THE HELP CENTER
Your Questions, Answered
Is my dog too old for training?
Your dog is never too old to start training! The saying “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.” is not true!
When's the best age to start training?
The second your puppy comes home they are forming behaviors and learning expectations. Two weeks is necessary to allow your pup to get familiar with you and your home, but they are reading your body language and testing boundaries right away. It is best to start training once the pup is old enough to be away from the mother, and settled in at home with you. This is typically around ten to twelve weeks of age.
How do I properly socialize my dog?
Socialization doesn’t always mean your dog has to meet every dog they see. Socialization can be done just by allowing your dog to walk around new places, see new things, smell new smells, and be around other dogs and other people. The earlier you start socializing, the better!
Why is my dog so hyper?
Dog’s need more than just walks daily. Dog’s also require a lot of enrichment to keep the mind going and thinking.
How do I determine what kind of training I need for my dog?
Feel free to get a hold of one of our trainers! We can discuss what problems or issues you may be having and we can get with you on what type of training would work best for you and your dog.
Why does my dog pull on a leash?
Dog’s tend to pull on a leash because they have learned that is what gets them to move forward. Every step you take with your dog as it pulls is reinforcement to your dog that, if you pull, I go with you.
How do I get my dog to get along with other dogs or children?
This comes back to socialization and structure. If you haven’t built a calm state of mind with your dog around other animals and people of all types, they won’t know what behavior you expect from them during interactions. To build your dog’s confidence and comfort around other people and animals, you have to train them first to be able to focus on you when they are around. Rewarding a calm state of mind, and not pushing your dog’s boundaries will ultimately result in a better relationship between your dog and other animals and children.
Why does my dog not come when called?
Often owners call their dogs without any form of accountability to ensure that they come, like a leash or e-collar. Calling your dog to you without first teaching them what “come” means, or rewarding them every time for the behavior allows them to fail. Recall should be the most rewarding thing that a dog is trained to do. If you give your dog opportunities to not come when called, it will see that your expectation is low.
Do you train aggressive dogs?
Absolutely! Consult a trainer before signing up for a class. The trainer will help determine what route of training will be best for you and your dog.
Are some dogs not bright enough to be trained?
Each dog learns in their own way, just like us. If it seems that your dog isn’t that smart, it may be that you’re not sure how to communicate with them in a way that they understand. At Whyte Dog Academy we tailor our training to your dog’s learning style. All dogs can be trained with the right tools and knowledge.
Will I have to use treats and training tools forever?
Training tools and rewards are used to communicate with your dog. These are used most in the training process while the dog is learning, and as your dog has learned the behavior they can be phased out. It is important to keep your dog excited and eager to train. Rewarding behaviors is how we keep that excitement to learn high. Once a behavior is completely learned, these tools may no longer be necessary.