29/06/2024
I have had this question come to me a lot, why take a puppy to training classes if you know how to train a dog already.
A few reasons.
Firstly because I’m not a know it all who things I’m better then anyone else!
Besides that it’s because the training class helps set up environments that I can’t set up myself.
I want a perfect sit and stay with the ultimate distractions like other dogs walking around me, other owners in the distance calling their dogs at high pitch tones, and toys being dished out to other dogs.
All of these things we can encounter on a normal park walk, dogs out of control bouldering over to you. Ask your dog for a sit and keep your dog in control despite the distraction. Your dog is off lead and someone else calls their dog puts it back on a lead is a sure good indicator they don’t want your dog interacting with them, so your dog needs to remain under control and not go running up to the other persons call.
In a class the little things like this set your dog up for a huge success. As well as being in a controlled environment with other dogs who are on the lead and can say hello with the friendly ones.
Then that brings me back to part of I’m not a know it all, there once was a time when i probably did know it all, when i trained the rescue shepherds I had training plans for them covering all the commands possible using hand signals as well as voice. That has taught me good habits but when looking after any baby animal you do develop a mum brain (please mums don’t hate on me for this because you think a dog doesn’t compare because to me it does because your looking after a small being that has a mind of its own that can’t feed itself can pretty much get into any havoc it wants and you have to pack a mini bag for it wherever you go all while remembering to look after yourself! There’s more!)
Anyhow getting back on track, with the “mum brain” I have developed even I have forgotten commands, slipped a little bit out of place with my training. The training classes are great for reminding me the other other commands the correct times to reward the correct positions for the commands ect ect.
And what I do as a bonus in my classes is while the trainer is working with other people I’ll continue to practice other commands building them up around other dogs.
Despite how much you think you know it or how easy you think it is to train a dog do just go to classes! Don’t just do the 6 week puppy courses your aren’t going to learn it all in 6 weeks neither is your dog. But also do what’s right for you.
“Oh but classes don’t let your dogs interact!” Well that’s not entirely true if you’re with the right trainer! 95% of the class is working without interactions but that’s because it’s supposed to be time with you building the bond to your dog! Often in the little breaks we can say a hello to the other dogs and they can sit next to eachother. But no they definitely do not let your dog run out of control invading the personal space of others!
