Owning a dog is a responsibility that demands time and involves extra expenses. Many dog owners find themselves at the crossroads of deciding whether to train their furry pet on their own or have it take dog training classes facilitated by professionals.
For many dog owners, they believe that part of the joy of having a dog is training it to adopt pleasant behaviors and learn cool tricks. However, not everyone has the luxury of time or the patience to do so.
So in this article, we will discuss whether dog training classes are worth the additional cost or if training your pup on your own is the better option.
What’s Covered in Basic Dog Training Classes?
A crucial part in examining if dog training classes are worth it is identifying what’s covered. In a nutshell, basic puppy training classes include socialization and obedience training.
Basically, socialization is about preparing your furry friend for the world out there. Keep in mind that socialization must occur before they reach 12 weeks old for best results. By signing them up for dog training classes, they will be able to socialize and adapt to a different environment.
Meanwhile, obedience classes are important so you could live in harmony with your dog. Dogs wouldn’t learn to follow your commands on their own. They should be trained to recognize these commands and learn how to execute them properly.
There are also other dog training classes for those 16 weeks old and above. Professional dog trainers may work with each dog individually because learning a new set of skills gets more challenging as dogs grow older.
Are Dog Training Classes Actually Worth It?
Dog training can be worth it depending on how you perceive this type of investment. In most cases, dog training classes pay off in the long run.
The near-term benefits of dog training is that it significantly reduces the risk of anxiety and depression in dogs, which are common in their first year of life. Just as people require primary education, your pet will also benefit from dog training classes more than you thought it would.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong about taking things in your own hands and doing basic home training. However, hiring professional dog trainers can go a long way in making your life much easier.
For those who don’t have the spare time to perform even the most basic training for their dogs, your best bet is to let the experts do the job. Dog training can help prevent aggression issues and can keep your dog healthy, well-behaved, and confident.
Professional dog trainers don’t just offer unparalleled commitment and patience, but also expert skills that can motivate your dog to become obedient and adopt desirable behaviors.
Most dog training classes only take several minutes each time. The reason for this is that dogs have a short attention span and can get distracted easily. So if training sessions are too long, your dog won’t pick it up and may even start making more mistakes.
If you think you would miss out on the fun of having to train your dog, don’t worry because the professional dog trainer will normally assign homework. Because classes only last for several minutes, you need to follow up by practicing at home.
Remember, it is only with repetition and constant practice that your dog will be able to achieve significant progress.
Home Training is Cheaper, But Is It The Best Option?
While it’s true that training your dog on your own is a lot cheaper, the question is: Is it always the best option? There are several instances where the additional cost of hiring a dog trainer is worth it.
For example, if you’ve tried training your dog at home and there are still issues with its behavior and obedience, you might want to save time by getting professional training. Another possible reason for wanting to get an expert trainer is if you want to prepare your dog for talent competitions and dog shows.
Whatever your reasons are, hiring a professional dog trainer is always much more convenient and the results will be much better than doing it yourself.
Final Thoughts
All dog owners know how much of a handful taking care of dogs can be. We also know that you’re trying your best to juggle work and family life.
So if you need a hand in speeding up the process of teaching your dog important skills and proper behaviors, you’d want to find reliable dog trainers such as Delaware K9 Academy. They offer 2-week bootcamps, private lessons, and puppy training for your varying needs.
The best part about working with them is that all their trainers are highly experienced and only implement humane methods based on positive reinforcement. This means you can have peace of mind that your dogs are in good hands!
