If you’ve got a new puppy, you may have already decided that they need training and obedience classes. Puppies are balls of boundless energy, and they need to learn how to behave and control their exuberance. It’s fun to play with puppies. But it’s not so amusing when you come home to scenes of carnage. Are you eager to keep your sofa intact and your slippers in one piece? If so, here are some tips to make sure you get the best out of puppy training classes.
Image from https://pixabay.com/en/photos/cute%20puppy/
Register early
Puppies can start training and obedience classes once they’ve had their immunizations. In some cases, you may find that sessions get booked up in advance, so register early. If you’re not sure which classes to attend, ask friends or colleagues for recommendations. It’s likely that your vet will be able to make suggestions too.
Lay the foundations
Training should start long before your pup bounds into their first session. Start basic training as soon as you bring your puppy home. Be strict, but fair. It’s important that they know the boundaries, and that they gain respect for you. Start with simple commands like ‘sit’ and ‘wait’. Encourage them, and give them a reward, such as a chew, when they display good behavior. If your puppy is used to authority, they will respond well to classes. If they’ve been allowed to rule the roost for weeks beforehand, they may struggle to adjust.
Stick with it
If you’ve signed up for a course, make sure you attend all the sessions. There’s no point in going to the first class, and then having a few weeks off. Puppies need consistency.
Image courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=14263&picture=dog-obedience-class
Use your trainer’s advice at home
It’s essential to reinforce your trainer’s actions and requests at home. Your puppy may behave well during the session. But if they’re allowed to do anything they want at home, they’re likely to exploit this freedom. Practice commands and exercises with your pup when you’re out for walks or he’s waiting for dinner. You can also continue training between sessions with dog training online. Practice makes perfect. If you keep going over the drills, your pup will pick them up in no time at all, and you’ll notice changes immediately. Always reward good behavior. When you’ve finished your sessions, continue training at home. Don’t let things slide just because you’re no longer attending lessons.
Ask for advice
If you’re struggling at home, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Contact your vet, or have a word with your dog trainer after the session. There may be additional exercises you can try or different ways of addressing your pup.
Encourage exercise
Between sessions, make sure you keep your puppy busy. Pups tend to stray off the straight and narrow when they get bored. Play with them, take them for regular walks and show them love and affection. If you go out, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied.
Puppy training classes are fantastic for taming unruly pups and teaching puppies to interact with other dogs. If you have a new member of the family, follow these tips to ensure you make the most of training sessions. Hopefully, you’ll have a perfectly behaved pooch before you know it!
