Polishing Our Training

by Karen Saunders, Editor, The Canine Post

For the last several months, the HDOC board and interested members have been
meeting to discuss if the club is meeting their needs as dog owners and handlers. There has
been a presentation of what other clubs offer in classes and training. Members at special
meetings have discussed what they would like to see happen at HDOC.
Armed with that information, HDOC’s Board is looking how to meet these new goals. The
bottom line is the club will need all the members to help put some of these new ideas into play
immediately.

Experienced Handler Training Area
At our classes (especially on Saturday morning) the novice training area becomes crowded
with new students, returning graduates and club members who want to work their dogs. To
facilitate everyone, we would like to start a second training area for members and class veterans
who do not need immediate help learning the basics, but wish to polish their dogs skills. The
second area will be near the novice training area (so experience handlers can help with the
class if needed or demonstrate exercises) but far enough away not to distract the paying
students.

Novice Class Assistants Needed
But we also need more assistants in the novice class. So, if you wish to help assist the
novice trainer, we are requesting you come to class about 15 minutes early, wearing your red
HDOC shirt, and let the trainer know you are available. At that time the trainer can give you an
assignment (such as checking collars are on correctly and equipment, who is in charge of the
secondary ring, or who will be floaters in class to help as needed). Please remember, if you are
helping a current student, try to have them return to the group as quickly as possible so they
don’t miss new instructions from the trainer. If you are working with the new students, try to find
something to praise in their handling and learning. Even the smallest thing might just make the
difference in their returning next week and feeling good about their potential to train their dog.

Be a Role Model with your Dog
Do remember that class is for learning, it is not a play date for dogs. Members can help
with this by being role models and having well-mannered dogs at class. If your four-footed
friends need to play, take them away from the class area to visit.

CGC Components Added to Novice
We are now testing incorporating Canine Good Citizen (CGC) training into our novice
classes. In the eighth and ninth week we are adding components of CGC to help interested
students ready for the test, if they wish. We especially need helpers to hold dogs that are
learning the three-minute out of sight exercise during these sessions. Let us know if you can
help.

Posting HDOC Flyers
If you are visiting a vet, shelter or somewhere dog owners will be, please feel free to ask Mari
Carlos or Dave Berry for training flyers to post to let others know about our classes.

If you have ideas to help the club grow, tell a board member. Let us know what you think.