Start Pet Training Early On

1. START PET TRAINING EARLY ON Everybody knows that having a well-trained dog or other pet can lead to wonderful experiences for both animal and owner, but the opposite is also true: an untrained, uncontrolled pet that does not know its physical and behavioral boundaries soon leads to feelings of unhappiness and discontent. Dogs are among the easiest animals to train, provided you follow the rules and recommendations of those in the know. Firstly, it is important to expose your puppy or young dog to training and the best methods from early on as it may be difficult later to un- learn unwanted, unacceptable behavior. Therefore: the earlier, the better. Of course there are many ways for the owner to look at in terms of training. A lot depends on the dog, its breed, its size and temperament to make sure it receives the relevant training. Also, the dog that is kept mainly as company for a lonely senior citizen will be trained differently to the dog that has to perform at shows – or during K-9 operations when it assists its masters and handlers during dangerous operations. It is true that house pets are often trained by owners, even if the training is very basic. It is, however, different when you need to have your working animal trained, i.e. the K-9 animal which is used for police and security operations – or the dog that goes on the hunt

2. with its owner. These animals all receive specific training, often provided by professional trainers that do this all the time as it is their profession. They work from many centers in many regions and are found in the local press or on the internet if you are unsure where they train from. Obedience training for dogs is often mentioned as one of the most important factors to ensure dogs understand and follow orders. The dog needs to respond to commands so it knows what is allowed and what not. This behavior can be taught in various ways, and the trainer normally knows which methods work best for which dogs – also with regard to their profile as a house pet or working dog. Good trainers understand the different methods, the different reasons for owners bringing their dogs to them and what they expect from the animal after training. Therefore classes are scheduled with trainers and owners at regular intervals, also to ensure the training is monitored and checked regularly for success. Therefore the dog that needs very basic training will finish their course quicker than would be the case for the working dog. The house pet that needs to understand basic commands such as to sit, to lie down, to wait at the gate and so on, will most likely finish their course quicker than the hunting dog that goes on upland hunting trips with its owner, or the one that needs to know how to give chase after criminals and how to behave accordingly. In addition to the training they receive in terms of how they are expected to behave, training helps a lot with forging great relationships with humans – also their owners.

3. Therefore it is important to know the trainer you take your dog to. Ask yourself certain important questions such as: What are the trainer’s credentials, what type of methods are used during training – for example only voice command or ball training and other methods, or a combination of these and others. Also, will it be training that allows owners to be present or not? Are their group classes or only one-on-one training? A good trainer with the necessary expertise will explain these issues to owners and dog handlers, and with reasons to support their methods. Few owners are able to ensure their dogs are trained well by themselves; therefore they approach a trainer or facility with trainers. It is therefore important to find the best one for your dog and the purpose you keep the animal for. Do a bit of homework upfront to find out where to send your animal to for the best, for the most appropriate training. DOGTRA Astute trainers with proper training tools are the key to unleashing your dog’s potential. For over 30 years Dogtra has collaborated with industry professionals to create class- leading tools for e-collar training, GPS tracking, and ball training to support dog owners in developing top-notch dogs. Trusted by professional dog trainers, K-9 officers and hunters, Dogtra enhances your training journey with durable training products, equipped with patented accurate and intuitive control to ensure the best experience. Join us, and together we can make every dog exceptional.