- What's the best age for training my dog?
I've trained as young as eight (8) weeks in a private setting. My personal preference is not to start the dog in group obedience until the dog reaches ten (10) weeks of age.
- Is a dog ever too old to train?
In my opinion, any dog that is healthy can benefit from training. However, just like humans, the physical and mental abilities of dogs can diminish with age, and that can impact on the effectiveness of the training. Additionally, the older a dog gets, the more established the habits become. Consequently, it takes longer to eliminate an old habit and instill a new one. The oldest dog that I ever had in a group obedience class was an eleven year old Dachshund
- Can my family come to class?
Sure. But to get the most out of the training, only one person should initially work the dog. And if you bring young children to class, make sure that they remain fairly quiet while the class is in session. If they disrupt class and disturb other students, you’ll have to remove them from class.
- Can I use food for reinforcement?
Use whatever works for your dog. That could be food, a rolled up towel, a ball or toy, or just plain petting/praise.
- How long should my training sessions be while I'm training at home?
Limit yourself to two (2) or three (3) sessions in per day with each session being no longer than five (5) to ten (10) minutes in length. The younger the dog, the shorter the training session should be. For the best results, train your dog in an area that has few distractions
- Do you guarantee that my dog be trained after the six (6) weeks are over?
No. I don't train the dogs, I train the handlers and the handlers train the dogs. And since I don’t have control over what happens after you leave class, you may not work your dog between classes, I can’t guarantee success.
- What equipment do I need to train my dog?
I recommend a six (6) foot leash, either nylon or leather. I don't allow flexi or retractable leashes to be used in training. You'll also need a good collar that's fitted properly; we don't want the dog slipping the collar, treats or a toy, and water. Bring along an extra dose of patience and a positive attitude.
- What should I wear to class?
Training is usually high speed and low drag. That means athletic shoes, comfortable clothing, basically, dress for the weather. We will stay outside, unless it rains, is hot and humid or goes below 30 degrees.
- What if my dog is sick?
You probably don’t work well when you’re ill and neither does your dog. Leave the dog at home and come to class and see what we do. You can pick up things just by attending.
- Can I have somebody else bring my dog to class if I’m unable to make it?
Not a good idea. Unless that individual has been to all of the previous classes, he’ll just get confused and that will have a negative impact on the dog. You may wind up undoing what you’ve already done. If you have to miss a class, try to come early before the next class and the instructor will try to fill you in on what you missed.
- Is it better to train my dog when he’s hungry?
In my opinion, yes. Especially if you’re using food treats as reinforcement. When we get into tracking we want the dogs to get their meals on the track.
- Do I have to bring my dogs shot records?
Yes.
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