Dog owners often don’t begin the training process until bad habits have already become ingrained in their dog’s behavior. I, along with most reputable dog trainers, recommend enrolling a dog in a training program as early as possible, whether they’ve begun exhibiting poor behavior or not. In the same way we wouldn’t start teaching our children to pick up after themselves and say “please” and “thank you” as teenagers, we shouldn’t wait until our dogs are fully grown to teach them the boundaries we need them to recognize.
So what’s the point, really, of training a young puppy? Aren’t they still susceptible to bad behavior like aggression, hyperactivity, separation anxiety, etc. as they mature? If my in-home training program is followed and executed correctly, the simple answer is no. I do more than come in to your home and correct bad behavior; I set you and your dog up for a lifetime of success. In my puppy training program, we’ll set a foundation of trust and respect between you and your new puppy, ensuring that your dog remains focused on you and respectful of the boundaries you set. Basic obedience training and place training will reinforce this trust and respect, and (proper) crate training will prevent separation anxiety. My program also helps with common puppy problems like housebreaking, nipping, and acclimating him/her to the new environment.
As with all of my in-home training programs, the puppy program is fully customizable. I’ll create an original program tailored to your dog’s needs as well as your lifestyle and comfort level.
Don’t wait until your dog is a teenager to set the ground rules. While older dogs can of course be trained successfully, it’s always easiest to set a strong foundation early on, if at all possible. It also gives you the tools you need to continue setting boundaries as your dog matures, in the hopes that even if he or she gets a little rambunctious over the years, you’ll feel confident in reinforcing the boundaries without having to call on a trainer again.
To learn more about my in-home puppy training program, give me a call today at 614.347.9127.