RCMP Obedience Certification

715-235-6502

OBEDIENCE

1. Dog Handlers teach obedience to their dogs.

2. These sessions will prepare the students to teach their dog obedience.

The instructors must show the students the correct way to put on a choke collar. They must demonstrate the "Pressure and Release" system on the arm of the students using the collar and leash. Emphasis must be placed on the use of "Proper timing" using the voice, body movements and training aids to their best advantage. Particular attention should be given to the tones and inflections in the voice to communicate the handlers wishes to the dog. "Body language" is also very important. Emphasis must be placed on praise, when to give it and in what quantities.

There are occasions when the use of Electronic training aids may be necessary. They should only be used by instructors and they should only use them as a last resort when conventional methods fail.

Particular emphasis should be placed by instructors on the progression of obedience, showing the dog what is required and then practising what has been shown--never losing sight of the fact that this is a teaching and learning process through repetition. Training exercises must be varied to avoid anticipation on the part of the dog.

The instructors' approach to obedience must be positive. obedience sessions must be enjoyable for student and dog. obedience training does not terminate on the obedience field. Instructors should emphasize that obedience is an on-going exercise and is being practised whenever the dog is with the Handler. The handler is continually showing and reinforcing the dog.

Particular emphasis must be placed on common faults and corrections. It may be noted that most faults are those of man, not the dog.

Instructors should be cautious not to overtrain in Obedience. There are areas in the training program that require the dogs to extend themselves such as tracking, searching and criminal apprehension. The overtrained obedience dog may not perform the extension tasks properly with willingness and enthusiasm.

2. Emphasis must be placed on positive vs. negative reinforcement and the mastering of the dog. The student must understand the dog and avoid confusion. It should be emphasized that we do not want the dog to make a mistake. Instructors should emphasize the importance of always ending the obedience session on a happy note. The dog will seldom make a mistake if he is properly trained.

The Instructor should emphasize that meeting the objective is only the beginning. Continual training is necessary to improve, develop and maintain the dog at a high standard.

3. Lecture, developmental discussion and demonstration/ performance methods of Instruction will be used and will cover:

(a) Police Objectives in obedience

Control - could save dog's life.
Avoiding bad publicity due to dogs actions.
Good image -Professionalism.
The dog will work much better if he is obedient - Mutual respect
An obedient dog provides a relaxed and comfortable working relationship.

(b) Definition:

"Submission to authority"

choke collar
leash
long line

(d) Proper timing:

voice
use of aids
praise
chastisemen

3. (e) Use of training aids:

pressure and release method
use of hands (both)
anticipation of handler and of dog reward item (ball)
enthusiasm

(f) Drill movements:

squad forward
left turn
right turn
left/right about turn left wheel
right wheel
left/right about wheel weave
squad halt
jog
slow walk
stay in motion
down/sit at heel

(g) Command words/signals by hand:

heel
sit
down
stay
come

(h) Voice:

volume
tones
inflection
genuine

(i) Body Language:

use of knees
hands
feet
gesture
eye contact
too much/too little

(j) Praise:

by hand by
voice
too much
too little

3. (k) Chastisement:

by voice
training aid
temper handler to keep cool
body language

(1) Electronic Training Aids:

use of
caution

(m) Progression and Variety:

Level I “on leash”
Level II “off leash - individual", "on leash group”
Level III “hand signals and off leash”

(n) Common Faults and Corrections:

not being consistent
heeling ahead or behind
not sitting square
not laying square
not anticipating the dog
not thinking quickly
slow corrections
improper use of aids
over-praising
handlers not being "themselves"
not sufficient conditioning to the command
being a tyrant
excessive leg slapping
multiple commands
using the dog's name as a command instead of an
attention getter
improper speed - the handler should set the pace
dog breaking
over training
Positive vs. Negative reinforcement
Mastering the dog
Don't let the dog make a mistake
Confusion in the dog
Understanding the dog
Temperament characteristics

4. (A) At the end of Level I each candidate will be able to:

Perform the following exercises with the potential P.S. dog on leash: individual and in a group:

1) Heel

2) Jog at heel

3) Sit at heel

4) Down at heel

5) Stay (2 minutes)

6) Recall - “Come” from a distance of 6 meters

7) Finish - “Heel”

(B) At the end of Level II each candidate will be able to:

Perform the following exercises with the potential P.S. dog on leash in a group and off leash for and individual using hand signals and/or voice:

1) Heel

2) Jog at heel

3) Sit at heel

4) Down at heel

5) Stay (handler out of sight for 5 minutes)

6) Recall “Come” from a distance of 10 meters

7) Stay on recall

8) Sit at distance of 10 meters

9) Down at a distance of 10 meters

10) Finish “Heel”

(C) At the end of Level III each candidate will be able to accomplish all of the objectives noted above for Levels I and II, off leash, hand signals only.

5.Cross -Reference:

1. Training Philosophy.

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