-         submitted by Jeanene Heroux

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Much like people, every dog is different. Some are hyperactive. Some are laid-back. Some are serious. Others are silly. Some are shy, and yet others have too much confidence. Regardless of these differences, training is necessary for all dogs and beneficial to your entire family.

There are many activities you and your dog can do together. Some of these activities require that your OES be of good conformation (the way it is built), some require that you have an AKC registration in order to participate, and some require that your OES not be spayed or neutered. Other activities do not have these restrictions and anyone with an interest can participate. This section of our website will give you some very basic information about several activities you can do with your OES. We will then direct you to places on the Internet where you can get a more in-depth education in your chosen subjects. One special site to keep in mind is http://www.dogplay.com. This site covers many areas of dog/human interaction. The other very important site is the American Kennel Club, where you can go for most of your canine questions and answers. Go to:  http://www.akc.org/events/index.cfm?nav_area=events

It all begins with communication. The very first rule for owning a large dog is that you have good communication with the dog. You can take your OES to puppy training classes, obedience classes, handling classes for dogs being shown in the ring, service classes for dogs that are going to be visiting hospitals and schools, and any number of other training facilities. The more you understand your dog, the better your dog behaves and reacts to your commands - the better your relationship will be with your dog.

CONFORMATION SHOWING:  The conformation judging in dog shows are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The size of these events ranges from large all-breed shows, with over 3,000 dogs entered, to small local specialty club shows, featuring a specific breed. The dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure) is judged. Spayed or neutered dogs are not eligible to compete in conformation classes at a dog show because they are no longer able to produce puppies. In order to enter a dog show, your dog must be registered with the American Kennel Club. These registration papers indicate your dog, its parents, and its ancestors are purebred.

Showing dogs is a great sport where the thrill of competition is combined with the joy of seeing beautiful dogs. In order to qualify to be shown, your purebred, registered OES must be 6 months or older. During the show, the judge examines the dogs, and then gives awards according to how closely each dog compares to that judge's mental image of the "perfect" dog described in the breed's official standard. The standard describes the characteristics that allow the breed to perform the function for which it was bred. These standards include specifications for structure, temperament and movement. The standard for the Old English Sheepdog is maintained by the Old English Sheepdog Club of America. That website can be found at http://www.oldenglishsheepdogclubofamerica.org. When you buy a puppy from a reputable breeder, you will be told if your puppy is show potential and will be able to be shown in dog shows.

The dog show judges are well-educated on the breeds they are judging. They examine each dog with their hands to see if the teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture conform to the standard. They view each dog in profile for overall balance and watch each dog gait to see how all of those features fit together in action. The best examples of the standard are placed at the head of the line. The best dog in the classes and the best bitch in the classes, if there is competition in their sex, receive points toward their Championship.

If you think you might be interested in showing an OES, a good starting point is to join a local breed club. Club members can help you in many ways:  Finding a show potential puppy, directing you to training classes for the show ring, helping you learn how to groom and present your dog, letting you know when and where you can find dog shows and matches (unofficial dog shows where you can practice showing your dog), and making your show experience a fun and positive adventure.

AKC shows tend to be large, highly competitive, and rather formal. Typically an AKC championship requires a major investment of time, effort and to some extent money. They are a very important part of your education on the breed. Dog shows are where you learn about your breed and seeing all the different dogs, you develop an opinion of what you think is breed type as defined by the written standard and which dogs you feel best represent the standard. You talk to other exhibitors and gain important knowledge about what it's like to breed and show. Most of the all breed dog shows are held in clusters, one each day over a weekend or an extended weekend, Friday through Monday. On these weekends, when the breed judging is over, often the exhibitors sit around and visit, talk about dogs, breeding, showing, the future, the past and all things related to our breed. This is where your real education in the breed happens.

If you have children over the age of 9 and under the age of 18, they might be interested in Junior Showmanship. The AKC site has that information as well.

For more in-depth information about showing your Old English Sheepdog and the rules, regulations, and terminology used at dog shows, go to:  http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/beginners.cfm

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COMPETITIVE OBEDIENCE: Training your dog to be civilized and have basic good manners is important in your everyday living situation. You may want to go beyond the good manners point to where your dog is judged on how well he follows your instructions. After an adequate amount of training, you can enter your dog into obedience competitions (trials). Obedience trials demonstrate the dog's ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring and emphasize the usefulness of the purebred dog as a companion. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored. The basic objective of obedience trials, however, is to recognize dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions. The performance of dog and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to the Obedience Regulations. It is also essential that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment while it is working and that a smooth and natural handler be given precedence over a handler moving with military precision and using harsh commands. All breed dog clubs usually hold obedience competition as well as conformation competition.

