Little or big, everyone needs manners.
Even if your dog comes housebroken and with some basic commands, training classes are a great way to get the whole household on the same page with commands and training methods.
Having one member of the family who is the designated “expert” about pets is usually much less effective at teaching the rest of the family how to train the pet than having a professional teach the whole team simultaneously – there are many power dynamics within almost every household that can interfere with keeping everyone focused on the pet.
Finding a reputable group or private trainer should be a priority. Everyone MUST be on the same page. Convenience is important but ask for some references from friends, veterinarians, kennel staff and groomers.
You will find a reputable group that is a good fit for your time and family. The instructor should be a consistent person who will get to know your pet and family from one week to the next.
Starting with a basic class like “Family Dog 1” is a great place if you don’t know how your pet will do. There are also several groups who host classes for pets with special needs like “shy dog” or “growly dog” or “therapy pet”.
Many shelters should know about these. Some rescue groups even have discounts for people affiliated with the animals they adopt.
Putting in the time on the front end, even if you feel it is excessive, pays off big. Most people who take the time to go to training classes have a much stronger bond with their pets on average and they tend to get hooked into a wider community of dog folks who can help them through challenges if they come up.
They can let you know their take on different kennels around town or pet sitters who are reliable. They can tell you about fun pet friendly events and meet up spots as well as the ones with a less ethical reputation.
Photo Credit: https://www.k9ofmine.com/
