Taking Your Puppy To Obedience School

  Posted on October 29, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

Years ago, obedience school used to be for the pedigree class of dogs only.  These classes have brought the obedience school way of thinking to the forefront for dog owners at every level.  Here is an overview of what obedience, or training, school for your puppy can mean for you, and your puppy:

What is Obedience School

Obedience school is a place pet owners take their puppies to teach them how to behave properly. Some schools will enroll the puppy and train them, while other schools enroll both the puppy and the pet owner in order to teach both how to properly behave.

Where To Find Obedience Schools

If you are interested in obedience school, you’re going to want to know where you can find a good, reputable school to enroll your dog.  Here are a few suggestions:

• Veterinarian’s Office – Ask your local vet if he or she has any recommendations for obedience schools. Your veterinarian is sure to have some suggestions on schools as well as what to look for in a good school.

• Pet Store – Some pet stores actually offer obedience training themselves. Check and see if there is one in your area. Many of these schools have the ‘parents’ join in the training right along with the puppy. These are usually very relaxed settings and are typically priced right because they are a group experience.

• Kennel Clubs – Many cities have local clubs that team up to provide obedience training for their members. Check to see if there are any clubs near you that you can join. If you dealt with a breeder when you got your puppy, they will have the information for you.

• Groomers – Dog groomers are often in the know about pet events and service providers in the area. If you have a local groomer, ask if they can recommend any trainers.

What Does Obedience School Do

Taking your puppy to obedience school will help your puppy become adjusted to living life with humans and following our rules. You will also learn what to expect from your puppy. In obedience school, your puppy could learn some or all of the following:

• Potty train
• Follow simple commands
• Come when called
• Respect children and animals
• Walk properly on a leash
• Only chew on toys, not hands or clothes
• Keep within given boundaries

Training takes time so don’t expect miracles right away. When it comes to training puppies, the key is consistency.

The Socializing Advantage to Training Class

One thing that you can’t do at home if you have just one puppy is socialize your puppy with other dogs and people. Obedience training is a great way to do this and get your puppy used to being social in a variety of situations. This is important so your puppy does not mature to be shy or aggressive around other animals or people.