Dog Obedience Instructor Training Program - Stage 1: A Basic Overview of Canines

Dog Obedience Instructor Training Program - Stage 1: A Basic Overview of Canines

Dog Breeds and Groups

• Trainers who know about specific breeds can gain trust and respect from clients.

• Knowledge of breeds allows trainers to offer educated guesses about mixed-breed dogs.

• Purebred: Dogs whose parents are the same breed and of unmixed descent since the breed's recognition.

• Mixed Breed: Dogs whose parents are not of the same breed, with at least one parent's breed known.

• Mutt/Mongrel/All-American: Dogs with three or more breed types, where not all types may be known. The AKC uses this designation for non-purebreds in some events.

• Hybrid/Designer Dogs: Offspring of two purebred animals (e.g., Yorkie-poos, Labradoodles, Puggles).

American Kennel Club

• Familiarity with breeds and common characteristics is important.

• The AKC has breed standards for each breed at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/.

• The American Kennel Club (AKC) is the largest dog club in the USA, established in 1884.

• It is a not-for-profit organization devoted to the advancement of purebred dogs.

• The AKC maintains a registry, enforces rules for dog shows and trials, and promotes purebred dog health and welfare.

• It compiles registration status and protects stud books of AKC-recognized breeds.

• National breed clubs set the AKC’s breed standards; for example, the Schipperke Club of America sets the standard for the Schipperke breed.

• Proposed changes to breed standards are voted on by local breed clubs, and the AKC puts the updated standard into effect if approved.

• These clubs also maintain lists of reputable breeders.

• More than 22,000 shows and events are held under AKC rules each year, including the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and Westminster Dog Show.

• Owners can participate in conformation, agility, obedience, tracking, rally, herding, lure coursing, hunt tests, field trials, scent work, and Earthdog events.

Dog Sports and Events

• Conformation: Dog show where purebred dogs are judged on breed standards.

• Agility: Obstacle course race where handlers direct their dogs through; judged on completion time and accuracy.

• Obedience: Tests dogs’ ability to follow cues (sit, stay, down, etc.) and advanced cues (heelwork, recall).

• Tracking: Tests dogs’ ability to locate an object by following its scent.

• Rally: A course containing signs that indicate different exercises for the owner and dog to perform.

• Herding: Tests dogs’ ability to move a group of animals from one place to another.

• Lure Coursing: Dogs chase a mechanically operated lure.

• Hunt Tests: Tests hunting dogs’ abilities, such as finding and flushing out game.

• Field Trials: Tests the working ability of Gundogs in competitive conditions.

• Earthdog: Tests the working ability and instincts of small terriers.

• Scent Work: Dogs locate a scent and communicate the find to their handler.

• Other sports include Barn Hunt, Diving Dogs, Flyball, and Trick Dog.

• Barn Hunt: Dogs locate and mark rats hidden in straw or hay bales.

• Diving Dogs: Dogs leap from a dock into a pool after a toy.

• Flyball: Dogs race over hurdles to launch and catch a ball, then return to their owner.

• Trick Dog: Dogs perform tricks at different levels (Novice to Elite).

AKC Breed Characteristics

• As of 2022, the AKC recognizes 200 dog breeds.

• Breeds are divided into seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, and Herding.

• Two other AKC designations: Miscellaneous Class and Foundation Stock Service®.

• Understanding breed traits helps predict behavior and tailor training plans.

• Important to consider breed traits when working with mixed-breeds and designer dogs.

• Avoid labeling breeds as "stubborn," "aggressive," or "difficult to train" to prevent bias.

• Create individual training plans based on the dog's needs, personality, and owner's goals.

Sporting Group

• Includes pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels.

• Bred to retrieve game on land and in water, covering long distances daily.

• Specialties: pointing, water-working, retrieving, and flushing.

• Examples: American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Curly-Coated Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Red and White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Lagotto Romagnolo, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pointer, Spinone Italiano, Sussex Spaniel, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Wirehaired Vizsla, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

• Characteristics: Desire to please, intelligent, playful, and require an active lifestyle.

• Require vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation.

• Lack of exercise can lead to problem behaviors like barking, digging, or destructiveness.

