How to Choose The Right Dog Training Package for Your Dog: The 5 Essential Factors You Need to Know

Choosing the right dog training package for your dog is a significant responsibility for a dog owner. Dog training plays a crucial role in enhancing your canine companion’s well-being and nurturing a strong bond between you and your pet. The process of finding the right dog training package can, at times, feel overwhelming, given the multitude of options available. However, the benefits of a well-adjusted dog are incomparable, requiring careful consideration and thorough research to make a sound decision.

The right training package will ensure that your furry companion learns essential commands and good manners. More importantly, choosing the right training package helps establish a strong bond between you and your pet based on communication, respect, and trust.

Before getting down to the nitty-gritty of choosing the perfect dog training package for your beloved pet, determine your training goals first. Clearly define what you want your dog to learn. It can either be basic obedience, good manners, or behavior correction. Understanding the training goals you want to achieve with your dog will help you choose a package that aligns with your expectations as the dog owner and the dog’s unique needs.

The journey to your furry companion’s well-being starts now! For a simplified process, highlighted here are five (5) essential factors on how to choose the right training package for your dog:

1. Must align with your training philosophy

Different dog training companies employ various training methods and tools. Always consider your preferences when it comes to training philosophies. It is imperative that the dog training package you choose aligns with your personal values and beliefs. Most importantly, it should ensure that your canine companion is treated as humanely as possible during his training journey.

At the end of the day, it is you who will share the daily routine with your dog and reinforce the training techniques regularly. It is vital that there is harmony between your values and the company’s training approach for an effective and enjoyable training experience.

2. Check the dog training provider’s reputation

Do thorough research on the dog training companies’ reputations. Ask family and friends or check with your vet if they can refer you to a good training package for your pet. Check the company’s standing within the community by checking Google business reviews, Yelp, and even Facebook recommendations. If the dog training company allows you to observe training classes with other dogs, that is a green flag! This helps you gather valuable insights through other dog owners’ perspectives and experiences and gives you a clear picture of the effectiveness and credibility of the training provider. Take special notes about the company’s ethical practices, reliability, and overall competence.

3. Educate yourself on the training package’s training methods and tools

As your dog’s owner, you should always read up on all the training methods being used. Checking the nuances of the training methods and tools is fundamental to nurturing an obedient canine companion. Dog training is both art and science, involving a variety of methodologies and tools to train your pet that will effectively make your dog more responsive and influence his behavior.

At Off Leash K9 Training, we find that e-collar training is the most effective training method for 90% of all dogs. But we also know that not all dogs are the same, so just as an e-collar is a “tool” in our proverbial “tool belt,” it is not the only one we use. Instead, we base it on your canine companion’s temperament, drive, and behavior issues.

An e-collar is a tool that uses the same technology as a TENS machine, sending a tingle of electric stimulation that lets your dog focus on the trainer’s commands. We always set the e-collar’s sensation to the lowest, most effective level for the stimulation to get your dog’s attention. The OLK9 trainer will then give valuable guidance to your dog on the appropriate actions that lead to favorable results. The e-collar will empower your dog to change his behavior, steer clear of unruly or distracted actions, and learn to behave and calm down.

4. Evaluate the trainer’s qualifications, experience, and communication skills

At the center of an excellent dog training package is a competent dog trainer. He should be professionally qualified with a vast experience in handling dogs and the commitment to follow through on the training journey.

It is the trainer to whom you will entrust your beloved pet, so it is vital that he can be relied upon. He should have a combination of hard and soft skills to be the right professional to help your beloved pet. You should look into his certifications from recognized dog training organizations and his track record to check if he has experience dealing with different dog breeds and behavior challenges.

Aside from those hard skills, the trainer should have the heart and dedication to genuinely help dogs. Effective communication skills are also pivotal in successful dog training. He should be able to communicate well with the dog and the dog owner. A trainer with good communication skills can easily create a strong bond of trust with your canine companion. As dogs are really perceptive creatures, they will be more encouraged to learn and participate in the training.

5. Cost, training structure and convenience

Budget is a vital consideration on how to choose the right dog training package for your dog. The cost of the training package should be commensurate with its value. The company should provide a transparent breakdown of the costs of their dog training packages, including the number and duration of sessions, class size, how the training is structured, and package inclusions. The cost should not only consider your financial investment but also whether it fits within your allocated budget, so you can carefully plan your finances for a smooth-sailing training journey.

Whether they offer in-house training or you need to bring your canine companion to their training facility is important because location is the key. The training schedule should fit into your daily routine, so your beloved pet can easily and consistently attend all training sessions.

Final Reminders

List at least three dog training packages within your area before you pick one. Due diligence is a must to pick out the best dog training package for your dog. Think of your training goals, assess the trainer’s reputation and credentials, check the training methods used, and consider budget, training structure, and convenience. With these essential factors on how to choose the right dog training package as your guide, you are better equipped to make an informed choice. Remember that investing in the right dog training package is an investment in a happier and better-behaved canine companion. And it paves the road to a more harmonious relationship between you and your beloved pet.

And always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your dog, their health, or their obedience. We’re always here for you and your K9 family members!

Would you like a certified trainer to contact you?