We paid for two full training courses at PetSmart. It’s really important for both the dog and owner to learn together so you can communicate better with your dog. Plus, it was a good chance to see how my dog behaved around others in a small, controlled space before daycare or boarding.
@GalacticGlider
We had a great experience with PetSmart group classes! We did Puppy, Advanced, Therapy, and Brain Games. My dog learned a lot, and I did too. We’ll definitely start with PetSmart classes again for our next dog. After those, we also did classes at Zoom Room, which offers a variety of classes like Obedience, Therapy workshops, and more.
Be careful with McCann’s methods; they’ve been banned from some training forums for promoting questionable methods.
Mathew said:
Be careful with McCann’s methods; they’ve been banned from some training forums for promoting questionable methods.
I’m curious, what methods are you talking about?
Mathew said:
Be careful with McCann’s methods; they’ve been banned from some training forums for promoting questionable methods.
I’m curious, what methods are you talking about?
For example, they crate train by banging a metal leash on the cage to stop puppies from whining. I didn’t watch all their videos, but I didn’t like what I saw and decided to look for other channels. I’d rather follow trainers who use science-based methods all the time. The puppy101 and dogtraining forums are also great for this kind of info.
Get the book Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy for the first few weeks. It covers potty training and bite training. Use positive reinforcement, and avoid the ‘pack leader’ ideas still floating around. You can also look for puppy classes to learn the basics from trainers. YouTube is good for teaching basic commands too. Choose a good puppy school though, as not all are good. If your puppy gets too overwhelmed, 1-on-1 sessions might be better.
I used the Hundeo app for a friend’s dog, and it worked pretty well. It has personalized training plans and video tutorials. The only downside is that some features are app-exclusive, so you need the app on your phone. But overall, it’s a good choice for both new and experienced dog owners.
McCann’s YouTube channel is great! They focus on consistency, positive reinforcement, and mental stimulation.
The AKC has a training email you can sign up for. It’s free and sends training tips each week. If you’re in the US, check out Petco or PetSmart for puppy and adult group classes—they’re reasonably priced. You could also look for a local trainer who will come to your house. That can be more expensive, but word of mouth and reputation help you find the best ones. We found a trainer who worked with us at home, and it made a huge difference for our doodle.
I watched Lucky Dog over and over before getting my dog. It’s a free channel on Samsung smart TVs. I also checked out some YouTube videos.
I don’t know about training advice, but I do know his eyes are just adorable!
I took a bunch of courses and got certificates in dog behavior.
YouTube, especially McCann Dogs! Their advice worked wonders for us.
In-person training is the best, but Baxter and Bella are good for training at home. You can go at your own pace with their course.