Urban Wolf © Copyright 2009 Website by Creative Intrigue
Is my puppy too young to start training?
Your puppy is already learning right now from every single interaction with you, whether you are consciously teaching your dog or not. Between the ages of 7 - 16 weeks, your puppy is capable of learning as an adult dog. This is the best time to begin fostering the good behaviour you would like to see in your adult dog. Ensure your puppy is following a vaccination program and give us a call!
Is my 4-year-old dog too old to learn?
You can teach an old dog a new trick! It really is never too late to change their undesirable habits or improve their behaviour. The older the dog, the more deeply ingrained the bad habits are likely to be, though older dogs often have a longer attention span, are calmer, and have a deeper bond with you. Fix it, teach it, stop it - it is possible with an adult dog.
What are Urban Wolf's dog training methods?
We primarily use positive, reward-based training to teach you how to motivate your dog and achieve the behaviour you desire. It is not the only method to teach a dog that works. No one method will suit every dog. That's why Urban Wolf trains your dog, your way.
Can you use food?
Food is a reward when used to conduct dog training. Reward based training depends on your dog being willing to perform an exercise for a payment be it food, a pat, a hearty "Good Boy!", a click and so on. A reward is limited only by your dog's definition of a good thing. Not all dogs are motivated by food, believe it or not! However, food is usually included on most dogs' lists of special favourites, along with toys, games, verbal praise, etc. Dogs are individuals just like us. Learn what motivates your dog and use it to your advantage - we can help you with that.
How much time do I have to spend for practising training?
Dogs learn best if you practice in short and upbeat sessions, maybe 2-5 minutes each, several times a day. Try incorporating dog training into your everyday life. When you arrive home from work and play with your dog, throw in a few commands and reward the dog with your usual games. Add training exercises to your regular walks. Give your dog commands before you feed it. We'll show you how to integrate training your dog into routine feeding, walking, and playing sessions. It won't feel like extra work, just fun!
What is socialisation?
Socialisation is the key to a well-mannered dog. Socialisation is acclimatising your dog to your living situation and the surrounding environment. Every day your dog experiences a diverse range of objects, people, places and circumstances - each one providing a learning opportunity. To produce a dog that is confident in all these situations, it is critical these experiences are positive. A well socialised and confident dog can adapt to each new situation without showing stress, fear or a bad attitude. Socialisation is continuous throughout the life of your dog, but the first 16 weeks are vital. So, get your dog out there - your neighbourhood, the car, the vet, other dogs, children, the vacuum cleaner, the mower, bicycles - get it used to new experiences. Gradually saturate your dog with positive experiences for the best practice socialisation.
What is the best family dog to buy?
There is no one breed of dog that is better than another when it comes to purchasing the family dog. the best dog for the family is confident and alert with a calm manner - temperament selection is key.
I bought my dog from a pet shop - does that matter?
Where you purchase your dog from is not relevant in terms of training or behaviour. Great, well-behaved dogs come from all manner of places. Whether you buy a dog from a pet store, out of the local paper, from a rescue shelter or you purchase a dog from a breeder, what matters is the temperament and the way you, as an owner, raise the dog.
