Obedience training is training for proper behavior, and it gives the dog owner an education in dog management. It is a training course of regular and repeated work. To complete the novice course, the dog must successfully complete these six fundamental exercises:

1—Heeling on the Leash
On the signal "Heel!" the dog must voluntarily walk on the handler's left side with his right shoulder in line with the guide's left knee. The leash should hang loosely from the trainer's right hand. The dog must heel when the handler turns. The object of this exercise is to teach the dog to stay at your side. During training, a regular collar or a chain choke collar can be used.

When you stop, the dog must be taught to sit smartly at your side. To teach him to sit, push down on his back as you pull up slightly on the lead. Command "Sit" as you are doing this. Repeat this exercise until it becomes satisfactory. Praise the dog when he performs well.

2—Heeling Free
In this exercise, which is started after the dog has mastered heeling on the leash, the leash is removed and the dog should heel just as properly as if the leash were attached. To train him for this you will need to alternate having the leash on and off until the control is attained.

3—Stand for Examination
For this exercise, the dog is commanded to "Heel." Then, the handler orders "Stand-stay," and then he walks around and stands in front of the dog. The dog must remain standing while being examined by the judge. The dog stands until the handler returns to his side and the judge states "Exercise finished." The difficulty in this exercise is the dog must learn to stand here rather than to sit. Allowing a stranger to examine him may also be a true test for your dog. Train him for this by having friends examine him during this exercise.

4—The Recall
The dog is commanded to "Sit" and "Stay" as the handler walks away and then turns and faces the dog. At the signal, "Come," the dog should quickly return to the handler and sit down in front of him. At the next signal, the dog should walk around and sit down at the handler's left leg.

5—Long Sit
The dog is commanded to "Sit" and "Stay" while the handler moves away. Remaining in the sitting position for the duration of the exercise is the goal. During the "sitting three minutes" test, the handler remains out of sight and the dog must hold the "Sit-stay" until the exercise is finished.

6—Long Down
On the command, "Down," the dog must lie down after which the handler walks away. He is to hold this down position for at least three minutes or till the handler returns and orders him to sit.

These exercises must be taught on a repetitive basis. Obedience training classes provide teaching and training for the handler in the proper procedures. In addition to class time, the dog must be worked with at home on a daily schedule if any progress is to be made. Patience and praise are extremely vital during this training period. If these exercises sound as though they would be useful for your dog to master, then give definite thought to enrolling in an obedience school. After successfully completing the course, you may wish to enter an official American Kennel Club Obedience Trial and compete for a degree. If you want, you can, with perseverance, train your dog at home without attending an obedience course.

If you go to obedience school:
1—Regular class attendance is essential.
2—Several short daily practice sessions are needed.
3—Constant praise and much patience are required.
4—Review, review, review is necessary.
5—When classes are over, practice should continue.
6—If your dog is successful in this first course, have some fun and enter an obedience trial.