Working Group

• Diverse breeds created as herders, hunters, guarders, mushers, and service animals.

• Excellent pets for experienced owners with specific physical features such as longer, double-coated fur.

• Flock guardian breeds protect livestock from predators (e.g., Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Kuvasz).

• Examples: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boerboel, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Chinook, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Leonberger, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, Tibetan Mastiff.

• Characteristics: Quick learners, intelligent, and capable; not for first-time owners.

• Positive reinforcement, patience, and fun are essential in training. Some breeds can be independent and territorial.

• Research breed-specific traits to educate owners.

Herding Group

*Often confused with flock guardians; coworkers.
*Rugged, alert, and intelligent.
*Need activity to be happy, exercise and mental stimulation are a must.
*Examples have been successfully adapted into service work such as a police K9.
*Examples: Australian Cattle Dog , Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Bergamasco Sheepdog, Berger Picard, Border Collie , Bouvier des Flanders, Briard, Canaan Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Collie (Rough and Smooth), Entlebucher Mountain Dog, Finnish Lapphund, German Shepherd Dog, Icelandic Sheepdog, Miniature American Shepherd, Norwegian Buhund, Old English Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog, Spanish Water Dog, Swedish Vallhund.
*Characteristics: Positive training goes a long way with herding dogs.

Terrier Group

• Bred to hunt, eliminate vermin above and below ground, and guard barns or homes.

• Can be slender or muscular.

• Variety of coat types and colors.

• Common trait is tenacity.

• Examples: Airedale Terrier, American Hairless Terrier,
  American Staffordshire Terrier, Australian Terrier,
  Bedlington Terrier,
  Border Terrier, Bull Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Cesky Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Glen of Imaal Terrier, Irish Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier,
  Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier,
  Rat Terrier, Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier ,
  Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier,
  West Highland White Terrier, Wire Fox Terrier

• Characteristics:Driven to accomplish a goal and bred for digging.
  Socializing with other dogs is essential to having a dog-friendly terrier.
  Need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.

Non-Sporting Group

• Bred for many reasons, this diverse group of dogs come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and personalities, with varying coats and overall appearances.

• Examples: American Eskimo Dog, Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Chinese Shar-Pei, Chow Chow, Coton De Tulear, Dalmatian, Finnish Spitz,
  French Bulldog, Keeshond, Lhasa Apso, Löwchen, Norwegian Lundehund, Poodle: Standard & Miniature,
  Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Xoloitzcuintli

• Characteristics: Most make good watch or house dogs and all respond well to positive reinforcement.

Hound Group

• Most hounds were bred for hunting.

• Some of these dogs use acute scenting abilities to follow a trail; others have a phenomenal gift of stamina and/or speed to run down quarry relentlessly.

• Helpful to know what each type was created to do.

Sighthounds

• Originated primarily in Africa and the Middle East.

• Sleek in appearance, lightly boned, and built for agility and speed.

• Examples: Greyhounds, Whippets, Ibizan Hounds, Borzois, Afghan Hounds and Salukis.

• Characteristics: Using their sight to hunt prey, easily distracted by small moving animals.

Scenthounds

• Sturdy, with strong bones and well-defined muscles.

• Many originated in France and
  England.

• Bred for an acute sense of smell and hunt game using their noses.

• Examples: Beagles, Bloodhounds, Basset Hounds, Coonhounds, Dachshunds and American Foxhounds.

• Characteristics: Love to sniff and investigate with a tendency to wander off when they catch an appealing scent.

Toy Group

• Bred to be companion dogs; are affectionate, sociable, and adaptable.

• Ideal for people with limited living space.

• Size ranges from under 7 lb. (Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Poodle, Maltese) to 14 to 18 lb. (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, Shih-Tzu).
  *Examples: Affenpinscher, Brussels Griffon, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, English Toy Spaniel, Havanese,
  Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Poodle: Toy, Pug,
  Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Toy Fox Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier.

• Toy dogs typically live longer compared to larger breeds.

Miscellaneous Class

• Transitory group for breeds desiring full AKC recognition.
  *Breed is admitted upon meeting specific requirements such as a nationwide interest, an active parent club with expanding breeding activity

• Examples: Barbet.

