subject: Why Training Your Puppy Is Essential [print this page] If you own a dog, you know how important it is to train them. This is particularly true with puppies. While adult dogs can be trained, if you have a puppy you must start early because the habits, good and negative, that they learn will stay with them. While a lot of training can be done at home, training schools will make it easier and teach central socialization skills to your pup. But you need to pick out the best training school. If you sign up for one with a bad instructor, your dog may end up with more behavioral problems than before.
If your dog is at least twelve weeks old, she is old enough to enroll in a class. The sooner you can begin the better you'll be. You do, however, want to make sure that all of the needed vaccinations are in place before exposing your pet to others. So the first step is to get a clean bill of health.
Once you know you are prepared, you'll want to discover the number one school. Of course, picking out the right one can be hard. Begin by getting the recommendations of others. Acquaintances with dogs and vets are good points to begin. Even if you get a lot of recommendations for one place, you should always watch the class before you sign up. You might want to write down any feelings that you have of them.
Here's what you want to observe in a class. There should be a mellow air with little frustration. Owners and their dogs should seem happy. The trainers should not be angry, but calm and facilitative. They should be watching at all times and proffering advice and assistance to anyone that needs it.
Pay attention to the venue. You don't want to feel crowded, so avoid any location that is too small. See if there is a separate area away from the course where dogs can go if they are shy or need to be on their own.
Class size is another aspect that you'll want to think about. You want there to be enough dogs that your puppy will get the socialization skills that he needs. So don't sign up for semi-private courses with just a couple of other dogs. On the other hand, you'll also wish to avoid anything that is too large. A disorganized environment makes it difficult to learn and you might not get the individualized attention that you need.
You'll need to find a course that is for the age and developmental level of your puppy. Mixing ages make it harder for socialization and for the trainer to do things in groups. This isn't as significant for adult classes, but it is for younger pets.
While each of these aspects are significant, the most important thing to think about is the kind of training that is done. You do not want a trainer that uses fear or harsh tactics. If you seem them jerking on a dog's chain, you know this is not the place to be. Not only does this affect your pet's learning ability, it can damage the relationship the two of you are making.
It may seem like a lot of work to find the perfect training course, but it will pay off in the end. The lessons your pet learns will keep with them for the rest of their lives. You'll have a companion who is well-behaved and can be taken anywhere without worry.
