Training is an essential part of responsible dog ownership. The training itself is mentally stimulating and fun, and will set your dog up for a lifetime of good manners.
It’s best to start early, and puppies can typically begin training around 8 weeks. Most obedience schools these days use positive reinforcement, a combination of attention and food.
A well-trained dog can be a fantastic addition to your life. A poorly-behaved dog, on the other hand, can make you reconsider why you ever gave in to the begging, whether of your literal kids or simply your own inner child. Give your future self a break, and start searching “dog obedience training near me” ASAP, even before bringing home your ball of fluff.
The Basic Commands
The ABCs of dog obedience training, as you might expect these include sit, stay, come, down or off, and leave (and/or drop) it. Even more basic than this, though, your dog will learn to recognize and respond to its name.
The most fundamental thing your dog will learn is attention. Without this nothing else can be taught. Knowing their name will help to initiate attention, and learning to maintain attention will help to keep interaction with you calm and easy. An attentive dog will happily follow instructions, no shouting needed.
House & Kennel Training
While accidents should be expected with a puppy, a good understanding of house training will help minimize clean-ups.
Even if you intend to let your dog sleep in bed, kennel training will make it easier to take trips to the vet, to travel comfortably, or to board your dog when needed.
Socialization & Leash Training
A benefit of group or residential classes is the opportunity to socialize your dog. Socialization includes learning appropriate interaction with other dogs as well as with humans of all sizes. Whether you dream of a meet-cute in a dog park or just navigating morning walks around your neighborhood without incident, dog-to-dog socialization is essential. The more thoroughly these principles are established early on, the less likely they are to be disrupted by the inevitable unfortunate interactions with less well trained dogs in the future.
Socialization should be taught on and off leash. Leash training should teach your dog not only to be comfortable on a loose leash (no pulling arms out of sockets, please!), but even to be chill on leash when other dogs may not be.
If you have children at home, it’s a good idea to find obedience training that includes teaching dogs to respond to commands from children. This will greatly improve family dynamics, and give parents peace of mind.
So, Where Can I Find Dog Obedience Training Near Me?
As you consider how best to prepare for a new dog, take the time to consider your training options. Research online, ask around at dog parks, or give your local veterinarian a call. Especially if you’re bringing a dog into a family with young children, consider training programs that cover the basics before your fur baby even comes home.
A well-trained dog is a happy dog, and a happy dog makes for a happy home.
