BASIC OBEDIENCE INFORMATION SHEET

Basic Obedience is the perfect class for the first time dog owner, or for the experienced dog person who wants to bond with a new puppy.  Dogs of any age may attend Basic Obedience.  Keystone Canine Club does require that all dogs in the class have completed their initial set of puppy vaccinations and are up to date on any additional shots and wormings.  Since most puppies receive their Rabies shot and final Parvo/Distemper booster at 12 weeks, this is the youngest age at which a dog could participate in class.  A large percentage of Basic Obedience dogs are between 16 weeks and 1 year of age.

Basic Obedience classes at Keystone Canine are taught using positive reinforcement.  The days of muzzle-smacking and constant pops with a choke chain are long gone.  Studies have shown that dogs (and humans!) learn more quickly in a positive, encouraging environment.  Keystone Canine classes teach the handler to reward the dog, verbally and physically, whenever a desired behavior is performed.  This gives the dog incentive to perform the behavior again.  Negative reinforcement is given only when necessary to stop the dog from performing a harmful or destructive behavior.  Reprimands consist of gentle pressure, a firm "No," or a quick tug on the leash - never physical violence or intimidation.

The first Basic Obedience class session is an orientation.  Students and their dogs meet the instructors and each other.  Each dog's breed, background and situation are examined and the class curriculum is explained.  Each of Keystone Canine Club's instructors has a personal teaching style, so no 2 classes are identical.  However, each Basic Obedience course covers these topics in some order:

	Orientation; Marker Word
	Nutrition; Watch/Attention; Sit; Down; With Me
	Free; Walk on a Loose Lead; Drop It/Give
	Heel; Sit Stay; Down Stay; Stand; Restrained Recall
	Heel (cont'd); About Turn; Left About Turn; Leave It
	Heel (cont'd); Automatic Sit; Front on Recall; Turns
	Heel (cont'd); Turns; Finish; Recall with Finish; Graduation

At any point during the 7 weeks of class sessions, students are welcome to ask the instructors about any behavioral problems (jumping, chewing, barking, digging...) they are having with their dogs.

To make classes less confusing for everyone involved, Keystone Canine Club requires that only ONE handler at a time be on the training floor with the dog.  This handler should be at least twelve (12) years of age and should be someone who has a sincere interest and excitement in wanting to work with the dog.  The handler should wear comfortable shoes with good traction and clothes that are okay to get dirty or sweaty.  The dog should have on a regular buckle collar that fits properly.  Keystone Canine instructors may recommend and/or help fit a different type of training collar if the dog does not respond well to the regular collar.

The handler also needs to bring a supply of dog treats to class.  The treats should be soft, chewy and able to be gobbled down quickly, in one bite.  The treats also need to be something that the dog is really, REALLY motivated to get:  cut up hot dogs, roast beef pieces, chicken breast, liver and meat roll are the most common training treats.  Hard foods, like biscuits or dog food kibble, should NOT be used in class.

It is important to have something that you can take the treat from quickly in order to reward your dog immediately for the proper action, which will help your dog to learn quicker.  There are several things that can be used as treat bags.  If you have a ‘fanny pack’ that works well.  PetSmart has a treat bag for $9.99, Petco has one for $4.99 and another for $7.99. OR you can go to Home Depot or Lowe’s and buy a nail apron for 77 cents.  Any of these will work just fine.

Students and their dogs should arrive at Keystone Canine Club 5-10 minutes before their class is scheduled to start.  Arriving too much earlier is counterproductive, since the training floor and parking lot will be filled with members of the preceding class.

With dozens of excited dogs together in one place, bladder and bowel movements are bound to happen!  Please DO NOT be embarrassed if your dog goes to the bathroom at the school.  Keystone Canine provides paper towels and disinfectant for handlers to clean up their dogs' accidents.  Keystone asks class members to potty their dogs before class begins (BEHIND the school only!) and to be sure to clean up any waste and place it in the Club's outdoor garbage can.  Any student who does not clean up after his or her dog, either in the school or in the parking lot, will be dismissed from classes without a refund!

Because the Basic Obedience course is only seven weeks long, each session covers a lot of information.  It is very important for dogs and handlers to attend every class.  If a student, for some reason, cannot attend one of the class sessions, it is the responsibility of that student to speak with the instructor about arranging a make-up class.  if for any reason (weather, illness, emergency...) class has to be cancelled, the instructors will attempt to contact each of the students.  Class cancellations will also be posted on the Club's web site, www.keystonecanine.com, time and circumstances permitting.

Finally, for the handler’s safety, flip-flops, sandals or clogs should not be worn.  We suggest you wear a closed shoe like an athletic shoe.