Teaching your puppy obedience can be a great way to improve your interaction with the dog. An obedience lesson is a terrific approach to creating a framework of skills necessary for the relationship between you and your canine companion in the long term. New puppies and dogs who need refresher classes can benefit from obedience classes in institutions like Phoenix dog training classes. Furthermore, training programs provide you with an environment where you can bond with your dog as they learn and train them physically and mentally. 

Obedience Training: What Duration Do They Take?

Obedience training classes typically last between six to ten weeks. During these sessions, dogs meet trainers once or twice a week. The dogs get ample time to focus on fundamental habits and commands provided by instructors. However, it’s worth noting that dog breeds are different; some dogs are more relaxed while others are more energetic. You should also factor in age and experience with past instructions when setting your expectations on a dog’s training duration.Mastering obedience training is the key to a well-behaved companion, ensuring harmony between you and your furry friend, even amidst the open plains and vibrant culture of dogs in Oklahoma.

Aside from that, practicing is equally essential. When working with your puppy, say once weekly in class, you should reinforce the same at home. It’s essential to practice techniques delivered during instruction classes with your dog regularly, whether at your residence, outdoor parks, or dog-walking. Lack of consistency implies that your puppy may have trouble grasping fundamental commands; this keeps you behind in training.

Beyond that, short training sessions can assist in progressing your puppy’s abilities. So, set aside ten or five minutes within your day to enjoy practicing the techniques you’ve learnt in class. Consider the following when practicing new cues with your puppy.

  • Make the instruction session as enjoyable as possible.
  • Keep the training brief and straightforward when starting your sessions.
  • Always conclude the training classes positively.
  • Let your puppy take a rest if they appear frustrated.

It would be helpful not to use basic obedience training when addressing significant behavioral difficulties like leash aggression. Consider engaging private consultants if your dog’s behavior is out of control. The trainers will examine your dog’s habits and provide suggestions for additional training.

Preparing For The Training Sessions

The first class you attend should be an introduction without your furry friend. A trainer takes you through the entire training process readying you for any oncoming challenges in this session. It’s important to ask as many questions as possible to get adequate information beforehand.

Before attending the next session, get your dog vaccinated by a vet so they can be in excellent health. Your veterinarian will also physically examine your dog for any health issues. Trainers may request you provide vaccination or health documents before they begin sessions with your dog. Some of the materials that a trainer may require you to prepare are;

  • A puppy collar with an identity label
  • Toys or edible treats, depending on your dog’s preference.
  • A goodie bag
  • A variety of goodies or snacks- carry a couple to know what your dog fancies.
  • A flexible and detachable leash.

The Process Of Teaching Dogs Obedience

Trainers usually advise dog owners to cap the number of requests they make towards their dogs. Rather than commanding your puppy to sit, coax them into a proper posture, pronounce the order, and congratulate them for the positive feedback. When you laud your puppy for their actions, they will almost certainly repeat the behavior because they are interested in pleasing you. If you encourage your dog to act in a particular way, they will recall and perform those behaviors in the future. Training by positive reinforcement involves offering an incentive in reaction to the target behavior. Reinforcement doesn’t usually imply handing goodies or meals. 

As the training continues, dog owners are to gradually eliminate treats and substitute them with praise. Many instructors advocate clicker instruction, which combines goodies with a portable clicker to educate a puppy that clicking indicates an excellent job. On the other hand, instructors can also use phrases like “great!” or “wonderful!” instead of clicking sounds. They, however, have to say the phrase or word whenever the puppy earns a reward or accomplishes any goal.

When you begin training your dog early enough, you’ll enjoy spending time together. At the same time, you won’t have to struggle for a long time reinforcing good conduct. Introductory obedience sessions are an excellent way to augment regular training into your everyday day-to-day life. The more regularly you educate your pup on discipline, the faster they understand. In addition, when you spend more time training your dog, they will learn faster.