Paying for dog training

Hey guys and gals,

Having though a lot about dog training recently, I started looking into courses and professional trainers around. This made me curious about how many people actually attend courses and who pays a professional trainer for a 1-on-1 consultation. I realise that people on this forum are probably more "switched on" when it comes to dealing with their dogs, and probably more likely to train their dogs themselves. In any case, I have some questions if you would like to answer them:

Q1. Have you ever attended a dog course? If yes, how did you find it and why did you choose the one you did? If no, why?

Q2. Have you ever paid for a personal 1-on-1 session with a dog trainer? If so, how did you find it and why did you choose the one you did? If no, why?

Q3. What's your number one behavioral challenge with your dog that you would like help with?

A1. For me I've attended a puppy course, which was mostly for environmental and social training for my dog. The course was fine, but since I knew a bit about training dogs from the past I found it slightly too basic. I chose this particular course based on a recommendation from a friend.

A2. Never paid for a 1-on-1, probably because I don't have a specific problem I need help with. I'm sure I would learn a thing or two, but guess it would be quite expensive and therefor not worth it.

A3. No major challenges at the moment. Would like to get recall down a bit better than it is right now.

Hi

1- puppy/junior classes for socialisation he was 8 months when I got him and nervous of everything when separated from my older dog so I wanted him to become more confident alone. the class was far too busy and the mix of dogs too great so he was terrified and hated it, After much research and speaking to different training classes I found one which has 3 instructors at every class and a maximum of 8 dogs I travel an hour to get there but totally worth it, he is like a new dog, its taken 8 months or so but he is confident, listens to me, has passed his good citizen Bronze test and is working towards his silver at the moment (doubt we will pass tho he cannot keep still for 2 full minutes)

2- Not a 1 to 1 class but have paid for a recall training day which only had 4 dogs at it, good day, great tips and advice, worth the money.

3 - Stop him pulling like a train would be my 1st thing to solve, he is only 14kgs but can pull me over!! He has an anti pull collar/harness thing which is great and we have been clicker training him to walk to heel but as a beagle he has things to sniff and chase after at full speed!!

1- Puppy/junior classes, mainly for socialisation. And it worked brilliantly, I've also taken her to Agility and Flyball training classes, but they changed them to Sundays and she races on Sundays which is more important to her so we dropped them before getting to comp level. I knew the trainers from earlier dogs and knew they were APDT ones and used and taught kind positive methods.

2- Not taken 1 to 1, not felt a need, but if I had a real problem I would consider it.

3- No major changes.

I think this post highlights the fact that dog training/socialisation should be an ongoing activity throughout the dogs lifetime.

TTT said:

I think this post highlights the fact that dog training/socialisation should be an ongoing activity throughout the dogs lifetime.

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Absolutely agree

You can teach your pet pretty much anything on your won, you don't need to visit courses, which sometimes can be very expensive

katywilson said:

You can teach your pet pretty much anything on your won, you don't need to visit courses, which sometimes can be very expensive

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Indeed you can! You can teach your dog to be perfect at home. BUT the reality is......once you take this perfectly trained dog out n public, with distractions such as:

Other dogs (friendly or otherwise)

Children

Bicycles

Prams

Umberellas

Any other named distractons you could care to name.

etc

You may well find training in a controlled environment with group or other like-minded, responsible folks and perhaps aiming for the KC Good Citizen Scheme would be of benefit.

Hi,

I'd like some advice please. I have just taken over ownership of a five year old cocker spaniel. Perfect indoors but he is SO impatient when waiting to cross the road. If I speak to anyone else out walking or indeed sit at a cafe, this dog starts whinging or barking.

Any suggestions please? I haven't sorted out a trainer yet but wonder if anyone has had this kind of behaviour to deal with and what was successful?

Cheers and thank you in advance.