Comments on: What kind of obedience training is best?

By: Jim Burwell

Jim Burwell — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:20:46 +0000

Positive reinforcement training is always best. Ideally you want to be involved with the training because it helps establish a relationship with your dog and it puts you in a leadership role with your dog which is where you want to be. Dogs listen to those they perceive as leaders. Depending on your situation, group classes are fine, you don’t get individualized attention because of the number of people in a group class setting. That being said, make sure the group class you attend is taught by a respected trainer. Generally I find that the classes at the local pet stores are really not worth the money you spend.

I believe the best option is to train your dog one on one in your home with a positive reinforcement trainer. Dogs and people do not geographically transfer information well. By that I mean, it’s easier for dog and owner to remember and use what they learn where they need to use it.

As far asboard and train, first of all most people do not thoroughly investigate where the dog will be staying (what are the kennels like back where the dog will be staying) and they don’t investigate the trainer, they usually don’t even meet the trainer till they pick the dog up. At the end of the board and train the owner ususally gets 1hr to 1.5 hrs of instruction. Not enough to really understand how to get your dog to listen to you.

What better way to have a peaceful, rewarding, enduring relationship with your dog than to participate in the education and growth of your dog and YOU!

By: Jeff Millman

Jeff Millman — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:19:02 +0000

There is also another way to train a dog. I am a professional positive reinforcement trainer and I conduct private training for clients in Chicago. I go to my client’s home and work one-on-one. But, I also have online videos that are very high quality and allow anyone to watch the lesson on her computer. They also come with downloadable notes. Combined with my community which consists of my blog, forums and radio show, this is a very comprehensive, high quality method of instruction. I studied with Jean Donaldson in San Francisco and ONLY use positive reinforcement.

Some of my online clients supplement classes or individualized instruction with my videos, or use them exclusively to train their dogs.

I really like your site. Keep up the great work!

By: vee

vee — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:24:45 +0000

thanks for the info guys!

vee’s last blog post..And Kiterunner it is!

By: Cynthia Blue

Cynthia Blue — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:31:54 +0000

I look at finding a trainer in a different way… first of all, I recomend reading training books. And behavior books. To understand how a dog learns. And then from there you can be picky about choosing a trainer.

Also.. I always recommend positive trainers and clicker trainers. All dogs learn better with positives. Throw away the negative trainers, the leash pops and the punishments. They are awful! Go positive!

Cynthia Blue’s last blog post..Should I bring Muffit to Agility