Foundation Stock Service

• AKC Foundation Stock Service® (FSS) classification enables purebred breeds that have not yet qualified for the Miscellaneous class to continue to develop.

• The FSS gives breeders and owners a reliable and reputable way to maintain their records.

• FSS breeds are not eligible for AKC registration; however, most are approved to compete in AKC Companion Events.

Reputable Purebred Dog Breeders

• Provide contracts regarding health and temperament of the breed.

• When asked why they bred a specific litter, their answer involves improvement of the breed.

Canine Behavioral Developmental Periods

*Puppies are born incomplete and go through many developmental periods throughout their lifetime.
*Dogs have eight developmental periods: fetal, neonatal, transitional, socialization, juvenile, adolescent, adults and senior.

Fetal: In Utero

• A mother’s emotional and nutritional needs should be met while puppies are in utero.

• If a mother is repeatedly exposed to fear-inducing stimuli while pregnant, her puppies are more likely to be emotionally unstable and reactive.

Neonatal: From Birth to 10 Days

• Early development and reflexive behavior period.

• Puppies are born deaf, blind and unable to regulate their body temperature.

• Puppies respond to limited stimuli, such as temperature, pressure, movement, taste and smell.

• Handling neonatal puppies for 3 minutes a day provides health and behavior benefits.

Transitional Period: 11 to 21 Days

• Puppies start progressing from complete dependence on their mother toward partial independence.

• Eyes begin to open around 12 to 14 days; ears open around 20 to 21 days.

• The puppies will also begin to walk instead of crawl and start interacting with others.

Socialization Period: 3 to 12–14 Weeks

*Everything that puppies experience during this timeframe will affect their later behavior: Primary development, Primary and secondary socialization, fear, optimum bonding and general socialization.

Primary Development Period: 3 to 5 Weeks

*Puppies become more self-aware and master their use of sight, hearing and walking.
*Brains continue developing as they learn to communicate and relate with other dogs, humans and their environment.
*Rapid sensory development time.

Primary Socialization Period: 3 to 7 Weeks

*Reputable breeders and responsible owners should positively expose puppies to myriad things in their environment.
*Phone sounds, vacuum sounds, to strangers and children, walk on grass, and enjoy being handled
*(fundamentals of being dogs): chasing, barking, biting, fighting, body posture and the ability to accept discipline from their mother.
*Also learn bite inhibition, a dog’s ability to control the pressure of her mouth while biting to cause little to no damage.

Secondary Socialization Period: 6 to 8 Weeks

*Socialization is still a primary focus during this period as they encounter different environments.
*Taken to a veterinarian for their first vaccinations, which also gives them their first experience riding in a vehicle.
*Continue to meet strangers and other dogs.
*Each positive step should be encouraged and rewarded with high-value treats.

Fear Period: 8 to 10 Weeks and 6 to 14 Months

• Puppies typically have two fear periods: 8-11 weeks and 6-14 months.

• When entering a fear period, a puppy will become suddenly afraid of novel items that appear in her environment.

• Instruct the owner to pair every experience between the puppy and the thing(s) she fears with all the things she likes.

Optimum Bonding Period: 8 to 10–12 Weeks

*Optimal timeframe for puppies to move to their forever homes unless they’re within a fear period.
*High value treats to encourage them to interact and approach novel stimuli.
*Owners must never force their puppies to endure veterinary visits or greetings from other dogs.
*Must have choices; stressful situations should be immediately discontinued.

General Socialization Period: 7 to 16 Weeks

*Owners should take every opportunity to socialize their puppies to as many new and varied situations as possible by enrolling them in a puppy group class

Juvenile Period: ~3 to ~12 Months

*Should continue to positively socialize their juvenile puppy by building confidence.
Should teach puppies that treats appear whenever a plastic bag floats through the air, trash cans move, bikes appear in the distance, loud trucks rumble past or cars zoom by.

Adolescent Period: ~8 Months to 2–3 Years

• Basically, this is the teenage period.

• Exhibit inherent characteristics of their breed(s) or breed-heritage.

Adult Period: ~3 to 7 Years

• These dogs are confident, trustworthy and good friends.

• Owners and dogs have figured out the most effective ways to work with each other.

Senior: 7+ Years

• Senior dogs are typically less active, which might necessitate dietary changes in order to prevent weight gain.

