Town Lake Animal Center: Dog Training

Adoption Animal Protection & Control Receiving Lost & Found Pet Registration Partner Organizations In the Community How You Can Help Info on Managing Pets Operations Report		Training is a fun activity you can enjoy with your dog. Your dog’s behavior will improve, your leadership will increase, and your bond will deepen. If you decide to work with a trainer, take the time to shop around. Training methods vary and there is no government licensing for trainers, so be sure to pick a trainer with a good reputation. We recommend that you use a training method that focuses on positive reinforcement (toys, treats, praise) rather than punishment.
Teach your dog: Positions - sit, down. Tasks - get off, leave it, get in your kennel, get in the car. Control - stay, come. Tricks - get the newspaper, shake. Getting help from an obedience trainer: What type of training do you want? Your options include group classes, individual lessons, or board & train (dog camp). Decide which family members will be involved in the training. Decide if you want a well-behaved house dog, an obedience dog, or a field dog. Some questions to ask a potential trainer: What types of tools are used for training e.g. pinch collars, shock collars? How does the trainer motivate dogs? What happens if I miss a class? Is there a limit to the class size? How many years experience do you have? How were you educated? Are references available? If you have the chance observe a class: Are the dogs showing an improvement within one class? Is the trainer using methods and tools you are comfortable using with your dog? Is the trainer easy to understand? What age? Puppy classes are generally available for ages 8-16 weeks and regular classes can begin at 5 months of age. Don’t forget, dogs of all ages can be trained. Puppies start learning even younger than 8 weeks just from being handled and being part of family activities, and it’s never too late to start training an older dog.