The beginning of the school year is the perfect time to go back to school with your dog too! Since dogs can learn at all ages and stages of life, it is never too late to correct bad habits, teach new tricks, and improve your relationship with your dog. Enrolling your dog in a training program can also help teach your children responsibility if they are involved in the training of your pet. Many dogs may develop behavioral issues, such as vocalization and destructiveness once your children go back to school. It is important to correct the bad behavior before it gets out of hand. There are many different options when sending your pooch back to school…

On-site training classes – Classes provide the experiences and opportunities for your dog to interact with other dogs, with people, and in new environments.

At-home training classes – At home training gives you a one on one experience with a dog training professional. It also is helpful for dogs that are being trained for dog aggression and unable to be around other dogs.

Doggie Day Care – Classes provide the experiences and opportunities for your dog to interact with other dogs, with people, and in new environments. It also is a good option for dogs that have separation anxiety to become accustomed to you leaving them and picking them up.

Books on dog training – Books give you the convenience of training at any time. They also are a lower cost option then on-site or at-home training.  Check out our Pinterest page for a list of great training books.

On-line videos on training – Videos are also a convenient way for you to do training any time. Videos also help you have a visual when training.

Benefits of training and socialization:

  • Socialization has been found to be critical to the psychological health of adult dogs.
  • Training classes provide dog owners the skills and knowledge for dealing with common, normal dog behaviors.
  • Training provides dogs with the basic good manners we all want—from polite greeting when guests arrive, to walking nicely on the leash, to coming when called.
  • A trained dog is a fully participating member of the family.
  • A trained dog can accompany you to fun events where dogs are welcome. From kids’ sports game, visiting friends and relatives, going for hikes, swims, and everything else the family does together.
  • Training is shown to keep pets in their forever homes.
  • Training builds the bond between you and your pet.

So when the kids go back to school consider sending Rover too!! It’s never too late to learn.

-Meghan Burnell, AS
GVH Veterinary Technician