September 24, 2021
Training your puppy is a challenge you’ll go through during the first year of their homecoming. Even if your adorable, loving little buddy is clever and obedient, you cannot neglect their training. You still need to dedicate time and effort to teaching them basic rules daily.
Of course, there’s just so little time in the day that you can devote to training your puppy. Whether it’s work or daily life commitments, it’s easy to lose track of your puppy’s training progress.
And without consistency, you may end up with a rowdy adult dog that lacks good manners around other people and their dogs.
Most puppy parents choose to train their puppies themselves but that’s not the only option you have for your furry friend. Some puppy parents opt for dog training classes, and that may just be the answer for you!
Dog training classes are a fantastic choice for puppy parents who do not have the time or resources to train their fur-babies. During these classes, a professional dog trainer will teach your furry friend basic commands and other tricks that can help their growth.
These lessons may also involve other puppies with their owners. As with most dog training options, there are pros and cons to dog training classes.
Let’s take a look at each!
Pro #1 Your puppy receives socialization training.
You must socialize with your puppy as soon as they’re old enough to be around other people and pets. Why? If you don’t socialize with your dog as puppies, it can cause aggression or skittish tendencies toward other people in the future.
And yes, you can socialize your pup anywhere you want. However, we recommend choosing a setting that has a group of friendly, sociable puppies, and dog training classes have just that!
Dog training classes usually provide a setting that’s pleasant and less intimidating for your puppy. Many puppies will run around and play after a lesson is finished. So it’s a win-win for everyone!
Pro #2: You learn about important pet care topics.
Dog training classes teach your puppy the basic commands. What you may not know. however, are that these classes also have training for puppy parents like you on pet care topics such as:
- Deworming treatments
- Vaccinations
- Flea/tick prevention
- Puppy nutrition
Whether you’re a new puppy parent or a seasoned expert in raising dogs, this type of education about your puppy’s pet care is valuable.
Pro #3: Your puppy will be taught basic commands.
Training your puppy is more than teaching them important commands like “sit” and “stay.” However, it’s still highly recommended that you teach your puppy the five basic commands before anything else.
A dog training class typically teaches your puppy the most basic commands, such as sitting or responding when their name is called. This will help you protect your puppy in the future.
Con #1: Your puppy may meet unfriendly puppies.
At Petland, we believe that there is no such thing as a bad dog, only that there are unfriendly or rowdy dogs. You’ll see this at your dog training sessions if you share a class with other people and their puppies.
We say this often, but puppies (and even adult dogs) are like children. In a normal classroom at a school, there are various types of children that exist. One child may be shy and introverted, another may be the high-energy, problem child of the class. Some children are bullies while others are relaxed, well-balanced children.
All of these characteristics exist in a dog training class. And when these personalities clash together in a room, it can be highly distracting and chaotic, especially if you have a puppy with an extreme personality.
Even a well-behaved puppy will have a hard time focusing on the lesson if every other puppy in the room is distracted and playing around.
Con #2: Classes may overemphasize food during training.
Most dog training classes use training aids such as clickers or treats during lessons. While there’s nothing wrong with using treats for training purposes, it’s important to know that training should not be a click-and-treat sequence.
While these items are great training aids when needed but we suggest not using these items often when you’re training your puppy.
The reason why you should is that you might train your puppy to obey you only when you have food in your hands. Puppies who are motivated by food will not grow up to be completely obedient to you. As such, you or your dog trainer needs to use another reliable method for training.
Con #3: Potential to Contract Illnesses from Unvaccinated Puppies
Puppies are vulnerable to countless illnesses and health problems due to their weak immune systems. This is the reason most vets recommend vaccinating your puppy early and keeping them away from other puppies until they’ve completed their vaccination requirements.
Unfortunately, some uneducated puppy parents don’t understand or care about the importance of puppy vaccinations. If your puppy meets with another sick puppy, you may be piling up vet bills soon.
Whether you decide to vaccinate or not, think about your puppy’s health and where you take them. Your puppy is young and vulnerable so you need to consider danger points around them.
If your puppy isn’t vaccinated, one of the worst places to go with your furry friend is the dog park because that’s where sick puppies and adult dogs will pee and poo. Consider the risk of infection for your puppy before running off to a dog park for dog training classes. You should only socialize your fur-baby with other puppies that have been vaccinated.
Now you know the pros and cons of dog training classes, it’s up to you whether you think they’re worth the investment.
We highly suggest looking for the classes near your area. Ask questions and talk to the trainers. If you’re able to, check out a class by yourself to see if it’s the right setting and training style for your puppy.
Read online reviews and talk to others about their experiences with dog training classes. You can also take a look at our blog, Dog Training 101: What You Need to Know for more information!
