SHIH TZU FANCIERS OF SOUTHERN CA

AKC Obedience Titles

What? Shih Tzu and obedience? According to an article by Ms. Doris Ptetl, ASTC, Shih Tzu in obedience do very well. Like every other dog, their training has to be adjusted to their individual temperament. Not every Shih Tzu reacts the same way, so it is important for you to learn your dog's reactions and to read your dog's body language.

Obedience has a practical side. You can be proud of your Shih Tzu every place you go. Teaching your dog come, sit, down, stay, and to walk with you makes a pleasant relationship. Shih Tzu are very quick. If your dog jumps out of the car before the leash is attached, a sit/down/stay will work and could save your dog's life.

Most AKC clubs conduct a variety of classes offering different levels of training, instructed by trainers who love dogs and training, and have competed and won awards in Obedience competition with their own dogs. These classes accept all breeds, which is a way to familiarize your little toy with some of the giants out there. The classes train both you and your Shih Tzu, help develop a deeper bond between you and your dog and they are fun. STFSC does not offer classes. Speak to your vet or visit the AKC website http:www.akc.org/akc or call the AKC and ask for the training class near you. 919-233-9797.

The purpose of AKC Obedience Trials is to demonstrate the usefulness of purebred dogs as a companion to man and not merely the dog's ability to follow specified routines in the Obedience ring. While all contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in about the same way, so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored, the basic objective of Obedience Trials is to produce dogs that have been trained and conditioned to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport.

To earn AKC Obedience titles, a qualifying score is comprised of more than 50% of the available points in each exercise, and a final score of 170 or more points earned in a single Regular Class at a Licensed or Member Obedience Trial. The dog must have earned qualifying scores under three different judges at a Licensed or Member Obedience Trials with the required total number of dogs present in the class at each Trial.