Dogs, too, need to go back to school for refresher
By Ellaine Kiriluk
Where did the summer go? With summer ending and fall looming ahead, our thoughts turn to getting ready to go back to school.
One of my neighbors has been talking about the cost of getting school clothes for his two children. My cousin and his wife have started the college years and have taken their daughter to college for the first time. Another neighbor has been working out her family’s plan for work, after school and evening activities.
Amid all the planning and scheduling for the coming school year, it’s a good time to think about fitting your dog’s training into the schedule.
A first time experience or a return visit to a professional dog training class is a fun and good way to help your dog become, or remind your dog, how to be a well-behaved member of your family.
The dog trainer you choose, as well as you the owner, should use only positive reinforcers such as food, praise, attention or play to encourage your dog’s behavior. Training should never include any actions such as choking, shaking by the scruff of the neck, alpha rolling (forcing the dog onto his back), yelling or pulling on the leash or any other activities that inflict pain or frighten your dog. In addition to knowing what training methods they use, it’s also a good idea to find out how much experience the trainer has had and how they were educated.
In a group dog training class, your dog will learn how to interact with other dogs and people, and how to respond to you amid noise and distractions. You’ll also learn and benefit from other people interacting with their dogs. The HSUS suggests the looking for the following in a group dog training class:
Ÿ Are the training methods and equipment humane?
Ÿ Is proof of vaccination required?
Ÿ Does the dog trainer use a variety of methods to meet the individual dog’s needs?
Ÿ Is praise given frequently?
Ÿ Are voice commands given in upbeat tones?
Ÿ Is the class size limited to allow for individual attention?
Ÿ Are there separate classes for puppies and adult dogs? Dogs of all ages can learn new behaviors. Dogs between 8 and 16 weeks of age should be enrolled in puppy classes. Regular training classes are for dogs over 6 months or older.
Ÿ Are there different class levels for beginners, intermediate and advanced?
Ÿ Are the training methods humane?
Ÿ Is information available on how dogs learn, problem solving and basic grooming?
Ÿ Is everyone enjoying themselves; dogs and humans?
Before you go to class, take your dog to the veterinarian to make sure his vaccinations are up to date and he is free of parasites (e.g. fleas). Don’t feed your dog a large meal before class. Bring the appropriate equipment for your dog as suggested by the trainer.
Remember, homework is an important part of taking your dog to class. Practice between classes, with brief lessons. Even taking just 10 minutes to practice will help you and your dog learn the new behaviors. Always end your practice on a positive and upbeat note.
Taking your dog to a dog training class is a fun, social activity for you and your dog. It’s amazing what you can learn about your dog, and yourself, when the two of you go to school together.
The Buddy Walk: The Buddy Foundation has a fall fundraiser you and your dog can do together. The Buddy Walk is 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, at Melas Park in Arlington Heights. Walk with or without your dog. It’s a fun way to exercise while raising money and awareness for the Buddy Foundation.
For more information on our fall events and the dogs and cats available for adoption, call (847) 290-5806 or visit us online at www.thebuddyfoundation.org.
Ÿ The Buddy Foundation is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray, abused and abandoned cats and dogs. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.