A good training class will teach you how to train your dog and provide information about dog behaviour, socialisation, and body language. From obedience to tricks, various dog training courses are available in South Africa. With the help of a professional, you can ensure that your furry friend is well-behaved and trained to your specific needs. Here are some of the best dog training courses in South Africa.
What are the basics of dog training?
There is no one answer to this question, as dog training basics will vary depending on the individual dog’s personality and temperament.
However, some basic concepts for any dog trainer are obedience training, behavioural training, and environmental training. Before starting to train your dog, you must first consider some crucial elements.
Home vs Away dog training
There are benefits to both home and group class training. Home training may allow you & your dog to focus more on each other individually. Group class training can help your dog learn to focus, even when distracted by other dogs.
Use Positive reinforcement when training your dog
Positive reinforcement training is often the most effective way to train dogs; by rewarding them for making the right choices and withholding rewards (or ignoring them) when they make incorrect choices.
Dog trainers vs behaviourists
There are some essential differences to bear in mind between trainers and behaviourists. While behaviourists can also be trainers and veterinarians, this isn’t always the case. Trainers are typically good at managing symptoms but may not necessarily understand the root causes.
Training a dog to be home alone
Training a dog to be home alone can be a challenging task, but it is important to remember that every dog is different and will respond to different techniques. A behaviourist would ideally determine the root cause of the separation anxiety before attempting to train the dog, as this will give you a better chance of success. However, there are some general tips that you can follow. For example, get your dog used to being alone by gradually increasing the amount of time they spend by themselves. Start with just a few minutes and work up to longer periods of time. You should also create a safe space for your dog to retreat to when they are feeling anxious. This could be a crate or a designated area in the house where they feel comfortable and safe. Finally, it is important to be consistent with your training and never give in to your dog’s demands for attention, as this will only reinforce their anxiety. If you stick with it, you should see gradual improvements over time.
Training a puppy vs training an adult dog
Training a young puppy has its challenges, but it can be immensely rewarding. Puppies have short attention spans and are easily distracted, so the key is to keep training sessions short and sweet. It’s also important to be consistent with commands and rewards, as puppies will quickly lose interest if they do not see tangible results. However, puppies are also very eager to please so that they can learn basic commands relatively quickly with patience and positive reinforcement. Training an adult dog can be more challenging, as they may have developed bad habits that will need to be corrected. However, adult dogs are usually less distractible than puppies, so once they understand what you expect of them, they’re generally good at following commands. Ultimately, the best approach to training depends on the individual dog’s personality and needs.
Essential Commands Your Dog Needs to Know
As a responsible dog owner, it is crucial to train your pooch to obey specific commands. This will help keep them safe and well-behaved at home and in public. Some essential commands your dog needs to know include ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘come’, and ‘down’. With patience and practice, most dogs can learn these commands relatively quickly. However, it is vital to remain consistent with your commands and rewards to reinforce good behaviour. While training may take some time and effort, it is ultimately worth it for the safety and happiness of both you and your furry friend.
Puppy Handling and Socialisation
Your puppy’s socialisation period during his first three months of life will shape his future personality and how he reacts to his environment as an adult dog. Gently exposing him to various people, places, and situations will make a big, permanent difference in his temperament.
Top 3 dog training courses in South Africa
The Institute of Modern Dog Trainers South Africa
IMDT South Africa was founded in 2019 to bring professional opportunities to dog trainers and pet industry professionals in South Africa. IMDT is a global provider of education for dog trainers and behaviourists. Cape Town, Gauteng, and KZN offer dog training courses to help dogs and their owners learn how to communicate better and understand each other.
Their correspondence courses include
Level Five: 12 months of analysis and application.
- Level Four: 12 months of behaviour consultations and functions of behaviour.
- Level Three: 6 months of learning, motivation and reinforcement.
- Ofqual Regulated Level 3 Qualification.
IMDT South Africa was founded in 2019 to bring those opportunities to South African dog trainers and pet industry professionals.
S.A. Dog Training
Instructor classes for dog trainers are offered at various levels, from puppy instructors to teaching beginner to advanced obedience, agility, and protection. These courses involve both practical and theoretical components.
SADTC is global, having trained its first international Learner Instructors in September 2009. They have enquiries from the U.S.A., Singapore, Jordan, UK, Australia, Sweden, Zanzibar, and many African countries. Dog Training Instructor Classes teach humane methods to improve the dogs’ and handlers’ lives. So you’re in luck if you’re in one of those countries!
Pet Sense College
Pet Sense College is the perfect place to learn about animal care, welfare, behaviour and training. They exclusively represent Compass Education and Training in Africa, so you can be sure our courses are of the highest standard.
Pet Sense College is dedicated to providing quality education to students who want to work with animals professionally. They offer competitive courses that are internationally recognised, thanks to our partnership with Compass Education and Training U.K.
Their diploma level one course includes:
- Different ways of explaining canine behaviour
- Understanding what makes them tick
- Body language and how dogs communicate
- Canine learning and how they absorb information
- Dog training methods and approaches
- Canine form and function – how they’re built and how that affects behaviour
- Avoiding problem behaviour before it starts
- Defining aggression in dogs – what it is and what it isn’t
Last Bark
We hope you’ve enjoyed our take on dog training courses. There are a variety of courses available in South Africa. Through the help of a professional, you can ensure that your furry friend is well-behaved and trained to your specific needs.