• Older dogs also need mental and physical stimulation, just as younger dogs do.
  *Training is still very valuable

Puppy Socialization

*Single-most important thing owners can do for their puppy
*Important time is the first three months of life
*Involves the positive exposure of puppies to many situations and environments they might encounter throughout their lives.

What Is Positive Socialization?

*Occurs when we help a dog become accustomed to circumstances that she might encounter throughout their life

Canine Nutrition Basics

*professional trainer who is knowledgeable about canine nutrition requirements
Nutrition affects canine health and behavior

Evolution of the Canine Digestive System

*Like wolves, dogs have a short digestive tract that is suited to digesting all kinds of meat.
*Swedish scientists who compared DNA from wolves and dogs discovered a surprising difference in the genes that control digestion of starch. Dogs have evolved a greater ability to break down and absorb starchy foods like grains and rice.

Canine Dietary Requirements

• The energy for everything a dog does comes from protein, fats and carbohydrates.

• These nutrients, along with minerals and vitamins, also are crucial for many canine body structures and processes.

Protein

Proteins make up a large part of every cell in a dog’s body
AAFCo’s Dog Food Nutrient Profile states that food for adult dogs should contain at least 18 percent protein, while foods for puppies must have at least 22 percent protein.

Fats

*Fats Fat is the most concentrated source of energy
*Dogs need two types of essential fatty acids—omega-6 and omega-3. These nutrients help to keep a dog’s coat and skin healthy.

Carbohydrates

• Although carbohydrates are not an essential part of the canine diet, dogs are able to get energy from carbohydrates as well as from proteins and fats.

• Manufacturers add carbohydratesusually in the form of grains, corn, legumes and other vegetables—to commercial dog foods

Minerals

*There are 12 minerals that are essential for dogs. Dogs need calcium and phosphorous in the proper ratio (1.2 or 1.3 to 1) to build strong bones and teeth.

Vitamins

*There are 12 minerals that are essential for dogs. Dogs need calcium and phosphorous in the proper ratio (1.2 or 1.3 to 1) to build strong bones and teeth.

Canine Nutrition Options

*Dog food ingredients and labeling are regulated in two ways. *The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces laws requiring that pet foods be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, free of harmful
*FDA and AAFCO rules about ingredients and labeling, AAFCO provides a list of allowed ingredients

Label Claims

“Complete and Balanced” Claims

*Dog food claims to provide complete nutrition must have the proper amounts of all the nutrients on AAFCO’s Dog Food Nutrient Profile

Other label claims

*Organic must meet USDA rules
Premium, gourmet must meet standards as complete labeled dog food
Dry vs Synethic

Dog Fod Names

*Under AAFCO rules, if a food claims to be “beef for dogs” or “chicken for dogs,” the named ingredient must make up at least 95 percent of the product, not counting water. With water taken into account, the named ingredient must still be 70 percent of the food.

Protein Sources

*Can Come From Animals
*Animal sources include: meat, meat byproducts, bone meal
*Plant source: Grain and Gluten from wheat, barley, or Rye

Types of Dog Food

• Pet owners puzzle over whether wet food or dry food is a better choice.
  It should be understood and a trainer should understand the pros and cons of each feeding approach
  Wet
  Dry
  Raw or frozen

Nutrition and Health Problems

*By far the most common nutrition-related health problem in dogs is obesity. Dogs are considered overweight when they are 20 percent above their ideal weight

Foods That Are Harmful to Dogs

Chocolate, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, onions and garlic

Nutrition and Canine Behavior

*Consuming more or less of the nutrients that go into making these substances can alter the way people and other animals—behave. Amino Acids may help lower aggression

Canine Health

*Dogs are susceptible to illnesses and diseases, they should have thorough exams, trainers should not endanger a client by not having appropriate
vaccinations

Vaccine Protocols for Dogs

Newborn puppies have a natural munnity from maternal antibodies, vaccines protect
DA2PP or DHPP core vaccine contains modified-live viruses to protect against
Distemper, Adenovirus Type-2, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus

Adenovirus Type 2 and Adenovirus Type 1 (Hepatitis Vaccine)CAV-2 and CAV-1

Distemper

is the “D” in the canine DHPP vaccine. Spread through the air and contact with infected bodily fluids, Canine Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease

Parvovirus

ne of the “Ps” in the DHPP or DA2PP vaccine, parvo, is a highly contagious, potentially fatal, acute disease

Leptospirosis

is a bacterial zoonosis, meaning it can be passed on to humans from their dog.

