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Q:   My vet says I should take my dog to obedience class... Isn't it expensive and where do I start?

A:  Many people think that obedience training means sending their dogs away to an expensive school. Not so! Reasonably priced obedience classes are offered at LITTLE ROCK K-9 ACADEMY.

A typical obedience class meets for an hour a week for four- to-twelve weeks.  The cost for an entire course varies.  During this time, you'll learn how to teach your dog to obey basic commands like sit, come, down, stay and heel.  You'll also learn how to handle your dog around strangers, in unfamiliar places and around other dogs.  We have courses  that are geared to your level of experience or budget.  If this is your first dog or you've never tried to train before, a beginner's class would be a good place to start.

Q:  Can't I just get a book and train my dog at home?

A:  Yes, you can but classes give you definite advantages!  Many people learn better when they're shown something in person rather than looking at diagrams or reading words in a book.  Our instructors can demonstrate exactly how to give an effective correction and what the right tone of voice sounds like.  Solving problems is easier in a class environment.  Our instructors  will observe how you interact with your dog and help you work better together.

Class also gives your dog something important.  Quality time with you away from home and  a strange place that he will have to obey in.  Many dogs obey perfectly well in places where everything is familiar (and maybe even boring) to them.  They often forget all their training when they're out in the real world where there's so much to see, smell, and chase.  In class, you'll learn how to keep your dog's attention even though he's in a strange place with all kinds of interesting things going on around him.

Q:  How do I find an obedience instructor?

A:   Decide whether a group class or private sessions fit your situation and your personality.  Cardinal Rule # one... is to talk to the potential instructor or club before making a decision on when and where you will train. Observe at least two or three instructors or classes before making a choice.  If possible, talk to other dog owners who have taken classes at the establishment you are considering.

Q:  Which is the best for my dog?  Group or private training classes?

A:  Most people often seek group training classes because they are cheap.  Group sessions offer a lot of distractions for a dog and provides opportunity to socialize for both people and dogs.  However,  we believe a group training class  is not  an ideal environment to start training for any dog, regardless of age.  It is unfair to your dog to try and teach it with distractions from other dogs or a crowd of people.   It is recommended that  group classes are perfect for "proofing" dogs that have learned obedience.

A group class usually make up about 4-8 owners/dogs.  It is very difficult for one trainer to give each person the quality time that's needed in  the hour he/she will spend with you.  The result is a frustrated owner and/or a dog that's hasn't progressed properly.

Private Training sessions offer a better quality of training and do cost a little more.  There are fewer distractions which provides a perfect learning environment.  Our instructors will work with you patiently one-on-one at a  pace that's just right for you and your dog.  We  can listen and address all your questions and concerns about our training methods, behavior problems, nutrition and K-9 health.

Q:  What age do I enroll my puppy into classes?

A:  We recommend keeping your pup home until he's 16 weeks old, but check with your Vet. Some obedience instructors insist the pup need socialization of a kindergarten class. We agree socialization is important, but not as important as avoiding exposure to FATAL diseases such as parvo-virus and distemper.

Q:  I took your advice and went through an obedience class with my dog.  I couldn't believe how fast he learned!  Now that classes are over, though, he doesn't pay attention anymore and acts like he didn't learn a thing.  What went wrong?  Did I waste my time?

A:  Not at all!  Obedience class is just the first stop on the road to a well-trained dog.  Classes train people, not dogs. What you learned in class was how to train your dog.  In class, you were taught how to give commands and how to enforce them.  You learned how to encourage your dog to do the right thing and how to correct him  when he made a mistake.  What you need to do now is apply what you've learned to your everyday life with your dog.

In class, if you told your dog to sit and he didn't, what did you do?  If he broke a stay, what did you do about it?  You corrected him and put him back into position, didn't you?  To get your dog to behave well at home, you need to follow the same procedures that you did in class.

Training is a project that's never quite finished.  Dogs quickly forget their training if it's not practiced regularly.  You can easily include little practice sessions in your daily life: put him on a sit/stay while you fix him dinner, have him heel to the mailbox with you, lie down while you're eating supper, etc.  In class you were shown techniques and given the tools to get your dog's attention and his obedience.  All you have to do now is put them to good use!