The German Shepherd Dog Association of Western Australia (Inc) encourages the owners of all dogs, especially those with German Shepherd Dogs to be responsible owners within their communities.

To achieve this outcome, owners need to obedience train and socialize their German Shepherd Dogs. Our club is very active in the local CAWA's "Canine Good Companions", which is being adopted by many of our progressive Local Government Authorities. Added to this are our very comprehensive training classes at club venues. These classes teach owners to control and enjoy recreation with their four-legged companions.

Obedience classes at Dog Clubs are one of the most proven methods of dog training. Socialisation of the dog with other dogs and other people make the dog a more socially acceptable animal, and early fun obedience training will also give you a pet that is a pleasure to own. Training with fellow enthusiasts also means that you have a ready source of information and advice should you need it.

Obedience training should begin as soon as possible after acquiring your puppy. The basics can be taught at home or at "Puppy Socialization or Pre-Kindy Classes" and then they can confidently go out to obedience classes at about 4 months.

Link to the "Training Venues and Times" webpage :
 

Canine Good Companions

To be inserted

Clicker Training -  by Eric Herson

Some background on Eric :

Eric Herson joined the Association in 1987 and began his dedication to training of dogs. He has held the position of Senior Vice President of the Association. He has been a trainer and member of the Demo team. Presently, he is a member of Governing Council, Chairman of the Agility Sub-Committee and a member of the Building and Lands Committee for the Canine Association of W.A. and he is the Vice-President of Cloverdale Canine Companions. 

Eric has trained “Dana” (ADASHAD PRETTY WOMAN Breed Survey Class 1 A & Z ) to her CDX, CD, ADX, AD, ET titles and she already has two legs towards her ADM. Dana was the Triple Crown Winner at the 1999 West Coast Challenge Show, Obedience & Agility trials gaining Excellents in all three disciplines. Dana is a Multi Excellent in Show, Obedience and Agility. She was a finalist in the Open & Novice Invitational trials at the 2000 Western Classic. Due to her current results in trialling she will be invited to the event in 2001. Eric and Dana took off the 2000 Open Class winner for the GSDCA National Obedience award with an average score over 6 trials of 194.66 out of 200. Presently, Dana’s trialling scores for the 2001 GSDCA Open Class Award is again averaging 195 out of 200.

Eric has also trained “Minky”, (ILJABERG YOLANDA) to her C.D. & E.T. titles. She was a finalist in the Novice Invitational trial at 2000 Western Classic. Once again it appears that she, too will be invited to the 2001 Western Classic Invitational Novice Class. Eric and Minky took off the 2000 Novice Class winner for the GSDCA National Obedience award, gaining her three qualifying legs for C.D. with an average score of 196.33 out of 200. What a great effort!

CLICKER TRAINING

Clicker training is constant positive reinforcement targeting desired behaviours. 

I have been training dogs only for 13 years and the last two have been by the clicker training method. Minky has been solely trained on the clicker method and Dana is a crossover dog. In my experience using this method there are two types of dogs :

a) Those trained the old physical way - they are classified as crossover dogs.
b) Those who have only ever experienced clicker training.

Obedience and especially agility must be built on FOCUS & CONTROL. You can use the dog’s regular mealtime - training in the kitchen - and the dog works for its dinner. 

Initially, the dog needs to learn the relationship between the desired behaviour and the clicker. You can start in the kitchen and train for focus. Very simple principles to begin with, getting the dog to watch you - FOCUS - once the dog understands the connection between the clicker and desired behaviour then you can use those principles in your obedience and agility work. 

To begin focus training at mealtimes use the dog’s dinner as treats. It is now working for its supper. Place biscuit in hand when the dog eats the biscuit, immediately click. Alternate hands and position (high or low) so the dog focuses on the hand no matter where it is. Once the dog understands this principle of desired behaviour (click and treat). Have the biscuits on the bench and offer the empty hand, when the dog touches the hand immediately click and treat. Repeat position and alternate hands. 

Once the dog understands this, have the dog sitting in front of you. For the next phase of training, place your hands at your waist in the normal position and get the dog to focus on your hands, ie. looking at your face also. When it focuses on you - click and treat - if it looks away - there is no click therefore no reward. If the dog is distracted and then refocuses on you - immediately, click and treat. 

When your dog is focusing directly on you, build up the time so the dog does not take his eyes off you. Then extend your arms outwards with a treat in one hand, when it refocuses on you (after looking at the treat) - click and treat. You are trying to reach the point that no matter where you put your hands the dog does not break focus regardless of what is happening. Next, bring the dog to the heel position. Get the dog to refocus on you in that position (looking up at your hands & face) - click and treat. Build up the time so the dog is totally focused on your hands and face. 

Now we are ready to go into the park and begin training. There you have many more distractions to overcome, so you have to get the dog refocused on you. When this achieved - click and treat. Once you have ABSOLUTE focus you can begin your heeling routine. When training you use the commands that the judges use during trials.

At the starting post the judge will ask Are you ready? Yes - click and treat The next comment Forward - Heel - click and treat. Break off the exercise, start again, repeat. Are you ready? Yes - click and treat. Forward - Heel - click and treat. The click signals the end of the exercise - so the dog is eager to complete the task set and he KNOWS he will be rewarded anytime the click is given.

I have found that short, sharp routines that are done often, gain the best results. Patience and perseverance is required, ignore the undesired behaviour, concentrate on the positive behaviour. Do not bore the dog with endless heeling routines. In your heel routine you give your dog a number of different commands, when the desired behaviour is attained - click and treat. At this point you can still have the treats on your person not stuck in front of the dog’s face. 

The virtual final phase once the dog understands ALL the desired behaviours, it is not necessary the carry the treats on your person - the treats are now outside the training/competition area.

I hope this article is of help to members and owners, and as I have said, it is the simplest and most effective method I have ever used.

Take care of your dogs, Eric.