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Photo is Moxie and Cheryl Shea
Obedience is a sport in which dogs and their handlers work as a team through a series of exercises which demonstrate the dog's willingness to obey the handler's commands.MDTC offers obedience classes in all levels from Puppy, Basic, Advanced Basic, Novice to Open and Utiity. Our experienced staff can help you determine which level is appropriate for you and your dog. Regardless of whether or not you choose to compete with your dog, we strongly recommend that all new dog owners take at least the Puppy and Basic classes to give their dogs a firm foundation of training, socialization, and general good manners. In the Puppy class, your dog gains exposure to other dogs, thereby instilling vital socialization. Your dog will also learn basic commands, such as sitting, laying down, standing, moving calmly at your side on a loose leash, allowing a stranger to touch him, coming when called, and staying. The Basic class teaches the same commands as the Puppy class but is for dogs who are no longer puppies. Once the dogs have been taught the basic commands, they move on to Advanced Basic, where they polish these skills and learn to execute them with distractions. The Novice class is for dogs who have a solid foundation in the basic commands with distractions, who are ready to learn basic show techniques including how to do the commands without being on a leash. In Open and Utility, the dogs learn advanced exercises, such as retrieving objects, jumping, and hand signals. |