Puppy training can be a difficult process, but it doesn’t mean you cannot train your puppy to be well behaved. Finding the right dog trainer for your puppy is job #1!
First I highly recommend finding a good dog trainer in the Saratoga, Queensbury, Clifton Park, Latham, Schenectady NY area and sign up for obedience classes. Your trainer will give you tips and advice on how to train your dog. I was recommended by a friend to Nancy Opie from Liberty Dog Training School. Nancy has been training dogs for over 40 years and is knowledgeable about training many different breeds which I think is important. Riley, my beagle was a complete nightmare puppy before I went to Nancy and she helped me turn him around by basically teaching me that I was the leader of the “pack”, not the other way around.
I have been training with her for 3 years now (at least!) and I go once a week with one or both of my dogs. I have taken different levels of obedience, rally, and agility and I look forward to training my dogs each week. I do my best to make training a positive, fun experience for my dogs so it is fun for them too. They get a lot of treats so I am pretty positive they like it as much as I do, they do anything for food!
Please note: There are a lot of good trainers around and every trainer is different so make sure you find the one that is right for you.
Here are some tips for finding the right trainer for you and your dog:
1. Getting the right professional for puppy training is important. Just like you wouldn’t put your child in a school you knew nothing about, you shouldn’t use a trainer that you know nothing about just because they say they know how to train dogs. Get references and talk to other people that have used a trainer you’re interested in. Find out if they have a website, Facebook or testimonials from other people and do some research.
2. See if you can attend a training class with the instructor without your dog. Observe how your trainer interacts with other dogs and owners.
3. See if the trainer has any certifications like through the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers or other recognized certifying authority.
4. Find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior.
5. See if your trainer will allow other members of your family to participate in training classes. Its important that you train your dog to respect and obey each member in your family.
While a good dog trainer may be expensive, I always think you get what you pay for. It’s better to get the right training for your dog the first time around rather than paying to correct damage done by another trainer. Starting off by finding the right dog trainer for your puppy will pay off in the long run.