Perhaps you have seen people with unruly dogs, or maybe even have resigned yourself to think that your dog will never do as he's told. Maybe you've gotten used to coming home from work and finding chewed shoes and trash all over the house. Perhaps you've even taken to walking your dog at night when no neighbors are out because you simply can't control him when people and other dogs are around.
You don't have to resign yourself to thinking your dog will never behave and in, fact you owe it to yourself and your pet to do everything you can to get him trained properly. Having a well behaved dog can save trouble for both yourself and your pet. An unruly dog could bite a neighbor or child causing you legal problems. If your dog barks a lot or gets loose all the time you may even find yourself in trouble with the police. And most importantly, if your dog will not come when called, you have limited methods to keep him out of harms way.
A dog obedience school trainer will show you how to communicate with your dog to get him to listen to you. He'll learn how to behave around people as well as other dogs and the basic commands such as ?down?, ?sit?, ?stay?, and heel. Your dog will probably even enjoy this as he will get to spend time with your which is all he really wants in the first place!
Picking a dog obedience school is kind of like choosing a school for your kids - you want to be sure to send him to the right one. Of course, since you will probably be attending as well you want one that works for the both of you so you need to do a little research before you settle on the school.
One thing to consider when researching dog obedience schools is a reference from others who have attended the school. Perhaps you have a friend, co-worker or neighbor you can ask? If not you can ask the school for references and phone someone who has been through the program. You should have a list of basic questions you can ask about the school and the outcome of the dogs training. If you get positive answers then you may have found your school, otherwise, it's time to move on to the next choice.
Another thing you want to do when narrowing down your choice of obedience schools is to visit the ?campus?. Just like picking a college, you want to be sure that the school offers a good environment. Make sure the school seems well organized and the trainers are knowledgeable. Also, you will probably want a friendly environment where your dog (and you) feel comfortable.
Talking to the trainers at the school is also a good idea. Find out about the methods that each instructor uses and you might even introduce them to your dog to be sure they will get along. Your training will be much more successful if both you and your dog are comfortable with the trainer.
Dog obedience school can be a great way to turn your unruly pet into a great companion that will not embarrass you in social situations and you can really take anywhere you want. The whole training process can help you bond with your dog and truly help him be your best friend.
Anyone with a new dog knows that sometimes they need a little bit of guidance before he can be the perfect pet. But where do you look to find dog obedience schools that are a perfect fit for your pets personality? One place to start is local newspapers and shopping guides where you will probably find a variety of choices.
You will find that there are several different approaches for dog training from using punishment techniques to a more positive, rewards based approach.
Most trainers will have chosen their own method to fit themselves and their clients. Positive approaches are becoming more and more common and this is probably what you will run into when looking for obedience schools.
When considering the appropriate training technique, you must consider the dog. Where did you get him? How old was he when you got him? Did you rescue him, so he may have issues? What are the goals of training: pet, speed, shows, hunting, tracking, or do you plan to enter your dog into the various dog sports?
How do you find good dog obedience schools? First, remember your dog's personality and desirable goals and why you need a dog trainer in the first place. Search local newspapers, shoppers' guides and the internet. Other dog owners will be happy to recommend a wonderful trainer. Local kennel clubs and your vet will also know of many reputable dog training schools.
Trainers who use positive methods are your best bet. Always check references of the trainers. Some trainers do work with you and your dog in your home, however your dog will be missing out on important socialization. You may want to observe one of the beginner classes. Do not go if they use any harsh techniques, such as, choke collars.
For socialization, it is important that puppies be put into kindergarten or playgroup program, at the earliest age possible. Although, if you have a rescue dog that is aggressive, it may be necessary to go to an animal behaviorist instead of a trainer. Aggression in dogs isn't something to ignore!
In some cases training collars may be appropriate for some dogs. Training instruments like pinch collars may work with a few dogs, but a "Gentle Leader" head collar is far more likely to be productive with most.
It is not unusual for you to attend your first session without your dog accompanying you. This is a good indication that the trainer is a pro. Clicker training, a form of non punishment type training, necessitates a 'train the trainer' session so that you can learn the tools you will need to work with your dog successfully, without the distraction of your pet's attendance.
These are some ways to tell if the program is a positive training class:
1. The all-around atmosphere of the of the whole school will be upbeat and positive.
2. Training is founded on a reward system: a requested behavior is awarded with a goody, accolade, or anything else the dog appreciates.
3. Unwanted behavior is dealt with by distracting the dog. It usually only takes a bit of effort to distract the dog and let him know his behavior is unacceptable.
4. Instead of focusing on an undesired behavior, they are are replaced with a desired behaviors like giving the command "heel" so the dog stops and sits right beside you.
5. Patience to let the dog give the desired response is a key part of training.
In addition to local dog obedience schools, there are a large quantity of great books as well as quality websites dedicated to the topic of dog training. To find out more about one of the most effective animal training methods, try performing a quick online search on the term "clicker training." This is the method Hollywood dog trainers use to train dogs to perform on television and film. Now, your dog can learn some of these fancy tricks as well.
Lee Dobbins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Diamonds and Install Flooring. Lee Dobbins writes for where you can learn more about dogs,. Lee Dobbins's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.