Choosing A Dog Training School

The benefits associated with going to a good dog trainer or dog training school are enormous.

Your dog's health, wellbeing and behavior are determined by the training you provide. Plus obedience training helps to build and strengthen the close bond you and your dog will enjoy together.

A trained dog is so much better off than an untrained one. The number one reason why we have such a large number of dogs ending up in animal shelters and being destroyed is various behavioral problems. Problems that in many cases can easily be prevented or extinguished through some basic obedience training. And the best place to achieve this is by attending a good dog training school.

How To Choose A Great Dog Training School

• One of the first and most important criteria for choosing your dog training school is the training style they employ. Look for a class that uses humane, non violent dog training methods. Look for dog trainers who encourage and reward desirable behavior in their students rather than by using intimidation and heavy handed punishment. Consider a clicker training class that relies on repetition, cooperation and positive reinforcement to achieve the desired result.

• Check out the credentials, accreditation and experience of the trainers. Also it's important that trainers continue to learn and further their skills. Most important when choosing a dog trainer is that you determine if they have a genuine love of dogs and enthusiasm for the task at hand. Are they training dogs because they love the species or are they just going through the motions like it's some 9 to 5 dead end job?

• Go and have a look at a few classes before making your decision. Most dog training schools will welcome this and even expect it of their potential clients. Make note of the equipment used in classes, the class sizes, general atmosphere (should be fun!), cleanliness and safety.

• Check out the success stories, testimonials and references of the dog training schools you are considering. Do they have happy and satisfied clients?? A great source of information and feedback can be unearthed by speaking with your Vet, your dog groomer or talking with dog lovers at dog shows or your local dog park.
  

• Work out what you expect from going to dog training school and write down any goals you have for your dog. Then match this up against the class schedule offered at your local schools.

• Check that the schools take vaccinations seriously - especially if you are going to a puppy kindergarten class. You should be asked for proof that your dog has been properly vaccinated and is up to date with all shots.

• Can you get one on one support if needed? This may be important to you and your dog at some stage. You need to be the person training your dog but sometimes it is handy to get some individual help. Something to keep in mind is that dog training is not an intuitive process, you need to be educated how to do it by someone who is properly trained and experienced.

• Other factors of less importance are the location of the school and also the price of the lessons. What you spend in terms of both time and money will be well and truly paid back by the benefits gained through obedience training.

Good luck in finding a suitable dog training school for you and your dog. Once you settle on a school that you believe is a good fit then the hard work will begin! Remember that training your dog is not something you do once a week when you go to class, it should be an ongoing process that you build upon each and every day.

Training your dog is crucial for your dog's health, behavior and wellbeing. The food you feed to your dog also plays a vital role in shaping your dog's life - what is the best dog food?