What do I need to know about puppy obedience training?

If you find yourself in the having difficulties category; why don't you sign up for obedience classes. And even if you're not, there is no better way to socialise your puppy than by attending puppy socialisation classes. These are frequently run separately from the obedience classes and are open to pups under 4 months of age. A type of canine kindergarten.

Obedience classes are open to older dogs as well as to pups that didn't attend socialisation classes. Basic obedience classes will take you through the five basic dog training commands as discussed at teaching a puppy to sit. The instructors set out to not only train your dog, but to teach you all about canine obedience.

How these classes are formulated is: that you are shown the correct way to do things, you try it out a few times during the class, and then you go home and practice with your pup. The onus is on you to train your pup. The trainer won't do that for you, so don't expect it.

Locating dog training classes is quite easy. Call your vet or local pet shop, or canine beauty parlor. Or try your local paper or phone book. The next thing thing to address is:

Which puppy obedience training class should I choose?

1. First off, phone and introduce yourself to the trainer. He or she is the most important cog in the training wheel. You need to check this person out thoroughly.
2. Is the trainer experienced? Is her experience confined to one or two breeds, or across a wide spectrum? Does she seem knowledgeable about all types of dogs?
3. Are the basics taught? If anything else- what else?
4. How big are the classes? A maximum of 6 should be your target, unless she has assistants.
5. Are classes taught in and out of doors? Much better if both are utilised. Limited space can lead to problems between dogs.
6. Are classes divided up by age and the level of experience of participants? You and your puppy want to be take lessons alongside others at the same stage of learning, and of roughly the same age group.

Next you should attend a class without your puppy. Use your own judgment to assess the class.

1. Does it appear to be friendly?
2. Does the instructor appear to be helpful to those that are struggling?
3. Does she encourage the strugglers?
4. Do the handlers and dogs appear to be enjoying it?

And the final question-are you confident that you and your puppy would be happy enrolling in these classes under the instruction of this trainer?

By going along to obedience classes, you and your puppy, will get to meet all types of dogs and their owners. They can be real fun times for the pair of you. Providing you're willing to put the work in, your puppy will emerge from puppy obedience training a well-mannered, well-adjusted, well-trained dog.