Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

8 essential questions to ask to find the best obedience class for your dog

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

Adding a new furry family member to your posse can include tons of excitement and cuteness, but you can’t forget the not-so-glamorous pieces of pet parenthood. That includes training, so don’t wait to look around for a trainer or class to help. Before you just pick the first training program you see, consider a few questions to help you find the best obedience class for your puppy.

Obedience program vetting has many layers to it, from the basics — like price and schedule — to more complex matters such as the trainer’s philosophy. All trainers run their classes a bit differently, so it’s important to find one whose values align with your own. This is just one aspect to consider, of course, so read on to discover what else can make or break your puppy training experience.

Recommended Videos

1. What experience does the trainer or organization have?

We think it goes without saying that your puppy should be taught and supervised by a dog training or behavior professional. The credentials that follow your trainer’s name can include anything from CPDT-KA or KPT CTP to CDBC or a number of other acronyms, according to Cathy Madson, MA, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, but ensuring a trainer’s certification is the only way to be sure. If you can’t find information about your trainer’s experience and credentials, don’t be afraid to ask!

2. What is the trainer’s philosophy?

Once you know you can trust your trainer’s expertise, it’s a good idea to ask about their beliefs regarding training and obedience. What kinds of interactions are allowed or prohibited? How will you communicate with your dog?

If anything you hear makes you feel uncomfortable or gives you thoughts like, “I’m not sure I want that for my dog,” don’t worry! There are countless trainers and behavior experts across the globe, so you don’t have to settle on the first one you meet.

A Beagle puppy lies in the grass and sniffs the hand of someone reaching out
Soloviova Liudmyla/Shutterstock

3. How will your dog be interacting with other dogs?

Many puppy obedience classes are led in a group environment, though whether or not the dogs interact can vary. If they do, be sure to ask what rules apply during interactions and whether you should wait until instructed to make introductions.

Even though most puppy classes are group-based, you will likely be able to request private sessions if your dog is especially distracted or afraid in crowds.

4. Is this class for puppies only?

Depending on the age of your new best friend, you’ll likely want a class that’s meant especially for puppies. This will set you up for success by ensuring that you’re not asking too much of your dog too soon, which will just lead to frustration for everyone. It will also lead to more appropriate social interactions between puppies when everyone is on the same page.

5. What will your puppy learn?

A basic obedience class for puppies will teach you effective ways to communicate with your dog. You and your buddy will both learn how to navigate a number of situations and behaviors, including their first obedience commands. You can expect to learn behaviors like:

  • responding to name
  • sit
  • stay
  • come
  • no
  • down
  • loose leash walking

Many trainers will be happy to offer a training checklist or guideline for the course so you can know exactly what your puppy will learn.

A man. holds a treat in front of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy on a leash
Image used with permission by copyright holder

6. How does the program reward and correct behaviors?

Communication is key when it comes to training your dog and building trust with her, so it’s important to know exactly how to interact with your buddy. You can always ask about the reward and punishment techniques used in the class, though an ethical, caring trainer will always choose positive reinforcement and redirection instead of teaching through consequences or fear.

7. Do you need any extra training equipment?

Though you’re starting with the basics in a puppy obedience class, you’ll still need a few pet essentials, such as a leash, a collar, and an ID tag for your dog. It’s also a smart idea to bring a portable water dish to keep your buddy hydrated, as well as some treats to use as rewards during training. A program may provide treats at the facility, but vets recommend keeping your dog’s diet consistent — in other words, bring your own treats!

Some dog trainers use special tools — or even household items — to make training easier to visualize or perform. They’ll let you know what you’ll need in order to complete the class, but it never hurts to ask ahead of time.

8. How does the program address behavioral concerns?

If your puppy is behaviorally challenged, she may need more help than a basic training class can provide. This could mean just a few seconds of extra guidance from the trainer or some extra practice at home, but it’s always helpful to know what to expect, just in case. You may not be able to control whether you discover your pup’s rambunctiousness inside or outside of class, but you can educate yourself about alternative training options. Whether it includes private classes or more enticing treats is yet to be determined, but a lot can be done!

If this feels like a lot to consider before choosing the best obedience class for your puppy, don’t worry. You’re learning right alongside your four-legged friend, and there’s always time to make changes and improvements. You don’t need to know everything today. Deep breath, pet parents. You’ve got this!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Are ‘dog years’ really 7 human years? How to calculate your dog’s age
Time to bust the myth: A dog year may not equal 7 human years
A dog licks a person's finger with yogurt on their nose

There are many ways to identify a dog's age and translate dog years to human years — other than knowing their birthday, of course — from the formation of their teeth to the development of their body. Then there’s the classic rule of 7: 1 year in "human time" equals 7  "dog years". However, research shows that figuring out exactly how to translate dog years to human years may not be as simple as multiplying a number by 7. So how can you calculate your dog’s age?
Let’s dive into the latest and most accurate techniques for canine age calculation. Once you know how to apply this knowledge, you'll be able to figure out what stage of life your dog is in.  This calculation is yet another way to ensure you’re taking the best possible care of your best buddy — and it’s fascinating to know either way.

Is 1 dog year 7 human years?
Despite the popularity of this trope — that 1 year for a dog is equal to 7 human years — it’s not quite that simple. In fact, the dog-to-human age equivalent can change from year to year depending on the age and size of your pet. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), all pups will gain about 15 human years within their first actual year of life, while the second year of life equals another nine years.
Past year two, however, the numbers tend to differ. Larger breeds will “age faster” on paper, meaning their human age equivalent will be higher than that of a smaller dog who was born at the same time. This may sound a bit sad, or even worrisome, so it’s important to remember that age isn’t an indicator of health or life expectancy. As we tell humans, age is just one number.

Read more
Taking your dog’s collar off at night: Safe move or safety risk?
What to know about taking your dog's collar off at night
A man clips a leash on a beagle's collar.

When you and you dog are out and about, your dog's collar is an important part of keeping them safe. It holds their tags, which has vital info that can help you reunite if your dog gets lost, is a convenient place to hold onto if the leash breaks, and it lets other people know that your dog isn't a stray if they get lost.

However, some dog owners take their dog's collar off while they're at home. For some, this sounds like the perfect opportunity to give their dog some time to relax. For others, this might sound like a safety hazard. So which is the truth?

Read more
How to tell if your older dog’s health decline means the end is near
Signs your old pup is close to the end-of-life period
An old Great Dane with a white face leaning against a man's side.

If you've stumbled across this article after searching terms like "old dog behavior before death," we are so sorry for your situation. There's nothing we want more than for our fur babies to live forever. Unfortunately, death is a part of life we all must face, and the loss of a pet is a major trauma because of the tight bonds we form with our fur babies.

Knowing death's a part of life doesn't make the loss of a pet any easier — it can be as difficult as losing a human family member. Despite the many ways we can try to grieve once our beloved pet has passed, it can be helpful to know the end is near. Here's what you should look for if you suspect your dog may be nearing the end of the road.  

Read more