Pet Care


Is Dog Obedience School for You?


Are you thinking about dog obedience school? Do you know what to expect out of it? Do you know what it costs or where to find a good school?

If not, let me help take out some of the mystery of finding one to make sure you and your dog get the best experience you can.

If you have searched the web in this topic, you probably found some sites that are basically search engines within search engines, no real information about dog obedience schools. Or you might have found some obedience schools that were on the other side of the country. Needless to say, neither one was of much use.

Chances are you have a dog obedience school of some sort in your town, unless you've got a population of less than 20,000. In that event, you might need to opt for dog training videos or books, and I will go over some good resources for that later.

The first thing I want you to do is look for someone with proven experience. You can start in the yellow pages and look under "Dog Training" as opposed to "dog obedience school."

Ask a LOT of questions. These people are going to be molding the mind of your impressionable pup and you want to know that it's a good fit.

Ask things like:

What will the dog be taught? What is the success rate? What happens if you're not satisfied Will you be taught how to continue with your dogs new training? What are their methods of correction when the dog disobeys? Visit the facility too. Check it out. Meet the trainers and see how they act with people and dogs.

Ask if you can watch a training session or a video of a session so you get an idea of what your dog will be subjected to.

Don't make a final decision on a dog obedience school until your dog has met the trainers. Dogs are extremely good judges of character.

For the most part, someone in this line of work is going to be a good person and a dog lover. Some, however, will be doing it just to get a paycheck and may not have your pal's best interest in mind.

If your dog doesn't like them... take another route.

You might want to consider the local 4-H club. 4-H is where I learned how to train my own dog as a child. It isn't a dog obedience school in the traditional sense. It teaches kids how to train their dogs, or a friend's dog. It's a youth education program and it provides many facets of education, one of which is often dog training.

Read more about dog training videos, if you would like an alternative to dog obedience school.

About the Author...

Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site athttp://www.Dog-Gifts-and-Toys-for-Dog-Lovers.com.

Copyright 2004. All rights reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Back-to-School Blues for Pets
New York Times
Richard Hertzler/Associated Press Pet behaviorists say back-to-school season can be a stressful and sad time for pets. ...



'Quarter ready to borrow for pets'
The Press Association
One in four people would be prepared to take on debt in order to pay for veterinary treatment for their pet, a survey has suggested. ...

and more »


Washington Post

Mother of Ohio man killed by bear favors pet ban
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The mother of an Ohio man who was fatally mauled by a bear has thrown her support behind an exotic pet ban being written in the state. ...
A Mother's Plea: Ban Private Ownership of Exotic AnimalsOpposing Views
Officials can't take remaining exotic pets after OH bear attackWTOL.com
Trustees on Exotic Animal Ban: Our Hands are TiedCleveland News - Fox 8

all 212 news articles »


Your Local Favorites: Pets
OCRegister
Businesses with the most votes won. Voting was open May 31-June 20, 2010. Anyone over the age of 18 could vote once. Readers who commented or voted for 10 ...

and more »


Washington Post

Man broke into Boulder homes to save pets from advancing fire
9NEWS.com
He knew one of the owners, but the other people whose pets he saved, he says he is not familiar with. He says a friend of a friend called asking for help ...
Boulder Fire Stokes Community Through Social MediaHuffington Post (blog)
Boulder-area residents open doors, hearts to Fourmile Fire victimsDaily Camera
Boulder fire a 'wake-up call' for Summit CountySummit Daily News
The Colorado Independent -Real Aspen -LALATE (blog)
all 2,429 news articles »


Pet Adoption Day
WLNS
Entertainment News from AP Ayer's Basement systems to host a Pet Adoption Day Saturday September 18th 2010 in cooperation with WLNS TV-6, the Shiawassee ...
PetSmart of Midland Hosting Adoption Clinic This WeekendNewsWest9.com
Comment by oliveoil: Wednesday, September 8Danville Advocate

all 3 news articles »


Flower Mound: Pets of the Week
Dallas Morning News (blog)
Jafar is a friendly, fun-loving dog who is always ready for a new adventure. He gets along with other dogs, and loves to be with his people. ...



Are bobcats killing area pets?
Ultimate Pearland (blog)
In Friendswood's Sun Meadow subdivision, residents wonder if a bobcat is to blame for missing pets. Cats have disappeared, small dogs have been found dead, ...
Bobcat may be to blame for pet deathsabc13.com

all 5 news articles »


The Black Cat Cabaret Benefits Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Pets Lifeline is the only animal shelter located in Sonoma Valley and provides a refuge for pets and resources for people. Pets Lifeline is dependent on ...
Black Cat Cabaret in SonomaSanta Rosa Press Democrat (blog)

all 2 news articles »


News14.com

Shelter of hope for abandoned pets
Khaleej Times
Part of the problem, especially in the summer months, is that expats leave the country and don't take their pets with them. That, coupled with expats ...
Play nine for canines (and cats, too) at shelter golf tourneyOregonLive.com
Gloucester County Animal Shelter set to celebrate 20 yearsGloucester County Times - NJ.com

all 38 news articles »

Google News

home | site map | Partner Sites
© 2006