Pre Adoption training

[miacis]

Just thinking is it possible to do a course in dog trianing /positive methods before adopting a dog? In some ways perhaps it ought to be standard.

I'm so interested in this training lark but don't have a dog yet (we will do but need a bit of time) meanwhile would like to get ready.

Our DD is adopted and I remember the course and checks we had to go through with her. Wondering if some rescues do this - probably not but just wondering

I think it's a fabulous idea! I'm sure if you got in touch with a local trainer/class and explained, they'd let you watch a few lessons? I train in a big open busy field and there's always lots of people milling around being nosy!

If you adopt from the Dogs Trust, I believe they encourage you to attend a sort of mini presentation on the key issues involved in dog training/ownership.

Interestingly, once you have adopted, attending obedience/training classes together with your new dog has been shown to have a protective effect on the adoption, and owners doing such classes also report fewer behavioural problems, so you get a double benefit. What might be helpful before you adopt is to have a read of a few key texts - often recommended on here - would include "Don't Shoot the Dog", "In Defence of Dogs", "The other End of the Leash" and "The Culture Clash" - these will give you a thorough grounding on latest thinking on positve learning methods and how dogs learn/behave. All are available on Amazon - maybe not too late to ask Santa to deliver?

All reputable teachers would be happy for you to sit in on some classes to get a feel for what goes on - either a puppy class or a Bronze Kennel Club Canine Good Citizens class would be ideal.

Many rescues will encourage you to do classes once you adopt, for the reasons listed above, and one trainer I know actually offers discounts on her training classes to people who have adopted through local all breed rescues.

finding local classes and local good vet are essential when taking on a dog - well done for being so prepared/thorough.

Speak to your local dog club or trainer. I offer a "You're going to get a dog!" seminar. It runs about 4 times a year. We talk about how to choose a dog, recommend rescues in our area, dismiss many of the rescue myths, also talk about getting a puppy etc. What to do in the early days, how training may have changed since people had their last dog. A local vet pops in to discuss basic doggy health and vaccinations and also offer 10% of beginner dog training classes! I have dogs and owners from my other classes to be there to discuss their experiences and for the prospective owners to see many different types of dogs and just ask questions.

So worth asking around many APDT trainers do them

Thanks all - will try local trainers. Am one step ahead of santa and got most of those books already. Reading the culture clash at the moment. Brilliant.

Those classes sound ideal minimuu. A very good friend has just got a dog too - so we're going to do some work together. May try some of this positve reinforcement stuff on DD - though may stop short of the clicker