Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Dog Obedience Training at DoGone Fun

Obedience classes provide dogs with important training that makes life easier for both pets and owners. These classes also offer a chance for dogs to get used to being around other dogs while also learning to follow commands without getting distracted. At DoGone Fun, we offer dog obedience training to help puppies and dogs learn to successfully obey commands.


Puppy Pre-School/AKC S.T.A.R Puppy Program
This 7 week program focuses on covering all aspects of training young pups and giving them opportunities to socialize with others, which is an important part of their learning process. During this program, you can expect us to cover house training and crate training, as well as potential behavioral issues, such as biting and jumping on people. Puppies also learn how to walk on a leash, sit on command, behave around other puppies, how to get used to city noises and how to calm down. Your puppy will also learn how to perform the behaviors required for passing the AKC’s S.T.A.R Puppy program.


Back to Basics
This 7 week program is designed for dogs who are at least 5 months old. During this program, dogs learn basic behaviors that they need in order to behave properly around others. This includes learning to focus when distractions are around and coming to you when called. We also cover other important dog obedience training topics, such as putting a stop to leash pulling, jumping on people, and helping your dog calm down when she’s excited.


Beyond Basics
This 7 week program takes training to the next level for dogs who have successfully completed our Back to Basics program. This program focuses on teaching your dog to ignore distractions and return to you when called. This is a more challenging program that adds more distractions while increasing distance and duration.


Come and Take a Walk
This 7 week program is designed to teach your dog how to walk on a leash on busy city sidewalks. Your dog will learn to come back to you on command and walk properly on a loose leash.

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Tips for Choosing Dog Training Classes

Puppies aren’t born knowing how they should behave or how to obey commands. This comes about through dog training classes. If you’re thinking of having your dog go through this type of training, how do you choose a class? Keep the following tips in mind before you sign your dog up for any classes. This helps ensure that you and your dog will both have a rewarding experience with obedience training.

Group vs. Individual
Some dog training classes are set up for groups of dogs, while others classes offer one-on-one training with a dog trainer. Group classes are ideal for puppies who need the opportunity to socialize with other pups. These classes are also good for teaching dogs to follow commands when there are distractions around. Some dogs also enjoy being able to spend time with other dogs and make a new friend or two.

Individual training is more suitable for dogs who have behavioral problems that make it hard for them to be around other dogs. This type of training might also be better for dogs who are anxious or afraid of other dogs.

Class Level
You’ll find that there are different levels of dog training classes. The level your dog needs depends partly on his age and the amount of training he has had already. Puppies should attend puppy training classes that are filled with beginners who have not gone through any training before. Dogs who are a bit older can benefit from a basic obedience class if they have never had any training. Dogs who know basic commands can take higher level classes that teach more advanced commands and behaviors.

Class Size
The size of a dog training class might have an effect on how well it goes for you and your pup. Larger classes give your dog more chances to socialize, but they also have more distractions. Smaller classes are sometimes a more suitable option if you want to minimize distractions and get more help from the trainer during class. Larger classes make it more difficult for trainers to give advice to individuals during class.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Getting the Most Out of Dog Obedience Classes

Going through obedience training is an important part of a dog’s life. This type of training helps keep them safe, and teaches them how to behave around you, other people and other pets. Attending dog obedience classes is a great way for you to learn how to give commands, and it gives your dog plenty of opportunities to figure out how to obey those commands. In order to make the most of this experience, keep the following tips in mind.

Practice Outside of Class
Obedience training isn’t just something that happens during class. Your dog needs to practice learning these commands on a regular basis, which means at home and out in public. Being consistent with commands and working on training a few times or more per day helps your dog learn them in a shorter amount of time. If you wait until class time to work on commands, your dog might forget what she is supposed to be doing, which can make training take longer.

Be Patient
One of the most important things to keep in mind when your dog goes through obedience training is that dogs learn at different speeds. Your pet isn’t expected to learn commands during dog obedience classes within a specific time frame. Some dogs take longer to figure out what they should be doing when they hear a command, while others pick up on these cues much more quickly. If your dog is among the slower learners or if your dog gets distracted, remember to be patient. Getting upset and frustrated can end up making it harder for your dog to learn to obey commands. Instead, stay calm and understand that it might take several tries before your dog successfully obeys a command.

Pay Close Attention to Body Language
You might be learning verbal commands during dog obedience classes, but keep in mind that dogs tend to focus more on body language. Keep hand signals and other movements consistent when issuing verbal commands, so your dog will have an easier time figuring out what she should be doing.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

The Benefits of Dog Training You Might Never Have Thought Were Possible

Making sure that dogs are properly trained isn’t just about teaching them to obey commands. Dog training also provides a number of important benefits that go beyond basic obedience, especially when dogs and owners receive guidance from a professional dog trainer. These are some of the advantages you can expect when your dogs have proper training.

Improved Safety for Your Dog
Dogs that know how to listen to commands such as “stay” or return to you on command have a lower risk of running off and being hurt. Whether you’re walking your dog down the streets of your Chicago neighborhood or visiting a local dog park, you don’t have to worry about your dog suddenly taking off and possibly getting into trouble or getting hurt. If your dog does start to run off or approach something dangerous, you can give the appropriate command to have her return to your side or stop where she is until you reach her.

