Paws for Praise
Make a Tail Wag!
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Training Hints
Want to know more about dogs?
We recommend...
Books
CULTURE CLASH (Jean Donaldson)
DON'T SHOOT THE DOG (Karen Pryor)
CANINE BEHAVIOR - A PHOTO ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK (Barbara Handelman)
LIVING WITH KIDS AND DOGS...WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND (Coleen Pelar)
RAISING PUPPIES AND KIDS TOGETHER - A GUIDE FOR PARENTS (Pia Sylvani and Linda Eckhardt)
DVD's
THE LANGUAGE OF DOGS - UNDERSTANDING CANINE BODY LANGUAGE AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SIGNALS DVD SET(Sarah Kalnajs)
Dogs 'n' Storks (Jennifer Shryock)
THE DOG WHISPERER VOL. 2 - SOLVING COMMON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS DVD
(Paul Owens)
TV Shows
Victoria Stilwell "It's Me or the Dog"
Show Schedule
Dogs 101
Web Sites
Dogmantics
Pam's Dog Academy
Dog Star Daily
If you can't find the item you are seeking via the links above, try:
Amazon
We recommend...
Books
CULTURE CLASH (Jean Donaldson)
DON'T SHOOT THE DOG (Karen Pryor)
CANINE BEHAVIOR - A PHOTO ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK (Barbara Handelman)
LIVING WITH KIDS AND DOGS...WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND (Coleen Pelar)
RAISING PUPPIES AND KIDS TOGETHER - A GUIDE FOR PARENTS (Pia Sylvani and Linda Eckhardt)
DVD's
THE LANGUAGE OF DOGS - UNDERSTANDING CANINE BODY LANGUAGE AND OTHER COMMUNICATION SIGNALS DVD SET(Sarah Kalnajs)
Dogs 'n' Storks (Jennifer Shryock)
THE DOG WHISPERER VOL. 2 - SOLVING COMMON BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS DVD
(Paul Owens)
TV Shows
Victoria Stilwell "It's Me or the Dog"
Show Schedule
Dogs 101
Web Sites
Dogmantics
Pam's Dog Academy
Dog Star Daily
If you can't find the item you are seeking via the links above, try:
Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
I've heard it's bad to use food in training. Is that true?
Good trainers use reinforcements of all kinds: treats, tennis balls, toys, and life rewards. Getting out the door to the back yard after doing a nice, polite sit/stay can be a terrific reinforcement! It isn't what you reward the dog with, it's how you do it that's important.
We're often asked if that means we have to carry food around forever. We don't have to do that, but many trainers do keep food with them, because it's so much fun to be ready if the dog does something cute that you want to "capture" and put it on cue!
How old does my puppy have to be to come to class?
Paws for Praise accepts very young puppies into class. Your pup should be at least 8 weeks old to attend. The optimal socialization period for pups is from age 8-16 weeks. This Socialization Handout can help you understand what your pup needs at this stage. If it is a rescue or shelter puppy, you must have had the pup in your home for at least a week before coming to class, and he should have had his first vet check, and be parasite-free.
We require age-appropriate vaccinations (we accept titers) as recommended by your veterinarian. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccination if they are six months of age or older.
Is my dog too old to learn?
No dog is too old to learn unless he has cognitive dysfunction of some kind. The oldest dog I ever took to a class was a 15 year old Yorkshire Terrier and she did a great job.
Can my children participate in class?
Kids often make the best trainers because the don't have any pre-conceived notions about how to train and they are used to listening to a teacher and doing as they are instructed. Children age 7 and older seem to do fine in class and are welcome to attend and handle their own dogs if they are able. In fact, anyone who regularly interacts with your dog on a daily basis is welcome. We've actually had some dogs bring their dog walkers to class along with their pet parents!
I've heard it's bad to use food in training. Is that true?
Good trainers use reinforcements of all kinds: treats, tennis balls, toys, and life rewards. Getting out the door to the back yard after doing a nice, polite sit/stay can be a terrific reinforcement! It isn't what you reward the dog with, it's how you do it that's important.
We're often asked if that means we have to carry food around forever. We don't have to do that, but many trainers do keep food with them, because it's so much fun to be ready if the dog does something cute that you want to "capture" and put it on cue!
How old does my puppy have to be to come to class?
Paws for Praise accepts very young puppies into class. Your pup should be at least 8 weeks old to attend. The optimal socialization period for pups is from age 8-16 weeks. This Socialization Handout can help you understand what your pup needs at this stage. If it is a rescue or shelter puppy, you must have had the pup in your home for at least a week before coming to class, and he should have had his first vet check, and be parasite-free.
We require age-appropriate vaccinations (we accept titers) as recommended by your veterinarian. Dogs must have proof of rabies vaccination if they are six months of age or older.
Is my dog too old to learn?
No dog is too old to learn unless he has cognitive dysfunction of some kind. The oldest dog I ever took to a class was a 15 year old Yorkshire Terrier and she did a great job.
Can my children participate in class?
Kids often make the best trainers because the don't have any pre-conceived notions about how to train and they are used to listening to a teacher and doing as they are instructed. Children age 7 and older seem to do fine in class and are welcome to attend and handle their own dogs if they are able. In fact, anyone who regularly interacts with your dog on a daily basis is welcome. We've actually had some dogs bring their dog walkers to class along with their pet parents!
