Here at Wags & Wiggles, we believe in training both ends of the leash!

Our four-legged students are always willing to please and eager to learn in our dog obedience classes. However, the same cannot always be said about our two-legged students! If you truly want your dog obedience training to be effective, you have to learn how to be a successful student. Dog training isn't always easy and can definitely be frustrating at times, but it is more than worth it in the long run. The trick is learning HOW to train your dog effectively, which is why our group classes are so beneficial. 

Here are some ways to be a successful student in our dog obedience classes:

• Listen and be present

  It is so important to go into our dog obedience classes open-minded and ready to learn. Your dog can tell if you are frustrated, tired, or anxious and he or she will most definitely feed off of your mood and behavior. Be ready to change, learn, and grow. Bring a notepad or tablet to jot down notes. You will be exposed to new ideas, tips, and tricks that you probably have never heard of before. Don't be afraid to try them out and see what works for you! Even if you don't think something will work, what's the harm in trying it out?

• Ask questions

  If you have questions or concerns about anything, please make sure to ask your trainer. We love hearing you ask questions because it shows us that you are invested and willing to learn. We love connecting and building relationships with our clients, and one of the best ways to do that is to ask questions! 

• Don't get defensive

  It's okay if your dog doesn't understand something the first, second, or third time around. We have truly seen it all before, so please don't feel like you need to defend or make excuses for your pup! No one is judging you, and we'll likely have solutions to help you fix the problem. Sometimes it's easy for a dog to perform a certain behavior or command at home, but is more difficult to do in a new environment or group setting. That is okay and totally normal. We will help you work through it, and by the end your dog will be able to face even more tempting distractions!

• Take responsibility

  If your dog does not seem to be making much progress, it could likely be because of something you are doing wrong or not doing correctly! Maybe you need to spend more time outside of class practicing commands and behaviors. This is probably the most common mistake we see. Or, maybe you are accidentally rewarding the wrong behaviors, making your dog confused. Whatever it is, we will give you an answer and be able to help - but we can only do this if you are honest with yourself and with us!

• Put in the work

  Training your dog takes time, hard work, patience, and dedication! There are no quick and easy fixes, and it won't happen overnight. If you keep working towards your dog training goal, we promise you will reach it! Sometimes it can be hard finding the motivation, but we know you'll find it rewarding in the long run. We can give you the tools, but ultimately it is up to you to put in the work!

We're always here if you have any questions - feel free to contact us! If you need help training your dog, sign up for an obedience class or a private lesson.