THE PRO’S OF PUPPY TRAINING

Adopting or purchasing a puppy is a big responsibility. In the first few months of their lives they undergo many physical and developmental changes very quickly. One day you bring home a tiny eight week old puppy and within a matter of months you have an adult dog. During the first few months of a puppy’s life is the time where the puppy learns social behaviors, is quick to learn new commands and take direction, develops ideas in regards to fearful or threatening situations. This is a period where the puppy is highly influential and the things he learns at this time impact him for life. A large and very important part of raising your puppy is training. Training starts on day one when you bring your new puppy home. You need to establish rules for the home such as where will the puppy eliminate, where will they eat and sleep, daily routines, and acceptable behaviors. If you are an experienced dog owner, or if you are a first time dog owner, puppy training classes are a great tool.

Benefits of Puppy Training Classes:
- teaches you how to effectively communicate with your puppy in a positive manner
- can eliminate bad habits at a young age, while establishing good manners
- teaches day-to-day commands you will use for all of your puppy’s life
- socialization and play with other dogs where the puppy can learn how to interact with other dogs in a safe and comfortable setting
- gives you the opportunity to spend quality time with your puppy
- gives the puppy exercise
- exposes the puppy to a variety of people, other dogs and stimuli in a controlled environment; which can be useful for events such as: going to the veterinarian, groomer, boarding facility and meeting new people

When choosing a training facility, it is a good idea to go see the facility and meet the trainer. If you have the opportunity to, sit it in and watch how the trainers run their puppy classes. Get an idea if this would be a comfortable setting for you and your puppy to learn in. Puppy class sizes should generally have less than 8-10 puppies per class. There should be ample space for the puppies to move around in comfortably. The class and setting should be fun and positive with reward based learning.

Here are the names of training facilities we have heard good things about:
Dealing With Dogs
(905)469-1555
Office is located at: 2353 Belyea St., Oakville, Ontario
Classes are in Mississauga, Toronto and Oakville
www.dealingwithdogs.com

Pupeez Dog Training
Joy Oja (905)815-9549
Toronto and Etobicoke
All age dog training

Swansea Dog Obedience Club
(416)233-7633
3962 Bloor St. W., Etobicoke, Ontario
www.swanseadog.com

Trimark Canine Services
Linda Webb (905)820-4414
2253 Dunwin Dr., Mississauga, Ontario

Good training books we recommend:
Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey
Perfect Puppy in 7 Days by Dr. Sophia Yin
Dog Training by David Weston