Buying a puppy can be one of the most exciting events in a family's life, but it's important to follow up that purchase by looking for an experienced dog trainer like The Pet Spot Pet Resort to work with your pet. A well-trained dog is not only a pleasure to have in your home, but will also behave properly in front of guests or when you're out in public. With so many dog trainers advertising their services in your city, it's worthwhile to talk to several trainers before you make your decision. Although you'll want to ask questions about the trainer's rate, program length and any guarantees the person might offer, there are other valuable questions to get answered. Here are three important questions to ask.
What Experience Do You Have With This Breed?
Although many universal principles apply when training dogs, certain breeds are often quicker to adapt to lessons, while others might need more instruction. Asking if the trainer has experience with your dog's breed and the length of time it typically takes your breed of dog to learn the basics of training can open a dialogue that can help you decide whether the trainer is the person who's right for you and your pet. You should ideally hear the trainer provide some expert advice about training your breed of dog and how the approach differs from other breeds.
How Do You Handle Discipline Issues?
Virtually every trainer has a different approach to discipline; some provide light physical corrections, while others prefer to use a system of rewards -- and will remove the rewards when the dog doesn't properly obey its commands. While there's arguably no universally correct answer to this question, it's important to hire a trainer whose system resonates with what you believe. If you don't like the idea of someone physically correcting your pet, for example, you might prefer to partner with someone who uses a reward system.
What Follow-Up Services Do You Provide After The Training Is Complete?
Some trainers work out of centers that you can visit in the weeks and months after the initial training to get further instruction about your dog's behavior. Others will give clients a comprehensive information package to allow the dog owner to continue to implement the strategies taught during the training. Asking this question is a useful way to determine if there are any extra perks to hiring the trainer, especially if you wish to be proactive in the training process.
Share17 September 2015
Our pets are like our children — they need to be cared for when we are away. After being a stay at home mom for many years, I had to make some serious adjustments when I reentered the workforce. My children are all grown, but my dog just can't be home by himself. I had to find a day care for him to go to when I went to work. I was conflicted — how do I choose the day care that will provide him with the love, care and attention that he is used to? This blog will provide you with the same tips that I was given that helped me choose.