The Benefits of Dog Training Classes and How to Choose the Right One

Creating The Perfect Canine Companion Through Training 

While some doggy companions might come home with better manners than others, most pet parents do have to do some work! Whether it’s potty training, crate training, teaching a dog recall, or not jumping on strangers, new owners can expect at least some training with their new pup! 

Depending on your training goals and your puppy or dog’s behavioral challenges, it is perfectly normal to ask an expert for help.  What are the benefits of seeking out professional training, and how can dog owners find a trainer they can trust? 

Improved Behavior:

The most significant benefit to working with a dog trainer is learning how to improve your dog’s behavior and manners! Some dogs are more difficult to train than others, perhaps because of their breed, age, or past experiences. A good dog trainer can help dog owners navigate any training challenges and build a plan that works best for pet parents and their pooch! 

Socialization

Socialization refers to the process of introducing your new dog or puppy to new sounds, smells, people, animals, and environments. The key to proper socialization is to keep it positive and not put too much pressure on your dog. For example, if your dog is too nervous to go into your local hardware store, give them treats in the parking lot until they gain more confidence!

Training classes are a great way to socialize your dog. Your trainer can guide you in a positive, new environment, while your dog learns to exist around new dogs and people without visiting. They will build incredibly crucial social life skills! 

Building a Better Relationship between Dog and Owner

Dog training classes do more than simply improve manners and build important social skills. They also lay the foundation for a relationship built on trust and communication between a pet parent and their dog! 

As a dog trainer, I can tell you that every dog is different and will come with unique behavioral challenges. The key to fixing these issues is to support the handler as they learn to properly communicate with their dog. A good dog trainer will help owners navigate tricky issues with proper training for your situation. Their goal is to give you and your pup the tools to build confidence and good behavior, strengthening your relationship. 

Safety and Control

Training is not only learning perfect obedience so your dog can sit and stay. It is also about safety and control. Taking training classes will navigate and work on any reactive or aggressive behavior, as well as train impulse control. A dog with good impulse control knows not to run out of an open front, come when called, and won’t get into trash or onto counters. Unsafe behaviors could land an untrained dog in the emergency vet clinic or worse. 

Mental Stimulation

There are many ways to enrich your dog’s life through mental stimulation, and training classes are one of them! Learning new behaviors is not the only enriching aspect of dog training classes. They are learning new skills in a new environment while socializing around new dogs and people. This can be mentally challenging, especially for social butterflies or reactive pups, so it is a great way to work their minds! 

How To Choose The Right Class

Choosing the correct class can be a little overwhelming, especially if you live in a bigger, urban area. Unfortunately, there is not a “one size fits all” dog training class solution. Let’s take a look! 

What are your Dog’s Training Needs?

Many families do wonderfully at the group classes offered at big-box stores. They do a great job at introducing basic behaviors and helping navigate normal puppy blues like chewing and potty training. If your dog has minimal behavior issues, and your family needs only simple dog skills, then a basic group class will be a great training fit for your family!  

However, some dogs experiencing behavior issues might need a specialized private trainer to help overcome training problems. This means a more qualified, experienced trainer who can handle difficult behaviors like aggression, reactivity, or separation anxiety. Depending on your dog’s breed and background, your trainer’s experience will be very important in guiding dog owners in discovering the best solutions to these complicated issues. 

Furthermore, if your goal is to develop advanced skills like agility, high-level obedience, or other dog sports, look for a training class led by an instructor with proven success in that sport. Equally important, is choosing someone who excels at teaching and communicating with both dogs and handlers. When exploring a new training program that focuses on advanced skills, you want an instructor who supports you and helps navigate any tricky issues that might appear along your training journey.  

Consider the Training Philosophy

There are many different training philosophies out there and the training class you choose might depend on you and your dog’s situation and individual needs. However, a good place to start is with positive reinforcement training. 

A class that uses positive reinforcement is a great place to start when exploring training options. With positive reinforcement, you mark and reward desired behaviors (usually with treats, but praise or toys can work as well), thereby teaching the behavior you want. Many trainers use a clicker as a training tool, so you might hear positive reinforcement labeled as clicker training.

Unlike aversive training, where a dog learns to avoid certain behaviors out of fear of punishment without truly understanding what the handler wants, positive training focuses on helping the dog clearly understand the desired behavior.

Trainer’s Qualifications and Reviews

Unlike many professions in the United States, dog training is not a regulated industry. This means anyone can be a dog trainer regardless of certification. 

Armed with this information, let’s explore how a dog owner can find a good trainer! For basic pet manners, you can usually trust big box stores to train their trainers in positive reinforcement training methods. For more advanced skills or complicated behavior issues, look for a certified trainer. The Certification For Professional Dog Trainers or trainers with their CPDT-KA certification believe in positive reinforcement training because it is ethical and science-based. They rigorously train and test as well as require continuing education for any trainers who earn this certification. 

Finally, check the reviews of the dog training class and facility! 

Final Thoughts

Choosing to take a dog training class with your pup has many benefits. From improved behavior to socialization to building a strong bond, training classes are a great place to start learning more about your dog and how to build a relationship with them.

To get started on your training journey and to learn more about positive reinforcement, check out clickertraining.com or check out the CPDT website to find a trainer near you!