As originally Published in the Bradenton Herald

     When an aspect of training comes up three times in different situations during a day, either it weighs heavily on my mind, or it is important enough to write about for all to share.  The concept of establishing a solid foundation is simple and logical to the point where we often overlook the tactics of its application in our rush to get the dog trained.  By the way, this subject is equally applicable to the feline world.

      We were discussing the importance of the things we learn in puppy kindergarten and how they form the initial foundation for puppies that are next trained in basic obedience.  Even though the students are not necessarily performing reliable “sits,” “downs,” “stands” and “comes” with our every command, the familiarity they have gained affords us the opportunity to build upon the foundation to increase how quickly they respond.  Likewise, the puppy that has now learned to walk on a leash can progress into learning to “heel,” or walk by our side without forging ahead or lagging behind.
 Obedience training is a building-block process, which relies heavily on a well-established foundation.  In most cases, the older dogs who never had the benefit of puppy training and socialization can still be trained; however, the building of a foundation requires re-assembly of the established foundation and may not be totally successful depending on the mindsets of the dog and the people who are closely involved with his or her retraining.  Rebuilding a foundation often calls for rethinking our own behaviors and a willingness to change.

      As I began teaching an advanced obedience class about additional applications for the “stay,” I found that too many of the students needed a more reliable “stay” from their dogs before moving on.  We returned to the basic obedience of the “stay” command.  After observing what techniques were being employed, I demonstrated certain other methods and suggested which one might work better for certain individual teams.  I also demonstrated one general technique I have affectionately termed the “dinner-table down-stay,” which I perfected in my lazier dog training days.  Since all of our dogs are individuals with unique personalities, techniques for training vary somewhat.  Therefore, the foundation may need modification if the desired responses are not obtained in a timely manner.

      In the third scenario of that interesting day, we were comparing and contrasting conformation (show dog) handling with obedience handling.  I stated how it appears that we package the aspects of show handling together instead of working one aspect at a time.  Yet, initially, we truly do separate the basic components to establish the foundation.  The handling routine at a dog show leads the casual observer to pre-package what is seen; however, the activity immediately splits into two areas of learning – the “stacking” or “standing” for examination, and the movements in and around the show ring.

      When you look closely at the conformation handling routine, you see that each of the two general areas has been broken down into components which are practiced individually before their combination into the “package” we see at the dog show.  Novices often try to step right in to a handling class where students work to refine their dogs’ and their own skills in preparation for the shows.  Going through the paces is fine, but establishing the foundation outside the class must still be done by training the components until they are instilled to a degree of reliability.

      Training is all about teaching through repetition.  Each response must be established, then practiced.  If the overall response seems too complicated, we may need to consider breaking it down to smaller components, then putting it back together.  Then, when the package is right, consistent, reliable and acceptable, we have our foundation.

Scott Holloway