Puppy training - the history of puppy training classes
In January 1982, veterinarian and leading animal behaviourist, Dr. Ian Dunbar ran the world’s first off-leash training class for dogs under 18 weeks old. A lot of the enquiries I receive are about puppy training or puppy training classes so it’s hard to believe that only 30 years ago, puppy training didn’t exist.
Ian says: “Puppies can learn so much from a six-week puppy class: good bite inhibition; confidence and social savvy for interacting with other dogs and people; to enjoy being handled by strangers and to respond quickly and reliably to verbal commands to come, sit, lie down, stand and stay, in the midst of heavy distractions and without the continued reliance of training tools. Alternatively, puppies can learn to be afraid of other dogs, to be inattentive, hyperactive and a bully. It all depends on the class.
Puppy training classes should be taught off-leash for the entire session, except, of course, when pups are learning to walk on-leash. Puppies need as much time as possible to play with other dogs (and so acquire solid bite inhibition and develop soft mouths) and to interact with every person in the room, especially men, children and strangers. Classes should include pups of all sizes and play styles and any signs of fearfulness or “bullying” must be resolved during the very first session, otherwise the problems will quickly become worse as each week goes by. The ongoing play session should be frequently interrupted by numerous short training interludes, so that puppies learn to respond quickly, reliably and happily to their owners’ requests and owners may practice calming their pups when excited.”
The puppy training classes I run are sympathetic to Ian’s research into how effective puppy training classes should be run, with the addition of some environment enrichment exercises, not just for fun but to help prevent fear during adolescence. So, for puppy training run as the founder of puppy training approves, click here.
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