Find the Best Trainer for Your Puppy with These 7 Tips
Few things are as much fun as bringing home a new puppy. They are cute and fun and need to be trained. Finding the right person to handle your puppy training needs can seem like a challenge but it does not need to be so bad if you follow these tips.
- Start with your vet. When you get a vet, you should ask what kinds of vaccinations they have already had. You may need to bring your new dog to the vet for their first round of vaccinations before you even consider taking them for puppy training. The last thing you want to do is expose your puppy to a lot of other dogs before they have received their proper vaccinations. You will need to bring your puppy back every three to four weeks until they get to about four months old.
- Ask the vet. When you are at the vet clinic to get your new puppy their shots, ask about puppy training places in the area. Your vet and the breeder (if you have a purebred) should be able to tell you where the best places are to take your new family member for their dog obedience training classes. These professionals probably have experience dealing with the puppy training companies in your area and should be able to give you tips based on your particular dog and breed.
- Talk to your friends and family. Nearly 46.3 million American households have at least one dog. Given that number, the chances are very low that you do not know anyone who has a dog who has been through puppy training. Ask them how the found the dog trainers and what they thought of the experience. You may not use the same dog trainer or puppy training company but this will get you started in the right direction.
- Ask your vet about when you should start. Some training should not start right away. Puppy training can begin as early as eight to 16 weeks and the earlier this gets going the better. Other dog training classes should wait until your dog is at least six months old. You need to be careful with young puppies. It is possible to give them too much exercise, for instance, which can lead to problems down the road.
- Look for certified dog trainers. While there are dog trainers out there who are great with dogs, hiring a puppy training company that uses certified trainers can give you an added peace of mind. You will know the trainers have completed a certain number of hours with the dogs and that they have passed some requirements. Dog trainers can be certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, the International Association of Canine Professionals or the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers. If you have been working with someone and your experience has been good but they have not been certified, there is no reason to switch dog trainers.
- Go with a puppy training company that emphasizes positive reinforcement. There are a number of schools of thought when it comes to puppy training techniques. Most people prefer positive reinforcement work to help puppies behave the way they want them to. Nearly 99.5% of dog owners think that positive reinforcement is better than any other methods to train dog or any other animals. When puppies need to be corrected for inappropriate actions, this should never include hitting the puppy. Your trainer should be stern with the puppies but not mean or cruel.
- Find a puppy training company that shares your ideology. You need to have a similar philosophy to the people who are going to train your puppy. Look into the ways they train the dogs and think about how you feel about them. You should be completely comfortable with the way they train and treat your dog. If you do not feel comfortable with the trainers, this will come through and your dog will pick up on it. Make sure they include you in the training process. This will make it more effective.
Everyone loves cute, cuddly and friendly puppies. Finding the right puppy traine can help them grow into a well behaved dog.