Rabies

*Almost every U.S. state requires dogs to be vaccinated against rabies, a zoonotic virus spread through saliva and typically transmitted through a bite of an infected animal.

Bordetella Bronchiseptica

is one of the main causes of kennel cough, along with Parainfluenza Virus and Adenovirus Type 2.

Borrelia Burgdorferi

Canine Lyme Disease*Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

Common Canine Health Problems

Giardia

• Canin Cystoisospora species (or Coccidia): is a gastrointestinal protozoan parasite. When infected symptoms include watery or bloody diarrhea or with mucus, weight loss and dehydration. Severe Symptoms Include not eating or vomiting.

External and internal parasites including fleas, ticks, and mites
Fleas transmit tapeworms, cause allergies, are excessive scratchings
Ticks suck blood and transmit disease release toxins leading to death
Ear Mites in ears and cause vigorouys scratching and head shaking.
Sarcoptes Scabiei Mites are Highly contagious and can spread rapidly between dogs
Demodex Canis Mites are not contagious and affects immune sysatem
Heart worms is not airborne, and they are transfer from mosquitos.
Giardia dogs can become infected by ingesting soil or feces that contains the parasite.

Common Canine External Anatomy

Muzzle, Throat, Brisket, Forearms

Canine Sensory Perception

*Dogs have the same five senses that
humans do, and also humans are superior to their dogs smell

Smell:

*300 million olfactory receptors

Hearing:

67 to 45,0000 hertz

Taste receptor; 17000 humans

Touch

comfort

Genetics

• DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is basically an instruction manual for creating a living structure

• What genetics are important because it will affect the dogs breed

Genotype and Phenotype

• Genotype is a dog’s collection of genes.

• Phenotype: observable characteristics of her genes’ expression; physical appearance.

Innate and Learned Behavior

• Innate : Instinctual;

• Russian Fox story

Congenital Diseases and Disorders

*OFA has database for dogs with genetic inherited diseases.

Canine Reproduction

Should not engage in difficult exercises. If not neutered will be better for the shelter animals.

In Heat DogIn Training Classes

*When necessary, Reschedule the training, if safety is not your concern schedule her training to when she is no longer in heat

Neutering

*Can be beneficial for health and reducing the population , however discuss with veterinarian before

Canine Communication

*It can be easily misinterprets do language
*Is able to detect sutle
*Recognliziing and knowing behavior is understanding the emotional state

Relaxed Body Posture

*Ears up and moving back and forth
Head high
Stands equally on all four legs or evenly distributed

Alert Body Posture

Tail straight out or stiffly wagging Corners of mouth held tightly Piloerectionan Involuntary body in the sense of hair

Offensive Threat Posture

*Pupils dilated
*Ears Foreward

*Should not be placed into situation aagin
*Should not give never corrections verbally or physically
Defensive Threat Postures

Puloerection

Rolling over / submissive

Ploerection should never approciate if something
Is going on give high value treats that are safe.
Play Bow Posture
Tail up and wagging*

Stress Signals

*Licking Lips and Nose
Extreme stress signal such as drooling.or
Wheal eyes in action needed immediastely. As humans we need to be able the
to read catines
and then act with a situation. And then we should act with an appropriate action

Canine Vocalizations

• Different barks depending on their sitiatuion:
  Excited stress or board
  Howeling or long singing but most have behaavor.

A Bit About Dominance Theory in Dog Training

*The word "dominance" usually instigates a passionate debate between those
that believe it has a role and those that do not and those who fall somewhere in between
*The scientific definition of dominance,
as described by ethologists (those who scientifically and objectively study animal behavior, especially under natural conditions), is as a descriptive term for the relationship between two individuals within a social group; that is, one individual is dominant over the other.

Leadership Exercises

*To safely and non-confrontationally establish and maintain control over food, toys, attention and so on, make your dog work for everything she wants