Your Kerry Blue and Obedience
Gay Stahley, Gaylic Kerries
Copyright © 1992 USKBTC
This article first appeared in the 1992 Kerry Blue Terrier Handbook.
You've acquired a dog, not just any dog, but a Kerry
Blue Terrier. You want what everyone wants of a dog: an enjoyable pet,
one who doesn't destroy things, one who doesn't bite, one who always comes
when called, is housebroken and is not a nuisance. Guess what? Dogs have
their own agenda, and, unless you work right from the start to teach these
intelligent beings what your rules are, they will use their own instinctual
behaviors.
How do you begin? If you want to take advantage of a dog's instinctual behaviors,
you have to know what they are and how to mold them. There are several
good books on dog behavior, one of the best being "Understanding
Your Dog" by Dr. Michael Fox. Once you've read, reread and understand
the workings of a pack animal's mind, get a good training book that includes
chapters on house-breaking, chewing, barking and other potential problems,
as well as how to train "formal" obedience exercises. One of
the best books in this category is "Mother Knows Best" by Carol
Lea Benjamin. Armed with this knowledge, you can begin.
First, you have to decide on your rules. For example, if you don't want the dog
to be on the furniture, don't let the puppy on the furniture, even on
your lap. Think ahead. What is cute in a puppy may not be so pleasant
in an adult dog. Then, decide to give some time to this project. Usually
in about two months of concentrated effort, you can have a pet that will
understand how to behave for the rest of his life. Consistency and patience
are the keys.
A younger dog is easier to train than an older one because the older one has
built up bad habits and experiences that you must undo before proper training
can take place. Although, a dog of any age has the capacity to learn.
The use of a crate with any dog makes training easier. It acts as a playpen does
for a small child. A crate provides a safe, secure environment when there
is little or no supervision.
Kerries are intelligent and easily visually stimulated. It is vital that they
are exposed to many situations as youngsters so that they grow up with
a stable mental attitude. For example, many Kerries are prone to car sickness.
Taking many small trips with pleasant endings, such as a romp in the park
or a small meal, will quickly overcome it.
As a pet, the advantages of "formal" obedience may not always be obvious.
Yet, many formal lessons can be adapted to home situations: a sit-stay
will keep a Kerry from bolting out an open door, a reliable trained recall
will insure his return if he does get out, a stand-stay will make him
welcome at the vet's and the groomer's; making a dog obey rules will show
him that your are the boss and give him confidence without aggression.
Formal obedience can be a lot of fun and can result in obedience titles from
various kennel club registries, such as the American Kennel Club, the
Canadian Kennel Club, the States Kennel Club, the United Kennel Club,
etc. It requires a little more concentrated effort and time, but if you've
laid a good foundation as a puppy, it can be easy. Most titles are based
on similar requirements by the different Kennel Clubs. The AKC awards
four obedience degrees. The first three are earned by showing the dog
as AKC licensed obedience trials and qualifying with a minimum score of
170 out of a possible 200 points under three different AKC approved judges.
The Companion Dog title (C.D.) is earned by the above criteria, which
also included the requirement to having to pass each exercise with at
least 50% of the points allotted to each. It includes these individual
exercises: heel on lead, with figure 8, heel off lead, stand for examination
(by the Judge) done off lead, recall (come when called from 30 feet away)
and the group exercises (with a maximum of 12 dogs): a sit-stay for 1
minute and a down-stay for 3 minutes with the handlers across the ring.
The Companion Dog Excellent (C.D.X.) is proportionately harder and includes
heel off lead, with figure 8, drop on recall, flat retrieve, retrieves
over the high jump and the broad jump as individual exercises. The 3 minute
sit-stay and the 5 minute down-stay group exercises are done with the
handlers out of sight of the dogs. The most difficult, the Utility Dog
degree (U.D.) is composed of all individual exercises, including the signal
exercise, scent discrimination, directed retrieve, moving stand for examination
and directed jumping. The coveted OTCH or Obedience Trial Champion had
yet to be won by a Kerry. It involves placing first or second in Open
B or Utility classes consistently enough to amass 100 points. Points are
awarded based on a schedule determined by the AKC and in a ratio to the
number of dogs defeated in each class. It is an achievement on par with
having a conformation champion in the national top 10 rankings.
 |
Since this article was written, Tantara's Cosmic Stellar obtained both Canadian and US OTCH status.
Owned and trained by |
The AKC also awards two tracking titles, the Tracking Dog (T.D.) and Tracking
Dog Excellent (T.D.X.) titles. They are also looking at various types
of terrier field work and agility competition with an eye to possible
titling.
"The Dual Ring Dog" by Jacqueline Fraser and Amy Arnmen shows how a
dog can be successful in both conformation and obedience at the same time.
Many exhibitors doubt that it can be done. My experience is that it can,
having had a Kerry bitch who was in a run off for second place in her
first try at Novice and on the same day was Winners Bitch for a major
and still went Best of Winners! It is a good idea that both types of showing
are trained separately so the dog does not get confused. Use different
collars and leads, body English, tone of voice and commands your Kerry
is smart enough to know the difference if you are!
Having a trained pet makes life easier around the house, too. I live with six
house dogs. Three are spayed Miniature Schnauzer bitches; one is trained
with no titles, one has a C D.X. and Canadian C.D. and the other a U.D.
and Canadian C.D. Of the three intact Kerry bitches, one is a Champion
with a C.D.X. and Canadian C.D.; the two young sisters are in training
for their C.D.s and have points toward their championships. They have
free run of the house and even share being free-fed from a common food
dish! Imagine that with no obedience
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