There are plenty of dog training schools that are more than happy to accommodate any dog owner who walks in with his pet – and cash. But there’s more to it than its being a dog training school, as there are standards that owners expect these schools to meet; and not all of them can live up to these standards. Here are some points to consider when choosing the right school for your dog.
Reputation
The word reputation brings different meanings to different people. While some people take it as the capability to produce results beyond acceptable standards regardless of the method used, others take the popularity of the school that carries its reputation. Generally, reputation is the measure of a dog training school’s popularity. It is also shows how the school is being trusted by a lot of people who have tried them.
In order to find a school with good reputation, try asking your friends, some vets or trainers. A lot of them will give you some names which they consider as good schools depending on their own personal standards. You can also ask for some information from dog breeders; they probably have knowledge of good training schools where you can enroll your pet in. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is also a rich source of reliable information because it can provide you with a list of the names of schools that apply humane ways of training dogs.
Methods of Training
Dog training schools of good understanding use reliable and sensible dog training methods. You must see to it that the school you choose treats dogs the way their owners treat them.
Even during these times, many schools that employ harsh training ways thrive around. You must avoid schools that employ trainers who yell or hurt your pet with their old training methods.
An excellent school is one that use humane ways that foster positive training and avoid or limit the use of techniques that reinforce negative traits. Good schools use praises and reward and recognize their dogs for their obedience and display of desirable behavior, while bad schools employ negative reinforcement methods that include old fashioned, unkind practices like choking and yelling.
Sufficient knowledge
Good dog training schools possess a wide range of knowledge which range from the old method to the most modern techniques. Having extensive knowledge enables a school to optimize your dog’s potential to learn because they have an array of options to train your pet.
When you conduct a search for reliable training schools, one of the things that you have to gather is the information regarding the latest training or seminar that the school’s trainers have attended. You should also get information about how up-to-date the school’s facilities are. You should take into consideration the large amount you are paying for your dog’s training. It is only proper for you and your dog to get the right services and facilities in exchange for your hefty investment.
Another thing that you should consider when selecting a good dog training school is its ability to perform different kinds of training. There are schools that specialize on certain trainings while others claim that they know all about dog training. Your choice should be based on the scope of knowledge that the school is truly capable of doing.
Classroom Set Up
Dog training schools are classified into two types of classroom setups. One is called the group classes and the other is called private lessons. The group class fosters socialization and good behavior because your pet is exposed to other dogs. Another advantage for the classroom type benefits the owner if he or she trains alongside his or her pet, because it gives him/her the chance to interact with other handlers or owners aside from learning from their mistakes and techniques.
While the classroom type of training provides benefits both to the dog and its owner, private trainings don’t provide as much, as the chance to socialize is not available in this kind of setup. Another setback that private lessons carry is the possibility of a poor transfer of learning and obedience to command.
Now that you know what to look for when selecting the right dog training school for your pet, it would now be up to you to decide what skills you would want your dog to learn.