Beginners:  Most clubs usually hold practice fun matches, where you can try out your dog in the ring style conditions and have a chance to evaluate his training progress, but the rules aren't as strict as in a real trial. They are relatively informal, and don't count towards any titles. You are not allowed to give your dog any correction in the trial ring, but you can at most fun matches. The rings are set up as in a trial, and you can get lots of helpful advice from the judges who are usually more experienced club members, although sometimes they are real judges. Many clubs also hold regular workouts where you can practice with others, but it's not really a class or fun match.

Once your dog is trained and registered, you've done your homework on the rules and procedures, and once you've done well in matches, enter a trial and have fun! Just remember, the dog doesn't care about titles, but he DOES care about you, and the more fun you have, the more fun your dog will have. If you contact a local breed club, there will be members who will be happy to introduce you to obedience work. There are many obedience training classes available in our area. For more information about obedience training, please go to:

http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/index.cfm.

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RALLY OBEDIENCE:  Rally is a sport in which the dog and handler complete a course that has been designed by the rally judge. The judge tells the handler to begin, and the dog and handler proceed at their own pace through a course of designated stations (10 - 20, depending on the level). Each of these stations has a sign providing instructions regarding the next skill that is to be performed (such as turn right and then left). Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Rally is a new dog sport and was only recognized by the AKC in January of 2005.

Rally is great fun for both you and your dog. In addition, it provides a link from the Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) program to obedience or agility competition, both for dogs and handlers. There are three-degree levels in Rally competition. In addition, rally promotes fun and enjoyment for dogs at all levels of competition. For more information about Rally Obedience, please go to:  http://www.akc.org/events/rally/index.cfm

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AGILITY:   Agility is the game for you and your dog if you like to work fast and furiously. It is also one of the most exciting canine sports for spectators because the competitors race against the clock to see who can complete the course in the least amount of time without error. In agility, a dog demonstrates its agile nature and versatility by following cues from the handler through a timed obstacle course. The course has jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and other obstacles. Agility strengthens the bond between dogs and handlers, it is extremely fun, and it provides vigorous exercise for both!

There are two types of agility classes.

The first is the Standard Class, which includes obstacles such as the dog walk, the A-frame, and seesaw.

The second is Jumpers with Weaves. This class only has jumps, tunnels, and weave poles.

Both classes offer increasing levels of difficulty to earn Novice, Open, Excellent and Master titles. After completing both an Excellent Standard title and Excellent Jumpers title, a dog and handler team can compete for the MACH (Master Agility Champion title) - faster than the speed of sound!

Agility began in England in 1978. The AKC held its first agility trial in 1994. Agility is now the fastest growing dog sport in the United States. Because there are different breeds participating, adjustments in the expected time and jump height are made for each breed. Safety of the dogs is a primary concern for AKC agility. The classes are divided by jump heights in order to make the competition equal between the different sizes of dogs. For more information about Agility, please go to: http://www.akc.org/events/agility/.

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CANINE GOOD CITIZEN:  The AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program started in 1989 and is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. The 10 steps include:

Accepting a friendly stranger; Sitting politely for petting; Appearance and grooming; Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead); Walking through a crowd; Sit and down on command and Staying in place; Coming when called; Reaction to another dog; Reaction to distraction; and Supervised separation.

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life. Canine Good Citizen is one of the most rapidly growing programs in the American Kennel Club. It is interesting that some 4-H groups have been using the CGC as a beginning dog training program for children. For more information about CGC, please go to: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm.

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FLYBALL:  Flyball is a team sport for dogs that was invented in California in the late 70's. Legend has it that Herbert Wagner first showed it on the Johnny Carson Show to millions of Americans. Soon afterwards dog trainers and dog clubs were making and using Flyball Boxes. In the early 80's the sport became so popular that the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was formed and they are the worldwide authority for Flyball.

Flyball is a relay race with four dogs on a team. The course consists of a starting line, four hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and steps on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins the heat.

The hurdle height is dependent on the height of the dogs in the team -- 4" below the shoulder height of the shortest dog. 8" is the minimum height and 16" is the maximum height.  For more information about this sport, please go to: http://www.flyballdogs.com/FAQ.html   

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HERDING:  Traditionally a prospective herding dog grew up in a working situation, gradually being introduced to and gaining experience with livestock. This is still the most suitable way for a dog to learn to herd. Today, however, in our more urban society, this is not always possible.  Training your dog to herd is perhaps the purest use of this breed. Herding trials favor the job of a drover dog, such as Old English Sheepdogs, which was to herd sheep to market and back. Essentially in herding trials, the dog goes out, gathers the stock, moves them toward and away from the shepherd, through various gates and into a pen.

