Schutzhund dog training is not for everyone, but it certainly has its benefits. Schutzhund dog training started in Germany in the 1900s as a test for the working dog qualities of the German Shepherd dog breed. Training your dog using the Schutzhund method gives the dog the ability to protect its master, but show enough restraint to still obey its master despite highly stressful circumstances. For example, the dog should not be afraid to bite the arm of an assailant, but still have the presence of mind to let go if the master bids the dog to do so. Today, this type of dog training is a popular sport that tests the dog characters in three stages: obedience, tracking, and protection.

Obedience

This Schutzhund dog training stage is conducted in a large field and involves two dogs. One dog is left on a corner of the field while the handler works on the other dog. Then, after the first dog completes the course, the dogs switch places. The dog is taken through a series of exercises, such as heeling among a group of people, recalls, and retrieves. There is also a time in Shutzhund dog training that gunshots are fired and the dog is expected to remain in heeling position. This tests the dog’s reactions to stressful situations. If the dog is too aggressive or shows fear, the dog doesn’t pass this part of training.

Tracking

In this part of the training, the dog is asked to track a series of articles that are previously laid in a field. The dog then finds the articles and shows that he or she has found the article. Usually, the dog indicates this by lying down with the article between his or her front paws.

Protection

Training your dog using the Schutzhund method is not complete without the third stage, which is protection. The dog is tested on how he or she can protect his or her master and still have the presence of mind to obey its master through this. A decoy, who wears a heavily padded sleeve, then pretends to attack the master. The dog is expected to stop the attack by biting the padded sleeve. As part of the schutzhund dog training, the dog must also let go of the padded sleeve when given a command. Failure to do so will result to the dog not passing the test. As part of the schutzhund dog training protection phase, the dog is also asked to find a hiding decoy and to bark and keep the decoy until the handler dismisses him or her.

Competitions that feature the best of Schutzhund dog training abounds. There are several training levels in which your dog can compete.

There is no doubt about it, the knitting craze has needled its way into pop culture and is here to stay. But for those knitters who have ideas that surpass the knitting patterns available to them, a new revolution in knitting is finally on the horizon. With Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting Design (Visual, an imprint of Wiley; January 2007; $ 24.99), today’s creative knitters can break free of pattern dependency. This handy book provides all the tools a person needs to create garments that match his or her personality, shape and style. Now you are free to stretch your imagination as far as the yarn.

Author Sharon Turner (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting) starts off with the basics — such as checking gauge, using master patterns in multiple gauges, choosing appropriate yarn and calculating yarn yardage. Armed with these basic tools, you will be able to create your own unique designs. With color photos to guide you every step of the way, Turner provides pattern instructions for hats, sweaters, mittens and scarves and then moves on to a variety of ways to customize the garment, from changing yarns and shifting structures to adding creative embellishments. With a special reference that provides stitch patterns, garment sizing charts and pages to sketch designs on, it’s never been so easy to knit outside of the box.

This innovative book is the only tool knitters of all levels need to create something completely unique that matches their tastes. With step-by-step instructions each accompanied by a detailed photo, knitting ideas to life has never been easier. And the best part is you won’t need to wade through complicated text to get there.

Recent studies have concluded that up to 40 percent of all adults may be “visual learners” who learn faster by seeing and imitating, rather than simply reading. Teach Yourself VISUALLY Knitting Design takes readers on a visual journey from mastering basic designs and patterns to adding personal flourishes, to designing your own unique knits. The designs of the future are in your hands.

Knitting Design: Teach Yourself VISUALLY

By Sharon Turner

ISBN: 978-0-470-06817-5

$ 24.99 U.S. / $ 29.99 CAN

293 pages; paperback

VisualTM an imprint of Wiley

VisualTM

Combining clear, step-by-step screen shots with minimal text, Visual guides are the ultimate resource for visual learners, who represent up to 40 percent of the world’s population. Written by top experts, the Visual guides are perfect for everyone who wants to avoid long-winded explanations and jump right into a new skill or hobby. Visual guides teach a wide range of topics — everything from computer graphics to guitar playing to knitting to dog training to mastering software to practicing yoga. For more information, visit wiley.com. Visual is an imprint of Wiley.

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