Many pet owners can’t attend in-person dog training classes due to time, work, and location constraints. If that is your situation, you ought to consider signing up for one of the many reputable online dog training schools. There are many benefits to online classes, such as the ability to take them as per your schedule, being able to attend different training levels, getting one-on-one training, and having access to multiple trainers with highly developed skills and in-depth knowledge of current training concepts.
Here are a few tips to help you make the right choice:
Ask for recommendations
If any of your family members, neighbors, friends, and acquaintances have enrolled their pets in any online dog training schools, ask them about their experience. Was it positive overall? Has online training benefited their dogs? If so, then you might want to consider their school as well. It could work wonders for your dog too.
Research online
The internet is your best friend if you are starting from scratch in finding a suitable school. Do an in-depth search and compile a list of the top online dog training schools. Visit and review their websites. Have they provided sufficient and up-to-date information about their training programs, fees, and payment methods? Have they given a physical office address along with their email and telephone contact details? Even though the classes are online, you should be able to visit their office if you need to.
Review the training programs
Most online dog training schools will provide precise details of their training programs on their websites. These can range from those focusing on beginner obedience training to very advanced levels that include tracking, agility, fieldwork, and more. The classes will generally be available for puppies as well as older dogs. Because, if you choose, you can indeed teach an old dog some new tricks. You can start your dog with basic classes that teach sit, down, come, bark, jump, and other simple commands, and then work your way up from there.
Talk to the trainers
All good online dog training schools will list their trainers, along with their skills and achievements, on their websites. Some schools will allow you to pick the trainers of your choice, while others will have specific trainers for specific classes or levels. Either way, you should ask to speak with them before you sign up. Apart from discussing your dog’s requirements, you will want to find out if they are easy to talk to and willing to answer your questions and concerns.
Training your dog well could take weeks or even months, and it will be preferable to work for the duration with someone you can get along with. If they are brusque or impatient and unwilling to give you much time, it might be a good idea to find another dog trainer or another canine training school.
Speak with other clients
It is a good idea to ask the trainers and the online dog training schools to furnish you with references and contact details of some of their past clients. A reputable school will not balk from giving out this information. If possible, call up a few of these and discuss their dog training experiences at the school. Did they feel they got their money’s worth from the online sessions? Are their dogs now better mannered than they were before? Would they choose to get further training lessons at the same schools? You should make your selection and sign up for classes only after thoroughly reviewing different online dog training schools. In many ways, the virtual lessons will be less distracting than actual ones, and you will have more opportunities to learn. You will interact with the trainer via text, audio, and live as well as recorded demonstration videos. You can also participate in online class forums and make and submit training videos with your dog to get the trainer’s feedback.
By the end of the training period, you will have developed a better understanding of your dog’s temperament and psychology. You will be able to strengthen your mutual relationship, and the relaxed dog will display good manners wherever you take them.
