Posts Tagged ‘Training’

How to Choose a Dog Obedience School

Every dog owner recognizes the importance of training their pet. From a very early age, dogs, like humans, learn both good and bad habits which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. This being the case, it is very important to choose the right training school to use, as bad experiences early on can have a lifelong effect on your puppy. Poorly run classes can have the exact opposite effect to that which is actually desired, causing behavioral problems which can be difficult to combat and replace.

At what age should the training start? Well, it is best to start training your puppy at 12 weeks, when your puppy is still young and eager to learn. But make sure that they have had all the correct vaccinations, and that it is safe to take them out and about with other dogs.

How should you go about choosing a training school? It is best to take into consideration the recommendations of others, so that you do not have to experience all of the bad training schools yourself. Ask your vet, and get the opinions of other friends who own dogs themselves. Observe these training classes initially and note down any of your thoughts and impressions of them.

What should you look for in a training school? Firstly, both dogs and owners should appear happy and relaxed during the class, there should be minimal tension and frustration. The trainers should be watching the handlers at all times, showing personal interest and even offering individual help if any is needed.

The class should take place at an appropriate venue, one with enough space so that conditions are not cramped. It should also be possible for shyer dogs to have some time away from the class if they begin to feel overwhelmed or scared by the situation at any time.

The class should consist of an appropriate number of animals. Smaller numbers are better, as it allows for individual help to be offered and makes it easier to keep the class calm and under control at all times. Still, there should be enough puppies there so that there is a chance to socialize well, preferably with more than 2 or 3.

All dogs taking part in the class should be of a similar age and level of development. This makes it easier for the trainer to work with the group, as all are at a similar stage of learning.

Harsh methods, such as pulling sharply at the chain or yanking at the puppy, should be avoided at all costs. Employing these methods can make puppies fearful and stunts learning. It also makes it more difficult for you to develop a warm relationship with your puppy.

Choosing the right training school to go to with your puppy is definitely vital. At these places, your dog will learn obedience and manners, as well as having the opportunity to socialize well with other puppies of a similar age. And, you never know, you might make some friends too!

How Do Puppies Learn?

Most dog owners would agree that training a puppy can be both difficult and time consuming, yet highly rewarding. It is, undoubtedly, a vital part of owning a dog. By finding out how puppies learn, this makes it easier for an owner to train and teach their puppy in the most effective and time efficient way.

So how do puppies learn? Puppies, like children, learn from the results of their behavior. So, if they do something and are rewarded for it, by, for example, a treat or a pat, they notice this and are much more likely to do it again.

On the other hand, if a puppy is actually punished for bad behavior, it may not realize that you want the bad behavior to stop. As an example, if you are angry at your puppy for going to the toilet on the carpet and punish it, it may begin to associate the punishment with actually going to the toilet in front of you. If this happens, your puppy may continue to go to the toilet on the carpet, just not when you are there, or they may do it in a place which you may not initially notice.

This being the case, it is far more effective to train your puppy by using a reward-based system when they do something right, rather than punishing them when the opposite is true.

Puppies can also learn and pick things up without you being aware of it. For example, if your puppy whines and you pay it attention, it will learn that whining produces a good outcome, like a cuddle or a treat. It is paramount that you do not inadvertently rewarding behaviors that are not desirable, or your puppy will continually persist with them.

Food can be used as a very effective tool in teaching and training your puppy. A special treat, such as diced chicken or hot dog, can be used to great effect. When your puppy does something right, say, for example, “yes” and give them the treat. In this way, they will come to view the word “yes” as a marker, or indication, that they have done the right thing and may be rewarded for that.

Take sitting as an example. Teaching your puppy to sit is not very difficult. Take the treat and hold it in front of their nose to get their attention. Then, move it slightly back and above their head. At this point, your puppy will look up and follow the treat, and as this happens, their bottom should hit the ground. When it does, say “yes” and give them the treat. By doing this, they will quickly learn that they earn a treat each time they sit on the ground.

There are lots of advice books and information available which claim to help with the training of puppies. Make sure that you follow a method which employs a reward, rather than punishment, scheme. This makes it very easy and enjoyable for you puppy to learn.