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Post by iambored on Jan 22, 2006 20:35:40 GMT -5
Hey guys, I am new here but since I should be getting a new puppy in the next few weeks, I hope to become a regular my question is this: Considering that I have read dog training books and have had some minimal experience training a previous dog, is it really necessary to take the beginners training classes? I want to eventually take my dog to obedience classes that are quite advanced, and maybe do some agility work, but generally, are the 1st round of classes worth while, or will I be able to get the same results at home with positive reinforcement and the help of training books? thanks!
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Post by Richard on Jan 22, 2006 22:48:15 GMT -5
First off, welcome aboard. Secondly, when you do get your puppy, after a week or so, I figure you'll be changing your name here to borednomore As for your questions about training, if you are familiar with what you'll need to do to get your puppy acclimatized to his/her new home, then you're ahead of the game already. Deciding when to move your puppy, once he/she is old eough, into the class OB programs is purely up to you. If you can train your dog at home then go for it. Conversely, there are a few aspects of training in a group setting that you won't get at home. Obviously there is the trainer - who you should feel comfortable with after checking him/her out - who will be training you more than your dog, then you have the social aspect of the group setting as well. You'll meet others who are either experiencing the same things you are or you may have an answer to thier concerns. As long as you do what you need to do to get your new puppy to be a member of your family and understand his/her place in the pack, the methods you choose, and where and when you do them is up to you. By taking the time to research and plan ahead, you'll be better prepared and have a gameplan for training as your puppy matures which is what being a responsible dog owner/handler is all about.
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Post by masha on Jan 31, 2006 7:00:02 GMT -5
Hi I just wanted to add- I often see my dog exhibit completely different behaviour at training than she did when I was training her at home. She does everything perfectly at home / in the park etc but at the dog club she acts as though she's never been taught before. It might be to your dogs advantage to get used to behaving and obedience in the training environment, with lots of other people and dogs around from the very beginning. Might not work so well to try to join in later and find that all those home lessons seem to have evaporated... To those trainers out there - how often have you heard your students say, "But she does it PERFECTLY at home!"? Thats no good!
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Post by willow on Jan 31, 2006 8:41:36 GMT -5
Group classes are used either to "proof" a dog once he is completely trained or to show the owner how to train their dog at home.
Ultimately, you still have to work with your dog at home and the preferred method is to start your puppy out in the house when it is quiet and with no distractions. Once he is executing the commands perfectly under these conditions, you move outside to a quiet area and repeat. Then you add distractions and finally take him to other unfamilar areas so he learns to obey commands under all conditions/distractions.
A dog that does well at home, but is distracted and doesn't obey else where just hasn't been "proofed" completely.
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Post by Aussienot on Feb 5, 2006 2:38:01 GMT -5
Other dogs are the ultimate destraction for most dogs. In agility, you'll be working off lead around other really really really excited dogs. So the sooner your puppy can be taught to think that being around other dogs is no big deal, the better.
Doing a group puppy class may or may not enhance your own dog training skills. But it may help set the foundation in your puppy's mind that being around other dogs means it's time to watch you. It's a good opportunity to expose your puppy to other dogs in a relatively controlled environment.
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