts with the Domestic class, and dogs and their handler’s progress from this class to obedience, agility or show training classes, depending on where their specific interest lies.
In the domestic class we cover the four basic commands which are sit, down, come and wait which are all very important commands to teach your puppy to gain control and have a well mannered puppy out in the public. Other areas that are covered throughout the course are toilet training, chewing, not jumping, separation anxiety, digging and of course the most important “how to be a leader” to your puppy. There are four very basic ways in doing this. Food, Leading the Pack from the Territory, Security and leaving your dog.
1) Food — As the pack leader, you should eat first then your dog. Make sure that your dog sits and waits while putting the bowl down. Always give a release command before you let the dog start to eat.
2) Leading the Pack from the Territory — As the pack leader when going for a walk you must lead the puppy / dog not the other way round. To do this you need to be able get your puppy / dog to heel at your side on a loose lead, which you can be taught at the club.
3) Security — As the pack leader you must decide who is and isn’t coming onto your territory i.e. your property. This can be done if your dog is barking at someone at the front door you can say “good dog”, then call it into another room or send to a mat while you let the person into your house, let the dog back into the room to investigate the person for a minute or two then make it lie down.
4) Leaving your dog — As the pack leader you have the right to come and go as you please, be it from your property, car, or leaving your dog eg outside a shop. Do not make a fuss over the dog before leaving it or on returning home, ignore for 10 to 15 minutes. This does a couple of things, first it exerts you as pack leader and secondly it aids in helping a dog to not get separation anxiety which is very common in German Shepherds.
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River doing Novice heelwork |
The puppy agility is a very popular choice, however many handlers opt to continue with their obedience training in conjunction with agility.
At this stage they are introduced to competitive obedience exercises such as heel work, recalls and stays as well as puppy versions of some of the more advanced exercises such as sendaways and scent discrimination.
The more advanced obedience classes progress this training and introduce the handlers and dogs to formal obedience, correct footwork, working in the ring, and eventually to competition, with the instructors on hand to help with warm ups, protocol and of course those competition nerves!!
SIGSL also participates in Match Days with other clubs, which again offers our upcoming obedience and agility handlers a chance to compete, meet and mix with other dog handlers at a similar stage in their training.
And for those who decide competitive obedience is for them, the instructors who are competing regularly are only too keen to introduce them to ‘the circuit’ which encompasses from Invercargill in the south, to Nelson and Blenheim in the north and is a very social and enjoyable sport.
We are gradually seeing a resurgence of numbers of German Shepherds at obedience competitions and it is very encouraging to see them featuring in the line ups also. We look forward to introducing more German Shepherds and their owners to obedience and offer support and encouragement to those who want to participate.
Club Address: South Island German Shepherd League P.O. Box 2133 Christchurch
Club Captain's
Cell: 027 476 6747
E-Mail: info@sigsl.org.nz
