Just like people, dogs are more comfortable when they know what’s expected of them, says Andrew Pintus, a former dog handler for the Monongalia County Sheriff’s office and founder of Blue Mountain K9. “Dogs want structure and predictability,” he says. “People feel like they’re being nice by giving their dog a lot of freedom, but dogs don’t really do well with that.” He gave us some pointers.
Can I train my dog myself?
What’s missing is feedback. You can read something or watch a video, but there’s so much difference between breeds and the way that they operate. Also, if you’re watching one guy’s video of how to teach this command and someone else’s video of how to teach a different command, they may be operating under training philosophies that aren’t compatible. It turns into a tough situation when you don’t have someone to guide you.
What’s the best age for training a dog?
The sooner you start, the better. But I’ve had people come in with dogs that were 6 or 7 years old the first time they got a training lesson—there’s no such thing as being too old.
What should I ask a trainer before I arrange for lessons?
Look at educational background. The length of time that they’ve been working with dogs is important, too.
What should I expect in terms of time and money?
As a point of comparison, I offer a set of basic obedience lessons for $350, six one-hour lessons, and there are other options from there.
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