This is a quick post today to remind and encourage everyone about the start of our new Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Basic Obedience Class at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels on Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:30 am. There is no charge for this class and all breeds and ages are invited.The only requirement is that your dogs must be up to date on all their vaccinations.
We concluded our summer training session in August with several owners and dogs passing the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen Class.Since the conclusion of that class AKC has announced a new advanced level for Canine Good Citizen. With the introduction of AKC Community Canine, the AKC’s CGC program now provides a comprehensive three- level training program for dogs and their owners. Beginning with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, progressing to Canine Good Citizen and now to AKC Community Canine, the CGC program trains dogs through all stages of life to be well behaved in society.We are excited about the new program and will match our training class exercises to meet the qualifications of this advanced level of training.
We Cannot Wait to go to School
We look forwards to seeing new faces and old friends.Please make it out for our free training.The more participants that we have makes for a better class and training opportunities for all.
AKC Community Canine expands on CGC skills and lays the beginning foundation for obedience, rally and therapy dog work.Many of you with young dogs are planning on moving through to bigger and better things for your puppy, and we thank you for allowing us to be a part of this journey.
Slow School is Open
Please continue to check out our web page as we post updates on available litters: https://kgsd.inventivehorizons.com/PuppiesForSale.htm. We have several wonderful puppies that we are accepting deposits on, and these puppies will be ready to go to their new homes on September 9, 2011.
Ask me a Question and I will provide my opinion. Also, please see our web page: KeystoneGermanShepherds
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Just a hodgepodge update of the going-on at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels. Well it is summer and while we have been blessed with rain and cooler temperature than the last two summers, it does increase my workload. Now that our grass has reached an unseemly height, I have to mow again.
I have been unable to blog the last six days due to our schedule and the fact that I am having to re-surface our asphalt driveway, which distance is over an eighth of a mile. Due to lack of maintenance over the last several years, it has taken all week to fill cracks and resurface the black top with the help of a wonderful young high school student, Michael. Even with all the work and time invested, we still are only halfway done with the driveway. Therefore, my blogs will be Spartan in the next couple of weeks as I will be mowing, weeding eating, and repairing the driveway. I also have started weaning our three litters that are inside and growing well. I am excited about the wonderful puppies that we are going to have available starting in mid-September.
I am proud to announce that we had our Canine Good Citizen Testing on Saturday, July 20, 2013. We had four German shepherds take the test with three passing. The puppy that failed had only been to Keystone’s Canine Good Citizen Class and Basic Obedience Class four times before the testing and he was not quite ready. He will pass with a few more training classes. Nevertheless, congratulations to the Mia and her owners Daniel and Kat Gettel, Tank and his owners Darran and Shelley Douglas, and Glory and her owner Gail Reed for readily passing the Canine Good Citizen Test and earning their Certificates. We will have our next free Canine Good Citizen Class and Basic Obedience Class Saturday morning at 10:30 AM on July 27, 2013. Please attend if you can make it.
Heidelberg’s Glory Passed Her Canine Good Citizen Test
Exploring the vast prairie of the Washita National Wildlife Refuge
Hi Everyone,
Throughout the development of your German shepherd puppy, they will go through different phases and one common phase is to have a lack of confidence about themselves in regards to the new world around them. Some shepherds demonstrate this lack of confidence by showing the fight or flight response. Therefore, a puppy that lacks confidence may be overly fearful or overly aggressive towards new and challenging situations including strangers and other dogs. The best way to build confidence in your young German shepherd dog is through regular obedience work. These obedience exercises do not need to be laborious or boring. Take your German Shepherd Dog, puppy or young adult on a walk and periodically stop and make them sit, down, and stay. Also, throw into the walk a couple of stays then have them come to you. A couple of blocks a day will do wonders for the confidence of the developing psyche of your young dog.
Invariably these walks will provide training opportunities such as loose dogs approaching you and your puppy. If your young dog shows undue aggression a quick correction with the choke chain will develop confidence and allow you train for the appropriate behavior while meeting a strange dog. If your shepherd shows anxiety towards a strange loose dog, you can build their confidence by verbally reassuring them, and by presenting a confident and relaxed demeanor to the situation. If you come across strangers during your walk, have treats with you, and have the stranger offer a treat to your puppy. In addition have the stranger pet your puppy while you reassure your puppy with a calm-confident voice.
Basic obedience training builds confidence by providing boundaries and expectations for your German Shepherd Dog, puppy or young adult. As they perform your commands during training provide your puppy with a lot of praises and treats. They are not so different than people, and when you are praised and rewarded for a good job, you are encouraged, emboldened, and empowered with confidence to continue doing a good job.
A confident 12-month-old German Shepherd Dog Puppy, Caesar with his owner Jason
We are preparing for Canine Good Citizen Testing, and at 10:30 AM on July 20, 2013 at Mannford, Oklahoma as a Canine Good Citizen Evaluator, I will be offering testing for $20.00.Below list the ten test that your dog must pass to receive its Canine Good Citizen Certificate, and the test is directly from the American Kennel Club web page.
All breeds and owners are invited.Please call me to schedule your testing at (918) 261-4729.Canine Good Citizen is the first step to your dogs’ career as good companion, Therapy dog, or Service dog.Please come if you can make it and if for nothing else to watch.We are also offer free Canine Good Citizen and basic obedience classes most Saturdays at Keystone German Shepherd & Kennels at 10:30 AM.
Training/Testing: CGC Test Items
Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog’s health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good Citizen Test include:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler’s side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner’s care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog’s position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler’s movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if desired.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler’s commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog’s leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler’s commands. The handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog. The dog may be released from the front or the side.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to “stay” or “wait” or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Canine Good Citizen Training
Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, “Would you like me to watch your dog?” and then take hold of the dog’s leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, “there, there, it’s alright”).
I have an absolutely lovely eight-month-old male puppy here at Keystone German Shepherds & Kennels for training.I received a call from the wife of the owner of this puppy threatening to give him away because he jumps on her every time he see her.This is a very nice family and the lady was dealing with a lot of personal and family tragedies.Her husband, the main owner of the shepherd puppy was out-of-town on business and this lady’s patience was just worn out.She called and asked if I could help, and Bear is now here for two weeks for training.
Upon our first training session, yesterday morning it was obvious that Bear while leash broke, he had no idea how to heal on lead.We spent 45 minutes just trying to teach Bear how to walk on the left side and to walk on a loose lead.While only 85 degrees because the training was done at 8:30 AM, I was drenched in sweat from the humidity and from fighting Bear from dragging him, and from him dragging me.Bear also wanted to consistently go to my right side as if he was incorrectly trained to be on the right side.
During this exercise, I was thinking about how much easier it would be to work with Bear when he was younger and weighed 35 pounds rather than 80 pounds.We spent the entire session working on heeling and never got to jumping, which is the main reason Bear is out here for training.Normally, I can get my younger puppies to heel on a loose lead within 15 minutes, but due to bad reinforced habits, I will likely have to spend three sessions just to get Bear to heel on a loose lead.
The main lesson to be learned is take the time to work with your new German Shepherd Dog puppy, when they are young because it is a lot easier on them and you to train them in the basic obedience when they are under 5-months-old.In addition, to be easier for both the owner and the dog, it establishes dominance and expectations of certain level of obedience and control, thus adverting behavioral problems such as jumping on you or others.Even if the German Shepherd Dog needs additional training or behavioral modifications requiring the services of a professional trainer at a later date, it will save you a lot of money if your German Shepherd Dog puppy has an understanding of the basic obedience commands.
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