If you have a very young dog or puppy and you would like help and advice on training them, then you may want to enrol your pet in a puppy training class. It is worth paying a visit to a class first to make sure that it is suitable for you and your pet and that you are happy with how it is run.
Puppy training classes are specifically for young dogs under about 6 months of age. Good classes should include lots of exercises on puppy socialisation, mostly off the leash, where your pup can get used to being around other dogs of the same age. It is very important that your puppy grows up to be a well-behaved, obedient and friendly dog.
You should also find that a good puppy training course should also give advice on chewing, nipping and becoming house-trained. This may be provided by discussion groups without your dog being present. Alternatively, you may be provided with hand-outs to read and are also likely to receive information on grooming, feeding and visiting the vet.
Once your pup has become more used to being around other dogs, then you can expect some basic training to take place. They will be taught how to sit, stay, come when called, lie down and how to walk to heel.
Some dogs will learn quicker than others though, and you, as the owner, can help your pup’s learning by putting into practice what you both learn in the classes. A dog that is walked once or twice a day will learn quicker than a dog walked less frequently. It is also important to be consistent. If sometimes you expect your pup to walk to heel and then at other times allow him to pull at the lead, then you are sending mixed messages and it will take longer for your pup to learn what he should be doing.
