Competition Obedience
CD, CDX, & UD UDX & Otch

Kathy Lang has developed a competition obedience program that has produced many of the top working dogs in the nation, and her specialty is working with non-traditional obedience breeds trained by first-time handlers. Lang's students have earned titles and high scores and many "firsts" in their respective breeds. 

The FDTC philosophy towards competition obedience is based on the belief that any dog and any handler can learn the exercises to earn the CD, CDX and UD titles with nice scores, and those handlers who want to work a little harder can go on to earn High Scores and advanced titles such as the UDX and OTCH. Competition obedience trainers find themselves enjoying a wonderful new hobby as they train their dogs through advanced exercises such as hand signals, jumping, directional retrieving and scent discrimination. Well-mannered dogs with reliable off-leash control are a wonderful benefit from this training program.

 

The detailed approach to training results in a dog-to-owner relationship and understanding that cannot be described...it can only be experienced. It takes about a year to train a dog through the most advanced exercises, and an additional few months to a year to do the final polishing and preparation to go into the ring. This approach to training may take a little longer in the beginning, but the result is a better trained Novice dog who can go right into Open and Utility, and a well-prepared handler who feels comfortable and confident when they step into the ring. These classes not only teach you & your dog everything you need to know to earn titles, they also help you develop a deeper understanding of dogs & how best to communicate with them.

The classes are sequential, with each building on the previous session's material.  Students coming from other training centers or programs should contact us to arrange a private lesson to evaluate their knowledge and the best fit into our series. 

Be sure to read the "About Us" section of this website for more information on our training philosophy and general information about our various programs. 

  
 Class   Description
Attention, Foundation & Footwork For dogs with basic control on leash. (Out-of control dogs & those with significant behavior problems should take Beginning Home Obedience before this class.) Class introduces heeling with attention, fronts & finishes, sit, down, stand & come, plus footwork. Bring the dogs on any collar & leash the first week. Bring food treats the dog REALLY likes.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Advanced Attention & Footwork Continuation of previous class with ongoing work to overcome distractions.  Class works on the finer points of heeling with attention and footwork.  Dogs learn to solve problems and figure out how to succeed as the drop-on-recall and utility hand signals are introduced.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Retrieving Positive method of teaching any dog to retrieve, whether it is a natural retriever or not!  Developed by Kathy Lang, this approach is based on behavior modification.  It's fascinating to watch the dogs learn how to "push the button" and "open the cookie dispenser."  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Beginning Open  This class continues working on the retrieve and introduces jumping.  High, bar and broad jumps are introduced at low heights.  Ongoing work with signals and drop-on-recall.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Continuing Open A continuation of the previous class.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Beginning Utility  Directed retrieve, moving stand, scent articles, go-outs, directed jumping and hand signals are all part of the utility curriculum.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.  
Continuing Utility A continuation of the previous class.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Heeling, Fronts & Finishes This where heeling really comes together.  The handlers learn how to reduce the amount of food rewards used and lengthen the dog's concentration between them.  Heeling off leash is introduced.  Various techniques for accurate fronts and finishes are reviewed.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Novice Ring Prep For students who have gone through the competition program and are getting ready to enter the AKC, CKC or UKC ring to earn their titles.  All aspects of handling, regulations, ring procedures, etc., are covered.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Fast-Track CD For handlers who are not interested in training the advanced exercises and just want to get the CD title.  Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Rally Obedience Rally is a new form of obedience being offered by the AKC.  Handlers & dogs perform a pre-set course of heeling and obedience commands.  Level 1 is entirely on leash.  Levels 2 and 3 are off leash and include jumping.   Click here for schedule of upcoming classes.
Workshops & Seminars Kathy Lang regularly offers workshops and seminars on subjects of interest to competition trainers.  Click here for schedule of upcoming Workshops.
Ten Minute Tickers Family Dog "invented" the concept of ten minute tickers, a fun match where every exhibitor gets equal time in the ring.  Click here for upcoming tickers.
Private Lessons The Family Dog staff is always available for private lessons to help with specific issues.  Contact us for more information.
 

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This website and its contents are owned by Kathy Lang and Family Dog Training Center-- unless otherwise noted. NOTHING from this site may be used without the written permission of Kathy Lang, Family Dog Training Center or the identified owner. 2000-2008©

PLEASE READ THIS DISCLAIMER:  Kathy Lang and Family Dog Training Center have taken great measures to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site; however, neither can be held responsible for errors. Schedules and instructor assignments may be changed as necessary to accommodate student loads. Articles, photos and text contained on this web site are intended to be informational ONLY and do not constitute training guidance, examples or instructions.