FINDING A GOOD DOG TRAINING SCHOOL

FINDING A GOOD DOG TRAINING SCHOOL:

By Louise Thompson (Accredited Animal Behaviourist)

 

This usually begins at about five and a half to six months of age ideally after an initial puppy school learning and socialising programme. In the beginning, this should be a continuation of early learning in puppy school. At this age, all learning should still be fun and mentally challenging, never putting the puppy under too much pressure.

 

Some schools are run by accredited animal behaviour consultants – see their website for details – www.animal-behaviour.org.za Some ABC’s run “Specialist” Schools – concentrating on one or more disciplines. Many schools offer domestic and show obedience classes, as well as other various disciplines of dog sport and fun! Participation in most dog sports requires a certain amount of basic obedience training.

 

KINDS OF DOG TRAINING CLASSES:  Domestic obedience – All dogs should learn the basics of good manners and basic obedience such as how to walk to heel on a leash, to sit, to down, to stand for examination, to stay and to retrieve. This is not only to provide the owner with discipline and control, but also to give the dog some mental and physical stimulation.

 

Dog training used to be really boring! Years ago, training used to involve being marched up and down a field for an hour of military style heelwork! Not anymore! Nowadays, classes are fun and exciting for both dog and owner. An “ideal” school uses games and fun exercises to keep both dogs and people focused! Newer dog sports are available at many schools, which can be competitive or just for fun and fitness (of both the dog and owner)!

 

These newer dog sports include: Dog carting, flyball races, dog jumping and agility, even “heelwork to music” – dancing dogs! Some of the above are incorporated into working trials and other specialist competitions or sports. Classes should incorporate fun activates which stimulate you and your dogs minds whilst having fun and learning at the same time!

 

All of these activities give your dog something valuable to do and help to work his brain and keep him mentally and physically active and occupied. A dog that works is a happy, contented dog.

 

HINTS FOR FINDING A GOOD DOG TRAINING SCHOOL: Many dog training schools cater for dogs from puppy-hood through to adult dog training.

 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD DOG SCHOOL: Winning prizes is not the most important thing to look for. Don’t be fooled by the trophies on the wall! Some trainers need their students to win at all costs and this can be sometimes at the expense of the dog’s well-being!

 

WHEN CHECKING OUT A DOG TRAINING SCHOOL: Before enrolling in a class, first visit the school WITHOUT YOUR DOG, (as an observer) So that you don’t feel pressured to join in if you are not comfortable with what you observe), and look for the following:

 

·        Do the dogs look happy and relaxed? Are the people friendly and sociable? A friendly, fun, relaxed environment for both dog and handler is vital for learning to be able to take place!

·        Is everyone shouting their dogs – screaming, “Leave” and “Foui”? Dogs are not deaf - their hearing is considerably better than ours – why do people shout? 

     All shouting does is to teach the dog to ignore the owner.

·        Is there a lot of dog-on-dog aggression? A good school does not permit aggression to develop in a training class.

·        Serious cases of aggression should be dealt with via behaviour modification and, sometimes even via private training sessions. The dog-training field is not an appropriate platform for solving behaviour problems – behavioural problems need in depth one-on-one counselling.

·        Does the school provide you with contact numbers of satisfied students who have completed or are enrolled at the training centre?

·        Does the instructor enquire if you are experiencing any problems at home with the dog, and either offer appropriate advice and/or refer you to a professional ABC.

·        What kind of equipment are the handlers using?

·        Would you consider the training equipment cruel? Are the instructors using electric shock or pinch collars? Even check/choke chains, if used incorrectly, can cause severe damage to the muscles, the tendons and even the spine of a dog. Humane, gentle training methods, using food, toys, or other forms of passive motivation are imperative to ensure a good relationship with your dog, and develop a confident, sound, stable dog.

·        No instructor or handler should ever lose his temper with either a dog or handler, but should always show empathy and understanding of both dog and handler problems.

 

Some schools routinely use electric shock collars, and steel spike/pinch collars. Pinch collars are made up of steel links with spikes on the inside, which pinch and nip the skin when the leash is pulled! In my opinion, this kind of torture equipment should have gone out with the Spanish Inquisition! Cases are regularly reported of dogs being yanked off their feet, and even hung in trees (by the choke chain & leash) until they lose consciousness. People actually do this and condone the practice, telling you it is training!

 

In my book, this is not dog training, IT IS ABUSE! In my opinion - the sadists, who believe this is the way to train dogs, should find another occupation!

 

Good dog trainers don’t need to choke, yank, hit, yell at or electrocute dogs in order to get them to obey. Good dog trainers use gentle, modern, positive reinforcement methods of learning!

 

Learning should be fun for both the owner and the dog!