Having a well-behaved dog in your home can be a blessing. Good behaviour and manners must be taught. Dogs don’t instinctively know what behaviours we find acceptable. Training is essential for harmonious coexistence. With so many different training styles available, there are some things to know before enrolling your dog in obedience class.
Vaccinations For Your Dog
For your dog’s safety, you should ensure that it is fully vaccinated before allowing it anywhere that possibly unvaccinated dogs may have been. Your vet can confirm when it is safe for your dog to be around other dogs.
Decide What You Want To Train
Knowing what you want to train your dog for will determine the type of training. In the beginning it’s common to opt for the basic puppy classes. The training classes won’t train your dog; they will teach you how to train your dog. Success in training will depend on how much effort you put in outside the training classes.
As your dog masters the basic skills, you can assess if you want to take your dog’s training further. For example, agility, and obedience training for fun or to compete. You can also take classes to train your dog as a support animal.
Finding A Class
Finding the right class and trainer is a top priority. You want to find someone who uses the most up-to-date, scientifically proven training methods. You want a positive reinforcement trainer who doesn’t use aversive methods or tools.
Many studies have demonstrated that aversive training methods harm dogs and their emotional well-being. Aversive methods harm the dogs’ well-being and the human-dog relationship.
Finding a reputable trainer can be tricky, so it’s advisable to arrange to watch a training session without your dog before committing. The classes should be controlled, and the instructor should happily answer questions. Speak to the people attending the classes and find out what they think.
The Kennel Club, The Humane Society, and Dogs Trust often have links to search for local ethical dog trainers. I highly recommend searching for a reputable organisation for an ethical dog trainer. The trainers recommended by these organisations have been thoroughly assessed, and their methods are kept up to date.
Have Realistic Expectations
Like people, each dog is an individual with its own needs and limitations. Some dogs will learn quickly, and some will need the training broken down into easier-to-learn steps. A good instructor will teach you how to break the training down.
It’s important to train your dog where it is, not where you think it should be. Trying to rush your dog through training will cause frustration and confuse your dog, setting the training back. If you feel frustrated, take a break from training and do something fun. Dogs are finely attuned to our emotions; your dog will pick up on it.
Contacting The Trainer
Once you have found an ethical trainer, contact them and arrange to go along to watch a class. Leave your dog at home; observing the class without your dog’s distraction will be easier. You can decide if the trainer is someone you can work with.
Watch how the trainer interacts with others in the class; do the people seem relaxed and comfortable with the trainer? Are the people able to ask questions and get answers? Are the dogs happy and the environment controlled? Are the classes large or small, and can the trainer give individual attention when required?
An ethical trainer won’t use aversive tools to train your dog, and they won’t suggest using aversive tools. An ethical trainer will help you to train your dog while fostering a trusting relationship with your dog. The bond between you and your dog is as important as teaching your dog to cooperate with you.
Communicate With The Trainer
This sounds basic, but unless you explain what you want to teach your dog or any difficulties you are having with your dog, the trainer can only give you basic guidance. Choosing a trainer you can work with is essential, and who knows what you want to achieve. A good working relationship will help you succeed in your training goals.
Commit To The Training
The training class is to teach you how to train your dog. You will learn how to communicate with your dog and techniques to help your dog learn. What you learn in class has to be practised for 5 minutes a few times daily for your dog to learn. You have to be consistent and patient throughout the process.
The more fun you make it for your dog, the more eager your dog will be to participate in the training. Staying calm and patient is essential in fostering a positive training experience for you and your dog. You must also be consistent; changing the boundaries of any training exercise will only confuse your dog and delay the learning process.
Choose your trainer wisely, and enjoy training your dog for a long and happy relationship!
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