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Pictures
by Karen Coleman
Pictures
by Lynn Hunter
Obedience
So you decided
you want to try your hand at obedience with your curly.
The first step is to decide whether to go to an
independent training club or to find one registered with
the kennel club, a list of KC registered training clubs
can be obtained from the
Shows, Trials and Awards Department
of the Kennel Club. Make enquiries
well in advance so that you can go down and visit the
club and chat to members about the training schemes. It
is worth discussing training schemes and methods with
other curly owners to find out what type of training
works for their curlies. Look for a club that will train
your dog as an individual, not just using the same
techniques for all dogs. Some clubs have set starting
dates whereby the classes start on a particular date and
run for a certain length of time, other clubs you can
just turn up as and when you are able to. Dog training
clubs are generally sociable places and welcome all
standards of handlers and dogs to be trained.
When you find the right
training club, you will need to keep in mind the special
nature of the breed. Curlies are intelligent and steady
but they are also independent and may seem somewhat
aloof, especially with strangers. They are easily
trained but you need to accommodate their need for some
independence. They become bored, with repetitive tasks,
so any training needs to be varied and stimulating and
is often done best in the guise of a game.
After initial
training perhaps you would like to see how your dog is
progressing, make enquiries about the Kennel Club Good
Citizen Dog Scheme. A list of organisations can be
obtained from the Good Citizen Dog Scheme Department of
the KC on 020 7518 1011. After working a basic dog
obedience course, such as the Kennel Club
Good Citizen Dog
Scheme
for, you may want to try your hand
at more advanced obedience training. Your first step to
competitive obedience may be to enter a Companion Dog
Show or a limited obedience show such as the Curly
Coated Retriever Club Limited Show with obedience which
is held annually in November. This event allows curly
owners to compete with their own breed and gives owners
the chance to compare their dogs with others of the
breed. Details of which can be found in the Breed notes
and also on the club's website.
Alternatively
you may choose to enter a Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog
Scheme Special Pre-beginner Obedience Stakes Class, a
Pre-beginner or Beginner Class at a Kennel Club licensed
Obedience Show. There are in fact numerous Obedience
shows held annually by Kennel Club registered clubs –
approximately 270 in all. Details of these shows can be
found in the Kennel Club’s monthly publication the
Kennel Gazette,
or specific websites devoted to obedience.
There are six
obedience classes available at shows and all dogs start
from the basic Pre- Beginners Class and by a series of
first prizes qualify through to Class C which is the
highest (and most difficult). Each class contains a set
of exercises which the judge will ask you and your dog
to perform. The exercises range from heelwork (on and
off the lead), to a recall, control exercises such as a
one minute sit and a two minute down stay. As you
progress through the classes the exercises obviously
become more difficult until you reach Class C where your
dog will have to perform (in addition to those
previously mentioned) a scent discrimination exercise
and also a send away and distant control exercise.
Anyone who has watched the Crufts obedience will know
exactly what is involved.
There are a few curlies who
compete at obedience shows and I'm sure their owners
would be more than happy to discuss obedience with you
if you are interested.
Pictures
by Lynn Hunter
Titles.
Pre-Beginners Excellent:
Kelsmere Kumera FS
St Ex P-Beg Ex
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