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SELECTING AN OBEDIENCE SCHOOL

Selecting an obedience school is an important decision that should be made only after careful consideration. Begin by asking your veterinarian or another professional for recommendations, or consult your local dog club or other dog owners whose opinions you trust. Seek out trainers who train winners of shows and obedience trials. Once you have a few prospects, do your own research to confirm the quality of the recommendations you received. You can easily learn whether any complaints have been lodged against a school by calling the SPCA or your local Better Business Bureau.
The quality of obedience schools, like any type of business, can vary significantly. The time you initially spend choosing a school will pay off in the long run. By checking a school's policy concerning vaccinations for puppies or aggressive dogs, for example, you can avoid potentially harmful or unpleasant situations for your dog.
Do not be lured into choosing a school by promises of lifetime warranties or guaranteed success. No one can guarantee what your dog's behavior will be like in the future. The way you and others interact with your dog has an equally strong impact on your dog's behavior as the lessons it learns in school. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the school's instruction, you would be better off starting over with another school than continuing with something that does not meet your needs.
Class size is an important factor in choosing a school. Small classes of 10 or less are generally best, since the fewer the dogs, the more personal attention you are likely to receive. Dogs may feel crowded in a large class and act defensively as a result. Smaller classes might cost slightly more, but they usually provide greater value for the money.
Another important consideration is the amount of time the school and the trainer devote to you and your dog. For example, does the trainer spend extra time before or after class discussing individual problems or answering questions? Is there a hotline you can call in case of a crisis? Once you complete the training course, is follow-up help available? The answers to these questions can make the difference between an acceptable school and an exceptional one.
One of the best ways to evaluate whether a school and its trainers meet your needs is to attend a class or two without your dog. Observe not only the trainer and his or her style, but the students as well. If they appear to be leaming and having fun, then they probably are. Above all, have confidence in a trainers knowledge and experience and be comfortable with the methods he or she uses. Any lack of confidence in the trainer or the methods will likely be sensed by your dog.
Training continues throughout the life of your dog, and you must be able to practice together. For this reason, it is better to attend classes with your dog than to send it away to obedience school.
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