Click on the image to enlarge and read “A poem from an untrained puppy”
Puppy training classes, are they enough? To be honest, no they are not.
Puppy training classes can be a great start to socializing and training your dog, if run correctly but that is all they are, just a start.
They do not prepare the owner for the problem behaviours that often occur in the “teenage period” which usually starts around the 6-7 month mark and can continue until the dog is 15-20 months old, this time frame can vary depending on the dog.
Usually classes are run for four weeks and only take dogs up to 4 months of age. They cover the basics in behaviour and training but very few, cover anything in-depth. Most do not teach, you the owner, good leadership skills, in other words, what you need to know and do, to utimately have a well rounded obedient dog, who is a joy to have around. After all there is more to learn than just “sit and stay”.
Young dogs are quite pliable and can be easy to teach, owners often say to me “he is such a good boy/girl, does everything I tell him/her” but four weeks of puppy training is not enough to instill basic training in a dogs mind.
I often chat to frustrated owners who are having problems with their dog. They tell me, they took their dog along to puppy training class but for whatever reason, chose not to continue on with any form training.
Which is not good for them or their dog because more often than not owners become angry and frustrated, which can and does make matters worse.
That is why its is important to continue on with obedience training classes.
A good training class should cover obedience & behaviour problems along with many other issues, in more depth. They should teach you how to handle your dog in the real world. In other words, Good leadership and communication skills are the key. After all, like I said before, there is more to be taught than just “Sit and Stay” Classes should give you a good grounding and help set you up for life.
Below is a very good article on why you should continue you and your dogs education by taking your dog to classes.
Why should I take my dog to training classes?
http://www.tarynblyth.co.za/articles/whytrainingclasses/
I run classes on a monthly basis, If you and your dog would to join one of my classes, please contact me or visit my website or see the class information on this blog for details.
