You have your best friend, but now it’s time to think about getting them enrolled in a puppy training class! Your new trainer will ultimately help you communicate with your puppy and teach them good manners through basic command training and advanced training, which will strengthen your bond and relationship with them. It’s an important decision that you need to consider and research before taking the plunge into puppy training! Here are important factors to keep in mind when you begin your search!
A puppy trainer will help you instill good behavior in your puppy through training, troubleshooting ongoing problems, coach you on how to train and care for your puppy, and be a support system as your pup grows up into adulthood! Enrolling your puppy into a class will help build their confidence and provide a great controlled socialization environment where they can learn to be around other puppies and people. There are many trainers and training programs out there, many with different specializations, so it will ultimately be up to you to decide on a reputable trainer that fits you and your puppy’s needs, matches up with your personal preferences and standards, and has proven great results. So how do you do all of this?
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Start by Setting Your Puppy Training Goals
@minidood_winston
Whether you are a totally new puppy owner or this is your 5th puppy, it’s always good to come into a puppy training situation with a clear plan. Set your goals for your puppy, like covering the basic commands, socialization, potty training, and leash-walking to name a few. When you do start reaching out to puppy trainers, having these goals will help you narrow in on trainers’ services and if they cover your specific needs.
“Create a goal sheet of what you’d like your puppy to accomplish with the training. Trainers often specialize in different training areas so being clear on your goals can help you pick the one that suits your needs the best!”
Ask for References
It’s great to know that you are being directed toward a professional puppy trainer that is recommended by someone you know and trust. Lean on your family and friends for help figuring out what puppy trainers to reach out to if they have used a great on in the past! As a first-time puppy owner, having a support system is a huge bonus for providing care for your puppy. Perhaps someone you know has already been through this process and can give you insight based on their experience. Don’t just limit yourself to just your close relationships; branch out into your community and ask around in pet businesses. Social media is a great place to find a puppy trainer, too!
At The Puppy Academy, we like to think of our students as our ambassadors when they are out and about with their parents. Chances are if you are in the local Hermosa Beach area and see a well-behaved pup, they may be one of ours! But even if they aren’t or if you live across the country, take the opportunity to speak with the owner and ask them about their trainer!
“If you see a well-behaved dog out with their owner, ask them where they got their puppy trained! So many of our new students come from referrals of past clients who were asked who trained their puppy. And don’t be afraid to ask! Owners love talking about their dogs, especially when you’re complimenting them on their great behavior. ”
Training Style and Range of Services
As we mentioned in the earlier section, there are many methods to puppy training with a wide range of disciplines from the basics to something advanced like service dog training. Ultimately it will be up to you to decide what fits your personal needs and goals. Take some time to meet with your potential new trainers, speak with them one-on-one to get to know them, and gauge their personality and people skills. You should also feel comfortable with their approach and talking to them candidly about your expectations or concerns. Are they patient and encouraging? Are they addressing your questions? Ask them what type of training methods they use. If possible, observe them in action while they are working with a puppy to see firsthand how they interact, and speak with the other puppy parents to get their opinions! If you’re not able to view a class live, oftentimes trainers will have videos you can watch on social media to get a better idea of their training style before you decide to work with them.
“It’s really important to like the trainer you’re working with. Pick a person who matches the personalities you enjoy and get along with, and it will make the whole puppy training process even more enjoyable for you! ”
There’s many different formats of training programs available like group classes, private one-on-one training, full-day training and board and trains, so keep in mind what may work best for both your lifestyle, and your training goals. A great trainer will be able to recommend the best option for you to accomplish specific goals about your puppy’s behavior and be able to guide you toward the optimal learning environment for them.
Inquire About Your Trainer’s Experience
Ask your potential trainer about their experience background with questions like how many different dogs they’ve worked with (outside of their own, and friends and family’s dogs), who and where they’ve learned from or trained with, and what they consider their area of expertise to be in training. For example, some trainers love to work with adult dogs more than brand new puppies; some may specialize more in service and therapy dog training; some may do more behavioral training, which goes beyond obedience training, and so on. Knowing all this information will give you great insights into their qualifications and if they’re a great fit!
Be Involved in Your Puppy’s Training
@journeywithbleu
A good trainer will train you on how to handle your puppy and continue training at home to ensure they succeed. By being involved, you’ll learn how to align with your pup’s current training and ask questions if certain techniques aren’t clear to you. At The Puppy Academy, our trainers work with your puppy first in an all-day drop-off school format, then transfer that knowledge and training over to you during one-on-one training sessions throughout the program. This approach allows us to train your puppy to perfect their commands and eliminate any confusion your pup may have trying to understand the same commands being delivered in a different way by their owner. It also takes the pressure off of you trying to figure out the correct way to deliver commands and getting your puppy to perform them correctly!
With any puppy trainer that you decide to move forward with, remember to keep in mind: setting your goals, asking for help finding a reputable trainer, doing your research on their training style and background, and staying involved in your pup’s training will get you well on your way toward puppy training success!
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