Whether you are training for general obedience or a working dog, our work is never done. We should always be reaching higher and aiming further. There are always exercises to be done with more precision and exercises that are much more advanced.

General pet obedience should evolve from basic on-lead obedience, to perfect off-lead compliance in any environment, or among any distraction. Off-lead exercises can always be improved upon and more can be added to improve your dog’s listening skills. When you really think about it, having a dog that performs excellent off-lead obedience makes our lives so much easier, and enjoyable for the dog and ourselves. If done properly, the dog is rewarded with a lot of praise and an occasional treat or toy. The chemistry derived from this is priceless. Too many people think advanced obedience is only for competition. That notion couldn’t be further from the truth. The time commitment and interaction with the dog make it a very positive thing for both the dog and the owner.

Dogs are pack animals and need a good leader. No different than wolves in the wild, there is always a leader among every pack. A good leader is someone that is very fair, but firm when they need to be. A good leader always maintains a mutual respect and never does anything that could be perceived as cruelty or punishment. Everything we do has a purpose and our efforts are merely to guide the dog into the proper direction. Advanced obedience is nothing more than teaching our dogs to be good listeners and teaching new tasks to be performed with clarity.