There is nothing worse that rushing to get dressed for the office and finding your good pair of shoes all chewed up. Unless of course, it’s coming home to find pee puddles and poop hills all around your living room. And when was the last time you had friends over without them being attacked or slobbered by your unruly pet? If you have had it with doggie nightmares, then maybe it’s time to call in the experts in dog training.
In home dog training services are getting more popular these days. Pet owners, while they would like to train their dogs themselves, either don’t have the time or don’t know how to. Professional trainers are called in to do the job for them. The owners get to watch their dog’s progress in the convenience and privacy of their houses. If you are considering having your pet educated at home, here are five important things you need to ask before you call the dog trainer.
How high up the obedience ladder is your dog? If your pet knows the basic commands down, then you should consider training him yourself. The owner is always the best person to teach his own. However, if you really don’t know the first thing about dog training or have no chance to do so, then have the professionals take a look at what can be done to Fido as soon as possible.
Where are all the good trainers? The best trainers are those whose work speaks for itself. Talk to your friends and neighbors who have used a professional’s services in training their pet. If they don’t know anybody, they should know somebody who comes highly recommended. Check the yellow pages or surf through the Internet for companies or individuals that offer the training your dog need (basic obedience training or specific behavior modification). Research on their rates and find one that gives you the best value for your money.
What do I look for in a good trainer? The most important thing in a trainer is his method of teaching the dog. Any form of violence or yelling or undue force should not be tolerated under any circumstances. Ask for records or referrals you can personally inspect for yourself. While there are no official animal training government licenses, most trainers have undergone certified courses to equip them in their in home dog training profession. A CDT or CDTA certification from the International Association of Canine Professionals is one of the best qualifications they can have.
Which should I choose: individual or group classes? Individual classes are always advisable because your pet gets the complete focus of the teacher. However, group classes are a good alternative also because your dog will get to develop his social skills as he interacts with others of his own kind. It will also be easier on the pocket to share the trainer’s rates and other fees. Make sure that the group of dogs your pet is included in are healthy and vaccinated.
When should training begin? Right away! Ideally, training puppies should begin as early as 8 weeks old. However, you can always teach an old dog new tricks. If you are prepared, your dog is in attendance, and you have a competent trainer, then sky’s the limit! Through in home dog training, you can have a trained dog the safe and convenient way.