Once a year, our club sponsors a herding instinct test event. This event focuses primarily on the beginning step of introducing the dog to stock. We hold our event at Ewe-topia, http://www.ewe-topia.com,  in Roy, Washington. Each OES has the opportunity to go into the sheep pen with three sheep. The herder moves the dog and sheep around the pen in several configurations. This event is focused on testing the dog's natural herding abilities in collecting the stock and controlling their movement. Upon successful completion of the instinct test, the owner and dog receive a certificate. When a sheepdog shows an aptitude for herding, his owners may want to sign up for regular classes. Most sources do not recommend sporadic sessions - but consistent, regular sessions where the dog can make continuous progress. If you would like more information about herding, please go to:

http://www.herdingontheweb.com/starting.htm.

The purpose of the AKC competitive herding trial program is to preserve and develop the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred. Although herding trials are artificial simulations of pastoral or farm situations, they are standardized tests to measure and develop the characteristics of the herding breeds. For information on AKC herding, go to http://www.akc.org/events/herding/index.cfm.

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CANINE FREESTYLE:   Canine Freestyle is a choreographed performance with music, illustrating the training and joyful relationship of a dog and handler team. Watch for the dog to be moving to the beat of the music and look for the bond between the dog and handler. You will see graceful and intricate maneuvers performed with precision and artistry. Every movement is accomplished through the subtle use of verbal cues and body language. The emphasis is always on the dog, with the handler completing the team creating a harmonious whole.

In Freestyle the performance of every team will be different, presented to different music and sharing an intimate view of the working relationship between dog and handler. The artistic freedom of choreography to music represents a significant change from the structure of traditional obedience competition and allows the handler to focus on the dog's strengths.

Freestyle is also an excellent discipline to illustrate the conformation and movement of the dog. The reach, drive and beauty of an athletic, trained dog moving to music can take one's breath away. There are canine freestyle groups in our area. For more information, please go to: http://www.dogdance.net/dogdance/definition_history.htm and

http://www.worldcaninefreestyle.org/

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VISITING PETS AND ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY:   "Visiting Pets", "Therapy Dogs", "Therapy Pets" are just some of the names given to describe programs in which animals help people just by visiting with them. As participation in such programs grows, so does the vocabulary describing different aspects of pet visiting. Animal Assisted Therapy is for formal treatment programs, usually involving one particular animal and handler assigned to one particular client. The handler and the health care provider consult on specific goals to be accomplished, and plan how to accomplish those goals. The most commonly used term for a dog visiting in residential care facilities is "therapy dog."

There are many reasons for animal visits - including helping people feel less lonely and less depressed. Even the exercise of petting the dog can be helpful - and the mental response can help lower blood pressure. In order to be a good therapy dog, your dog must have a pleasant personality, be socially oriented, have a good, calm temperament and a mannerly behavior. You will need to work with your dog in encountering unusual sights, sounds and smells. There are two organizations that certify Therapy dogs in this area: Therapy Dogs International, TDI, . Internet http://www.tdi-dog.org, and the Delta Society,  http://www.deltasociety.org/. If you think you might be interested in knowing more about visiting pets and animal assisted therapy, you will find further information at: http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/Therapy/therapyl.html 

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SERVICE DOGS:     A service dog has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. A disability is defined as any physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity. Examples of "major life activities" include: walking, bathing, caring for oneself, and/or hearing. Some disabilities may not be visible, such as: deafness, epilepsy, and/or psychiatric conditions.

Service dogs can be trained to perform a wide range of tasks depending on the needs of the particular person with a disability. Dogs can be trained to guide people who are visually impaired, alert people who are hearing impaired to specific sounds, retrieve dropped items, open doors, and assist the handler with balance.

The American Disabilities Act requires businesses and places of public accommodation to admit people with disabilities who have service dogs to their premises. People with service dogs have access to nearly every place where the general public is welcomed. For example, service dogs are permitted to ride in taxicabs, buses, and trains. They may enter restaurants, theaters, hotels, and public schools as long as the dog has been trained as a service dog. The person may not be asked about the nature or extent of his or her disability. If you have a disability or would like more information about Service Dogs, please go to: The Delta Society site at http://www.deltasociety.org/home.htm . Paws Abilities Training Center has Service dog training classes on most Saturdays. See their Calendar at http://www.everydoghas.com/index.htm.

Here are some more interesting sites for your viewing: 

1)      Dr. P's Dog Training: http://www.uwsp.edu/psych/dog/obed.htm; 

2)      WonderPuppy.net: http://www.wonderpuppy.net/compobed.htm;

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