Dog Training Courses

Welcome to Dog Training Courses.

You’ve seen those people walking past your home.. dog at their side.. constantly looking at the person, then ahead, then back to the person. If you’re anything like me, at that point you look at your dog and then back at the people outside your home and a wave of jealousy and wonder comes over you. Have you ever caught yourself asking your dog “Why can’t you be more like that?”

How did they get the perfect dog? Why isn’t my dog like that? If you’re thinking you just have a bad dog then you’re wrong.. you’ve just had bad training practices. If you walk out the front door and your dog is pulling, sniffing everywhere, etc… you’ve got a dog that thinks he or she is the pack leader and you are a lower ranking member. What are your options?

Let’s face it, not everyone has the time, patience, or skills to train a dog properly. Dog training courses are an excellent resource for you and your dog to learn the necessary skills to perform various tasks and tricks. One very important thing that cannot be emphasized strong enough is that dog training courses are also people training courses too! It is equally important that you learn from the course, as well as any other friends or family members that will be taking care of the pet. You cannot expect to attend the classes, then return home and go about your regular activities without continuing the same rules and techniques taught to you. For example, if in class you practice walking the dog on your left side and having him/her beside you, but then go home and let him run around in front of you and pull constantly on the leash… well you might as well save your money and cancel your course. The only way for your dog to become the perfect dog is if you learn to be the perfect master.

In general, puppies that have had obedience classes with other puppies have less behavioral problems than those without any training at all. Why? This is because dogs are natural pack animals and need to learn how to act with other pack members. Within the pack there are higher ranking (alpha) and lower ranking members. In a one dog household, the other human members are seen as part of the pack from the dog’s point of view. Often though, we don’t know what our dogs are telling us and we wonder how to get them to understand or listen. This is why a course with other dogs, humans and a good trainer eases the communication between everyone, and the end results are amazing.

The best dog training courses are group classes where you are present with other dogs and their owners. The dog learns how to act with other dogs, with you and other dogs, and with many different distractions. These courses are designed to simulate the distractions that dogs experience all the time, but your dog learns that you are its anchor no matter what is going on. You become the top dog, the pack leader, alpha etc., and your dog should always listen to you regardless of what is going on around him or her.

Tips for good dog training courses

As a general rule the best time to begin obedience training is when your dog is between 7 weeks and 18 weeks old.
It’s never too late. If your dog is older or you’ve adopted an older dog, your dog can still learn everything a puppy can, it just takes a little more work to undo their bad habits.
Ask others about courses. Ask your family, friends, etc if they know any good dog training courses. Try going to a dog park and asking others who have obedient dogs.
Positive reinforcement.. not negative. Try to avoid courses that use punishment techniques like chain pulling and hitting. Good dog training courses use reward to motivate the dog, not punishment to scare it.
Classes generally last about 1 hour and run for about 6-8 weeks.
Good classes provide homework exercises between classes.