Dog Obedience Schools - How To Pick The Right One For Your Dog

Anyone with a new dog knows that sometimes they need a little bit of guidance before he can be the perfect pet. But where do you look to find dog obedience schools that are a perfect fit for your pets personality? One place to start is local newspapers and shopping guides where you will probably find a variety of choices.

Today, several methods of training dogs are used, they include calm, positive reinforcement techniques, “alpha” dominance, and cruel punishment.

There still remain many schools of thought when it comes to dog training, and a great many veteran trainers will use a specific system that suits them as well as their customers. The current trend is a move towards more of a rewards based method.

Also, you need to think about your individual dog. What is his life history? Have you had him as a puppy or just recently acquired him as an adult? Also consider your training goals. Do you want him to be more family-friendly, a good hunting or show dog? Beyond basic obedience, consider what you’re hoping to get out of training.

Once you have established your training goals and you have your dog’s personality in mind, make a list of all the local dog obedience schools information that you can find. Then check out their web pages. You can check with other dog owners to see if they have a good dog trainer. Also contact your local veterinarian or kennel for suggestions.

Trainers who use positive methods are your best bet. Always check references of the trainers. Some trainers do work with you and your dog in your home, however your dog will be missing out on important socialization. You may want to observe one of the beginner classes. Do not go if they use any harsh techniques, such as, choke collars.

It is a great a idea to sign your puppy up for a play group to ensure it has proper socialization. However, if you have a rescue dog with aggression issues you may need more than just a regular trainer. In this case, you may need a certified animal behaviorist. Be extra cautious with aggressive animals!

Although there is a small percentage of dogs that will require a pinch collar for training purposes, a “Gentle Leader” head collar is often just as, if not more, effective for most dogs.

If your dog isn’t required for his first training session, don’t be shocked — it’s a good thing! Clicker training (or any positive training) needs a training session for owners so you learn to properly use the tools and to communicate effectively with your dog.

Here are some signs of a good training class:

1. The school, as a whole, will have a positive tone.

2. Training is based on offering your dog rewards during training is the key to reaching your desired goals, which along with praise, may include his favorite toy and doggie treats.

3. Unwanted behavior is dealt with by distracting the dog. It usually only takes a bit of effort to distract the dog and let him know his behavior is unacceptable.

4. The method of dealing with undesirable behavior is to give the dog a command that he can not achieve while engaged in said behavior. For example, command him to “sit” to stop him from jumping up on guests when they first enter your home.

5. Patience is a key element in any training session.

There are other methods to training your dog that you can use in addition to local dog obedience schools. Hollywood canines get their talent by way of “clicker training”, a very effective and efficient means of training dogs. If you want to review other methods, there are plenty of credible websites and training books available also.