If you have decided to enroll your four-legged friend in an obedience training class, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure that your choice is the right one. Choosing a dog trainer requires much more than simply selecting a name at random from the phone book and, when it comes to your pet, nothing but the best will do.
Obedience training classes are held in most communities and are not typically difficult to find. If you need information on finding puppy or dog training classes in your area, you can check with a local veterinarian, fellow pet owners or a pet shop. Before you decide to enroll your puppy or dog, take the time to attend a class and see how the trainer interacts with current students. In addition to being able to effectively communicate with animals, a dog trainer should be open to answering questions that you may have regarding their training methods, experience and results.
When it comes to dog training, whether it be a puppy or adult dog, trainers should always use methods that involve positive reinforcement, such as rewarding dogs with a treat and praise when they respond to commands. When a pet refuses to obey a command, most trainers will employ a method of ignoring the animal until it responds appropriately. Trainers should never use harmful methods of dog training and should, in fact, be very gentle with pets. The best way to confirm this is to attend a class and ask the trainer for references.
Currently, there is no organization that licenses dog trainers. This means that basically anyone can open a business, call themselves a trainer and begin accepting students. If you want to make sure that your four-legged friend is in good hands, speak with the trainer directly and inquire about his/her background with animals and special training or education that they have undergone prior to becoming a trainer. Ask for references and don't hesitate to consult with each of them. If a trainer cannot provide references or fails to answer your questions satisfactorily, consider the possibility that you may be able to train your own pet just as effectively in the comfort of your own backyard.
If you are going to enroll your pet in a dog training class, make sure that it is safe, effective and worth the money. There are a number of programs, videos and books that are available to help in teaching pet owners how to instill obedience training, housebreaking and basic techniques that will result in a well-behaved animal. With so much information available, some dog owners may wonder which provide quality information and which are just nonsense. The truth is that dogs cannot be trained overnight but, with patience and the proper approach, they can begin to learn your commands with time.
If you want to know which programs or books are worth your time and money, take a moment to read product reviews that are geared toward dog training products and how to differentiate between the good and the bad.
Dogs are designed by nature to follow leaders, and to look for that leadership. As pack animals, dogs naturally follow the directions of their pack leader. In the absence of a strong leader, the dog may assume this role itself. Dogs that think of themselves as the leader of their human pack can become uncooperative, destructive and even dangerous.
Proper obedience training opens up important lines of communication between handler and dog. The basis of any obedience training program is to gain the cooperation and respect of the animal. This respect cannot be exerted through rough handling methods or mistreatment. It must instead be earned through leadership and proper training techniques.
Basic obedience training consists of teaching the dog what to do and what not to do. When it comes to desired behaviors, it is important for the dog to learn and respond to basic commands, such as heeling when walking, stopping on command, sitting when directed, coming when called and staying where the handler directs.
The list of what not to do is also important when it comes to obedience training. Some of the don’ts of obedience training include – not jumping up on people, not forging ahead when walking and, not chewing the furniture or your property, and not getting out of control when exposed to novel situations.
In essence, obedience training involves establishing the social hierarchy that is so important to dogs as pack animals. When your dog follows your obedience commands, such as – come, stay, sit, heel, etc., he or she is showing compliance and submissiveness. This is the same type of behavior a submissive member of a wild dog pack would show to the alpha dog in that pack.
As with any type of dog training, it is important that obedience training sessions be fun and rewarding for both dog and handler. A happy, healthy dog will be best able to learn, and keeping the dog happy during the training sessions will make life easier for both yourself and your dog. Obedience training has many benefits for the dog as well as the handler.
For one thing, a well trained, obedient dog can be permitted a larger amount of freedom than an untrained dog. For instance, a dog that has been properly trained to come when called can safely enjoy some off leash play time at the local park.
There is always a debate over whether it is easier to obedience train puppies or older dogs. The fact is that both puppies and older dogs can be successfully trained to be willing, obedient companions. It is generally easier to train puppies and young dogs than it is to retrain dogs that have developed behavior problems. Even problem dogs, however, can be successfully retrained using basic obedience training and control concepts.
When obedience training puppies, however, it is important to remember that puppies generally have a shorter attention span than to do full grown dogs. It is important, therefore to keep training sessions short in the beginning. It is also important to incorporate lots of play with other puppies, dogs and other animals, as well as lots of different people. Proper socialization is very important to creating a safe, healthy and happy companion dog.
There are many obedience training classes held in all parts of the country, and new puppy and dog owners are encouraged to enroll in one of these classes. Not only do puppy kindergarten and dog obedience classes provide important structure for the dogs, but it provides important chances for properly socialization the puppy as well.
Both Brian Dolezal & Jonathan Cheong are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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