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I ask this question because my mutt and I started a new obedience course tonight. We took a year off to do agility, but I want to work on heeling and other things with him for a few months.
I am a big fan of hiring a personal dog trainer or enrolling in a group obedience class taught by a trainer. Although I know I can train a dog on my own, there are so many benefits to working with a trainer. You get to hear new ideas first hand and have someone there to work on specific issues your dog might be having. Plus, if you are taking a group class, your dog learns to work amongst many distractions. It’s also a lot of fun for a dog lover like me, just because it’s another excuse to hang out with a bunch of dogs and other crazy dog people.
I have worked directly with about eight different trainers, and they have all taught me something new. I have never hired a trainer to work one on one with Ace and I, but I think it would be a great idea for help with certain “issues” such as curing Ace’s ball obsession.
How about you, have you hired a dog trainer? Did you enroll in a group class or work one on one with the trainer? How beneficial was it?
Email your dog-related question to me at Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I’ll post it for others to answer.
(Image from tripleldog.com)
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July 16th, 2008 at 12:28 am
i would love to get some help with the heeling! ive never consulted a trainer, but i think its always great to get some help and outside perspectives
K9 Amiga’s last blog post..The Future?
July 16th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I have never hired a trainer myself. I did take one of the foster saints to a behaviorist (fruitless endeavor and quite costly)I have trained my dogs myself. I have always wanted to join a class but have never had the extra time with my son’s sports to devote 6 or 8 full weeks. I may join an allbreed training club in the fall.
Saint Lover’s last blog post..Atomic Pool Dogs
July 16th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’ve never personally hired a trainer or enrolled in a class - but - I think they are a great idea. I am in favor of people taking at least one set of classes with their dogs, especially if they have not had a dog before.
Apryl DeLancey’s last blog post..Wild World of Wednesday - July 16, 2008
July 16th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I have done both enrolled in group classes and taken private lessons. I really think that both have their advantages, depending on the needs of your dogs. One of the things that I like about working with someone else, whether in a class or just one on one is that it gives me that added motivation to actually get out there and train the dogs.
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July 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Amiga, you should try taking your dog to an obedience class. I think you’d enjoy it.
Saint Lover, I guess I have an advantage because I don’t have kids, only pets.
Apryl, why haven’t you gotten another dog yet?
Marie, I totally agree. I am competitive and always want to secretly have the best dog in class.