Obedience Training

What is Dog Obedience Training?

Dog obedience training at Knox Park is designed to help handlers train their dogs using reward-based methods.
Whether your goal is a well-behaved pet or advanced obedience skills, our structured classes cater to all levels.
The club's emphasis is on teaching handlers how to train their dogs; consequently, it is the handler's responsibility to train their own dog.

Training Schedule
Training is held every Sunday morning at Knox Park, except on major public holiday weekends and during our Christmas/New Year break. Please refer to the Event Calendar after joining for specific dates.

Class Timings:

8:30 AM: Classes Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six
10:00 AM: Class One, Baby Puppies, and Beginners
All training sessions run for approximately one hour, weather permitting.
Classes Five and Six receive individual tuition.

Class Progression & Testing
It is important to understand that the club assesses handlers based on their ability to successfully complete all exercises with their dog (the dog itself is not being assessed). This means that if multiple handlers share the same dog, each handler must be individually assessed with that dog.

Handlers and dogs are assessed every fourth training week. Those who meet the required standards for their class level are promoted to the next class. While some members aim for high-level obedience, others focus on basic training for a well-mannered pet.
Many also enjoy returning year after year for the social aspect of the club and the joy of training with their dogs.

Class Information

Handlers are taught to train their own dogs and are encouraged to practice at home for the best results.

Reward-based training is used at all levels.
Child handlers (10 years and older) are welcome, provided they can safely control their dog.

Exercises Taught by Class Level

Baby Puppy Class (Up to 6 months old) – On Lead

Week 1: Watch, bridge word, stop jumping, introduction to sit, stop mouthing, touch, recall basics, name game, and socialisation.
Week 2: Introduction to drop, stand, and heel on lead.
Week 3: Stand for examination, sit/down stays.
Week 4: Modified agility course and class assessment.

Beginners Class (Older than 6 months) – On Lead

Week 1: Watch, bridge word, stop jumping, introduction to sit, stop mouthing, touch, recall, heel on lead, right about turn, name game, and socialisation.
Week 2: Right/left turns, left about turn, drop, stand, and walking recall.
Week 3: Stand for examination, sit/down stays.
Week 4: General heel pattern and class assessment.

Advanced Puppy Class (After passing Baby Puppy Class) – On Lead

Week 1: Heel on lead, right about turn.
Week 2: Right/left turns, left about turn, drop, stand, and walking recall.
Week 3: General heel pattern and class assessment.

Class One (After passing Beginners or Advanced Puppy Class) – On Lead

Progression from the previous class.
Stand from heel.
Introduction to fold-back drop from stand.
Fast & slow pace walking.
Rear-end awareness.
Figure 8 exercise.
Recall (up to 2 meters away).
Sit & down stay (up to 2 meters away).
Return around the dog after stay exercises.
Introduction to Rally trial exercises.

Class Two (After passing Class One) – On Lead

Automatic sit from heel.
Introduction to directional send away.
Recall (first part, up to 5 meters away).
Recall (second part, finish).
Sit & down stay (up to 5 meters away).

Class Three (After passing Class Two) – On & Off Lead

Introduction to off-lead control.
Distance control (up to 2 meters).
Directional send away (up to 5 meters).
Recall (first part, up to 12 meters away).
Stand stay (up to 5 meters away).
Sit & down stay (up to 10 meters away).
Introduction to broad jump, solid jump, and dumbbell.

Class Four (After passing Class Three) – On & Off Lead

Distance control (up to 3 meters).
Directional send away (up to 10 meters).
Introduction to position in motion.
Stand free for examination (up to 2 meters away).
Group stand for examination.
Introduction to speak on command.
Introduction to food refusal.
Recall (first part, up to 15 meters away).
Introduction to out-of-sight sit & down stay (up to 10 meters away).
Dumbbell retrieval on flat & over a solid jump.
Introduction to obedience & Rally trial ring work.

Training Approach & Expectations

As handlers progress, exercises become more refined to ensure dogs respond to commands both on and off-lead.

Important: Handlers are responsible for their dogs at all times while at the club and are expected to follow Club Ground & House Rules.

For information on how to join the Knox Obedience Dog Club (KODC), please visit our Membership Page.