It is every dog owner’s duty to ensure their pup gets the proper training they need in life. However, as a first-time dog parent, you may not know how to train your dog. And that’s where dog obedience classes come in.
How to Prepare for a Dog Obedience Class
The first step to getting started on your path to dog obedience training is to make sure your pup is in good health.
A dog that is tired or has an injured leg may have difficulty keeping up with the other dogs in class. It is also essential to make sure that your pup has enough energy. This means that if your pup is overweight, it’s time to start working on slimming down your little fur baby.
Furthermore, you will want to make sure you have all of the equipment you need before starting your dog training. This includes:
- A leash
- A collar
- A crate
- A harness
If you are planning on using treats, make sure you have a variety on hand so that you can change things up during the class. Dogs cannot learn if they’re not interested in what they’re learning, so make sure you get treats that your pup really enjoys.
What Happens During a Dog Obedience Class?
Some dog owners are surprised when they find out that obedience classes don’t actually teach you how to train your dog. Instead, they’re more of a hands-on learning experience that allows you to practice your training with your dog.
The class is broken into several different parts, each focusing on a different aspect of training.
Part 1: Dog Obedience Class Overview
The first part of the obedience class will involve a discussion with the trainer about what to expect and how the class works. You’ll be given a formal introduction to the class, along with an overview of what’s expected.
Part 2: Demonstration
The second part of the class involves a demonstration of exercises and demonstrations from the trainer. This shows you what to expect and what is involved when training your dog. This is an excellent time for you to ask any questions about the class you may have.
Part 3: Hands-On Exercises
The third part of the class is when you and your pup start learning the course. Each class will be slightly different from the next, but you can expect to start with the following:
- Greeting and departure exercises
- The sitting exercise
- The stay exercise
- The heel exercise
- The come exercise
- The down exercise
If you feel like there is an exercise that your pup is struggling with, feel free to ask for additional training. As you continue to practice the exercises, you will find that your pup gets better each class. Once you have mastered all of the exercises, the fourth part of the class will begin.
Part 4: Certification
The fourth part of the class will be a certification test. There will be a trainer who will watch your pup perform all of the exercises that you have been practicing over the past few weeks. If your pup passes the test, then you will have completed your obedience training.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, dog obedience classes are a great way to get started with dog training. The more practice you have, the better your dog will become at obeying you. Make sure you are staying consistent with your training, and you’ll find that you have a well-behaved dog in no time.
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