What Do Puppy Obedience Schools in Fredericksburg Teach

Can your dog learn anything from dog obedience training? Is it worth the money? What difference would it make if I train my dog at home? These are some of the many questions pet owners want to get answers to. Whether you’re getting a new pup or you just want to improve your dog’s manners, enrolling your pet in a dog obedience school is always a worthwhile experience both for you and your dog. It’s one of the best ways to build your dog’s basic skills. Eventually, once your dog masters the basic obedience commands, it wouldn’t be hard for it to learn more advanced tricks. Besides having a well-mannered dog, training classes give you opportunities to bond with your dog, and this can help strengthen your relationship with your pet.

If you’ve decided to enroll your dog, but you want to know what’s in it for you and your pet, this blog can guide you. What should you expect in a puppy obedience school?

How do you prepare for a dog training class?

The first class will be an orientation for all pet owners. This orientation is designed to answer all the questions you have. Not all dog training schools are the same. Through this discussion, you’ll be able to discover if the classes they offer fit your needs. You can leave your pet in your home for now. Before class, make sure that your dog is fully vaccinated and in good health. If you’re not sure, it might be a good idea to visit your veterinarian for some shots and a physical exam. Some schools require that you send a copy of your dog’s vaccination records.

What else should you bring?

During the orientation, your trainer will brief you on the supplies you need to bring, such as treats, a non-retractable leash, a dog collar, a clicker, and a treat bag.

Will my dog learn anything?

Your dog will learn a lot from a dog obedience training school. If you have an eight-week up to 6 months pup, you can enroll in a puppy kindergarten class where the primary goal is to learn socialization skills and some basic obedience commands. The older your dog gets, the more complex the commands will be.

If you think obedience class only teaches your dog how to sit and stay, you are mistaken. These classes will teach your dog valuable manners. Dogs enrolled in these classes will also know how to interact with other dogs appropriately. Aside from learning these things in class, your trainer will also share additional strategies that you can apply at home.

Dog training classes vary. You can enroll your dog in a group class so that it will learn how to listen despite being surrounded by plenty of distractions. This is a great learning experience for your dog, so it will know how to socialize with different dog breeds. In a standard class size, expect that your dog will have to. Mingle with around ten dogs and their owners. We suggest you go for a smaller class size so that your dog will be more focused and the trainer can give your dog enough attention. The more dogs in a class, the more divided your trainer’s attention will be.

What basic skills can your dog learn during training?

The basic skills that your dog will master as soon as training are over include name recognition, down, stay, sit, heel, leave it, come, leash walking, and polite greetings.

What strategies do trainers use to teach your dog?

Professional dog trainers use a variety of strategies and techniques to teach your dog obedience commands. However, the most commonly used method is positive reinforcement. In this strategy, your trainer will provide your dog with a reward if it successfully achieves what is asked. But, contrary to popular belief, positive reinforcement doesn’t always mean you’ll give your dogs treats. Other ways to reward your dog are through praises, petting, or extended playtime.

Some trainers follow the clicker training wherein the giving of treats is accompanied by a clicker so that your dog will associate a click with a good job. However, some trainers prefer to use words like “good” or “yes” instead of using a clicker.

Takeaway

The duration of the training will last between six to ten weeks, and you’ll be meeting with the trainer at least once or twice a week. This should be enough time for your dog to learn some manners and basic obedience commands.