Dog training.

I really want my dog to be ultra friendly to humans and other dogs so is it worth taking him to dog training? i want him to be very very sociable.

always recommended and certainly if you are not so sure about training techniques yourself you can learn loads , just try and find one that has had satffys before and appreciates their traits

we trained Miley ourselves she was a rescue so knew a bit before. Its very rewarding doing it yourself

Always worth looking at, but make sure the trainers are used to bull breeds & are properly qualified in positive reinforcement training.

We didn't take Suki to classes and trianed her ourselves. We make sure to have her interact with every dog that is well socialized that we meet. We also take her to the dog park for at least an hour and a half every day.

We make sure she interacts with every race, size, gender and age of person we can find. Also applies for people in wheelchairs, on crutches and in braces. The more you expose them to the more they are comfortable with.

I agree 100% with jstaff regarding socialisation - this is the best way to get a well socialised pup. Just check that the person or dog you are approaching is friendly first though!

Personally I found training classes counter-productive regarding socialisation.

Never been to classes myself but maybe you could go and watch one and see if its for you both

Its important you socialize them with kind people and dogs early though just so they love everyone

Jason wrote:Its important you socialize them with kind people and dogs early though just so they love everyone

Definitely!

I will defo take him puppy classes.

I'd have a go at puppy class and then do as much as you can yourself.

I was told Max was too old for puppy class at 10 months and he'd been at the rescue since he was 5 months old... He didn't know anything... not even his name.

I contacted a dog trainer who said her fee was £30 an hour

So... decided to do everything myself...
Have to say it is soooo rewarding when you see progress and confidence.
Max will do anything for a treat and I have trained him to come to the whistle and he loves it!
He will sit, wait and walk on the lead now without pulling and that's all within a few weeks of hard work and lots of positive reinforcement and treats!

The more animals, people and situations he can be involved with the better I think and definitely lots of exercise helps!

Look forward to hearing how you get on!

Wow £30 an hour, that is abit steep, i have a friend of a friend who took their dog doggy school so i plan to ask about that one as it's in the same area as me, i will be doing as much training as i can.,i will research heaps to get it as correct as i can....

I just want him good with other dogs mostly and the owner of the other dogs will have to be keen on the idea so a park is not ideal in the first few months after his injections so classes it is, thank you for the advice all.

That is a ridiculous price! I wouldn't pay it either, are there not any more classes local to you? Sometimes rescue centres run them x

Nosipho wrote:That is a ridiculous price! I wouldn't pay it either, are there not any more classes local to you? Sometimes rescue centres run them x

No... I live in the middle of nowhere and there's no choice... The rescue is a tiny place and there's a couple of training/dog behaviour people who charge an arm and a leg

Training classes are a great way for them to socialise...90%+ dogs that attend training classes have no issues with people.