Could you train your dog by following the steps on a DVD? Could you really begin with a darling little puppy who knows practically nothing of how you want him to behave in your home, yet end up with a puppy who is housetrained and knows how to sit, stay, come, and all the rest? Or could you start with an older dog who doesn't know everything you want him to, and get him to be willingly doing all the basics? The answer? Perhaps.
If you are willing to work a bit, you can do it. Dogs really love to learn new things, and you can get an excellent DVD on how to train your dog. So it's up to you: if you want to do it, you can. The DVD will show you what to do -- and it can also help keep you motivated!
Here's how to proceed: figure out when you can do short dog training sessions. Ideally you would do them three to five times a day, but even twice a day will be a good start, perhaps right before the dog's morning and evening meals. You want to do short bits of training because the dogs learn more effectively than if you tried to do everything just once a day for a longer period.
So if planning and following through don't bother you, chances are excellent that you can train your dog by using a DVD.
DVDs or dog training classes?
In deciding whether to train your dog with a DVD or to take him to a class, one of the main factors is whether you can find a trainer nearby whose approach you like. Positive, pain-free methods work more effectively in training dogs, but many trainers learned their methods years ago and haven't made the switch to the newer techniques. Also, of course, consider the cost and the timing of the classes.
If a good dog or puppy training class is available, it can be useful for helping the dog to be at home with many dogs -- something you will need to develop in any case -- and for learning a lot. Once you and the dog see how much fun it can be to learn new things together, you may want some DVDs to help you continue your dog's lifelong learning.
Selecting the Best Dog Training DVD
The best DVD that I have seen on the topic is Train Your Dog: The Positive, Gentle Method, featuring experienced trainers Nicole Wilde and Laura Bourhenne. It's inexpensive yet has everything you need for a great start for your dog.
