Finding the right dog trainer is important
Puppy training is an important part of being a dog owner. It’s important to make sure that your dog is mentally challenged so that they don’t get bored and turn to destructive behaviour.
However, most dog owners find that it’s also a great way to get to know and bond with your new pet.
Positive reward-based puppy training
It’s always best to get started on training your pooch from a young age. This means that you have the best chance of training your puppy before any learned bad behaviours come into play.
Check out our positive puppy training guide
Socialising your dog should also be an important thing to make sure is done properly. There are many benefits to socialising your dog young including a happier and less anxious pet, and far less unpredictable situations.
Guide for socialising your puppy
Of course, you can definitely handle a lot of the socialisation and training yourself. But it’s always a great idea to attend puppy training classes. This helps reinforce what you’re teaching your pooch and is a great way for inexperienced dog owners to become more confident.
Do I need a dog trainer?
Not every dog owner will decide to use a dog trainer. If you’re a confident or experienced dog owner, you might not feel that you need to.
However, it’s always good to get that expert dog training support from a professional. It’s also a great activity for you and your puppy to do together.
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What do dog trainers do?
There will always be differences in approaches and tactics a professional dog trainer might use, but most will cover the below topics:
Helping with socialising a puppy- Working on dog behavioural problems (if appropriate)
- Teaching handy new tricks and important prompts like ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘come’
- Helping your pooch get used to daily life like walking on a lead or being around other dogs.
- They’ll also help you find ways to mentally stimulate your pooch to prevent boredom.
How do you pick a dog trainer?
Whether your dog has behavioural problems that you need support with, or you just want the support in training your pet. It’s important to make sure that you pick a good trainer.
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It's important to do plenty of research as most localities will often have more than 1 dog training option. Many dog training professionals offer more than 1 option.
For example, you could go with your pet to the dog training premises and have classes there as a group or as a private 1 on 1 appointment.
Many dog training professionals will also offer an option where they'll travel to your home to conduct dog training there.
What makes a good puppy trainer?
Always speak to the dog trainer first before booking any training classes. You’ll be able to tell quickly if you think you and your dog will mesh with them. Trust your gut!
Other things that you should look for in a professional dog trainer:
Always check for any appropriate animal training qualifications. Great logos to look out for are ‘IMDT’, ‘Animal Behaviour and Training Council’, and ‘Association of Force-Free Professionals’- Check their experience level and ask plenty of questions
- Discuss their dog training techniques to make sure you’re happy with them (e.g. positive, reward-based training)
- How the dog trainer tailors their teachings to individual dogs. Dogs will always learn at their own pace.
- Their dog training buildings or premises. Make sure they have plenty of space so that your pooch can be trained away from loud noises which could stress them out.
- Always ask about class size – it’s important to make sure your puppy will get the attention they need.
- Look for customer testimonials and monitor their social media. Good dog trainers will have plenty of people who advocate for their services.
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What if there isn’t a good dog trainer local to me?
Some dog owners will be lucky and have plenty of good dog trainers to choose from. Others will struggle to find the right fit for their pet.
You could try searching for dog trainers in nearby towns to see if you find a better fit. However, a new puppy may be distressed with travelling long distances if they aren’t used to it.
Another option is that some dog trainers will happily travel to you for a mileage charge. This is often a good option as it means you’ll get to work 1 on 1.
Online dog training classes
Since the pandemic, many businesses have had to move online to adapt. Including professional dog trainers.
This might be a good option initially as you’ll get the support you need from a trainer you feel confident and comfortable with.
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Finding your Forever Puppy
It’s a good idea to do plenty of research before committing and buying a dog.
This means that you’re more likely to understand the preparations you need to make for a puppy and which dog breed suits your lifestyle.
Ready to find the puppy for you?