Congrats on signing up for a training class with your dog!! (and if you haven't - why not??)
Below is a list of tips I have compiled for a training class student. I am sharing these to help make learning fun for both you and your dog - and class for teachers a little more sane.
1. Bring a hungry dog. If your class is at 6pm, skip dinner. A good rule of thumb is to not feed your dog for at least 4 hours prior to class. A hungry dog is a MOTIVATED dog, in most cases. This is probably the most important tip of them all.
2. Bring soft treats of different varieties - already cut up in appropriate size. Do not bring milkbones. Combine some of your dog's normal meal kibble with delicious treats that are pea-sized. The softer the treat the quicker you can train because there is little to no chewing involved. Some favorites of mine are chopped up chicken breast, dog food roll cut up small(not the refrigerated kind), cheese, and any other leftover meat that is safe for dogs. I have even heard of using cooked kidney beans for training treats. Do not assume that because your dog eats whatever it is at home he will necessarily have interest in it amidst a distracting, exciting environment.
3. Bring a stuffed Kong, Bullystick or other type of long-term consumable. This will keep your dog occupied during down time and demonstrations. You can fill this with a myriad of things, but make it sticky so it is harder to get out and STINKY to keep your dog's attention. Peanut Butter is an obvious choice, but I am sure you can come up with some other good ideas (tuna and cream cheese?). Freeze it, whatever you do, for an even longer term project. Share it with your dog during class by placing it under your foot to share possession and keep it from flying around the room.
4. Ditch the flexi-lead. They are dangerous. Dogs can get tangled around each other quickly and easily. The stop feature on Flexi-leads has, can, and will break - you never know when; hopefully it won't be in class. Other reasons to not use a flexi-lead include risk of amputation (it is written all over the package) and erosion your loose-leash walking practice. Instead, bring a 4-5' standard leash - preferrably leather for traction, but nylon will always suffice.
5. If your dog isn't super-foodie, as we say, bring something that does motivate him. If it is a tennis ball, bring that. If it is a favorite stuffed toy, bring that. Squeaky toys are okay. but if your training class has more than one squeaky toy fanatic, which there is bound to be, you might have an issue on your hands.
6. If you have a harness for your dog, use it.
7. Don't show up more than 5 minutes prior to class unless instructed to do so. Humans are great at waiting for things, dogs are not.
8. Tire your dog out before class. Spend some extra time playing fetch or tug so his energy tank is emptied more.
9. Wear a bait bag. They make ones that don't look really terrible now - I swear. Even if you end up wearing a fannypack, we won't tell. Your secret is safe with us. My favorite bait bag is the QuickDraw, but there are other types out there in all colors and patterns. You will thank me later.
10. Don't greet other dogs in the class prior or during to it (without permission from the instructor)! In some adult classes not all dogs are dog-friendly - that is why they are on-leash classes.
Enjoy class and Happy Training!!
(I am sure there are more tips from the other trainers on this site that I didn't think of - please add them below in the comments!!)
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Additions to #3 and #9
3. A great stinky, sticky, long-term consumable: Braunschweiger! I think people around here call it Liverwurst. You can smoosh it into a Kong or a small cup and offer licks when you need to pacify your dog. I call it...the equalizer! (My preferred reward for recalls with distraction)
9. I don't like bait bags, but for some reason I do like the little tool aprons they sell at Home Depot or Lowes. Most have three big pockets up front, so you can have treats, a toy, a clicker or whatever you use in your training. Plus, they're usually just a few bucks.
Great Post!!
Cindy Bruckart, CPDT
headstart- re: 5 min before class
What helped me out a TON was arriving 20 mins before class and parking a couple blocks away. That was my last chance to pee/poop & do some review of what we learnt the week prior (helps globalize behaviours) and also put me on my dog's list of "rewards". We slowly worked our way up to the door, and into class in time for it to start.
I went from the partypooper, to me being part of the party. Even before I go for walks, I always start with fun and games with me first, that way they by the time we get outside, they have gotten rid of some zoomies, and are able to focus on me, instead of fixating on the wonderful magical world that exists beyond the front door.
I also have a bait bag that fits into my coat / sweatshirt pockets and one for balls & a skinnez tug. Having two helped me as well.
What a great post!
happy-houndz.blogspot.com cheers, kate
Liverwurst is DEFINITELY
Liverwurst is DEFINITELY top notch stinky, sticky delicious for dogs. Good suggestion.
Technically, those aprons are "bait bags". It goes around your waist and makes your stuff easily accessible, right? We had a client in class wear a nail pouch for treats - I thought that was a great idea!!
You are definitely right
You are definitely right about proofing your dog's cues in new environments. Arriving early in the neighborhood to mill around and work is one thing, standing outside the training facility door loitering is another. Waiting until there is 5 minutes to go prior to actually entering is very helpful for everyone. The last class can be cleaned up after, those dogs are packed and stowed in their respective cars, and the instructor had time to mentally and physically prep for YOUR class by you waiting until then.