FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I train my dog?

Training will help your dog understand what’s expected of him. Think of it this way, imagine going to a country you’ve never been to before. You don’t speak the language, you don’t understand what’s going on around you. That’s how a new dog feels when he comes into your home. Training with your dog will create a language you both can understand. It builds trust and creates a bond between you both.

 

Why am I having such a hard time housetraining my puppy?

One of the biggest problems in housetraining is that we tend to give the puppy too much freedom before he’s ready. In my experience, the best way is to develop routines and schedules, using crate training as the starting point. And watch the puppy, watch the puppy, watch the puppy.

 

How do I Find a Trainer?

No matter who you decide to go with in training your dog, here are a few tips that can help you make the right choice:

Ask Questions -

As far as I’m concerned, there are no stupid questions. It is so important that you feel comfortable with the person you will be trusting to train your dog. Find out what their methods are, what kind of equipment they use (choke chains, pinch collars, electric shock collars, etc.). Be very leery of someone who will not allow you to watch them work with your dog. Listen to your gut, if it doesn’t feel right then it probably isn’t.

Board and Train, Obedience Class or Private In-Home Training?

If you are looking for a board and train situation, make sure that you will be involved. Some places will show you one thing up front, and practice some very harsh punishment when you aren’t there. There are some very reputable facilities out there, but you need to do the research to make sure you’re your puppy isn’t getting a shock if he doesn’t respond to the trainer right away.

Obedience class offers the basic commands and some socialization. Generally, these classes last for 6 weeks and you attend once a week. Some classes allow time for behavioral questions, some focus only on the commands. Some classes are small and more personal, while other are very large and leave no time to talk to the trainer if you need a little help. If your dog has a specific issue, you may want to start with a private consultation to determine what you need.

Private in-home training offers you and your dog personalized learning. If you have a specific behavioral issue you’d like to work with, private sessions can offer you one-on-one time to ask as many questions as you need. These sessions generally last an hour or so, basically because your dog’s attention span doesn’t go much further than that. They cost more, but a lot of trainers offer price breaks depending on how many sessions you want.

Do Some Legwork

There are a number of sites that offer a Dog Trainer Search. You put in your zip code and a list will come up. The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT.com) is a great site to start with. It stresses to their members the importance of humane methods of dog training and offers continuing education to trainers.