Stronger Bond
Taking the time to train dogs help strengthen the bond you have with them, as long as you maintain a positive atmosphere. You’ll find that you will also end up learning more about a dog’s personality when you work on teaching them to follow commands. This can help you understand your dog more, which makes it easier to adapt training as needed. For example, you’ll know that you need to be more patient and allow for more training time if you have a dog who doesn’t learn as quickly as others or a dog who is easily distracted.

More Social Opportunities
When you have dogs that are well-trained, you’ll be more willing to bring them to your local dog park or take them out in public. You won’t have to worry about them embarrassing you or upsetting others with poor behavior. This means that you and your dogs will be able to enjoy more social interactions with others.

These are just a few of the extra benefits that come with dog training. Keep in mind that undergoing training provides several other advantages for both you and your dog.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Basic Dog Training Tips

One of the most important responsibilities of having dogs is making sure they’re trained. When your dogs have gone through obedience training, they’re more fun and less stressful to be around. You don’t have to worry about them running off on you or jumping up on other people. When you’re ready to begin dog training, the following tips can help you out.

Build a Positive Association
How can you train dogs to obey commands like “sit” or “stay?” One of the most effective ways to do so is by setting up a positive association between verbal commands or hand signals and the correct behavior on your dog’s part. When dogs follow the commands you give, offering them a reward right away builds up positive reinforcement. This makes them more likely to repeat the correct behavior the next time you give the same command. Rewards can be in the form of treats or praise.

Stick to a Routine
When you work on dog training, make sure that you’re being consistent when teaching your dogs a certain command. Don’t use different words or hand signals for the same command, or your dogs will end up being confused and not knowing what to do. Try to use the same tone of voice as well if you’re using verbal commands. Being consistent makes it easier for dogs to learn to follow commands.

Ignore Negative Attention Seeking Behavior
If dogs do things they’re not supposed to in order to get your attention, such as jumping on you or barking excessively at you, be careful with the way you respond. Giving dogs any kind of attention, even if it’s negative attention such as a stern reprimand, reinforces the unwanted behavior. Instead of giving them attention, turn away from them and wait for them to settle down.

Practice Patience
Dog training isn’t something that takes place quickly. Think of it as an ongoing process instead, and learn to be patient with your dogs. Staying patient helps them stay calm and prevents training sessions from becoming stressful, which can help dogs learn to follow commands faster.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Dog Training is as important for you as it is for your dog.

There’s no doubt that dog training is an important part of a dog’s life. Learning to follow commands makes dogs less likely to cause trouble with their owners or with other people and pets. However, training is beneficial for dog owners as well. These are some of the reasons why obedience training is just as important for you as it is for your dog.

Reduces Stress
Pets bring a lot of joy to our lives, but untrained ones can be stressful to deal with on a regular basis. When you have a trained dog in your home, you don’t have to be concerned about facing behavioral problems, such as inappropriate elimination, excessive barking, jumping or other issues. Dogs who have been through training are generally calmer and easier to deal with than dogs who have not been trained. This can help you enjoy your pet’s company even more without having to find ways to ease pet related stress.

Encourages Social Interaction
When you have a poorly trained dog or a dog who has not had any training, you might find that you’re reluctant to go out in public much with your pet. This might mean limiting walks to short ones in areas where you’re less likely to run into other people or pets. When you have a dog who has been trained, you can count on having more pleasant social interactions with others. This can encourage you to bring your dog out in public more, whether that means going for longer walks in busier areas or heading to dog parks.

Keeps Your Dog Safe
One of the biggest reasons for dog training being important for dog owners is that it helps keep their pets safe. When your dog knows how to obey commands, you don’t have as much to worry about when it comes to potential dangers. For example, if your dog dashes into the street, you can call him back with a command, so he won’t get hurt. Knowing that your dog is safer provides you with more peace of mind as a dog owner.


Wednesday, January 18, 2017

3 Important Benefits of Dog Boarding and Daycare

Whether you need a place for your dog to stay during the day when you’re at work, or someone to care for your pet while you’re traveling, dog boarding and daycare offer great options. Dog boarding provides your pet with a comfortable place to stay and interact with other dogs when you’re away. Dog daycare offers a safe environment for your dog to play with other pups for a few hours a day or several hours per day. Both of these options provide important benefits for dogs.


Close Supervision
When your dog stays overnight at a high quality boarding facility or joins a dog daycare group, you can rest assured that trained staff are keeping an eye on your pet. Boarding facilities that offer play groups and around-the-clock supervision provide close supervision, so you don’t have to worry that no one is making sure your dog is safe while you’re gone. Dog daycare facilities also have trained staff members on hand to ensure that all dogs behave while playing with others.


Physical Activity
Dog boarding and daycare provide dogs with ample opportunity to stay physically active during the day. Just keep in mind that not all boarding facilities offer play groups. When you choose a facility that does offer this, your dog can spend several hours per day interacting with other dogs, which helps burn off excess energy. Getting physical activity is an important part of making sure that dogs are in good condition and lowering their risk of obesity, which is associated with diabetes and other health conditions.


Socialization
Dogs who stay at boarding facilities with play groups and dogs who participate in daycare have a chance to socialize with other dogs. This is an effective way for dogs to work on their social skills while also having fun with other pups. These environments also give dogs a chance to get used to being in different surroundings, which can help them become calmer and less stressed when they’re in new places or situations or when they encounter other dogs or people that they aren’t familiar with.