Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I wait to start training my puppy?
	You will be training your puppy from the moment you bring it home and start to house train. Puppies start learning from birth. Good breeders encourage handling and socialization from birth. Some training can begin as soon as the puppy can open its eyes and walk. Young puppies have short attention spans but expect them to begin to learn simple obedience commands such as 'sit', 'down' and 'stay', from as young as 7 to 8 weeks of age. When training is started at 7 to 8 weeks use methods that rely on positive reinforcement and gentle teaching. Puppies have short attention spans, so training sessions should be brief, but daily. Puppies can be taught to sit, down, and stand using a method called food-lure training. We use food treats to entice the dog to follow its nose into the proper positions for sit, down, stand, and stay.
I was told that any dog less than 6 months old is not mature enough to retain the training? I want to bond with my dog for the first 6 months of their lives and then start training. Is that OK?
	Actually this juvenile stage is a very poor time to start. The dog is beginning to solidify adult behavioral patterns, dominance behavior is beginning to emerge, and behaviors learned in puppyhood may need to be changed. You should also consider the type/breed of your dog - an untrained 6 month old Great Dane or Labrador Retriever will certainly a handful! For many years, most trainers used choke chains to train their dogs, and it was important that the dogs’ muscles were developed enough to tolerate corrections. Our program does not use any of these correctional methods. We teach you to train your pup using only positive reinforcement, so your pup will enjoy learning as much as you will enjoy teaching them.
My Puppy/Dog is too hyper/excitable to control. How can I possibly train him? I'm worried about my dog around other dogs, how should I handle him?
	Training should begin in a quiet environment with few distractions. The reward chosen should be highly motivating so that the puppy is focused entirely on the trainer and the reward. Although a small food treat generally works best, a favorite toy or a special dog treat might be more appealing. It might also be helpful to train the puppy just before a scheduled mealtime when it is at its hungriest. For difficult puppies or headstrong puppies the best way to ensure that the puppy will perform the desired behavior and respond appropriately to the command is to leave a leash attached and to use a head collar for additional control.
I read you do food luring. I don't want to have to use treats for my dog. I want him to do what I ask because he loves me!
	Dogs are just like humans and every other living creature – they “work” (or do behaviors) in order to get something they need or like (i.e., food, praise, petting, play) or to avoid something they don't like (i.e., pain). Most people do not work for free and neither do our dogs. We use treats as part of our reward-based training methods because treats are the easiest and most convenient type of reward to give in a training environment. Soft treats cut or broken up into pea-sized pieces work best for training because they are tasty and can be eaten quickly. You can also use hotdogs, cheese, soft dog treats, or anything your dog really likes. Avoid feeding your dog before class so your dog will be highly motivated to earn that treat! We use food as part of the learning process, first to elicit new behaviors and second to reward for performing the behaviors on cue. Once a new behavior is learned, we will teach you how to pair the food reward with praise and then “fade” the food reward, so you are relying less on treats and more on praise. We will still use treats occasionally to reward well-established behaviors in order to maintain those behaviors. Unlike punishment-based methods, reward-based training with food will not damage your relationship with your dog; to the contrary, your dog will learn quickly to earn good things by complying with your requests.

*Do I REALLY* need to train my dog?**
	As a dog owner, one of the first questions you may ask is, Does my new companion need training? Yes, and so do you! Whether you are intentionally teaching him or not, your canine friend is always learning—and this is true not just for puppies but also for older, adult dogs. If you do not teach your pet your rules, he will invent his own. Training allows caregivers to safely and humanely control their dog's behavior. Positive training enhances the bond between dog and owner, and helps ensure that your dog will respond happily to your instructions.