Training
A Tail of Obedience
If you have 4 pawed companions sharing your living space, chances are the words “Don’t,” “Off,” “No,” and “Stop” are used with some frequency. Are your guests greeted with two paws to the chest and a big uninvited kiss? How about that nice jolt in the opposite direction when you are enjoying a calm walk of an evening? Wouldn’t it be nice if you and your furry companion spoke the same language?
Obedience training is not just a luxury, it improves the communication between you and your dog, increases the safety of the environment in which your animal lives, increases Rover’s self esteem and enhances your bond with your furry companion
Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that just occur at the wrong time, wrong place or are directed at the wrong thing. So, the responsible owner sets out to establish a line of communication between himself and his companion. The key to preventing or correcting behavior problems is teaching the dog to redirect his/her normal behaviors to acceptable outlets in the domestic setting—behaviors resulting in praise and affection rather than anger or frustration. Obedience sessions develop teamwork and an understanding between you and your furry friend. You are also establishing the social hierarchy and behavioral expectations of your pet in your pack. You are teaching your pet how to please you!
Obedience training is generally offered in several venues: (1) group classes of 6 weeks, led by a trainer in which roughly 6-10 owners and their companions spend about 1-1.5 hours a week learning how to train their own animals; (2) private lessons in the home or on-site at a training facility; and (3) 2 weeks of daily sessions with the trainer at the training facility (board and train).
No matter which type of training is selected, the most important elements are the animal and the owner. Accomplished trainers will be able to teach the basics of obedience to most doggies, but this training will deteriorate and actually be lost if the owner does not continue to work with his/her furry friend.
When selecting a trainer, it is important to “meet and greet.” What is the trainer’s experience? Does the trainer use a short or long lead when training? Does the trainer use treats, praise or a combination of both? Are the behaviors you want corrected exhibited more in the home than in public? If so, do you think in-home training in which the trainer can assess the environment may be more effective? If you pick “board and train,” be sure you schedule multiple sessions with the trainer so you can continue to enhance what your friend has learned. It is often useful to schedule a minimum of 2-3 sessions with the trainer during the training and 2 more “follow ups” after training.
The gift of obedience flows from the owner to the dog and back again. What a wonderful way to maximize the relationships we have with our beloved canine companions!
We would like to hear from you. Please feel free to contact us for more information or to make reservations and appointments.
Barkington I (Webster) Barkington II (Fresno) Telephone: (281)338-PAWS (7297) Telephone: (281) 431-WOOF (9663) Fax: (281)554-9539 Fax: (281)431-0157 Postal address: 203 Blossom, Webster, TX 77598 Postal address: 12105 Hwy. 6, Fresno, TX 77545 Electronic mail: ServicesBark1@barkington.com Electronic mail: ServicesBark2@barkington.com