puppy training and toilet training

[lynneylou]

Hi I wany to join a puupy training class soon after xmas, can anyone recommend one in telford, or advise what to look for in a good class?

Tyler is very good at using wee pads, one in the kitchen and one in his cage at night only. How do I now up the anti to get him to go outside in the day when he is not home alone?

[kaktus]

You keep moving the pads closer and closer to the door. When he is used to only having one pad in front of the door, put the pad outside and make sure to give him lots of praise after he's done and never ever be mad at him if he has an accident! He'll get the hang of it in no time :)

A good trainer should have lots of patience, know something about your dog's breed and be friendly. Go with your guts if you don't like the trainer and the methods go somewhere else. If your dog is a pure breed you can probably call a kennel club to ask for advice and where to find some puppy training in your area.

Good Luck.

[drgnrdr]

What to look for (in addition to kaktus, I won't comment on Potty pads until you've tried what kaktus has said): Make sure you feel comfortable with the trainer, and watch a class. If they don't let you watch a class, don't use them, they should have nothing to hide, I invite people to watch when I do one.

Make sure they have had some kind of schooling to be a trainer, anyone that has a dog or had a dog or breeds them, thinks they are a trainer, but make sure they had some schooling on Learning theory and Methodology, and know about body language or the calming signals dogs give, they need to understand what and why dogs do what they do, and be able to communicate this to you so that you understand. Don't send your dog away to school, you need to teach the dog at home, and in different areas for distractions to get them to listen to you.

Make sure dogs are required to show they have had at least 2 sets of shots, (Distemper, Parvo, Parainfluenza-this is in the USA I am not sure what virus' are in your area- and Rabies if they are at least 5 months old). Make sure it's a Positive Reinforcement class, so much has been researched and it is known that you get more with honey than vinegar, so avoid classes that require aversive techniques and collars like choke or check chain or prong collars. If they do not allow food or toys in class, run away from them. Hope this helps. Let us know how it goes..

[Kimmiebear]

Often times your vet can recommend a trainer that they have experience with. The Dr at work intervews the trainers in the area about their classes and staff members are encouraged to attend classes with their pets to get a first hand idea of what the trainer is like. If you trust your vet and like his/ her policies then she/ he might know a trainer with a similar style... if that makes any sense.