Training Resources
Much material is available on-line that can help you understand how to train your dog. These resources vary from on-line classes to downloadable reading materials. There are also numerous excellent books that are perfect for training the well-behaved companion dog. Fenzi Dog Sports Academy has produced an e-book for new puppy owners that is chock-full of great articles and advice that you can access HERE. Download additional FREE guides from Ian Dunbar and Avidog by clicking the buttons below.
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TRAINING IN THE AGE OF COVID-19 AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
With social distancing and limited class sizes at dog facilities, training and socializing a young puppy has become more difficult. However, there are some misconceptions of what "socialization" means. Many people think it means getting your dog to interact with lots of other dogs in a sort of kindergarten kind of way. Dogs really don't care if they have lots of doggie friends and this is not what puppy classes were designed for -- they were designed to teach you how to be interesting enough to your puppy that your puppy would pay attention to you in the presence of really alluring distractions (other puppies!). Socialization really means exposing your puppy to new environments, new sounds, new locations, and new people so that your puppy is confident in many different situations. Obviously, you can still do much of this exposure but right now, we do not want to expose the puppy to many different people, strangers or friends, because we are trying to minimize human contact to prevent viral spread. Avidog has published a blog article on ideas for how you can still socialize your puppy to humans without contact with individuals outside of your immediate family. Jane Killion of Puppy Culture has also written a blog about socialization under normal conditions and how that is changing in the age of COVID-19. Finally, a number of individuals are offering free classes during our alone time and you should take advantage of these -- sign up for these now as I don't know how long they will be open for registration and how long they will actually be free.
Jane Killion (free for now) - With Open Arms and a Level Head: How to Bring a Puppy into Your Life
Pupford Training with Zak George - 30 day free Perfect Pup training course
Make sure you really understand what is meant by "socialization" of puppies. It is not about meeting other dogs and having a good time!
Jane Killion (free for now) - With Open Arms and a Level Head: How to Bring a Puppy into Your Life
Pupford Training with Zak George - 30 day free Perfect Pup training course
Make sure you really understand what is meant by "socialization" of puppies. It is not about meeting other dogs and having a good time!
Online Resources
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Online Courses
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