The Value of Dog Training
In my last blog, I said that this month I would offer you some tips on training your dog. Dogstardaily.com is an excellent website that contains loads of training tips, videos, and items to purchase. What I’d really like to talk about this time is the value of attending training classes with your dog.
Zane and I are currently enrolled in the Zones program offered at The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too. Although I have attended training classes in the past with my previous dogs and know quite a bit about training, I feel that it is important to attend classes with Zane, my 2 year old Doberman, who I recently adopted. Training classes help the dog bond with his or her owners in the presence of an experienced trainer who can assist with individual issues such as timing of rewards when the dog responds appropriately and the best way to handle an inappropriate or non-response to a particular command. A good training class will provide an environment in which distractions can be added according to your dog’s level to raise the bar of achievement. Practically everyone has encountered a dog in his or her lifetime that he might regard as being obnoxious. These are the dogs that jump all over you and have no manners whatsoever. Unfortunately these dogs all too often end up leading a very lonely existence, often being relegated to the back yard or even surrendered to a shelter. The people who own these dogs did not understand the value of training. Training helps the owners teach the dog how to achieve good manners which is essential if you want a dog that is a joy to be around and welcome everywhere.
The Zones training program at The Crate Escape and The Crate Escape, Too is very different from the traditional 6 week classes offered at most other places. Once per month, at each location, Bill Grant, our trainer, offers a FREE orientation session for people to get an understanding of the program. Once you attend the free orientation, you are able to purchase a number of classes –either 6, 12, or a 6 month pass. You then attend the class at either location whenever it is convenient to you. Classes are held on Friday nights at the South Burlington location and on Saturday mornings at the Richmond location. If you prefer to go to our South Burlington location on Fridays but have plans on a particular Friday, you have the option of attending Saturday morning at our Richmond location instead. If you are going on vacation for 2 weeks you don’t need to worry about falling behind because you missed 2 weeks. Everyone progresses at their own level and at their own pace. Once Bill feels that you and your dog are able to reliably perform all the requirements in your “Zone”, you can advance to the next Zone.
What’s unique about this program is that the distractions change for you weekly as your dog progresses and new people and dogs come and go. Last week at the Richmond location, Zane and I worked on extended sit-stays and down-stays as the newer students starting from scratch were learning to sit on command and walk on a loose lead around us, providing us with plenty of distractions that we were ready for. Those that were not quite at the level that Zane and I had achieved were practicing sit-stays and down- stays on the outskirts of the room, away from the distractions.
The “Leave-it” command is one that we are currently working on and has proven very valuable for Zane who is easily aroused by one of my more demonstrative cats. When we first got Zane 2 months ago, he could not even be in the same room with Ripple without wanting to chase, jump at and try to play with him. Ripple did not appreciate this and not surprisingly, whacked him, drawing blood the very first day the two met. Zane did not care that he was bleeding and continued to harass Ripple. (Incidentally, Zane was fine from the beginning inside the house with my mellow cat, Reeso.) When outside in our fenced yard with either of our cats, Zane quickly showed us his high prey drive, making it unsafe for the cats to be out in the yard simultaneously with Zane. I asked Bill how I should approach Zane’s obsession with my highly reactive cat; he suggested that I work on the “Leave it” command with Zane. We try to practice this daily with treats and toys and it is now possible for Ripple to come into the house when Zane is in the area. The cats get their kitty treats each night with Zane in a down-stay on his bed in the kitchen and the cats retrieve the treats from Zane’s bed. Well, at least Reeso does. Ripple is not ready for that close of a proximity yet, so his treats are given off Zane’s bed, each day getting closer and closer to it. As far as the yard goes, we still have a lot of work to do in order to have both the cats and the dogs out together. The thing is, with a little hard work and practice, you and your dog can achieve a lot. Training classes with the right instructor are fun and rewarding whether your dog is young or old. Why not give it a try. You’d be surprised at the results. As for Zane and I, Canine Good Citizen here we come! And maybe that will eventually lead to an overnight trip to Memere’s, because after all who can resist a well behaved dog!
