With the warm weather comes the pitter-patter of new feet in many homes. More families add a new puppy or dog to their household with the onset of warm weather. It is a fun and exciting time, but once everyone has adjusted to the addition, the question of training must be addressed. Who is going to do the training? Where do we go for training? How should we train the new puppy or dog? There are many questions that need to be answered, but perhaps the one question that many owners struggle with is the type of classes they will enroll their new puppy or dog in.

Should we enroll in a large-group classes or individualized, private instruction? With group lessons there is:

However, with private lessons, the benefits far outweigh group lessons.
Private lessons offers:

There is no magic button that can be pressed and your dog will automatically be trained. Making the decision to enroll your dog in any obedience class is one in which you need to consider your needs as well as those of your puppy or dog. Remember that working one-on-one offers the quickest and most effective means of providing training that will be lasting as well as rewarding.

 

Do not underestimate the power of play! Whether you have introduced a new puppy or a new dog to your household, the importance of teaching your dog to play is pivotal. Play seems like such a small part of the owner/dog relationship, but it can be used to develop later training skills such as come when called and sit on command.

To develop your dog into a great dog, play is the ticket. However, playing with your dog involves more than just merely throwing a toy back and forth. Louis recommends four steps in the play process. First, gain the attention of your puppy, show them the toy, throw the toy within their line of sight and get quiet. Second, allow the puppy to pick up the toy and then praise (Yes! Good dog!) . Third, reward the puppy when they get back with the toy (Way to go! Yeah!), but do not take the toy away from the puppy. Fourth, allow the puppy to drop the toy in front of you, do not take the toy from the puppy because it trains them to either run away from you or not to come to you. Repeat the steps in the play process and have fun with your family pet.

Through playing, encouraging, and guiding, your puppy will learn to come when called, pay attention to your voice, and come to you for fun as well for exercise. Play is a pleasurable activity for your dog and why not use it to develop obedience, control and eye contact. For a demonstration of how to correctly play with your puppy, visit the Wonderdog website.

Probably the most difficult task of getting a new puppy is the housebreaking. Louis offers some useful tips in the housebreaking process:

There is no magic to house breaking; it is really common sense and an understanding of your dog. For further information on training and a free housebreaking instructional
video, please visit the Wonderdog website.

 

Many people don’t know how to train their dog. And since most dogs have some type of training problem, successfully training your dog is the most important thing you can do. Without proper training, life for you and your dog could be very frustrating..

“My dog won’t come when called.”
"My dog walks me.”
“My dog jumps on people.”
“My dog won’t listen to me.”
“My dog runs out the front door as soon as it opens.”

Training begins first and foremost with gaining the attention of the dog. No learning can take place without the attention of your dog. Whether you are teaching your dog to sit, to stop jumping, or to quit pulling on a leash, every aspect of the training process requires the owner to obtain the attention of their dog.

Wonderdog Ltd., under the direction of Louis Brentnell, offers training techniques that yield amazing results that work with any dog. Louis teaches people how to train their dog in a step-by-step approach that builds upon the natural bond between pet and owner.

Because no two dogs are exactly alike, Louis individualizes the training needs specific to each pet and owner. Many clients have found that behavior problems often disappear when training begins.

Louis has been training dogs for over thirty years and it is that experience that has enabled him to offer his services in either in-kennel training or individualized training sessions. His full-service kennel offers not only basic and advanced obedience but off- leash training as well.

Key things to focus on during training:

1. Build companionship with your dog
2. Learn what to do and how to do it
3. Have fun
4. Be consistent
5. Understand basic dog psychology
6. Teach your dog to think
7. Learn and grow from the process